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What to do this Valentine's Day
06.02.08
Running like clockwork: relax with your partner and look out across the capital from the top of the London Eye
The classic approach: watch 1940s tale of repressed passion Brief Encounter on the South Bank
The thrill of the chase: name a race after your date at Wimbledon Greyhound Racing Stadium
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With Valentine's Day approaching we take a look at some of the different ways of spending the evening with your loved one.
The London Eye
Ride the London Eye and enjoy stunning views across London. Each couple receive a red rose and chocolate as they board the 30 minutes flight.
To book tickets click here
Kew Gardens
For a truly inspirational setting, why not spend the evening at the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens. The package includes a champagne reception, tour of the Henry Moore sculptures and dinner at the Orangery Restaurant served with unlimited drinks.
£110 per person. Call 020 8332 5655 for bookings or visit www.kew.org/henry-moore/plan/valentines.shtml.
A Brief Encounter for Valentine's Day
Take in a free outdoor screening of Noël Coward's story of 1940s repressed passion at the National Theatre's Fly Tower on the South Bank. There's also an introduction beforehand in the Lyttelton featuring Celia Johnson's daughter Lucy Fleming and Coward's biographer Philip Hoare.
Introduction at 6pm, film starts 7.40pm. Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk for more information.
Greyhound racing
Forget whispering sweet nothings into your partner's ear, why not spend the evening cheering on a dog to victory. Walthamstow Greyhound Racing Stadium is putting on a special Valentine's menu at its Paddock Grill, and there's even the opportunity to sponsor a race and name it after your loved one.
Call 020 8498 3333 to book a table or visit http://www.wsgreyhound.co.uk.
Fine dining and live jazz
Treat your partner to a romantic meal while listening to live music at Octave Jazz Bar & Restaurant. Former BBC Jazz Awards nominee Christine Tobin will be performing for the diners at this intimate venue.
Valentine's package costs £49.50 per person and includes dinner, live music and champagne cocktail on arrival. Call 020 7836 4616 to make a reservation or visit www.octave8.com.
Courting the animal way
University College London is putting on a one night only event Human/Nature: Animal Magnetism for Valentine's Day. Held at the Grant Museum of Zoology, visitors can discover how seduction is done in the animal world while enjoying a glass of wine. Differing techniques described will include the spider, who often keeps the female busy by giving her animal wrapped in silk to eat while he mates with her.
5.30-7.30pm. £3 Payable on the door. Visit www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/zoology for more information.
Say it with ice cream
Häagen-Dazs' Leicester Square shop will be transforming itself into an intimate love nest serving chocolate fondue. Couples will receive a champagne cocktail on arrival, and there will be a photographer on hand providing keepsakes of the evening.
Access is by reservation only. £50 per couple. Call 020 7287 9577.
Selfridges
With a peep show, love gurus, roaming cupid and kissing booth, the famous department store cannot be accused of failing to get into the spirit of things.
Get 50% off your bill at top restaurants
For those of you wanting to play it safe and go out for a good old fashioned meal click here for great offers at some of London's best restaurants.
A night at the theatre
If it's high drama you are after click here for our critics' reviews of all the top West End shows. Once you've decided what you want to see, click here for great savings on theatre tickets.
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Reader views (4)
I can't agree more here. Promoting dog racing as a valentine trip is so out of place and unreasonable.
- Karine Large, London
Please do not even consider booking a table at Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium on Valentines Day. There is nothing romantic about watching these beautiful, gentle dogs running for their lives.
- Frances Heath, West Midlands
I was dismayed to read in your newspaper that you are promoting a visit to a Greyhound racing stadium on Valentines day. I am writing to advise you of the immense cruelty that is an inherent part of the Greyhound racing industry. Thousands of young, healthy Greyhounds are killed in various inhumane ways every year when they reach the end of their racing career, this is usually at three or four years of age. A lucky few are destroyed humanely by a vet, many more are put to death by various means that include shooting, drowning, injection of bleach and having their ears cut off to avoid detection through the ear tattoo and then left to bleed to death. I have personally seen many examples of all of these acts of barbarity that characterize the racing industry.
- John Ratcliffe, Manchester, England
Please take the time to make an informed decision before booking your table at Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium
By attending and supporting the greyhound racing industry, you will be directly condoning and perpetuating the misery racing greyhounds endure.
- Trudy Baker, Middlesbrough
