For millions of single people, the last year has meant watching TV on the sofa with a bottle of wine for one.

But now as pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes reopen for outdoor hospitality, Britain is soon set for a wave of first dates - socially distanced - once again.

Here’s some ideas of things to do.

Walk and (optional) picnic

You don’t need to spend a penny  - just go for a walk in the park. Cutteslowe Park is big and has a nice outdoor café but the list of outdoor spaces in Oxford is endless ­ - Christ Church Meadows, Port Meadow (below), University Parks and South Park are all lovely.

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Bar

A few drinks will make you a lot calmer, bars are dimly lit which allows you to look better and you may be even be able to get on the dance floor (probably by about June). The Varsity Club at 9 High Street is a romantic venue and has Oxford’s “wow” roof terrace (below) which has reopened for drinks and dining for groups of up to six people.

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Coffee shop

It’s quick, it’s cheap and there’s less pressure.

Barefoot Bakery is on the gorgeous little North Parade Avenue which is now pedestrianised from 10am -6pm seven days a week. There’s no need to book for their little outside seating area.

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Street market

There are tons of things to look at and talk about and you can always get lunch.

The Gloucester Green market is open air and offers food, books, fabrics, DVDs, bags, hats, watches, clothing, cakes, sweets, and much more. It sells street food from more than 20 countries and features vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.

It reopened last Wednesday and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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Garden

With updated Government advice, both Oxford’s Botanic Garden and Arboretum are now open to the public. In the summer there is a pop-up café or the city centre is less than 10 minutes' walk away. 

To visit you must pre-book a time slot - check the website for the latest information and up to date opening hours before you set out.

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Note the current government advice.

You can meet up outdoors with friends and family you do not live with either in a group of up to six from any number of households or in a group of any size from up to two households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).

If you are eligible to form a support bubble, you and your bubble count as one household when meeting others outdoors so the group could end up larger than six. 

You can meet in a group of six or a larger group of any size from up to two households (including their support bubbles) outdoors. This includes private outdoor spaces, such as gardens, and other outdoor public places and venues that are open.