Our Top 9 Date Ideas in Mansfield

If you’re after things to do in Mansfield for couples, you’ve come to the right place.

We know it isn’t always easy to plan the perfect day for your partner, especially when the weather isn’t always the friendliest. That’s why we’ve put together this list of activities and places for you to explore in Mansfield with your loved one.

1. Visit Sherwood Forest

While Sherwood Forest and Robin Hood are often directly linked with Nottingham, it’s easy to forget that Mansfield is actually located right next to it.

Located just outside of town, you’ll have some choices to make once you’re there. For example, you can either go on a romantic stroll through the woods as the sun shines through the canopy to see the famous Major Oak, go wildlife watching or take part in one of the many events put on throughout the year.

Whichever you go for, you’re guaranteed to come away from it with big smiles on your faces.

A wide angle shot of a pathway leading through the Pine trees been lit up with the morning sun, Sherwood Pines, England, U...

Astronomical observatory on the mountain

2. Gaze up at the stars together

If you’re looking for one of the best date night ideas in Mansfield, visiting Sherwood Observatory for one of their Open Evenings is a great way to enjoy each other’s company with a beautiful view.

You’ll be able to use the various telescopes on offer to observe the wonders of space, as well as enjoy a talk from one of the experts.

The observatory also has many other events to choose from, including Open Days during the summer months for solar viewings!

3. Enjoy some refined cuisine

Another great option when it comes to date ideas in Mansfield is making the most of the great selection of restaurants on offer.

Among those, you’ll find Refined Dining Restaurant, proud owner of an AA Rosette and known throughout the town and beyond for its unique dining experience.

The twist here is that all the staff, from chefs to front of house, are students learning their trade and aiming to prove themselves not only to their superiors but to the customers as well.

Head over on a Wednesday for themed nights or on a Thursday for a fine dining menu, while lunch is offered Tuesday through Friday.

Young happy couple eating pizza and talking in a restaurant.

A view down multiple polished wooden bowling lanes towards the pins and illuminated scoreboards at the end of the alley.

4. Knock some pins over

If you’re after something a bit more relaxed, then we recommend booking one of the 28 lanes at Mansfield Superbowl.

Spread over two floors, the complex also houses an arcade area, two bars and a diner for an all-round experience, meaning you can always take a break from bowling at any point.

Plus, if you and your partner really catch the bowling bug, you’ll be glad to know Mansfield Superbowl have a Monday Night Doubles league you can join for some extra competition.

5. Learn more about the town

While not necessarily the most romantic option on the list, if you’re looking for things to do in Mansfield for couples, Mansfield Museum is a great place to spend time on a rainy day.

With over 30,000 objects being looked after, ranging from archaeological finds to specimens from the natural world, the museum proudly tells stories from the past 2,000 years about Mansfield and its district.

Town of Mansfield UK with St Marys John Church Pleasely Pit and Fire Station in view train crossing viaducts to centre ari...

Theater curtain and stage with dramatic lighting

6. Enjoy some performing arts

A perfect date night idea in Mansfield, the town’s Palace Theatre has something for everyone.

Whether you’re into musicals, plays or tribute acts, we can guarantee there will be an event that both you and your partner will enjoy.

Add to that the fact it’s all set in a refurbished former cinema that first opened in 1910, and you even get a bit of culture thrown into the mix!

7. Newstead Abbey

Is your partner a fan of poetry? Then Newstead Abbey should definitely be on your list of places to visit.

The ancestral home of Lord Byron, this former monastery now contains a museum filled with the poet’s memorabilia, as well as many displays that show the estate’s history through the ages.

On a sunny day, you can also explore the vast 300 acres of parkland that surround the house, including gardens and a lake; perfect for a romantic stroll.

8. Experience off-road horse riding together

If you’ve ever dreamt of riding a horse with your partner on a beach at sunset, then Derbyshire Pony Trekking is the closest you’ll get to experiencing it in Mansfield.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the trip, as you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible off-road trekking experience, regardless of whether you’ve ridden before or it’s your first time!

They also offer pub and afternoon tea treks, where you’ll stop along the way for a drink or a spot to eat, making the day truly unforgettable for all involved.

9. Visit Hardwick Hall

Finishing this list off with a flourish, our last suggestion involves both history and incredible architecture.

Hardwick Hall, situated a short drive west of Mansfield, is often referred to as an Elizabethan masterpiece due to its imposing design, based on Italian Renaissance architecture.

With a museum inside, gardens and parkland to explore outside, as well as a great restaurant to eat at when you get hungry, it’s one of the best places to spend a day out with your partner around the town.

Plus, it was also used for some shots of Malfoy Manor in one of the Harry Potter films!

Regardless of which of the above you choose to do, we hope you have an incredible time, and if you’re also looking to move to the area, why not take a look at our new homes in Mansfield?