Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is the most clichéd holiday of the year. If you want to be like everyone else, a dinner and a movie is enough. If you’re looking to do something a little different, you’re in luck.
Let’s face it, there is probably no place in the world that offers so many different ways to spend Valentine’s Day than London. Read this guide to find 30 great ideas for Saint Valentine’s!
Watch a movie that doesn’t suck
I’m not going to lie: if you spend Valentine’s watching some soppy rom-com, I’m going to judge you. But there are some films about love out there that don’t suck… too much. If you haven’t watched any of these, here’s your excuse:
- True Romance (1): a man who sees Elvis in the mirror runs away with a prostitute and a suitcase of cocaine.
- Casablanca (2): just watch it if you haven’t.
- Edward Scissorhands (3): classic Tim Burton,
- Scott Pilgrim vs The World (4): tiny details that make a difference.
- Beginners (5): kind of depressing but there is a talking dog.
- Warm Bodies (6): possibly the only zombie rom-com out there (which is probably a good thing).
Go to an exhibition
Not on the top of your mind, I know. But most of the museums in London are doing special events and some are pretty cool. Don’t believe me? Okay, check these out:
- The National Maritime Museum is keeping its doors open after normal opening hours so you can delve into the heartfelt love letters (7) from Lord Nelson to Emma, learn a traditional courting dance, or make a fabulous mask to charm a stranger.
- Head to Tower Hill and join the Tower of London’s anti-Valentine sketching special (8), dedicated to those who died at the Tower in the name of love.
- Join a talk hosted by The Design Museum and Relate, the UK’s largest provider of relationship support, and explore how technology is re-shaping intimacy (9).
- Who needs a dinner and a movie when you can watch a pig’s heart being dissected (10)? Head over to Barts Pathology Museum and have a close up look at matters of the heart. Dr Paula Vickerton will also give audience members step-by-step visuals of the dissection and share facts about the organ. Yummy.
- Step inside Victoria and Albert Museum and check out the evolution of underwear design (11) from the 18th-century to the present day. The collection features over 200 examples of underwear for men and women.
Party on the Thames
Whether you’re single or taken, why not enjoy a romantic cruise down the River Thames (12) on a 3-floor boat party?
Think outside the box
Heck, you’re spending Saint Valentine’s Day in London! Everything you can imagine is happening. Don’t believe us? Look at this:
- a visit to the London Cattery (13),
- an anti-dating speed-dating event (14),
- all you can eat Spanish Tapas served on the bodies of two models (15),
- a Murder Mile Walk (16),
- an anti-Valentine’s pool and ping pong party (17).
Now you tell us: what’s your best idea for this Valentine’s Day?
Thanks for reading this post!
Are these the best ideas for Valentine’s or have you heard better? Let us know in the comments. And remember: if you need student accommodation in London, you’ll find the student home you’re looking for on Uniplaces.