It’s true we all put a lot of emphasis on ‘the first date’. Meeting someone for the first time can be fun, daunting, scary or all three of the above! I’m thinking most first dates probably happen over a drink; for the more adventurous, maybe food.

There, you’ve met each other – the big hurdle is over – so what next?

The second date may be even harder than the first in some ways. You’ve now got more expectations of the other person, having got to know them a little – and if you’ve decided you like them, well, you’ll be wanting to impress!

So, where to Jeeves?

Here are my top choices for a second date…

A walk in the park

It’s not corny, it’s good for you! Plus, it’s romantic – so there! All you cynics out there may be scoffing, but in my book you can’t beat a traditional walk together in a nice park, especially if there’s a nice lake and some kind of tea room involvement. Okay, so you don’t need to walk hand in hand quite yet. Just a nice gentle stroll allows you to natter casually about all sorts of things (particularly families and childhood – parks have that affect on people). If conversation ever dries up, there should be no end of interesting ducks and dogs to turn your attention to. And quite frankly, the promise of a fat jam scone at the end of your stomp should keep the interest going for a good few hours.

An art gallery

I’ve always found art galleries good places to go on dates. They are the ideal venues to learn what your date likes and dislikes taste-wise. I’d recommend the National Portrait Gallery as it has a good mix of interesting and fun art – not too highbrow to frighten the other person off. Or how about trying a small local gallery. Discussions about art can sometimes get heated, but they’re worth it. And what better way to get to know someone?

Lunch

You may have ventured down the food route on date one, but if you didn’t, a nice lunch meeting for date two is perfect. Choose somewhere relaxed, so the atmosphere is good for chatting. Lunches are particularly nice in the summer, if you can sit outside (…even better, outside by water or a nice view). Compared with dinner, you don’t have to fret so much about what to wear. In fact, lunch gives you both the opportunity to check out the other person’s smart/casual wardrobe, which can sometimes be surprising!

Tour bus

Cheesy perhaps, but a good laugh. I love doing the whole tour bus thang! They are a great way to see a town or city and if you know the area, it gives you a chance to impress your date with some fascinating historical facts, which is never a bad thing. And quite honestly, if you can’t get conversation between you flowing on a double-decker bus, surrounded by brightly dressed tourists, then you should have stayed at home.

A trip to the seaside

And why not? The seaside brings out the child in people, which can be sweet and entertaining, or faintly embarrassing. By your second date, it’s time to find out what type of ‘child’ you’re investing your time in, so good luck with this! Best to find out early on whether they are a) the spontaneous type, who loves to run carefree into a freezing sea, followed by fish ‘n’ chips on the beach, b) an arcade games addict or c) a bit grumpy at the whole idea of deckchairs and sweet rock. It may end up being a steep learning curve, but worth doing methinks.

And finally…

I thought it best to mention what not to do on date one, two (or even three). Swimming. I still have flashbacks about a double date I went on years ago. For some random and frankly shocking reason, we all agreed to go swimming at a local leisure centre, and this was date two for me. The stress levels involved with swimming costumes, podgy bits and goosebumpy skin still haunt me now! Steer clear!