Morning:
11°c
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
Best Places for Valentine's Day in London
By Daralyn Danns and Chris Jones 10.02.09
Romantic view: the unforgettable vista from Tower Bridge's spectacular walkway
Love on the big screen: For true romantics, Casablanca is being screened at the ICA
The art of love: see Botticelli's Venus and Mars, above, on a twilight tour at the National Gallery
Look here too
ON A REAL HIGH
Tower Bridge has to be one of London's most romantic settings, and the venue is opening on the evening of Valentine's Day to enable London's lovers to walk along the high-level walkways and take in the breathtaking views. The one-hour package (admission times are hourly,beginning at 6.30pm with last admission 9.30pm) costs £30 and includes a glass of champagne each - which you can sip while being serenaded by a band playing all-time favourite jazz melodies. Tower Bridge Exhibition, SE1 (entrance on the bridge itself). Advance booking only from lastminute.com
ROMEO, ROMEO! WHEREFORE ART THOU?
Head down to the National Theatre to see a free screening of Tom Stoppard's and Marc Norman's romantic film Shakespeare in Love, starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. It's being screened on the Fly Tower at 8.15pm. That's outside, so take a blanket as an excuse to snuggle up together and keep warm. National Theatre, South Bank, SE1. 8.15pm. Best viewed from the Baylis Terrace. Tel: 020 7452 3400 or visit nationaltheatre.org.uk
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
The magnificent setting of Kew Gardens is an idyllic backdrop for a Valentine's Day celebration. Enjoy a champagne and canapé reception surrounded by exotic orchids (part of the month-long Tropical Extravaganza) in the Princess of Wales Conservatory (from 6.30pm), followed by a four-course dinner in the Orangery. £99 per person. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AB. Tel: 020 8332 5607 or to book visit seetickets.com
A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS
Take a twilight tour at the National Gallery (4-5pm) and discover how painters such as Rubens and Botticelli depict the theme of love. Meet at the Sainsbury Wing Information Desk. The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2. Free. For further information visit nationalgallery.org.uk
CONCERT BY CANDLELIGHT
St Martin-in-the-Fields provides the backdrop for this special dinner and candlelit concert (starts 7.30pm), with music by Tchaikovksy, Bizet, Strauss and Elgar played by the London Musical Arts String Orchestra. Begin with a glass of champagne and your starter in the Crypt's gallery, then enjoy a main course and dessert, coffee, chocolates and port. Concert tickets only are from £6 to £25.St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2. Tel: 020 7766 1100
ALL ON BOARD
For a romantic evening, join Steam Dream's new A1 locomotive Tornado from London Victoria as it journeys through the English countryside, taking in the Surrey Hills. Leave Victoria at 7pm approx, return 10.30pm approx. First class, £69 (includes a glass of champagne). Hampers available to pre-order from £22. Premier Dining, £129, Pullman, £159, both include luxury dining experiences. Limited availability. Tel: 01483 209888 or visit steamdreams.com
WINE, WOMEN AND LAUGHTER
Discover the world of wine by taking a self-guided audio tour featuring Oz Clarke at Vinopolis. You will taste some great wines and champagnes, with surprise entertainment. The tour costs £32.50 each and lasts for about three hours. There is also a special Valentine's Day Laughter Lounge for both couples and singles, with live entertainment from comedians, including Jeff Innocent and Jo Caulfield. Doors open 6.30pm; show starts 8pm (£14 per person). Vinopolis, 1 Bank End, SE1. Tel: 020 7940 8300/3000 or visit vinopolis.co.uk
TAKE A LOVER'S LEAP
The Lover's Leap bungee jump is guaranteed to set your hearts pounding as your hurtle through the air clutching each other. You will be rewarded with champagne. Give a gift voucher. £97 per couple, including half-bottle of champagne. Available from ViewLondon.co.uk's "Experiences" channel or by calling 0870 421 4251.
CLASSIC LOVE STORIES
The British Film Institute cinema is showing La Belle et La Bête, Cocteau's take on Beauty and the Beast, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Brief Encounter, David Lean's wonderfully stylish romance of love in a cold climate, all on Valentine's Day. Tickets £8.60. Casablanca, the romantic classic staring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, will make the perfect Valentine's date. It is showing at 3.45pm at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Tickets £8/£7. BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1. Tel: 020 7928 3232 or visit bfi.org.uk. ICA, The Mall, SW1. Tel: 020 7930 3647 or visit ica.org.uk
THE FOOD OF LOVE
Oysters have long been believed to be an aphrodisiac. Head to J Sheekey's glam new oyster bar, St Martin's Court, WC2, for half a dozen rock oysters and a glass of champagne for £15. Also try Randall & Aubin, Brewer Street, W1, and Bibendum Oyster Bar, 81 Fulham Road, SW3. (None of these venues takes bookings.) For a touch of traditional charm and glamour head to Bentley's in Mayfair. Try the sharing dish - hot and cold native oysters with caviar - and for pudding a chocolate sharing plate. Bentley's, 11-15 Swallow St, W1. Tel: 020 7734 4756 or visit bentleys.org
ICE IS NICE
A date on skates is great fun, no matter how good or bad you are - in fact, the more wobbly, the better as you have an excuse to cling together. Outdoor rinks at Broadgate and Canary Wharf are open until 8 Mar and 22 Feb respectively. For booking visit ticketmaster.co.uk. Alexandra Palace ice rink is open all year. Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, N22. Tel: 020 8365 2121.
Reader views (2)
Kim, I wish I were going out with you on Valentine's Day!
- Paulo Uccello, london, England
For a cosy romantic meal, there is a new little sushi bar in North London called Me Love Sushi. I went there on a date last week and it was pretty cool. Their bar area upstairs is nice and the unusual food and drinks make it easy to break the ice if you are on a first date, or give you some new topics of conversation if you are on your hundred and first date!
It is fun to try something new and see how daring your partner is which their food and drink choices.
- Kim, London, UK
