As Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, you might be planning on a little more than just dinner out. With a full day and weekend ahead, the expectations bar from the other half may have been raised.
So if you need a little bit of inspiration, we’ve put together some ideas, along with the a few restaurant recommendations and evening activities to see you through from morning to midnight.
Here are our favourite romantic things to do in London.
Making a day of it
On the waterfront
“Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” – Franklin P. Jones
Take advantage of the beautiful parks and buildings of historic Hampton Court or Greenwich, and the best way to get there is by boat. Thames River Boats can take you west from Westminster and through central London to Henry VIII’s home. It’s also Hampton Court’s 500th anniversary in 2015 and the grounds, especially the maze, are secluded and designed for romance and intrigue.
Or head east with City Cruises to Greenwich, which has one of the best views of London from the top of Greenwich Park, next to the Royal Observatory. At the Planetarium you don’t have to wait for the evening and hope for a clear night to see the stars. Also take a stroll east down the river and you get to the Cutty Sark pub, one of London’s best riverside pubs for a Saturday lunch as the dining room overlooks the river.
View from Greenwich
Little Venice is one of London’s most charming spots and a stroll along the towpaths is leafy and gentile. There are plenty of independent shops, cafes and pubs to pop into along the way.
Just round the corner from Tower Bridge, St Katherine’s Dock has had a recent restaurant boom, with new places, like Tom’s Kitchen opening up along the marina.
In the evening take to the Thames for a pre-dinner, two-hour cruise while you drift past Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament. (£50 for two)
Romantic views
“First love is only a little foolishness and a lot of curiosity” – George Bernard Shaw
The National Theatre has an exclusive pop-up rooftop restaurant opening to the public specially for Valentine’s Day. The Deck will be serving up smoked salmon and beef as part of a curated four course menu (£75 incl welcome drink and dinner).
Vista at The Trafalgar Hotel is also opening its rooftop bar specially for Valentine’s Day. They provide a bottle of champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, a moonlit view over Trafalgar Square and given the weather, blankets to snuggle in (£99 for two, 10pm until midnight).
If you are feeling flush or perhaps have a proposal in mind, then hire a “Cupid’s Capsule” on the London Eye. From £375 you have the space to yourself, along with a bottle of fizz and some chocolates. The bit on bended knee is down to you.
Amorous Art
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” – Vincent van Gogh
Aim for a cultured angle over the Valentine’s weekend by taking your date to a gallery or museum. You’ll get brownie points for effort if nothing else (and most of them are free).
Famous artists who were part of what is called “romanticism” – think nature and landscapes – are the likes of Turner, Constable and Delacroix. Head to the Clore Gallery, Tate Britain to see some of Turner’s best works. For the latter two, the National Gallery is a good bet to see works from all three.
If you want to keep it cultural but a little less subtle, then the Wellcome Collection had an exhibition called The Institute of Sexology. This is a candid look at all forms of erotica and human sexuality and seeks to explore how the sex has been thought of and analysed from the late 19th Century until the present day. A real eye-opener.
Sleeping with Sherlock (c) Museum of London
“Sleeping with Sherlock” at the Museum of London isn’t quite as risqué as it first might seem as sadly Benedict Cumberbatch won’t be attending. However you do get to spend from 7.30pm to 9.30am getting honed up on Holmes in a series of workshops, then enjoying dinner and drinks before either retiring or watching a Sherlock marathon (Prices start at £175).
For something also fun and flirty in the evening the Trafalgar Hotel are hosting a PopUp painting event in the Rockwell Bar. The romantic subject for your best brushstrokes is Klimt’s iconic painting “The Kiss”, and don’t worry if you are a complete novice, they have professionals on hand to help guide you. The glass of champagne will help things along and you get to take your paintings home, what you then do with them might depend on how the date went (£35 per person, 7pm-9.30pm, Feb 14).
The Kiss by Klimt
Cosy up at the cinema
“Stolen kisses are always sweetest.” – Leigh Hunt
The Nomad Cinema is popping up in Hyde Park for Valentine’s Day and has 1960s classic The Graduate and Noughties weepie, The Notebook, on the bill (£25 incl glass of fizz and hot food).
The Pillow Cinema in Shoreditch have beanbags just the tight size for two to snuggle up on.
And Trader Vics have just launched its own monthly Tiki cinema night and has chosen the Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman classic love story, Casablanca, as their romantic option (Feb 9th, £13 including tropical cocktail).
For those people who don’t like their films to be too lovey dovey, try the Prince Charles Cinema’s anti-Valentine’s Party with a screening of My Bloody Valentine (1981) might just be the ticket. You even get a bloody cocktail – how romantic.
Something a little different
The Macarons & Mews tour might be a sweet place to start your afternoon (2pm to 4.30pm, £20 incl five tastings). This is a historic and sugary stroll around Belgravia and Knightsbridge.
The Corinthia Hotel in London, used to be the headquarters of MI9 and was used as a scene in James Bond’s Skyfall, and there is something a little spy-like about their Valentine’s Day offering. Their resident graphologist will be analysing couples handwriting to assess their comparability (3pm till 11pm).
Eating out
Nearly every restaurant worth its salt will have something special planned for Valentine’s Day, and we have a list of the latest restaurant deals available for February the 14th.
Clos Maggiore and Galvin at Windows tend to top the “most romantic” lists, so chances are tables might be be hard to come by.
Or bypass all the booking issues and buy a gourmet picnic. This way you can choose the venue and you don’t even need to do any preparation. Hot Dinners have a great list of places to order picnics from in the city.
Staying here
We have put together our own Top 10 Romantic Hotels in London list to perhaps give you a little inspiration.
We also have plenty of other places to stay in London if you decide you want to make a weekend of it.
And if you are still not sure what to do, then be inspired by our 100 Things in London page. You can find somewhere intriguing to visit just round-the-corner from where you are standing.
Romantic tips
We would love to know what your favourite places are in London for a little love and romance. Tell us about your ideal date by leaving a comment below.
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