Nottingham date ideas — 7 fun activities, from food to games
Arcade fun, pottery painting, walks, and more...
Whether you’re meeting someone from Hinge for the very first time or trying to make your 100th date feel fresh again, it’s always worth knowing the best spots around Nottingham.
We’ve got you covered with a whole range of places you can go to get to know that special someone, no matter what your interests. Fantastic games and chilled-out crafts are just some of the things we’ve scoped out.
Nottingham and the wider area have so many wonderful things to do to enjoy, so you can look back on your date fondly (...or at least have fun if the sparks aren’t there). For more guides like this, subscribe to The Notts Edit to receive our articles in your inbox for free.
7 dazzling date ideas to try around Nottingham
By Amber Bungay and Holly Mayze
1. Arcade games
Where: Penny Lane, Fletcher Gate, NG1 1QQ and Funstation Nottingham, The Cornerhouse, Burton Street, NG1 4DB
How much: Penny Lane £1.25 per token, Funstation varies per game
Sure, playing games on the Xbox together is fun — but you might not be ready to head home just yet. Instead, you can get into the playing spirit at a couple of brilliant places in Notts city centre.
Penny Lane has a lot to offer for a romantic date night, with cocktails and a range of arcade games. Offering claw machines, penny pushers, air hockey, basketball hoops, and a donkey derby, there are lots of games to work up a sweat playing.
For those who want even more gaming choices, the Funstation right above Lost City has everything from carnival games like milk jug tosses and fish bowl frenzy to more modern games like Mario Kart and a dance machine.
And, let’s be honest… the chance to earn bragging rights for the entire future of a potential relationship? Absolutely priceless.
Do if: You know you won’t fall out with your date after a winner is crowned.
pennylanenottingham.com
cornerhousenottingham.co.uk/attraction/funstation
2. Golf
Where: The Lost City Adventure Golf, The Cornerhouse, NG1 4DB, Gloryholes, George Street, NG1 3BH, Bunker, Longden Street, NG3 1JN
How much: Lost City £10pp for 18 holes, Gloryholes £10-12pp, Bunker £25pp for two players and £5 to hire clubs.
You don’t have to be Tiger Woods or Troy Bolton to have fun getting into the swing of golf. Crazy golf is a quick, easy option that still offers all the fun hallmarks of the sport.
Situated in Nottingham’s The Cornerhouse, the Lost City Adventure Golf has two lots of 18-hole courses to choose from.
With a theme of the Inca rainforest, the Lost City Adventure Golf includes the Temple Trail and the Sacred Skull courses, along with a fun Tiki bar to finish.
If you prefer a raunchier game, Nottingham’s Gloryholes on George Street is the place to book with your beau. This adult mini-golf course is perfect for breaking the ice on the first date and has a quirky bar to grab an entertaining cocktail before or after.
Into golf seriously? Bunker near Sneinton Market uses state-of-the-art technology to make an indoor driving range feel like a trip to St. Andrews. It also has a bar to sit at pre or post game.
Do if: You want to find out how competitive your date is.
lostcityadventuregolf.com/nottingham
gloryholesgolfnottingham.co.uk
bunkerindoorgolf.co.uk
3. Cinemas
Where: The Savoy Cinema, Derby Road, NG7 1QN and Broadway Cinema, Broad Street, NG1 3AL
How much: Savoy £7.50pp, Broadway £10pp
Visiting the cinema for a date has been a classic for decades. That cliche of hands reaching in the popcorn bucket just doesn’t get old for a reason.
Art-deco cinema The Savoy will give you the authentic retro movie-going experience, with film names listed outside for an Insta date snap and large red seats perfect for snuggling up in.
For those looking for a city centre date, Broadway Cinema is also a brilliant choice. It hosts a range of mainstream and independent films, which you can watch while enjoying a beverage from the bar. It’s situated in the heart of Hockley, which has plenty of restaurants for post-film debriefs.
Do if: You want a cosy date that gives you conversation points.
savoyonline.co.uk/SavoyNottingham
broadway.org.uk
4. Pottery painting
Where: Razzle Dazzle Pots, Woodborough Road, Mapperley, NG3 5QQ and Starnhill Studio, Granby Lane, Bingham, NG13 8DH
How much: Razzle Dazzle Pots has no studio fee and pottery prices start at £10, Starnhill Studio £4pp studio fee and pottery prices start at £4
Not every date has to be loud and over the top — in fact, dates that are calm and chilled out can be just as sweet.
The colourful Mapperley-based Razzle Dazzle Pots is a cute place to sit down and relax. It has tables that can seat four and eight, so you could always make it a double or triple date if you want to liven things up.
If you don’t mind going slightly further afield, Starnhill Studio in Bingham is set in a gorgeous farmhouse space that’s very romantic. You can also purchase a range of teas, coffees, and cakes for sustenance while you work.
Whether you choose to paint a gift for each other or something for yourself, this has to be one of the most wholesome date ideas out there.
Do if: You want a date you can fully relax doing.
razzledazzlepots.co.uk
starnhill.co.uk
5. Romantic walks
Where: Wollaton Park, Wollaton Hall, NG8 2AE and Clumber Park, Worksop, S80 3AZ
How much: Wollaton Park grounds free and Hall £15pp, Clumber Park £5.50pp
Whether you’re wrapped up from the winter chill or enjoying a sunny summer afternoon, a scenic stroll is one of the loveliest ways to get to know someone. It’s relaxed, low-pressure, and ideal for avoiding the intensity of a big activity with someone you’ve only just met.
Wollaton Park has over 500 acres of land for strolling, and you might even spot a deer or two. If it gets chilly, you can always head inside the museum.
For a scenic spot with lots of areas to explore, Clumber Park is also a stunning choice. With a walled kitchen garden, the majestic Lime Tree Avenue, and even a Grade II listed bridge, you won’t be short of beautiful points to stop and take in nature’s views.
Do if: You’re after a budget-friendly date location you can spend hours in.
wollatonhall.org.uk
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/clumber-park
6. Bowling
Where: Discobowl Nottingham, Belward Street, Nottingham NG1 1JZ and Tenpin, Redfield Way, Nottingham NG7 2UW
How much: Discobowl Nottingham £8.50pp, Tenpin from £3pp
Whether you’re a pro at the pins or just want an excuse to put your hours of Wii Sports into practice, bowling is always a fun idea.
Just round the corner from the Motorpoint Arena is Discobowl Nottingham. It has a storming 48 lanes, so you can just turn up and play without the fear of having to queue. In the evenings it turns on a light show on over the lanes, and on Friday-Sunday a DJ plays tunes to get you into the groove when playing.
At Tenpin in Clifton, you can not only book a lane at bowling but can also get stuck into other activities too. We’re talking about karaoke (for the brave) and escape rooms (also for the brave). You could spend the whole day here, if your date ends up going really well.
Do if: You want a crowd-pleasing activity that will easily shift any initial awkwardness.
nottinghambowl.co.uk
tenpin.co.uk
7. Romantic meals
Where: Various venues around Nottingham
How much: Prices vary between restaurants
The classic romantic dinner date is always a real treat — and we have so many wonderful restaurants for cosy meals in Nottingham.
While there are plenty of spots for different tastes, when it comes to dates, these are some of our favourites:
Italian: Pizzamisù for authentic Neapolitan pizzas in a rustic and relaxed setting. pizzamisu.co.uk
Ramen: Everyday People for relaxed bowls of food with talking-point flavours. theeverydaypeople.co.uk
Mexican: Taquero for mouth-watering tacos and spicy margs for tingly lips. taquero.co.uk
Indian: Passan’s for beautifully-presented curries and small plates, as well as incredible cocktails. passans.com
Small plates: Raymond’s for a romantic interior, seasonal plates with wow-factor, and a huge wine list. raymondsnottingham.co.uk
Sharing great food and uninterrupted time together might feel a little old-school… but honestly, that’s why it works. And hey — even if the spark isn’t there, at least you’ll have enjoyed an amazing meal.
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