Valentine’s Day ideas and gifts: top romantic date activities to do this year
Call us Cupid because we have the most romantic activities and gifts to treat your loved one to this Valentine’s Day. Plus, we’ve even put together some ideas on how you and your friends can celebrate Galentine’s Day.
Looking to surprise your significant other with a present that’s a little more meaningful than a box of chocolates? Then you’ve come to the right place. The RadioTimes.com team have put together a list of the top Valentine’s Day date ideas from all across the UK, as well as the best presents you can give a special someone on February 14th.
We have everything from experience days (because if there’s one thing that is incredibly meaningful without requiring too much effort, it’s an experience) and gift ideas, to Galentine’s Day activities and date night suggestions. We’ve considered every budget, too, as in the words of Jennifer Lopez, "love don’t cost a thing".
Valentine’s Day this year falls on a Tuesday. Although the day of love originated as a Christian feast day honouring the martyr Saint Valentine, later folk traditions have reimagined the February date as a celebration of romance.
In 2020, The Independent reported that the UK spends approximately £1.3 billion on Valentine’s Day cards, flowers, chocolates, and gifts each year, and an estimated 25 million cards are sent — that’s a whole lot of romance travelling across the UK.
For inspiration on how you can treat your someone special this year, take a look at our list below. Plus, if you’re after alcohol-free date night suggestions, our Dry January date ideas guide is sure to put love in the air.
Valentine’s Day date ideas and gifts 2023 at a glance:
- Mon Dessert subscription, from £10
- Gift Roses, from £14.99
- London's Big Valentine's Affair: Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm, £19.50
- Vintage Valentine's & Prosecco by Candlelight, from £20
- Axel Blake - In Style tickets, £23
- Pretty Woman: The Musical, from £24
- Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special, from £25
- An Acre of Land on the Moon, £25
- A bouquet of flowers at Bloom & Wild, from £27
- Notting Hill Rom Com Walking Tour for Two in London, £30
- Romantic Flowers bouquets, from £32
- To The One I Love Cheese Gift Box from Letterbox Cheese, £35
- Three Course Lunch for Two at 20 Stories Rooftop Restaurant, £47
- Rage Room Experience for Two with DESTROY'D, £55
- Pure Pamper at Pure Spa & Beauty for Two, £55
- The Mixologist Experience for Two at Harvey Nichols, £60
- The With Love From Fortnum's Gift Box, £72
- Bottomless Pizza and Prosecco for Two at Gordon Ramsay's Street Pizza, £72
- Lovers Leap Bungee Jump for Two,
£198£99 - Lazy Brunch Cooking Class for Two at the Gordon Ramsay Academy, £100
- Valentine's Day at The Meat & Wine Co, £110 per person
- Two Hour Dim Sum Making Masterclass for Two at Ann's Smart School of Cookery,
£258£125 - Weekday Sunrise Virgin Hot Air Balloon Flight for Two, £260
- Two Night Memorable Break with Dinner for Two, £299.99
Best Valentine’s Day date ideas and activities for 2023
Valentine's Day at The Meat & Wine Co
It's the most romantic day of the year, so you deserve something extra special. Celebrate Valentine's Day in style with a set menu at The Meat & Wine Co.
The carefully curated menu includes succulent entrées, such as Chermoula-marinated King Prawns with romesco sauce and lightly toasted almonds, mains like steak, salmon, and Harissa-roasted eggplant for vegetarians, then something sweet to finish (we have our eye on the hazelnut and chocolate fondant).
More like this
Buy Valentine's Day at The Meat & Wine Co for £110 per person at The Meat & Wine Co
Lovers Leap Bungee Jump
The clue is in the title: you and a lover are going to leap off a 160-foot stand in a tandem bungee jump! Perfect for a couple who are a bit more on the adventurous side, the bungee jump includes a full safety briefing, plus a bottle of champagne to share after the jump.
Buy Lovers Leap Bungee Jump for Two for £198 £99 at Buyagift
For more activities for thrill seekers, check out the best UK zombie experiences.
Rage Room Experience for Two with DESTROY'D
Now, we're not saying your other half gets on your nerves, but let's face it, they can be annoying at times... Let out any frustrations in the rage room.
Start with a safety briefing and get kitted out in protective gear before you get smashing. You'll have 30 minutes to obliterate objects like TVs, glass bottles, crockery, printers and much more, in any way you choose.
Buy Rage Room Experience for Two with DESTROY'D for £55 at Virgin Experience Days
Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special
What could be a more romantic setting than sitting next to your significant other, listening to music while bathed in candlelight? At Glazier's Hall in London, you’ll listen to a selection of romantic music played by a string quartet, including songs like Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On and Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Buy Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special tickets from £25 at Fever
For more candlelight concerts, take a look at the best candlelight concerts to see in 2023.
Three Course Lunch for Two at 20 Stories Rooftop Restaurant
Soak in the Manchester skyline and enjoy a three course meal from a set menu at this next Valentine’s Day suggestion. 20 Stories in Manchester city centre is known for its panoramic views, buzzing atmosphere and gorgeous décor.
Buy Three Course Lunch for Two at 20 Stories Rooftop Restaurant for £47 at Virgin Experience Days
Two Night Memorable Break with Dinner for Two
For a Valentine’s experience which is both special but minimal effort, this two-night stay voucher is the perfect option. Choose from a venue in the UK or Europe, and enjoy two overnight stays in a cosy location, as well as breakfast each morning and a delicious dinner for two.
Buy Two Night Memorable Break with Dinner for Two for £299.99 at Buyagift
The Mixologist Experience for Two at Harvey Nichols
Level-up on going out for Valentine’s Day cocktails and create your own instead! In this experience, you’ll learn to make three signature cocktails, then you’ll be given free reign to whip-up your own creation. With the experience available at various Harvey Nichols locations across the UK (Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds), travelling to this date night should be a piece of cake.
Buy The Mixologist Experience for Two at Harvey Nichols for £60 at Buyagift
Vintage Valentine's & Prosecco by Candlelight
Located at The Grand Temple at the Freemasons’ Hall, this Valentine’s Day evening is perfect for couples who are fans of all things vintage. Sip on Prosecco as you listen to love songs from the '20s, '30s and '40s, performed by an incredible band. The setting couldn’t be more romantic, too, with its Art Deco interior and plenty of candles.
Buy Vintage Valentine's & Prosecco by Candlelight tickets from £20 at Fever
London's Big Valentine's Affair: Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm
This Valentine’s Day affair invites you to go all-out and to dance all night. Don your best '30s and '40s attire and dance the night away to live swing, jazz, and blues music from Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm.
Each ticket awards you entry to the main and after parties, as well as a complimentary glass of Prosecco or a cocktail on arrival.
For more exciting things to do in London, take a look at the best immersive experiences and best London escape rooms.
Axel Blake - In Style
Comedian Axel Blake came to our attention as Simon Cowell's golden buzzer on the hit telly show Britain's Got Talent, and went on to win the 2022 crown. The comedy superstar is currently touring the UK and Europe, and you can catch him at Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal on Valentine’s Day.
Buy Axel Blake - In Style tickets for £23 at See Tickets
For more stand-up events, be sure to check out our best London comedy shows and Just For Laughs London tickets.
Pure Pamper at Pure Spa & Beauty for Two
Nothing says "I love you" like a couple’s massage, right? In this romantic experience, you’ll enjoy Pure Spa and Beauty’s facilities and a 25-minute treatment each, which will either be a back, neck and shoulder massage or a manicure, complete with French polish, a hand massage or cuticle treatment.
Buy Pure Pamper at Pure Spa & Beauty for Two for £55 at Red Letter Days
For us, a massage feels super luxurious. Check out our guide to the best luxury cinema experiences in London for other luxurious date night inspiration.
Two Hour Dim Sum Making Masterclass for Two at Ann's Smart School of Cookery
Are you and your partner keen to sharpen your culinary expertise? Perhaps you want to learn a new skill to try out at home? If so, head over to Ann’s Smart School of Cookery for the Dim Sum Making Masterclass.
The two-hour workshop will see you making authentic Asian cuisine like crispy salt and chilli squid, vegetable gyoza, chicken and prawn dim sum with a sauce to dip, plus beef tataki with wasabi mash.
Head over to best London experience day gifts for more like this.
Notting Hill Rom Com Walking Tour for Two in London
Instead of staying in and watching a romantic comedy, why not experience one with the Notting Hill Walking Tour? Visit the locations from hit romance movies like Notting Hill, Love Actually and Sliding Doors, such as Portobello Road Market.
Buy Notting Hill Rom Com Walking Tour for Two in London for £30 at Red Letter Days
Are you a fan of films like Notting Hill and Sliding Doors? Here's how to get cheap cinema tickets.
For more walking tours in the capital city, take a look at the top London walking tours.
Best Valentine’s Day gifts
To The One I Love Cheese Gift Box from Letterbox Cheese
This special edition box from Letterbox Cheese contains two cheeses — a heart-shaped cheddar and an extra mature cheddar blended with Spanish rioja wine and caramelised onions. It also has biscuits, homemade chutney relish, a silk red rose, and a slate cheese board, which comes with chalk for you to write your own romantic message.
Buy To The One I Love Cheese Gift Box from Letterbox Cheese for £35 at Virgin Experience Days
A bouquet of flowers from Bloom & Wild
Picture this: you’ve surprised your loved one with breakfast in bed and a bouquet of flowers, and you’ve just been awarded the coveted Partner of the Year Award. A bunch of flowers goes a long way on Valentine’s Day, and Bloom & Wild has a page dedicated to the most romantic selections.
Buy a bouquet of flowers from £27 at Bloom & Wild
Mon Dessert subscription
Mon Dessert is a dessert subscription company which makes creating puddings at home super simple. Have you just cooked the perfect Valentine's Day meal and you're looking for something sweet to finish it off? Or perhaps your other half is a baker in the making? A Mon Dessert box is just the ticket.
Firstly, choose your plan size, from one dessert up to three desserts, then select the puddings you'd like to create, and your dessert box will be delivered to your door every four weeks.
Buy a Mon Dessert subscription from £10 per kit at Mon Dessert
Gift Roses from Harkness Roses
At Harkness Roses, there's a rose for every occasion and for every person; choose from wedding anniversary roses and ones for your husband or wife to 'Soul Mate' and 'Love Never Dies' variations. After all, what's more romantic than giving a loved one a rose? It's very Beauty and the Beast-esque, except, hopefully, these ones won't die.
Buy Gift Roses from £14.99 at Harkness Roses
Do you and your other half enjoy going to festivals? Then be sure to secure All Points East tickets.
An Acre of Land on the Moon
Have you ever said that you love someone to the moon and back? Well, show them that you truly mean it with this next unique gift. You won’t be able to build a house on your newly-bought land, but with this gift you’ll get a lunar site map to show you exactly where your spot is located, lunar deeds, and a declaration of ownership.
Buy An Acre of Land on the Moon for £25 at Virgin Experience Days
Is your partner into tech? Check out the top tech gifts and gadgets.
Romantic Flowers from Interflora
Whisk someone off their feet with Interflora's hand-picked selection of 'romantic flowers'. The bouquets include statement red roses, brightly coloured flowers, pastel hues and lilies galore, all crafted for you by your local florist, as well as sweet plants.
Buy Romantic Flowers bouquets from £32 at Interflora
Weekday Sunrise Virgin Hot Air Balloon Flight for Two
This gift is perfect to give for Valentine’s Day and to save as something to look forward to as the weather warms up. Take in the sunrise and 360 degree views in one of over 100 locations across the UK. As well as an hour’s trip in the hot air balloon, you’ll receive a celebratory Prosecco toast on landing and a flight certificate.
Buy Weekday Sunrise Virgin Hot Air Balloon Flight for Two for £260 at Virgin Experience Days
For Valentine's Day ideas in Cambridge, take a look at the best Cambridge punting and walking tours.
The With Love From Fortnum's Gift Box
Choose between an alcohol and alcohol-free version of the With Love From Fortnum’s gift box. This alcoholic version comes with a mini heart chocolate box filled with caramel chocolates, Blanc de Blancs champagne, and a cashmere eye mask from brand Rosie Sugden.
Buy The With Love From Fortnum's Gift Box for £72 at Fortnum & Mason
Top Galentine’s Day ideas and activities
Lazy Brunch Cooking Class for Two at the Gordon Ramsay Academy
No partner? No problem! Gather a friend and celebrate Galentine’s Day with a brunch cooking class. Enjoy complimentary refreshments during your 90-minute masterclass as you create eggs benedict with hollandaise sauce, whip-up fluffy buttermilk pancakes, or choose something completely out of your comfort zone.
Bottomless Pizza and Prosecco for Two at Gordon Ramsay's Street Pizza
Tuck into bottomless pizza and prosecco this Galentine’s Day. The venue, located in Southwark in London, has a pool table, darts, table football, epic shooter basketball, and a photobooth - so you’re guaranteed a lot of fun.
Buy Bottomless Pizza and Prosecco for Two at Gordon Ramsay's Street Pizza for £72 at Buyagift
Pretty Woman: The Musical
Round up your friends and head to London’s West End for an unforgettable evening at the theatre. Pretty Woman: The Musical is just one of the fantastic productions you can see this Galentine’s Day. The show is based on the 1990 romantic comedy film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
Buy Pretty Woman: The Musical tickets from £24 at London Theatre Direct
Fancy a show but not Pretty Woman: The Musical? Here are the best West End shows. Plus, here's how to get cheap theatre tickets.
Are you and your partner into live music? Stay up to date with our Going Out section for the latest ticket releases, such as Kygo tickets and Wizkid tickets.
