THERE is nothing worse than the feeling of dread when you realise it's Valetine's Day and you've forgotten to arrange a special time with your nearest and dearest.

But worry not... we've come up with some cracking alternative ideas of ways to entertain your lover this Friday (yes, we know some of these ideas aren't actually on Friday).

If you're bored of doing the same old thing every year, then this is the list for you.

Disclaimer: some are more serious than others...

1) Release your inner Tarzan and Jane at the Go Ape forest adventure in Rivington. Ride zip wires, swing on Tarzan swings or sneak off for a romantic forest Segway ride. For adults it costs £30 to £32. For more information and to book your place go here.

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2) Enjoy a special Valentine steak and dine evening at The Wellbeing Farm. For £28 per person, you get a top quality Whiteheads steak meal with half a bottle of red wine and homemade dessert in a beautiful candlelit venue.

For more information and to book a place go here or phone 01204 852113.

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3) Forget traditional ballroom dancing and experience Neo-Waltz instead. World famous DJ Adamski, who had a number one hit with pop star Seal, has introduced a contemporary update on the waltz and will be DJing at the Bury Art Museum on Friday from 8pm.

The night will involve drawing models in the gallery while Dr Sketchy and fashion favourite Adamski hit the decks. Tickets cost £15. For more information phone 0161 2535111.

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4) If Valentine’s Day makes you feel nauseous then Circus of Horrors - London After Midnight may be the perfect date night.

As far removed from fluffy teddy bears as you can get, the rock 'n' roller coaster of a show transports you to plague-ridden London in 1665, where sword swallowers, daredevil balancing acts and demon dwarfs perform to the music of Dr Haze & The Interceptors from Hell.

The show that made the finals of Britain’s Got Talent starts at 7.30pm in The Albert Halls on Thursday night.

Tickets range from £15 to £25. For more information contact Albert Halls Box Office on 01204 334400.

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5) Impress your partner by finishing the monster man vs YOLO meal at Yolo Burger in Bridge Street.

If you do so in 30 minutes, you’ll get the meal free and can spend the cash you saved on an extra big bunch of Valentine roses.

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6) Think about your worst Valentine experience and tell the Market Place Shopping Centre. The best answer is in with a chance of winning a prize package for two which includes a romantic night’s stay at the Holiday Inn hotel with a 5 course meal, champagne and breakfast and a range of gifts. To enter email your experience to competition@thinkpublicity.co.uk.

7) Dive head first into a new adventure with a scuba diving course at the Unity Brook Farm in Kearsley.

The Let's Go Scuba speciality this month is the PADI wreck diver course which involves visiting and unlocking the mystery of shipwrecks.

Sessions cost £25 per person and run on Saturdays from 12.30pm. Email info@letsgoscuba.co.uk or call on 01204 864951 to book.

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8) For a more traditional Valentine's treat, book in for a Valentine's Spa Day at the Last Drop Village Hotel in Bromley Cross.

For £49.50 per person, you can enjoy two treatments, an afternoon champagne tea and full use of the leisure facilities. To book call 01204 203800.

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9) Take a romantic stroll to the top of Rivington Pike and enjoy the view from the grade II listed landmark Pike tower.

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10) Many men would say the perfect Valentine’s Day date would be to go to Bolton Cineworld to see the oh so romantic flick, Robocop.

Nothing says love like a killer police robot cop movie — it will really get things going for young lovers.

The Bolton News: RoboCop

11) Go to Lush bar and dance the night away to... er... silence, as the bar has been banned from playing music.

You could spend the evening sitting quietly in the corner having a deep and romantic conversation instead.

The Bolton News: DECISION Opening hours at the Lush bar have been eased

12) Restaurants on Valentine’s Day can be a bit of a nightmare.

Prices go up, quality goes down and they’re full of couples gazing longingly into each others’ eyes instead of talking, so the atmosphere isn’t great.

Avoid all that by staying at home and having an indoor picnic. Dim the lights, spread a cloth on the floor and crack open the cheese and biscuits.

It’s just like an outdoor picnic, but without the wasps, the rain, the freezing cold and the footballs landing on your starter.

13) Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive.

No need to splash out on 100 red roses when you can have afternoon tea for two for just £4 in Bolton.

Where is this wonderful offer? It can only be Morrisons cafe.

Your cash gets you sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and a pot of tea. Who said romance was dead?

14) Take a "bolfie" of yourself and your partner doing any of the above. Bolfies, a Bolton take on the selfie, will be used as part of a groundbreaking digital arts project.

The results will be used to create a light show that will be projected from Cheadle Square onto the arches at the back of Le Mans Crescent in the spring.

Upload them to the Bolton Big Digital Project FB page and post them on twitter using the #bolfie hastag.

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Think we've missed something? Got a better idea? Tell us in the comments section below.


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