Are your date night ideas running a little dry or perhaps you’re trying to impress that special someone with something they’ve never done before? It can be hard to keep things fresh and interesting – especially when you feel like you’ve tried it all.
But not to worry, we’ve got your back. We’ve compiled some of the best unique and romantic date day and night ideas so you can bin those mundane restaurant plans and sack off those boring drinks at the local bar.
From mini golf to a gaming café and cooking workshops, here are some of the best quirky and different date ideas in Cornwall that are sure to help you make a great first impression.
This article was first published in 2022
Fun dates
It’s not all about the candle-lit dinners; sometimes it’s all about the fun, and there’s plenty to do in Cornwall for that alternative date night. Why not head down to the video game venue and café, The Pad in Bodmin, or On The Boards in Truro, where you can indulge in interactive darts, electronic beer pong and social shuffleboard? Or if you’re feeling sporty, try your hand at crazy golf at the Holywell Bay Golf mini golf course, or even Cornwall Football Golf in St Austell.
720 Games / The Pad in Bodmin
If you fancy something more challenging book into one of Cornwall’s escape rooms and work together to crack the codes and break out in one piece. What better way to test your compatibility than a high-pressure situation where even the best of friends bicker? Some of the best ones are DreadLock and Housetrap in Bodmin, Escape Time in St Ives and Eureka Escape in Penzance.
Alternatively, you could give some kind of workshop or class a crack. Cookery classes, pottery classes and surf classes are all great fun but also prove that Cornwall is quite the educational playground. Why not try out Fat Hen, a wild foraging and cookery school, or go full Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore and enjoy a wheel-throwing class at St Ives Pottery?
Culture dates
For something a bit more relaxed, why not head out for a culture trip and explore Cornwall’s fantastic selection of museums and art galleries, of which there’s definitely plenty to keep you entertained for the day?
In Truro, of course, there’s the Royal Cornwall Museum which is sadly under threat of closure but houses the most remarkable collection of exhibitions that is not to be missed. Then we have the Penlee House Gallery and Museum, National Maritime Museum, and the unmissable Helston Museum of Cornish Life. There’s also the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden at St Ives and the world-famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle.
The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle.
(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)
We could go on and on because there are plenty of places that not only tell the brilliant stories of Cornwall’s past and its people, but they are also housed in stunning buildings and incredible locations. They will give you plenty of talking points and make for a great day out.
Cornwall is unique – there’s no place like it on the planet. With its stunning beaches, glorious countryside, ancient traditions and fierce sense of identity, it’s no wonder millions of people visit the county every year.
With this in mind, Discover Cornwall has been launched to highlight everything that makes Cornwall special, from the quirky to the fascinating and the historical to the downright weird and wonderful. Discover Cornwall will help you find out about the county regardless of whether you’re a local or a visitor. From the best fish and chip shops and pasty sellers to insightful reads into the more isolated parts of Cornwall, Discover Cornwall will help open your eyes to everything this special county has to offer.
To Discover Cornwall, click here.
Romantic dates
Now, I know we said bin the evening dinner, but if you fancy a bite to eat with a twist, Cornwall is home to plenty of hidden gems and secret bars that you might have yet to discover.You can read the full list here. But for the ultimate romantic experience, pack a bottle of bubbles, a blanket and a picnic and wait for the sun to set on a clear day, revealing the ultimate stargazing experience.
With less light pollution and plenty of uninterrupted countryside, everything from shooting stars to galaxies have been spotted in Cornwall’s night skies. It’s also the reason why Cornwall has twice been awarded the accolade of International Dark Sky Park Designation with the prestigious International Dark-Sky Association. Keep your fingers crossed for a shooting star, and make your wish. Read about the best stargazing locations here.
Day dates
For more perfect day-date ideas, get on your bike and set off for a Cornish vineyard like Camel Valley, near Bodmin, or Knightor, near St Austell, where you can enjoy a wine tasting session or simply tour the stunning grounds and hear from the experts about the process.
St Nectan’s Glen
(Image: Lisa MacLeod)
Alternatively, relax with a unique spa day like the outdoor spa experience at Water and Stone Spa, in Newquay. Or hop in the car and travel to one of Cornwall’s magical waterfalls. The sound of birdsong and running water is sure to set the scene for a perfect date. The Culm Coast and St Nectan’s Glen are some of our favourites.
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