Kate Winslet's husband dates

Jan 2, 2009, 11:30 GMT

Kate Winslet aims to have two date nights a week with husband Sam Mendes.© Glenn Harris / PR Photos

Kate Winslet aims to have two date nights a week with husband Sam Mendes.

The 33-year-old actress - who raises two children, eight-year-old Mia and five-year-old Joe, with the director - insists relationships need to be worked at, and it's important to have time alone together.

Kate, who married Sam in 2003, said: "You have to work at a marriage. The best things always involve some effort. We aim to have two date nights a week, but always end up doing one. I don't dress up or anything, we just have a nice meal somewhere, share a bottle of wine and talk. Sometimes it's just about getting out of the house.

"We do loads of lovely meals with the kids, but every now and again you need to get out of the house together, go and be a couple, have a laugh."

Kate also recalled one of the best date nights she and Sam have ever had.

She added to Britain's Elle magazine: "When we were working on 'Revolutionary Road', it was an insane schedule - completely full on. I remember one of our date nights that involved getting in the car, and being so tired that we didn't get out of the car.

"We just drove into this nice little area, sat there for hours talking and then drove home again. It was actually a great date."