If you’ve got a date night coming up and need some inspiration on how to spend some quality time with your partner – whether you’re going on three months or 5 years together – we’ve got some great date ideas in Essex for you. Try out a new restaurant for a romantic meal out or branch out and try a new activity together – any one of the following will guarantee a date to be remembered.

Escape Room

Want to get a bit more adventurous with your next date? Escape rooms are a super fun activity for both couples, and groups of people for double dates! Communication is one of they key foundations for any good relationship, and an escape room in Essex is bound to put that to the test, as well as get you laughing and having fun. Essex has some great escape rooms, such as Escape Live in Southend and Chelmsford, Clue HQ in Brentwood, and Bishops Stortford Escape Rooms.

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Romantic Dinner Date

You can’t go wrong with a romantic meal out, and there are some amazing restaurants in Essex to choose from for your next date night. If you’re looking for something high-end – perhaps you’re celebrating an anniversary with your loved one – then Greyfriars Restaurant in Colchester have a fabulous A La Carte menu that will tantalise your taste buds. The Camelia Hotel in Thorpe Bay, Southend-on-Sea, also has a superb restaurant, and you can extend your romantic night out into a weekend away with a night or two staying in one of their gorgeous rooms. If you want to add a little bit of spice to your evening, then Mowgli Street Food restaurant in Chelmsford is a great place to go for a date in Essex for Indian cuisine lovers.

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Wine Tasting

We are lucky to have some fantastic vineyards in Essex that host wine tours and tastings that would make for the perfect date idea. The Tuffon Hall Vineyard in Sible Hedingham produce award winning wines, and have beautiful accommodation if you wish to extend your stay after your tour. In rural North Essex you will find Great Lodge & Bardfield Vineyard, a tranquil B&B with walled gardens, a herd of alpacas and access to stunning woodlands and oxlip colony. Their vineyard has been producing award winning wine for almost 30 years, and visitors can enjoy a tour and tasting with either a self-guided trail or by appointment within groups.

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Comedy Night

Nothing breaks the ice quite like having a good laugh – Essex is home to many theatres and venues, such as the Mercury Theatre in Colchester, the West Cliff Theatre in Clacton, and the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend. There are often some great stand up comedy shows taking place at these venues, with often with notable comedians headlining. If you’re looking for a fun and relaxed date idea in Essex, then definitely check out some upcoming shows for you to attend with your partner.

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Pottery Painting

Enjoy tea, coffee, and delicious food during an afternoon of pottery painting at the Chameleon Café in Great Dunmow – a wholesome, fun date activity for people of all ages! This date can double as both a Valentine’s day out and a gift – paint your masterpiece and gift it to your loved one.

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration for your next date night out in Essex – for more ideas on things to do in Essex, browse our website. Alternatively, for events taking place across our county, be sure to check out What’s On page.