Valentine’s Day ideas we want you to love
Like it or loathe it, February 14 is almost here again, Lois Swinnerton has just what you need to make yours a memorable one
LIKE it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is almost here again, and we have just what you need to make yours a memorable one
This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday, so quite impractical for most of us.
However, this now gives us further opportunity to celebrate the day of love, with both the weekend of February 11 and 13 and the weekend of February 18 and 19 as options.
But whenever you choose to celebrate and whoever with, make sure it is one to remember.
We have a guide to make your day special whether you have a date or not.
Jump on-board a romantic river cruise
Impress your loved one with a romantic cruise down the River Thames, taking in all of the city’s most beautiful landmarks after the sun has set.
Options range from the more affordable Valentine’s Day Riverlights Cruise, where you can enjoy live bands, sparkling wine and canapes, to the rather pricey Ultimate Valentine’s Cruise complete with a four course meal, bottle of champagne, private musician, and a bouquet of flowers. Where: Westminster Pier, Victoria Embankment, London SW1A Cost: From £78 to £949 per couple
Create your own unique perfume
Take your loved one to create their own bespoke scent at this workshop in north London.
During the class, which lasts for an hour and a half, couples will be able to create their own fragrances, learning about perfume creation with one-to-one advice from perfume curator Emmanuelle Moeglin. Where: EPC Lab, 29 Bentley Road, London N1 4BY Cost: £ 125 per couple How aboutb t an aphrodisiac? Kensington Place is offering a special Valentine’s Day three- course menu consisting of Colchester Rock Oysters, King Praws, potted crab and tuna tartare.
A special romantic cocktail, Cupid’s Kiss, will also be served alongside tea or coffee with petit fours. Where: Kensington Place, 201 Kensington Church St, London W8 7LX Cost: £50 per person
S CPTake a romantic stroll down the Rive Thames View from the Thames Path in Richmond Stretching across a almost 80 miles of p pathway, The Thames Path will offer you an escape from the hustle a and bustle this Valentine’s Day, weather dependent of course.
The walk along the River Thames is beautiful here in west London, offering ramblers views including Syon Park, Hampton Court Palace, Chiswick Pier and Kew Gardens.
Why not stop off on your way round at one of the waterside bars in Richmond for a celebratory drink? Where: You can start the walk anywhere you like, although, the Thames south bank, Teddington Lock, TW11 is a good starting point. Cost: Free
Shake up a cocktail for Valentine’s Day
Take your Valentine’s date for a few drinks in Notting Hill at Valentine’s Bejewelled Cocktail Matserclass.
Impress as you shake up a cocktail or three and design your own canapes.
Learn how to make a Pimped up Prosecco and Rose Popcorn Popcorn, it’s the perfect place for a date this Valentine’s Day. Where: Notting Hill Cost: £45
Take your date for a romantic meal
Enjoy a free glass of bubbly when you book a valentines meal at the the Lock & Quay Restaurant and Bar in Hayes.
Sip on the sparkles as you enjoy a meal in the romantic setting of Willowtree Marina.
Or in Hillingdon, The Watersedge is offering a romantic three course meal for £24.90. Where: The Watersedge, Canal Cottages, Packet Boat Lane, Hillingdon Lock & Quay Restaurant and Bar, West Quay Drive, Yeading, Middlesex, UB4 9TB Cost: Varies
Spend a romantic evening surrounded by flowers
At Kew Gardens, you can enjoy an evening surrounded by orchids as you wander through sights, senses and sounds of India’s culture, in their Orchids Lates event, for over 18s only.
On their website, Kew Gardens say: “Join us after dark for a series of intimate evenings among thousands of orchids and tropical flower displays.” Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE Cost: £15
Discover a history of underwear at the V&A museum Head of catteries at DiscoverDisco how Battersea, Lindsey underwearunderwe has evolved Quinlan, said: “Our focus throug through the years from this year is on registering the 1 18th century to presentpre day at the those who are interested Victoria and Albert in rehoming the many V iMK Museum in cats that come through Knightsbridge. our doors, but haven’t Exploring the had the chance to come re relationship visit us yet. be between underwear “It’s an alternative, fun, an and fashion, you will see over 200 light-hearted event, so we exam examples of both hope our cats will find men’s a and women’s their true love at Feline underwe underwear. Lonely!” What better Where: Battersea way tbto break the ice on a Dogs & Cats first date? Home, 4 Battersea Where: The Park Road, V&A, London SW8 4AA Cromwell Cost: £7 Road, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL Cost: £13.50
Find your soulmate this Valentine’s Day
Why not share your love of cats with a feline friend this Valentine’s Day.
More than 3,000 cats a year come to Battersea Home looking for a home, so why not welcome one into yours this Valentine’s Day?
Battersea matchmakers will be on hand to pair you with a cat and there will also be events on during the evening, as well as a welcome drink.
Take a journey back in time at Fulham Palace
Enter into the historic home of the Bishop of London in Fulham.
Discover the 1,312-year history of the palace and the 13-acre gardens as you walk hand in hand with a loved one.
And after your exploration, why not treat yourself to a cake and a tea for two in the palace café? Where: Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Ave, Fulham, London SW6 6EA. Cost: Free entry