Perfect London Valentine's Day Itinerary
Seeking the perfect Valentine's Day date? London is a city of endless possibility, so our experts have narrowed it down and curated two unique date ideas, to last all day and night.
Still from The Virgin Suicides
VALENTINE'S DAY ITINERARY 1
Unique date ideas for hopeless romantics
Classic doesn't have to mean cliched- here's a selection of elegant, romantic events for a unique Valentines day, London-style. We've picked a film, an exhibition and a meal that to make you smile: whether you're with your lover, best friend or a Tinder date.
WATCH: Katharine Hepburn Season, BFI
Romance in the Golden Age of Hollywood was a simpler affair. Long before Vampires became seductive, BDSM was acceptable as courtship or Michael Cera considered an object of desire, Katharine Hepburn, was the leading romantic heroine. Snuggle up in front of the incandescent Philadelphia Love Story at the BFI, starring Hepburn and Cary Grant.
SEE: Unseen, Courtauld
This quiet exhibition is a slip of a thing, but inside it’s a treasure trove of draughtsmanship from artists such as Durer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. Hushed, personal and erotic in places, the show is perfectly intimate for Valentine’s day.
EAT: Tom Ryalls, Carousel
Combing ancient methods and a taste for invention, Moro chef Tom Ryalls will be smoking and salting in Marylebone on Valentine’s day: the last night of his residency. The latest guest to Carousel’s kitchen, you can expect Ryalls to serve things like grilled venison and molasses, clam chowder, wood grilled venison, salt-baked turnip.
VALENTINE'S DAY ITINERARY 2
Quirky Valentines Day ideas: London alternative date guide
If cooing isn't your thing, read on: here's a list of non-cheesy, creative Valentine's day ideas with plenty of bite.
WATCH: My Twisted Valentine, Barbican
Love isn’t always heartshaped cookies and rubbing noses: it can be wonky and wonderfully weird. Knowing this, The Barbican have put together a two-day, cliché-free film season. Expect offbeat cult classics like Harold and Maude, the Virgin Suicides and Venus in Furs (above).
SEE: We Could be Heroes
Teenage dreams are notoriously hard to beat. Whether you’re seventeen or seventy, this exhibition will give you kicks. Photographs tell stories of first loves, kissing on the back seat, gangs, bikes, jackets and bright memories. Prints are all for sale,and include work Chris Steele-Perkins and Ed van der Elsken as well as legendary Magnum photographer, Bruce Davidson.
EAT: Kushi's at Kitchenette
Candelit and tucked up on the canal the setting couldn’t be more Romantic. Instead of sharing spaghetti, though, pop up Kushi’s will bring you rich modern Japanese grill. Squabble over umami delights like ox-cheek tacos, Jerusalem artichoke tempura and crispy gyoza dumplings.
Unique date ideas for hopeless romantics
Classic doesn't have to mean cliched- here's a selection of elegant, romantic events for a unique Valentines day, London-style. We've picked a film, an exhibition and a meal that to make you smile: whether you're with your lover, best friend or a Tinder date.
WATCH: Katharine Hepburn Season, BFI
Romance in the Golden Age of Hollywood was a simpler affair. Long before Vampires became seductive, BDSM was acceptable as courtship or Michael Cera considered an object of desire, Katharine Hepburn, was the leading romantic heroine. Snuggle up in front of the incandescent Philadelphia Love Story at the BFI, starring Hepburn and Cary Grant.
SEE: Unseen, Courtauld
This quiet exhibition is a slip of a thing, but inside it’s a treasure trove of draughtsmanship from artists such as Durer, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. Hushed, personal and erotic in places, the show is perfectly intimate for Valentine’s day.
EAT: Tom Ryalls, Carousel
Combing ancient methods and a taste for invention, Moro chef Tom Ryalls will be smoking and salting in Marylebone on Valentine’s day: the last night of his residency. The latest guest to Carousel’s kitchen, you can expect Ryalls to serve things like grilled venison and molasses, clam chowder, wood grilled venison, salt-baked turnip.
Click here for our guide to Valentine's Day brunch, London 2015
VALENTINE'S DAY ITINERARY 2
Quirky Valentines Day ideas: London alternative date guide
If cooing isn't your thing, read on: here's a list of non-cheesy, creative Valentine's day ideas with plenty of bite.
WATCH: My Twisted Valentine, Barbican
Love isn’t always heartshaped cookies and rubbing noses: it can be wonky and wonderfully weird. Knowing this, The Barbican have put together a two-day, cliché-free film season. Expect offbeat cult classics like Harold and Maude, the Virgin Suicides and Venus in Furs (above).Click here for our guide to Alternative Valentine's Day Cinema London
SEE: We Could be Heroes
Teenage dreams are notoriously hard to beat. Whether you’re seventeen or seventy, this exhibition will give you kicks. Photographs tell stories of first loves, kissing on the back seat, gangs, bikes, jackets and bright memories. Prints are all for sale,and include work Chris Steele-Perkins and Ed van der Elsken as well as legendary Magnum photographer, Bruce Davidson.
EAT: Kushi's at Kitchenette
Candelit and tucked up on the canal the setting couldn’t be more Romantic. Instead of sharing spaghetti, though, pop up Kushi’s will bring you rich modern Japanese grill. Squabble over umami delights like ox-cheek tacos, Jerusalem artichoke tempura and crispy gyoza dumplings.
