15 of the Best: Valentine’s Day Experiences in London & BeyondBy Angelica Malin
Looking for something beyond the classic Valentine’s Day luxury meal in London? Then look no further than our guide to the best Valentine’s Day experiences in London 2019 (and, if in doubt, say it with chocolate). From blow drys to film experiences, here’s 12 interesting ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in London this year:
Valentine’s Day Experiences in London: For Cocktail Lovers
1. Treat Yourself: Fentimans Rose Lemonade x Duck & Dry
What: This year Fentimans is turning tradition on its head and suggesting that instead of giving all our love away, we save a bit for ourselves. As part of their Love Yourself campaign, Fentimans Rose Lemonade will be partnering with London’s finest blow dry salon, Duck & Dry and the beautiful letter box flower company Bloom & Wild.
The Lowdown: Exclusively for Valentine’s Day, Fentimans will be hosting the ‘Love Yourself’ drinks menus at Duck & Dry’s four salons across the capital. Merlin Griffiths will be behind the bar at the Oxford Circus Duck & Dry from 12pm-2pm where he will be whipping up Rose Lemonade cocktails from the ‘Love Yourself’ menu. Drinks will include simply served Rose Lemonade, Rose & Bloom Gin and Rose Spritz. All of the Duck & Dry venues will be dressed for the occasion with exquisite floral decoration designed by Bloom & Wild, and there will also be bespoke pink, handmade Crosstown Doughnuts to enjoy while having a blow dry.
2. Experience a Negroni Trolley Service: 45 Park Lane
What: This Valentine’s Day, guests can cheers in style at Dorchester Collection’s contemporary Mayfair hotel, 45 Park Lane with its newly launched complimentary Negroni Trolley service. One of the Valentine’s Day experiences in London right now, we think.
The Lowdown: To mark 100 years of the classic cocktail, guests staying at the hotel can enjoy a specially created Negroni, served in the comfort of their room from the trolley service. Using one of three variations of the popular drink: The Classic Negroni, The Vintage Negroni and The Aged Negroni guests can cheers to Valentine’s Day. We’re into it.
Where: Find out more here
3. Drink Special Cocktails: COYA Mayfair
What: Celebrated Latin American restaurant, COYA Mayfair, will be launching a new cocktail, the Tu y Yo, especially for Valentine’s Day.
The Lowdown: Translating from Spanish to mean, “you and me”, the Tu y Yo will be served in a unique vessel designed to be shared by a couple and consists of two different drinks in one. The corked glass bottle is served with a delicate orchid flower as a garnish. The orchid is native to Peru and the national flower of Latin America, traditionally gifted on Valentine’s Day.
Where: Find out more here
Valentine’s Day Experiences in London: For Hotel Breaks
4. Experience a Valentine’s Day Package: The Landmark London
What: The Landmark London is one of London’s most romantic destinations for Valentine’s Day. A charming grand dame hotel based in the heart of Marylebone, The Landmark London’s warm yet glamorous ambiance is reminiscent of the enchanting era of train travel. One of the Valentine’s Day experiences in London, without a doubt.
The Lowdown: With one of the capital’s most iconic backdrops in the form of the Winter Garden restaurant, a tranquil oasis under the lush green of elegant palms, it is a captivating setting for an evening of romance. The hotel is offering the ultimate Valentine’s package, ‘Love at The Landmark’. With a complimentary bottle of Champagne, spa gift set, and a romantic turndown setup included, to name a few highlights, the hotel team will ensure there’s no place better to celebrate with a loved one this year.
Where: Find out more here
5. Escape the City: Rudding Park, Harrogate
What: Rudding Park in Harrogate is offering a host of romantic activities this Valentine’s Day, including ‘Starbathing’ and romantic film screenings in Rudding Park’s very own cinema.
The Lowdown: Couples can bathe under the stars in the warming waters of the outdoor Hydrotherapy Pool with ‘Starbathing’ or upgrade their spa package to the VIP Couples Room, complete with candlelit bathing in a copper bath scattered with rose petals, accompanied with handmade chocolates and relaxing bath oils. Additionally, lovebirds looking for a date night with a difference can enjoy a film screening of either Breakfast at Tiffany’s or The Notebook at Rudding Park’s own cinema perfected with complimentary popcorn.
Where: Find out more here
6. Take a Romantic Break: Cotswold House Hotel & Spa, Cotswolds
What: Award-winning luxury hotel and spa in the heart of Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire launches a Romantic Break package, especially for Valentine’s day.
The Lowdown: Experience the chocolate-box charm of the Cotswolds with Cotswold House Hotel & Spa’s Romantic Break package, from £129 per person, including dinner, bed and breakfast in an upgraded room, plus a bottle of Champagne and a box of chocolates. The hotel’s hot tub cottage and suites are perfect for a romantic break, each offering their own private garden and hot tub to enjoy, while guests can relax in the boutique spa, housed at the end of the beautiful English garden.
Where: Find out more here
7. Take a Valentine’s Day Break: Thyme, Cotswolds
What: English Country Destination, Thyme, has put together a romantic Cotswold escape package for a Valentine’s Day.
The Lowdown: An overnight stay in one of their stunning Lodge rooms or Farmhouse rooms, a celebratory dinner at the recently launched Ox Barn, which serves Modern British fare, along with a bottle of Castle Brook English sparkling wine to pop open upon arrival. To make your stay extra special, treat your loved one to a tailored spa treatment at their botanical Meadow Spa and make use of the heated spring water swimming pool!
Where: Find out more here
8. Take a Rural Break: Tudor Farmhouse, Gloucestershire
What: Boutique hotel Tudor Farmhouse in the small village of Clearwell in Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean is perfect for those after a romantic UK countryside break to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The Lowdown: The hotel is offering one and two night breaks between 09th-16th February, combining a comfortable night’s sleep and time to explore the hotel’s 14 acres with a special 6 course Valentine’s Tasting Menu, prepared by head chef Rob Cox who was recently crowned the South West Chef of the Year
Where: a 1x night Valentine’s Package (between 09-16 February 2018) is available from £260 based on 2x sharing a double room including breakfast and a 6 course Valentine’s Tasting Menu.
Valentine’s Day Experiences in London: For Culture Vultures
9. Attend a Festival of Erotic Events: The London EDITION
Image credit: Sarah Baker, Courtesy of Baron & Baroness
What: Fitzrovia’s landmark boutique hotel, The London EDITION celebrates Valentine’s Day with a series of arousing & erotic experiences from 11th-14th February
The Lowdown: In a celebration of romance, sex and sexuality, The London EDITION has collaborated with erotic journal, Baron & Baroness, offering a cheeky Valentine card making workshop, Sense and Sensuality Perfume & Cocktail workshop and a special screening of Destricted- a series of seven short films on the subject of art and pornography. Offering an arousing alternative to traditional Valentines celebrations, the events will take place on 11th, 13th and 14th February.
Where: Find out more here
10. Watch a Film at the National History Museum: The Luna Cinema
Photo credit: The Luna Cinema
What: The Luna Cinema, the UK’s leading producer of open air film screenings, is partnering with the Natural History Museum, to bring pop-up cinema to one of the most unique indoor locations in London this Valentine’s Day. One of the Valentine’s Day experiences in London, we say.
The Lowdown: On the evenings of 14th, 15th and 16th of February, there will be screenings for everyone; from romantic classics to Anti-Valentines empowerment, all screening in the majestic Hintze Hall, home to the iconic 25-metre skeleton of ‘Hope’ the blue whale suspended in the air.
Where: To book tickets and for more information visit here
11. Go to a Galentine’s Day Screening: The Everyman Cinemas
What: Everyman Cinemas is celebrating female friendships this Galentine’s Day with screenings of Legally Blonde and Mean Girls.
The Lowdown: Drawing inspiration from Ariana Grande’s iconic ‘Thank U, Next’, Everyman Cinemas is screening Legally Blonde and Mean Girls, the girl power movies she references in her iconic music video. Tickets are £12 and each comes with a free cocktail, so put a crew together of your favourite girls and head down to Everyman and watch Reese Witherspoon crush stereotypes at law school or Lindsay Lohan navigate high school’s social minefield.
Where: Find out more info here
Valentine’s Day Experiences in London: For Foodies
12. Experience Follies Afternoon Tea: National Theatre
What: From 12th February until 11th May, guests will be able to enjoy a Follies inspired afternoon tea at the National Theatre’s House restaurant. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, we say.
The Lowdown: To celebrate the award-winning production’s return to the Olivier Theatre, the National Theatre is launching a Follies Afternoon Tea. The tasty treats will include New York pastrami sandwiches, pretzel served with beer mustard and Broadway blackcurrant mousse. Customers can also opt for the ‘Tea and Tour’ package to combine the afternoon tea with an exciting backstage tour.
Where: Find out more here.
13. Enjoy a Special Menu: The Montagu Kitchen Restaurant
What: This Valentine’s Day, treat a friend or loved one to the perfect dining experience for two at The Montagu Kitchen Restaurant in the Hyatt Regency – The Churchill hotel. Situated in the heart of Marylebone, the Chartwell house inspired restaurant will be welcoming guests with a valentines cocktail and a specially designed three course set menu.
The Lowdown: Guests can indulge in a set menu that is sure to set heart’s racing, from a Trio of Maldon Oysters to a Honey Glazed Suffolk Pork Loin and desserts including a Lychee Rose Trifle, the Montagu Kitchen is the perfect setting to enjoy the most romantic day of the year.
Price: The set menu is priced at £49 for three courses and includes a welcome cocktail.
14. Try Out a New Restaurant: Angelina
What: Looking for an intimate hideaway to woo your date this Valentine’s? A place where debauchery and night-time naughtiness is actively encouraged? Look no further than Angelina Restaurant.
The Lowdown: A surreal exploration of Japanese and Italian cuisines, cultures and influences. The restaurant’s hidden drinking den Golden Gai, is inspired by Tokyo’s famous Shinjuku district, and seats just six people, making it one of London’s smallest bars. Cocktails and shots flow in this low-lit hideaway where guests are asked to leave phones at the door. Angelina Restaurant open its doors for the first time this Valentine’s Day with a pre-opening soft launch from 14th-17th February 2019, offering loved up diners 50% off their food bill.
Where: Angelina Restaurant & Bar
15. Get a Delicious Delivery: Kennington Tandoori
What: Unsure whether to go our or stay in this Valentine’s Day? Not to worry, Kennington Tandoori have you covered with their dine in menu OR eat at home with a Valentine’s dinner for two delivered straight to the doorstep.
The Lowdown: The popular South London restaurant are going the extra mile this Valentine’s Day. For only £40 per person the KT will be offering a mega feast of Indian delights with dishes such as a KT Platter, Lucknow Free Range Chicken Korma, Coconut & Tamarind Fish Curry, Rose Kulfi (and much more) the menu accompanied by a glass of champagne or a pink gin cocktail. For those staying in with their loved ones Kennington Tandoori are offering an indulgent delivery package to share and devour together. Made for two and for just £70, the bumper feast will include 7 courses such as onion bhajis & samosas, Kashmiri Kentish Lamb Rogan Josh, stir fried garden greens with cumin & Tarka Dal and a bottle of champagne.
Where: Kennington Tandoori
