From comedy giggles to a slice of history, whatever gets you in the mood you can head off for a fuss-free date on board the stylish fleet of National Express buses.

You’re all ready for that hot date but just as you’re about to walk out of the door there’s that awkward moment when you and your partner look at each other as you both say “it’s your turn to drive”. Choosing to travel to a venue by bus means you can leave the car keys hanging on the hook at home and enjoy a stress-free day or evening enjoying some couple time.

You get the chance to travel onboard an eco-friendly National Express Bus that boasts free WiFi, USB points to charge your devices, comfier seats and extra leg room. There’s also crystal clear CCTV for passenger safety, bright LED interior lighting, improved soundproofing and audio next stop announcements.

To make it even better if you have a travelcard or buy a West Midlands Day Saver on a National Express Bus, you can add an extra adult to travel with you for just £2! Making date night even cheaper…

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DATE DAYS BY BUS

Share a love for local history at the UK’s leading heritage sites.

We do love a National Trust property at Style, and they don’t get much more fabulous than Wightwick Manor. This Victorian manor is the legacy of a family’s passion for art and design, and every part of it is testament to their amazing collections. The elaborate timber-framed home was built in 1887 for Samuel Theodore Mander, a partner in the local varnish and paint-making firm of Mander Brothers. Much of Wightwick’s remarkable Pre-Raphaelite collections were assembled by Mander’s son and daughter-in-law, Sir Geoffrey and Lady Mander, who carefully preserved the house after his death in 1900.

You can visit this historical site on the following National Express services: 3 & 10

Another great NT treasure is the Back to Backs Museum in the heart of Birmingham city centre. The perfectly preserved Court 15 in Inge Street is one of the last surviving examples of these close-quarter communities in Britain. Despite nearly all of city’s back to backs being demolished in the 1960s, these survived as shops, workshops and storage rooms. Take a step back in time and walk in the footsteps of your great (or even great, great) grandparents. And why not extend your date with a trip to Birmingham Hippodrome, just across the road. There’s always a packed programme of top quality productions; this season includes Sister Act, Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders and Strictly Ballroom The Musical.

Several National Express Bus services travel into Birmingham city centre, plan your trip here

Head towards Dudley to the Black Country Living Museum, an award-winning open air venue that tells the story of one of the very first industrialised landscapes in Britain. Set across 26 acres, you can explore carefully reconstructed shops, houses and industrial areas and meet historic characters who’ll tell you stories of what it was like to live and work during this revolutionary period of history. Fans of Peaky Blinders can follow the Blue Plaques that highlight key locations from the series.

Several National Express Bus services travel into Dudley town centre, plan your trip here

Is there anything more romantic than an autumn stroll? Set in 15 acres of parkland just a mile from the city centre, Birmingham Botanical Gardens have provided a rural escape for residents since they first opened their gates in 1832. Today they offer a full what’s on schedule that includes heritage walks, photography classes, jazz performances and guided tours, set amongst beautiful landscaped lawns and stunning glasshouses.

You can visit this the gardens on the following National Express services: 9, 13A, 23, 24, X8 & X10

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A DATE WITH A DIFFERENCE

Looking for a first date that’s more exhilarating than a drink in your local?

Head to Boulder Central Indoor Climbing – whether you’re an experienced climbing duo or first timers, it’ll bring out your adventurous side, spark plenty of conversations and mean you have to work together to get things done. Win win!

You can visit this exciting attraction on the following National Express Services: 42, 43, 43A & 74

Couples that laugh together stay together, right? Book tickets for The Glee Club, which has over the last 30 years played host to the likes of Jimmy Carr, Johnny Vegas, Sarah Millican, Rhod Gilbert and Greg Davies before they hit the big time. Check out the winter line-up of up and coming acts, cabaret shows and regular comedy nights.

Several National Express Bus services travel into Birmingham city centre, plan your trip here

Get the adrenaline pumping with a high-speed date at Cannon Raceway. There’s carting and laser tag for the most competitive couples, or test your wits in the 1920s escape room that takes you back a century to the illegal activities of the Birmingham Boys gang.

You can get to Cannon Raceway on the following National Express services: 8, 81, 82 & X8

Pack a picnic, grab the cosy blankets and cuddle up under the stars at Outdoor Cinema. You’ll find your closest ones at Wolverhampton Racecourse and Moseley Cricket Club, and the next event is a special Halloween showing of Hocus Pocus at the end of October.

To get to Wolverhampton Racecourse in Dunstall jump on either of these 2 National Express services: 62 & 62A

Ironic prizes, dodgy dance-offs and rave intervals … it’s bingo but not like you’ve seen before. Bongo’s Bingo offers a mix of the traditional and the camp and holds regular events in The Hangar in Wolverhampton. Expect a night of pure nostalgic escapism … and you might just come home with a giant pink unicorn or a Henry Hoover.

Several National Express Bus services travel into Wolverhampton city centre, plan your trip here

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National Express Bus offer a number of different ticket options designed to fit in with how you want to travel.

Pay for a £4 Day Saver ticket for unlimited trips all day or Day Saver Bundle, which offers pre-paid tickets from the National Express app and can be used within 90 days. A five-day bundle costs £19, while a ten-day one costs just £36 (prices on platinum services are the same as on standard buses)

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