London can be a wonderfully romantic city to spend Valentine's Day. Here are some ways to help you have a perfect day.
- For 2009, you can celebrate in complete luxury by choosing:
- Valentine's Day at Brown's Hotel which includes spa treatments and a culinary day,
- or Valentine's Day at The Berkeley which includes their rooftop pool in candlelight until midnight with the roof retracted to view the stars.
1. Book a Hotel in Central London
First of all, you will need a hotel in central London. Superbreak.com are the experts in providing short breaks in London and often have deals which include theater tickets or visitor attractions.
2. Valentines Card
The best card shop in London has to be Paperchase on Tottenham Court Road. Paperchase is the brand leader in design led and innovative stationery in the UK. The range is constantly changing which makes return visits more fun. They also carry an unbeatable range of unusual papers and art materials as well as all the more widely available stationery, greeting cards, gifts, and gift packaging.
- Paperchase, 213 - 215 Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 7PS
Nearest tube stations: Tottenham Court Road / Goodge Street
3. Chocolates
Hotel Chocolat produce luxury chocolates and have many gift ideas to help you choose. Hotel Chocolat is a British-owned company who has been committed to producing real, authentic chocolate for over ten years. Hotel Chocolat's success has a lot to do with the quality ingredients they use – they even have their own cocoa plantation, Rabot Estate, in the West Indies.
4. Romantic Meal
London has some extremely romantic restaurants that can make that first date/Valentine's Day/anniversary really special. The Top 10 Romantic London Restaurants all have something that makes them stand out.
2009 Strand Palace Hotel Special
Johnston's Brasserie is donating 12.5% from the Valentine's Pre-Theatre menu (£14.50 for 2 courses and £16.50 for 3 courses) to Ovarian Cancer Action – the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity, which raises awareness via its 'Love Women' campaign. Call 020 7497 4185 or visit www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk.
2009 Strand Palace Hotel Special
Johnston's Brasserie is donating 12.5% from the Valentine's Pre-Theatre menu (£14.50 for 2 courses and £16.50 for 3 courses) to Ovarian Cancer Action – the UK's leading ovarian cancer charity, which raises awareness via its 'Love Women' campaign. Call 020 7497 4185 or visit www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk.
5. London Eye
© Laura Porter
This year the London Eye is celebrating by recapturing the glamor and romance of classic Hollywood. Look out for Hollywood icons such as Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, and even a group singing a Capella love songs to inspire some Valentine's Day romance.
At the center of the London Eye Hollywood transformation is a spectacular heart shaped mirror installation, surrounded by glamorous feathers, complete with 'dressing room' lighting and framed by heavy velvet cinema curtains, all adding to the Hollywood feel.
Red Rose Flights include chocolate and a red rose for each couple and the Cupid's Capsule includes romantics goodies and a private capsule.
Don't forget the London Eye River Cruise which will be playing romantic 30s and 40s music.
6. Flowers
I recommend Wild Bunch in Covent Garden as the flowers are always fresh and colorful, and they offer lots of unusual varieties. They will always put together a bouquet for you so you can choose exactly what you want to be included. Wild Bunch is also unique as they are use a row of market stalls at Seven Dials in Covent Garden and not a shop to sell their goods. The people at Wild Bunch are known for being friendly and for having good knowledge about their flowers.
- Wild Bunch, 17-22 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LL
Nearest tube stations:
Covent Garden and Leicester Square
7. Jewelry
Hatton Garden is London's jewelry quarter. The streets are lined with exclusive stores, many who have jewelry production in-house so they can create bespoke pieces. All stores are open Monday to Friday but not all open on the weekend as Hatton Garden is on the edge of the City of London (the financial district) which is mostly closed at weekends. My favorite jewelers is Anthony Gray.
- Getting To Hatton Garden
- Anthony Gray, 20 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8BA
Nearest tube stations:
Farringdon, Chancery Lane, and Holborn - City of London Walking Tour Review
8. Lingerie
Valentines Day couldn't pass without a trip for the men to a lingerie store. Agent Provocateur is the designer lingerie store in London. The staff know about their products and never make you feel uncomfortable if you have questions. They have a few branches but I like the Soho branch as it's a great area to visit.
- Agent Provocateur, 6 Broadwick Street, Soho, London W1
Nearest tube stations: Oxford Circus OR Tottenham Court Road
9. Teddy Bear
© Laura Porter
Some romantics are big softies and a teddy bear would be the perfect gift. Hamleys on Regent Street is the biggest toy shop in the world so is bound to have something for your loved one. Another option would be a Harrods teddy bear as they are collected around the world. Many are limited editions and all are quality teddies to keep forever. Or you could build a custom bear at a Build-a-Bear Workshop in Hamleys or Covent Garden piazza.
- Hamleys information
- Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL
- Build-a-Bear Workshop
10. London Theater Tickets
When you come to London you want to see a West End show but the cost of the tickets can be off-putting. Here are some tips on How To Get Cheap London Theatre Tickets.
Also note, Get Into London Theatre is an annual campaign offering cheap tickets to the best London shows at hugely discounted prices for January and February each year.
Also note, Get Into London Theatre is an annual campaign offering cheap tickets to the best London shows at hugely discounted prices for January and February each year.
