Heritage Open Days: 30 Free Date Ideas

1000 Singles Reveal Their Cultural Dating Preferences: Insights for Heritage Open Days Week

As Heritage Open Days Week kicks off across the UK (from September 6th to 15th 2024,) a treasure trove of cultural delights awaits to be discovered – perfect for singles seeking unique and free dating experiences. At Welovedates.com, we’ve uncovered some fascinating insights about our members’ love for cultural activities, making this the ideal time to explore the rich tapestry of history and art that the country has to offer. We’ve also rounded up 35 of our favourite free cultural events we think are perfect for you to discover on your dates this week! First, let’s dive into the data…

Survey Insights: What 1,000 Singles Desire In Cultural Experiences

In summary…

Our recent survey of 1000 singles revealed that a significant 26% enjoy exploring historical sites and 19% relish visiting museums, highlighting a shared passion for delving into the past and appreciating art. These interests are even more pronounced when considering activities with a partner, where 34% of singles favour exploring historical sites together, and 19% enjoy museum visits.

Despite these interests, our findings show that participation in cultural activities varies, with 38% partaking occasionally and 33% rarely. Yet, when it comes to relationships, 65% of singles feel it’s at least somewhat important for their partner to share these cultural interests, illustrating the potential for meaningful connections through shared experiences.

This is exactly how the 1000 singles responded

When we asked 1000 of our single UK members on our free dating site, Welovedates.com ‘What types of cultural activities do you enjoy?‘ we had the following responses:

Other: 6%
Attending art exhibitions: 10%
Attending theatre performances: 14%
Visiting museums: 19%
Going to concerts: 25%
Exploring historical sites: 26%

When we asked ‘What is your favourite cultural activity to do with a partner?‘ our 1000 UK members responded:

Other: 9%
Attending concerts: 15%
Visiting museums: 19%
Trying new restaurants: 23%
Exploring historical sites: 34%

Here’s what our dating expert, Lottie has to say about these responses:

Our survey at Welovedates.com showed that 34% of UK singles love visiting historical sites on dates. It’s easy to see why – these spots are perfect for sparking interesting conversations without breaking the bank! Museums are also a hit with 19% of singles, offering fascinating stories and exhibits to explore together. These choices show how cultural outings can really bring people closer and make dating more enjoyable.

Lottie – welovedates.com dating expert

When asked ‘How often do you participate in cultural activities?‘ 1000 of our UK singles gave the following responses:

Frequently: 9%
Never: 18%
Rarely: 33%
Occasionally: 38%



When we asked 1000 of our single UK members on Welovedates.com ‘How important is it for your partner to share your cultural interests?‘ they answered:

Very important: 15%
Important: 18%
Somewhat important: 32%
Not important: 33%

Despite the largest percentage showing ‘not important,’ as a whole, 67% of singles feel it’s somewhat to very important to share cultural interests with a partner. This highlights how shared interests can serve as a foundation for deeper connections and enhance relationship compatibility. Enjoying similar activities can make spending time together more fulfilling and create a stronger bond!

Lottie – welovedates.com dating expert

And because we love a graphic…

Download this graphic: PDF PNG (Note: Please ensure WeLoveDates.com is credited if you publish any or all of these findings.)

Contact Lottie, Welovedates.com dating expert, for more comments and insights.

Our Top 35 Free Date Ideas For Heritage Open Days Week

Our Top 30 Date Ideas For Heritage Open Days Week Grouped by Region

As Heritage Open Days kick off this week, why not take the chance to explore history together in a way that’s anything but ordinary? Whether it’s an intriguing ghost walk in Knutsford or a vibrant art exhibition in Oswestry, our curated list of 35 free cultural date ideas offers a diverse range of experiences. From unearthing local legends to discovering artistic treasures, these unique outings promise to add a touch of excitement to your week. Let’s dive in:

35 Free Date Ideas During Heritage Open Days Week

  1. Real Tennis, Mr Sadler’s Balloon, The Hereford Chicken – and other stories from the Museum of Bath at Work: Dive into the fascinating history of the Museum of Bath at Work with unique stories from local historian Ann Cullis. Visit the event page.
  2. The Toffee Factory Girls: Join bestselling local author Glenda Young for an illustrated talk about her writing life this Heritage Open Days Week. Located in Houghton Le Spring. Visit the event page.
  3. Bee-Roads: A fun trail designed for children to learn about the beehives at Norwich Cathedral. Visit the event page.
  4. Dissenters’ boxes – Nonconformist Chapels of Early 19th Century Cheltenham: Dr. Steven Blake presents a talk on some of the early 19th-century nonconformist churches of Cheltenham. Visit the event page.
  5. Variations on a Theme Exhibition: Explore the rich diversity of artistic expression through a shared motif. Located in Walton-on-Thames. Visit the event page.
  6. 135 years of Music in the Forest of Dean: Celebrate 135 years of brass band music from the village of Pillowell. Located in Coleford. Visit the event page.
  7. 175 years since the railway reached Lowestoft: View the special timeline marking 175 years since the railway reached Lowestoft. Located in Lowestoft. Visit the event page.
  8. A History of Roads and Travel in Coaching Times: An exhibition of the development of roads and travel and the coaching system. Located in Tuxford. Visit the event page.
  9. A Stitch in Time: See inside one of Surrey’s oldest private homes and its adjacent working forge. Located in Leatherhead. Visit the event page.
  10. A Tale of Fire, Water and Waste: Learn about how Fire, Water, and Waste were dealt with in times gone by. Available online during Heritage Open Days Week. Visit the event page.
  11. A Virtual Tour of Great Baddow Part Two: Part two of a Great Baddow virtual tour. Available online. Visit the event page.
  12. A Voyage Around The World – a talk and walk: Journey across the globe using the headstones of people resting in the cemetery. Located in Middlesbrough. Visit the event page.
  13. A guided tour of the Beccles museum with the curator: An opportunity to be shown around the museum by the curator. Located in Beccles. Visit the event page.
  14. A tale of two histories – Pump House Watford: A guided tour of the Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre. Located in Watford. Visit the event page.
  15. A walk along historic Ballygate: A guided walk along Ballygate, one of Beccles’ ancient streets. Visit the event page.
  16. A walk round Attercliffe: Explore the Lower Don Valley, the powerhouse of Sheffield’s heavy steel industry. Visit the event page.
  17. ART-efact Exhibition: Art exhibition of the 4 artists in residence of the ART-efact Project. Located in Oswestry. Visit the event page.
  18. Abbey Lane Chapel: Experience the rich interior, pulpit, pews, screen, gallery, and organ of this 1811 non-conformist chapel. Located in Saffron Walden. Visit the event page.
  19. About Your House – discover the families who lived in your house: Ask experts how to find out who occupied the premises and when. Located in Reading. Visit the event page.
  20. Activism: The routes we’re rooted in: Explore how activism has served the people of Leeds in both past and present. Visit the event page.
  21. Adur Connected: Discover the heritage of transport in Shoreham’s harbour, airport, river, and sea. Located in Shoreham-by-Sea. Visit the event page.
  22. Along The Viaduct: Helmshore and its train line: Journey back along the viaduct and discover the fascinating link between Helmshore Mills and its train line. Located in Rossendale during Heritage Open Days Week. Visit the event page.
  23. Amazing Colour Makers House – A World of Colour & Alchemy: Explore a unique Artist Colourman’s Shop making pigments and paints from naturally foraged earth and rocks. Located in Appleby-in-Westmorland. Visit the event page.
  24. An intriguing Ghost Walk around Historic Knutsford: Follow your guide to experience some of the most bizarre and unusual paranormal events ever to occur in Knutsford. Located in Knutsford. Visit the event page.
  25. Animals in the Church: Walk around the church in search of animals, from eagles to lions, and follow a mini safari trail. Located in Harleston. Visit the event page.
  26. Appleby Heritage QR Code Trail: Launch a new trail throughout Appleby with QR Code posters on heritage assets to see historic pictures and listen to audio clips. Located in Appleby-in-Westmorland. Visit the event page.
  27. Coventry Transport Museum: Dive into the history of transport with an impressive collection of vehicles and exhibits that showcase Coventry’s rich automotive heritage. Located in Coventry. Visit the event page.
  28. Down Greedy Gut and Up Red Lion Passage: Join this guided historical walk around Kirton in Lindsey, exploring the stories behind wonderfully named public paths. Visit the event page.
  29. If music be the food of love, play on! A concert by Courtlye Musick with Scott Free: Enjoy a concert that appeals to lovers of Early Music and the magic of Shakespeare. Located in Winchester. Visit the event page.
  30. Unpacking the V&A Wedgwood Collection: Behind-the-scenes tours: Take a guided tour around the collection storage space and discover the Wedgwood story. Located in Stoke-on-Trent. Visit the event page.
  31. What this place needs is some decent toilets and the bloomin’ roof put back!: A short guided walk & talk showing the efforts to restore and rejuvenate Lowestoft Railway Station. Visit the event page.
  32. 1891 West Side Walk: Grab a coffee and join a walk focusing on the yards to the west of Beastfair/Cornmarket in the late Victorian period. Located in Pontefract. Visit the event page.
  33. 500 years of Garstang – Heritage Trail: Discover the historic town and surrounding area of Garstang through local buildings and structures. Located in Garstang. Visit the Heritage Open Days Week event page.
  34. A Railway Town and its Park: Victorian Foresight: Reflect on the words at the Park’s dedication and enjoy the community space. Located in Crewe. Visit the event page.
  35. A Short History of Professional Theatre in Sheffield: Learn about the history of professional theatre from strolling players to the modern day. Located in Sheffield. Visit the event page.

These free Heritage Open Days provide a variety of unique experiences perfect for a memorable date! Engaging with history and culture together can make your date more enjoyable and less pressured, allowing conversation to flow naturally.

Take advantage of Heritage Open Days Week to explore, learn, and connect with your date. At WeLoveDates.com, we’re here to help you find love through shared experiences and unforgettable adventures – all without the hefty price tag. Sign up for free today and let the journey begin!


written and researched by

You might also like…

Our trusted partners

Elite Singles
Affinity Dates