1. Have an art house or home cinema night. Rent the first film you watched together, make mountains of microwave popcorn and turn your sofa into the back row.
2. Brush off your old bicycle and go exploring. If your girlfriend has an aversion to love handles (no pun intended) and the weather Gods are on your side and a light drizzle and you can peddle her around an undiscovered picnic spot. Add panache with an inexpensive cheese, bread and wine picnic.
3. Eat at home but go out afterwards for dessert and coffee in a swanky restaurant. Share an ice cream sundae and let her have the whole wafer (and ask for seconds).
4. Rendezvous in an exclusive hotel. You don’t need to book a room, just put on your finery and people watch in the foyer. Drinks may be pricy so just buy one and enjoy the complimentary nibbles.
5. Drive down memory lane. Window tour places that have special memories; where you went on your first date; had your first kiss, proposed, your favourite restaurant or view – any place that makes your heart beat faster.
6. Hunt down her favourite author and surprise her with a visit to a book signing. Bookshops advertise forthcoming events, but to find out what her author has planned, contact the bookshop directly.
7. Put stars in her eyes. Rent a book on astronomy from your local library, pitch a tent and teach her about stargazing.
8. Grab some culture. Many museums, art galleries and exhibitions are free. It also pays to hunt out smaller specialist places as they are often more intimate.
9. Drop in on an open mic night at a your local theatre/poetry/comedy club. As this is where new acts cut there teeth, you won’t get to see any famous faces but, what a thrill to see someone before they actually become famous.
10. Serve your partner breakfast in bed with a themed twist. For a French breakfast put some accordion music and serve hot coffee and pain au chocolat. French waiter’s outfit and moustache are optional. French kisses on the other hand are just a serving suggestion.