Let's face it - as adults, sometime our budgets don't stretch as far as we'd like. After forking out for mortgages, petrol, food shops and what feels like endless bills, paying for a luxurious date definitely seems off the cards.

Luckily, for us singletons looking to find love, dating doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, it doesn't have to cost a single penny if you do it right. So, whether you're wanting to make a plan with your long-term partner or are perhaps trying to woo someone you've met on a Strathclyde dating site, here are six date ideas you can do entirely for free!

Grab your boots and head out on a hike

A hike is sure to provide you and your date with fabulous views, lush surroundings, and plenty of opportunity to get to know each other en route. Who knows - you might just end up finishing your walk hand in hand...

Channel your inner child with a blanket fort

Whether you're dating in Yorkshire like me or dabbling in some Strathclyde dating, sometimes a night in can completely trump a night out, and will always be cheaper too! Spend an afternoon building a blanket fort in your living room and snuggle beneath the bedsheet canopies while you indulge in some Netflix or chat the night away.

Take to the streets on wheels

Take a load off your feet and instead choose a date on wheels. Find a beautiful park or nature trail for a chilled out date with your love interest, taking in beautiful surroundings while enjoying some chat along the way.

Game the day away

Whether it's a case of digging out your retro boardgames, or simply switching on your PlayStation, you and your date can have an abundance of fun together simply by playing games. You just need to decide whether you'd work together in co-op mode, or get competitive by going head-to-head!

Stroll around some free museums

If you and your date share an interest in history, culture, art or heritage, then a stroll around a museum is sure to make for a perfect day together. Luckily there are a number of museums and galleries that offer free entry, and so you and your love interest can get lost in eye-opening and insightful experiences without ever having to dig your purse or wallet out - win!

Simply sit and watch the world go by

Sometimes, all you need to have a good time is great company, so why not simply find a good spot for your and your date to sit, chat, and watch the world go by? Bonus points if the weather is good, too!

Summertime. Longer days. warmer evenings, al fresco dining, fruity cocktails... it all sounds like a perfect recipe for a spot of dating, right?

And whether you're looking for date ideas for you and your partner, or wanting to impress someone new you've met on a Hampshire dating site, here are seven ideal summer date ideas...

Get things sizzling at a BBQ for two

Summer wouldn't be summer without people digging out their trusty BBQs and cooking up a storm in their gardens. Make it an intimate affair by making it a cosy BBQ for two. Enjoy some charcoaled meat in the warm sunshine, and grab some drinks and blankets for when the sun goes down and the evening starts to cool off.

Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside

When we think of the summertime, there's no doubt a trip to the seaside will cross our mind. So, plan a full day with your date to take advantage of the weather as you stroll across the sand, compete for prizes in the amusements, and finish off your adventure with an ice cream.

Basket, blanket and buffet... time for a picnic!

Enjoy a slow and lazy day with your love interest by grabbing a blanket, filling a basket with good food, and finding some beautiful surroundings in which to have a picnic. Extra romance points if you pop open some bubbly too!

Visit the big screen - outdoor style!

A trip to the cinema is always an old faithful date idea, but why not give it a summer spin by finding an outdoor screening? Whether dating in Hull or dabbling in Hampshire dating, enjoy the pleasant weather as you snuggle together and watch a classic film - what's not to love!

Grab your walking boots and go on a hike

Show off your active, nature-loving side by taking you date away for an afternoon of hiking. Stroll side by side, deep in conversation, or make things a little more competitive by racing each other to the tops of hills or fighting for the best views.

Unleash your wild side with a trip to the zoo

If you're an animal-lover, and your date is too, then a visit to a local zoo makes for a perfect day. Coo over the cute animals, stop for a bite to eat, and leave with new treats from the gift shop.

Keep it simple with al fresco food and cocktails

Food and cocktails never disappoints, so why fix what isn't broken? Simply opt for an outdoor table, and voila - you have an easy summertime date!

Known for its sandy coasts and craggy coastal cliffs, Guernsey is a beautiful member of the Channel Islands with the ocean on its doorstep and an abundance of green space to get lost in. And with such stunning backdrops, it makes sense that it’s also a great place to indulge in a spot of romance, right?

So, whether you’re heading off on a trip to the island with your other half, or simply dabbling in a bit of Guernsey dating and looking to meet someone new, here are four romantic things you can get up to...

Get lost in an oasis of colour at Candie Gardens

If you’re looking for a beautiful and tranquil location to spend time with a love interest you’ve met on a Guernsey dating site, the Candie Gardens is the perfect spot. This award-winning Victorian garden is home to a plethora of colourful flowers, vibrant lawns and charming fish ponds - and all of them are sure to take your breath away. Let’s just hope your date has the same effect on you!

Kiss beneath the pebbles and seashells of Little Chapel

When spending time in Guernsey, if you really want to indulge in something romantic, then you can’t miss a visit to The Little Chapel. Located in the the Les Vauxbelets valley, this charming little building really is quite magical. Colourful pebbles and broken China cover the walls, and the lush greenery surrounding it simply adds to the charm. So why not steal a kiss beneath the intricate surrounding with your love interest?

Step into history at Castle Cornet

Guarding Guernsey for almost 800 years now, Castle Cornet is a beautifully preserved ancient royal fortress, steeped in history and well worth a visit. It boasts breathtaking panoramic views over the coast, beautiful historic gardens to explore, and a number of museums to immerse yourself into, so you’re bound to waste hours away here with your love interest, totally transfixed... though by the surroundings, or by the person...?

Wander hand in hand on Shell Beach

Pure escapism waits for anyone who visits Shell Beach. The impeccable coastline, warm waters and exciting activities are sure to leave you feeling like you’ve been transported to an exotic location in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Stroll hand in hand along the sandy shore, hunt for fascinating underwater creatures while rock pooling, get your heart racing with some water sports, or simply lie under the night stars. Whatever your choose to do there, Shell Beach provides the perfect romantic setting.

So there you have it! Four simple but wonderful ideas for a romantic date in Guernsey. Which would you do first?

Growing up in a household with brothers has seen me gaming since a young age, and while I was never destined to be a good gamer (I can play a game for months and still be utterly terrible at it), it's a passion I still have now, even in my late twenties.

And as I also continue my hunt to find a future Mr Right, I'm taking my love of gaming into account too, and hoping to find someone just as passionate as I am about landing the perfect killshot or nailing a difficult quest.

But where on earth would I take such a gamer on a date, you might ask? Well, here are a few date ideas that are perfect for the gamer in your life...

Get your cogs turning in an escape room

If you like getting to grips with video games, you’re bound to love an immersive game in an escape room. You and your date can spend an hour locked in a room together (sounds fun already, right?) and work together to try and escape... what better way to test your teamwork as a couple?!

Game the whole night away

Sometimes simple is best, and when thinking of dates for gamers, a night on the sofa with a selection of video games never fails to impress. Dig out your collection, get two controllers prepped, and get ready for a night of fun. The only thing you have to decide is whether you’re gonna work together on a game, or get a little competitive in versus mode!

Immerse yourself in the lights and sound of the arcade

An arcade is the perfect place to take a date who loves a spot of gaming. Grab yourself a jar of coins and have a fun-filled day trying to win prizes, secure tokens, and sitting in a cosy booth together with gun controllers.

Unleash your inner geek at a gaming convention

For the reeeeally enthusiastic gamer in your life, a trip to a gaming convention is going to make the best date. You’ll be able to spend a weekend together walking round, looking at various stalls, getting exclusive info in some exciting panel talks, and no doubt heading back home with bags full of awesome merchandise. It’s a nerd’s dream!

Take the competitiveness offline with some board games

Sure, video games are great, but how about a night of old fashioned board games with you significant other? Whether it’s a few quick and easy games of something short like Guess Who, or a lengthy and competitive game of Monopoly, board games still promise a night of fun. Make sure to add snacks and a few cheeky boozy drinks for extra fun!

There you have it! Five incredibly fun gamerdates that are perfect for  the button bashing love in your life. Which would you want to try first?

It's no secret that online dating is on the rise. After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, it seems like downloading apps, signing up to free websites, and swiping away on the hunt for matches is this only way to meet a potential partner. But it certainly comes with perks.

No longer are people shying away from the fact that they met their partners online, and instead it's become a social norm. We live in a modern world, and modern dating is part of it.

"But why haven't I had success yet?", you may find yourself asking. While I won't claim to be an expert, I have certainly dabbled in my fair share of match dating sites, and have compiled a list of six mistakes you may well be making when online dating...

You have a big ol' backlog of matches. Swiping away on a dating app is so simple and convenient that sometimes it's easy to get carried away, and before you know it, you have a tonne of matches you haven't even spoken to. While it might not seem like a problem, have them all sat there can subconsciously make it feel like a chore, and you'll lose interest. So, keep giving that inbox a spring clean. If you don't talk to them/don't feel like there's anything there, it's time to say goodbye!

Your bio is seriously lacking. Striking up a conversation can be daunting at the best of times, so not having a bio on your profile will only make it harder for any potential dates to start a chat. Include a fun fact about yourself, what your hobbies are, why you've signed up to a Shropshire dating site, the last thing you ate... anything that could spark interest!

You only have one lonely, solitary photo. Even if your only photo is the most beautiful, flattering photo in the world, having just one single freezeframe of yourself on your dating profile is not a good idea. Use your photos as opportunity to show off your character - where you go, what you like to do, your energy. Most apps usually allow 5 or 6 pics... so use them!

Your photos are all group shots. It's great to show off that you're a sociable person and have a tonne of mates, but if you're dating profile holds group photos and only group photos, then it becomes somewhat of a challenge to figure out which person is actually you. Throw in a selfie or a pic where your mates are cropped out. That way people will no exactly who they're looking at.

Your conversations are somewhat mundane... sorry. Too many times have I matched with someone only to find that the only conversation starters they have under their belt are "Hey!" and "What you up to?" Sure, that might be okay at first, but if that's all you're throwing out there then, trust me, people are going to get bored. Throw something interesting into the mix, no matter how crazy and random it is.

Your first picture is of your car, or your dog, or [insert other random thing here]. People are not signing up to dating apps looking for someone with a certain breed of dog, or a specific make of car, so why on earth are you making that your primary image? It sounds super obvious, but honestly, so many people do this. Get your sexy face on there instead!

Some of the world's greatest love stories and heart-eyes inducing romantic gestures lie between the well-read pages of books, and so the pressure's on when trying to plan a date for a special book-loving someone in your life.

While a night of fine dining at a restaurant is sure to impress, and night at the movies rarely fails, sometimes you want to go that extra mile to blow someone's socks off.

So here are five fun (and perhaps story-worthy!?) date ideas any book lovers would be sure to enjoy...

Watch movies adapted from your favourite books - and vote for which you prefer

The age old question: book or movie - which is better? If you're on the hunt for an at-home date for you and you bookworm lover, then a book-to-movie marathon is a simple but fun date idea for a cosy night in. Work together to figure out the differences between pages and screen, and decide which you preferred. Of course, don't forget the snacks too!

Show off your knowledge at a literary quiz night (or create your own!)

I've spent a number of evenings getting competitive at quiz nights surrounding my favourite fictional characters and worlds (hello Harry Potter and The Hunger Games), and I'm yet to be disappointed. So if you've found some book-loving matches on one of the many dating sites UK has to offer, why not whisk your special someone away for a night of literary quizzing, as they're bound to love it to? Top off the night some beers afterwards... hopefully celebratory ones!

Open up discussion by creating a book club for two

Decide on a book together than you feel you can both stick your noses into and get lost in. Get together each week (or perhaps even each evening!) to discuss how you're enjoying it so far, and even really dissect it all if that's what you enjoy. If your schedules differ massively or you read at a significantly different pace to one another, why not instead swap your favourite titles with one another and chat about those instead?

Head out for some window shopping (or a real splurge!) at a local bookshop

Your local area is sure to have at least one bookshop, so take your Surrey dating site date there for a romantic day of window shopping. Wander down the aisles of spines and point out your favourite titles to one another... You might find out have a mutual love of authors or genres! If you've got money to spare, treat yourself to a few titles to take home and get stuck into.

Keep it simple and spend the day together with your noses in a book

Sometimes, simpler is better. Whether you get cosy in a coffee shop or snuggle up in the comfort of your own bed, spend a chilled out day with your loved one, lost in the pages of a fantasy world. There's something incredibly lovely about being able to be entirely content in each other's company, even if in silence.

When looking to form a new relationship and find a potential significant other, you want to go on dates that get your heart racing and your blood pumping. And though you may find more and more dates begin to turn up the heat in your relationship, the last thing you want is for them to eventually burn a hole in your pocket too.

But that doesn't mean you can't still indulge in some fun romantic dates with your special someone.

So, once you've found someone who takes your fancy on dating sites UK based, or even further afield, here's a list of budget-friendly date ideas that won't leave your pockets feeling light, but will still be an absolute success...

Keep calm and picnic on. Pack up some blankets and a basket of good grub - even if it's just a good ol' Tesco's meal deal - and head to a scenic spot to enjoy good food and good company. 

Turn up the heat in the kitchen together. Cooking is a fun new hobby of mine recently, and if you introduce your special someone into the mix, it's sure to make the experience even more exciting and enjoyable... Sexy food fight, anyone?

Channel your inner child and build a blanket fort. Sometimes a night in really can trump a night out, especially when you through a blanket fort into the mix. Nestle together under blanket canopies and spend an evening with Netflix and snacks. If you want some bonus romance points, throw some fairy lights into the mix!

Indulge in some local sightseeing. When you've lived in a city for a long time (or your whole life, in my case!), it can be easy to take local surroundings for granted and not quite appreciate what your hometown has to offer. So why not spend an afternoon with your Northamptonshire dating site match wandering around the place you live, taking in the sights you might have overlooked when going about your normal busy day? Completely free, unless you want a couple of quid to stop for a coffee en route.

Head out on a charity shop bargain hunt. For those of you who love to dabble in a bit of a shopping spree but need to tighten the purse strings, why not take your lover around the charity shops and hunt out some bargains together? If you really want to put a fun twist on it, you could make it a bit of a challenge instead: set a budget and find the best gifts you can for each other!

Lose yourself in a some video games. It's no secret that I am a big ol' geek when it comes to gaming. And why wouldn't I be? Hours of pure escapism from the comfort of your own sofa. Get your special someone to pick up a controller and join you. All you have to decide is whether you wanna work together or get competitive on versus mode...

There you have it. Six lovely date ideas that aren't going to leave your bank balance looking sad. Which one takes your fancy the most?