Alternative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in the UK
Five-course meal followed by a rose-petal bath not your scene? We’ve got you covered. Whether your love language looks like an outdoor adventure or a creative cultural experience, read on for seven ultimate alternative ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day – singletons welcome.
09 February, 2022
- Words by
- Georgina Groom
February
February
means one thing: Valentine’s Day. We’re the first to
cheer on a good love story, but for us lone travellers, 14 February
serves as a harsh reminder of our non-existent love life. Just as
we come to terms with our DM action being drier than the Sahara
Desert, floral facades, heart-shaped chocolates and countless
sickly-sweet cards enter the chat.
We’re not here to envy the happily loved-up; rather, we want to
encourage those who haven’t yet found that special someone – along
with those who happen to have a partner but can’t bring themselves
to participate in anything remotely romantic. Whatever your perfect
Valentine’s Day looks like, don’t make any plans
before reading our seven brilliant alternative ways to celebrate it
– and wave goodbye to a candlelit meal for two.
Alternative ways to spend Valentine’s Day
thingstodo
Drawing Class at Meetup Life Drawing
Northern Quarter, Manchester
The last-minute dash to grab a card, tearing the price tag off
the bouquet of flowers and finding the biggest box of chocolates
your bag will allow for has become more cringe-worthy than the
final scene of Titanic. For a date night that’s all about sharing
an experience, visit Meetup Life Drawing. Nestled in Manchester’s
Northern Quarter and with no class lead, this go-slow session is
ideal for beginners – and those who struggle to follow instruction.
Insider tip: tickets are priced at £8 and guests are invited to
bring along a bottle.
thingstodo
OTO CBD Retreat at The Coniston Hotel
Skipton, Yorkshire
If you hadn’t already guessed, we’re slightly obsessed with
hunting down the hottest new wellbeing retreat. Okay, so this place arguably doesn’t
count as a Valentine’s adventure (it’s not available until 17-19
March), but what better reason to delay your date than an off-grid
escape? The Coniston Hotel’s two-night OTO CBD Retreat is based
around focus, amplification and balance, all backed up by the
healing properties of CBD. Activities include guided lake walks,
sunrise yoga sessions and sound baths helmed by a professional
sound practitioner.
thingstodo
Foraging at Kinloch Lodge
Isle of Skye, Scotland
If scouring your local farmers’ market is you and your other
half’s idea of fun, then you should consider booking a foraging retreat in the Scottish Highlands.
Perched on the shore of Loch Na Dal, Kinloch Lodge is framed by
dense forests and rich farmland, making for the perfect foraging
stomping ground. Led by outdoor enthusiast Mitchell, the four-day
stay sees guests exploring everything from edible mushrooms to
sourcing seaweed and mussels – packages come on a three-night
B&B basis.
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Foodie Masterclass at Pasta Evangelists
Central London
Let’s be real: love languages are just as controversial as
zodiac signs. While we’re always up for consulting the stars,
understanding whether your partner prefers quality time over words
of affirmation is far more important than Mercury heading into
retrograde. With that in mind, swapping a pre-prepared meal for two
for a culinary class is inevitably more appetising and thoughtful.
Enter, Pasta Evangelists. This prestigious pasta school is led by
expert chef Roberta. During the 90-minute session, you’ll discover
both ancient traditions and artisan techniques. Classes fill up
fast, so be sure to reserve your space to avoid any ravioli
FOMO.
thingstodo
Wine Tasting at Tinwood Estate
Chichester, West Sussex
They say you can have multiple soulmates, and we’re pretty
certain an extra-large bottle of pinot noir is one of ours. Sound
like you, too? Then you’ve probably already taste-tested half of
London’s wine bars. Venture a little further afield and you’ll
be rewarded with learning more about what goes into producing your
favourite sparkling white. For the ultimate Galentine’s getaway,
take the two-hour drive from the city to the vineyard at Tinwood Estate. During the 90-minute
tour, you’ll explore rows of chardonnay and pinot meunier, before
stopping at the barn and becoming a fully fledged sampling
connoisseur.
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Bob Marley One Love Experience Immersive Exhibition, Saatchi Gallery
Chelsea, London
Exhibitions have been upgraded. The days of
aimlessly strolling around a gallery while skim-reading
essay-length labels are gone; instead, immersive experiences have
arrived. Cutting-edge visual effects and virtual reality have
transformed the cultural world. Unless you and your partner live
under a rock, you’ve probably already spent an afternoon gazing at
the famous Starry Night from one of the deckchairs at Vincent Van
Gogh: The Immersive Experience (extended through May). For that
reason, you’ll want to head to the Bob Marley One Love Experience
instead – we can almost hear it from here.
thingstodo
Outdoor Bouldering at Bonehill Rocks
Dartmoor, Devon
First date? Bouldering is the perfect thrill-seeking activity –
one that requires too much concentration to focus on any awkward
silence. We’re ranking Bonehill Rocks in Dartmoor National Park as
our favourite place for a clamber. Set among rugged valleys and
rippling rivers, these granite tors cater for all skill levels,
from beginner to 8A. If you’d rather not front the windswept look,
or would prefer the comfort of a space that’s a little more public,
check out nearby Dart Rock Climbing Centre.