Valentine's Day 2011
Here it comes again! Yes, it's The Great Date Guide's favourite day of the year - what better excuse is there to treat yourselves to a fantastic date (and to those "Valentine's Day is a commercial swindle" sceptics amongst you, we say - who cares?!)
To help you plan the perfect day / evening / weekend, we've put together a list which we hope has something for everyone. For those with cash to spare, we've found some truly fantastic ways for you to blow it, whilst those with tighter purse strings will still be able to impress. Whether you're wondering how to play Valentine's Day in the early stages of a relationship, looking to add some spice to a long term romance, or perhaps even ready to pop the question…(girls, this is your chance!) look no further for your inspiration.
1) THE EARLY DAYS VALENTINE'S DATE
A Night at the Theatre with The Rivals - £
Romantic comedy at it's very best. This wonderfully funny production, starring Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles, makes an absolutely brilliant and uplifting night out. With tickets starting at just £20.50 a head, it's also well within any credit crunch budget. We haven't enjoyed theatre this much in ages, and with its tales of romantic comedy and error, this is perfect for those early days.
Le Cafe Anglais - ££
If you'd rather stick to dinner but are worried it could be a bit formal (a restaurant packed with Valentine's couples is often enough to put one off!), make it a bit less prim and proper by heading to the wonderful Cafe Anglais for a Valentine's dinner + 'rocking gypsy jazz'. Famous for it's exquisite food, this Valentine's Day they're offering a special set menu at just £45 a head, which we think is pretty great value.
Dinner at The Petersham - £££
If extravagance is your bag, feast at The Petersham this Valentine's Day, with a 5 course gastronomic delight created by head chef Alex Bentley. You'll be bathed in the glow of heart shaped lights and treated to the same exhilarating views that once inspired the great Turner himself. A pre or post dinner wander along the banks of the River Thames should seal the deal…
2) THE 'LONG TERMERS' VALENTINE'S DATE
Firmdale Hotels' Film Club - £
As a real Valentine's Day treat, choose between screenings of Pretty Woman at The Soho Hotel, Casablanca at The Charlotte Street Hotel or Some Like It Hot at The Covent Garden Hotel - complete with your choice of lunch, dinner or Champagne afternoon tea! The screening rooms are chic yet intimate, the food delicious, and at just £35 per person (£65 pp with the special Valentine's dinner at The Covent Garden Hotel on 12th and 14th Feb) we think that this is a high quality bargain.
Corrigan's Mayfair - ££
If a romantic dinner for two is more your style, look no further than the famed Corrigan's of Mayfair. Share a mouthwatering beef wellington or dream of the sea with cornish scallops - just don't forget your wallet! The set Valentine's menu is £75 a head, so whilst not cheap, we think you'll find it's worth it.
Weekend at The Grove - £££
Make this beautiful countryside estate your home for a whole weekend of Valentine's luxury. The luxury Valentine's short break offer (prices from £395) includes one night's accommodation in the contemporary West Wing (heart shaped macaroons supplied!) followed by breakfast for two in the Glasshouse. In addition you'll be treated to a tandem cycle around 300 acres of beautiful grounds - oh the romance! Dinner is also included in either the Glasshouse or The Stables restaurant, with a champagne cocktail and red rose to boot.
3) PROPOSAL TIME?
Romantic Richmond Cycle & Winter Picnic - £
When it comes to popping the question, you've simply got to pull out all the stops. Thankfully, however, that need not mean re-mortgaging your house. What matters is the amount of thought and effort that you've put in to creating the perfect proposal plan, so if your beloved is a romantic, gather together a feast of goodies and head to the beautiful Richmond park. If you don't have your own bicycles you can hire them near the Roehampton Gate. Don't forget plenty of blankets, some cushions and some bubbly!
The London Eye - £££
To really wow, book yourself a Valentine's Cupid Capsule on The London Eye. With a private capsule, priority boarding, a bottle of Pommery Brut Royal Champagne, Charbonnel et Walker pink champagne truffles and a red rose, the scene is well and truly set...
4) DINNER AT HOME
A romantic home cooked dinner is always a fantastic option whatever the stage of your relationship and whatever your budget. It can be as flashy or as homely as you like, and the greatest advantage of all is that you'll have it all to yourselves (bar any pesky flatmates of course…) It's the thought, time and effort that really counts here, so no take-aways please, however poorly you rate your culinary skills!
