Looking to capture someone's heart with novelty? Check out a few ideas for a unique Valentine's Day around Surrey
You can't afford to be dull on Valentine's Day. A bouquet of flowers and a fancy candlelit dinner are all very well and good, but a day your loved one will truly remember requires something unique! Take a gander at some romantic opportunities you won't find elsewhere:
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Crystal Grotto romance at Painshill Park
Painshill Park, Portsmouth Road, Cobham, KT11 1JE
Treat your loved one this Valentines with a magical Valentine’s Day experience, on 12th Feb. Enjoy exclusive access to Painshill's sparkling Crystal Grotto, as well as a fabulous brunch for two or delicious afternoon tea, both with Painshill Sparkling Wine.The ticket also allows you access to the landscape garden so you can amble through the peaceful grounds afterwards. Advanced booking required.
- Feb 12, 11.30am, 1pm or 2.30pm. Tickets: £28, £20 for members
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Orchid Festival 2017
Orchids mean love & beauty
Kew Gardens Kew, Richmond, TW9 3AB
We all know flowers are the perfect romantic display – so arrange a rendezvous at Kew Gardens, where they're hosting their annual festival of orchids with another stunning display of these fabulous plants in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.
This year visitors will be transported to the habitats of India, look out for elephants and peacocks created from exotic foliage and tropical plants, Vanda orchids hanging delicately from the ceiling surrounding a beautiful traditional Indian marriage swing and a giant floral pond display marrying together tradition and modern culture. Sample more of their rich culture through live music performances, bodhi leaf and mandala colouring, followed by delicious Indian food and drink at various bars and pop-up shops.
Visit during the day or take advantage of sultry Kew Late evenings, where you can wander, after dark, amongst the flowers – no funny business!
- Feb 9 – Mar 2. Tickets: £15 (£13.50 for friends of Kew).
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Chocolates & wine at Denbies
Straightforward but sweet – what is Valentine's Day for, if not indulging in chocolate?
Of course, Easter's also a good opportunity for that. And Christmas, too. And Halloween, naturally.
In general, you can't go wrong with chocolate for a celebration, so book yourself a sumptuous wine and chocolate tasting tour at Denbies Wine Estate this Valentine's day.
Alternatively, there are a variety of outdoor brunches, masquerade balls, and other marvellous romantic opportunities to take advantage of – book online!
- Feb 12. 2.30 & 3.30pm. Tickets: £16.95pp
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Anna Brockman RHS / Anna Brockman
Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away
A trip to somewhere exotic is a popular choice for Valentines, but if your wallet or purse is as light as mine, this option is definitely off the table.
...Or is it?
This winter Wisley Glasshouse has been transformed into an exotic paradise with more than 6,000 free-flying butterflies. The rainforest-like Tropical Zone combines environments that span the globe, including Central and South America and South East Asia. You can marvel at the vibrant colours of the butterflies whilst trying to catch that perfect picture before they flutter into the air again.
So, even if you're stretched for cash, you can get hot and steamy in the tropics this valentines - without the hassle of packing! Who needs a trip to Peru anyway, I hear it's over-rated, right?
- Running until March 5, tickets £13.86, get 10% off if you book online.
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Red wine? No thanks, I'll have a pint!
Whether it's that awkward first date or you've reached that point where you're both perhaps a little too comfortable with each other, a drink always helps to lubricate the atmosphere.
See where the magic happens at Hogs Back Brewery and sample a generous range of beers on one of its tours. Explore the new three and a half acre hop garden and finish by browsing the brewery shop, stocking over 300 other beers from the UK and around the world, for something to drink from your complimentary Hogs Back Brewery glass. A perfect valentines day trip, or buy a tour voucher as a gift!
- Feb 1-28. £15pp, to book call 01252 784495 or visit hogsback.co.uk
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Bow ties and baubles
78 High Street, Surrey, GU27 2LA
A central part to any Valentine's Day is presenting your loved one with a gift, as a token of your love for them. Whether that's a simple sweet smelling candle, a deep red rose, or a copy of Fifty Shades Freed (the sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey), you want to make sure it's something they will appreciate.
Whilst it can result in tight smiles and non-committal thank yous , I find that, generally, home-made gifts are usually a good way to go. So why not head over to Haslemere Educational Museum, and join artist Diana Burch to make colourful bow ties and jewellery using recycled materials.
- Feb 14, buy tickets on the door £2 members, £4 non-members
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Jazz up your evening
Jazz has forever been the music of romance, from Frank Sinatra's timeless "The Way You Look Tonight", to contemporary Gregory Porter's "Hey Laura", its melodies have never failed to penetrate the inner sanctum of our hearts.
This Valentine's Day, the Electric Theatre's Jazz Cafe will be home, for one night only, to the Chris Ingham Quartet. Bringing the soul of 1960's Soho jazz clubs to Guildford - minus the haze of cigarette smoke - with some of legend Dudley Moore's finest music from his trio albums in the 60s.
A night of knee-jerking, sexy saxophone solos and vehement vocals; what better way to fill those first-date silences?
- Feb 14, 7.30pm. Book tickets at: tickets.electrictheatre.co.uk or call 01483 444789
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Let's dance, put on your red shoes...
If you've watched even half as many romcoms as I have, which is a lot I'm (secretly) proud to say, you'll know that dancing is an essential part to any successful romance. However, for those of us with two left feet and no spacial awareness, dancing isn't quite the pretty picture portrayed on screen.
Instead of risking stepped on toes and heads knocking together, sit down and enjoy Michael Flatley's musical Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games at Woking's New Victoria Theatre, following its phenomenal success in 2017. After all, there's no rule - as far as I'm aware- saying it has to be you doing the dancing, so why not let the professionals do the impressing?!
- Feb 14-19, performances at 2.30pm, 7.30pm and 8pm. Tickets from £40.15 pp, to book visit atgtickets.com
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Calling all Picassos and Pub Lovers
The morning sunlight is creeping through the curtains, stirring you from your slumber. You roll over to face your loved one, his sleeping face framed by a nest of bed hair, basking in the warm glow of the morning sun; a perfect picture of bliss. Caught by a desire to capture the moment, you reach for a pencil and pad...
*Record rewind sound effect*
Not quite how you expect Valentines morning to go? Is your sketch likely to end up comprising of a few stick limbs and a squiggle or two for hair?
Worry not! Internationally exhibited Carl Hoare and art psychotherapist Deborah Cottrell are here to help with the Valentines Special edition of their Drink & Draw programme at the Lamb in Surbiton. Take your date along and enjoy a glass of wine (or three) whilst drawing a live model (fully clothed) under their expert guidance.
At the very least - if your art skills are anywhere near as advanced as mine - it'll give you something to laugh about!
- Feb 14, every fortnightly Tuesday. Tickets £10, materials included please email or call ahead to purchase. Contact pub_ART_LIFE@outlook.com for more info.
Anyway enough of my wittering, here's a quick list of a few more things you can get up to this Valentines, single or otherwise:
- Malmaison Reading - Available on Sunday 12th February 2017 only, you can stay in one of its superb rooms from only £25 when you dine on the Valentine's sharing menu or a la carte (spending a minimum of £75 in total). malmaison.com
- Claremont Landscape Gardens - Walk in the footsteps of Princess Charlotte and her beloved husband Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg this Valentine from 11th-14th Feb. A self-guided tour, telling the story of Charlotte and Leopold’s romance through a series of quotes around the garden. You can hang a romantic memento at the ‘kissing’ tree for a donation, or share a kiss with a loved one. Event is free, but normal admissions apply; £8 Adult, £4 Child, £22 Family. nationaltrust.org.uk; 01372 467806
- Olympia Historic Automobile Fair & Auction - Admire your next potential purchase or find out about restoration and provenance, watch displays, attend expert workshops and top off your day with fine food and drink in the Champagne Lounge or the Whiskey Masterclass. There will also be more than 100 historic automobiles up for auction. Feb 17 – 19 Olympiahistoric.com
- Enjoy a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride around Windsor Great Park, with champagne and Grand Prix roses included in the special Valentine's Day package. (£125 for 1hr, £100 for 40 mins). ascotcarriages.co.uk
- Deepdene Trail - Discover Dorking's romantic side this Valentine's weekend with a delightful walk through the wooded paths enjoying the beautiful views on the Deepdene Trail. The entrance to The Trail is just a 15-minute stroll from Dorking's town centre. The Trail is perfect for a short walk or a grand adventure. deepdenetrail.co.uk
- Battersea Society - A screening of the classic 1971 film, Melody which was shot in and around Battersea, starring Mark Lester, Jack Wild and Tracy Hyde, with hip-jiggling score by the Bee Gees. Feb 15, 6.30pm Royal College of Art, Dyson Building Lecture Theatre, SW11 4AN. Tickets £5 on the door.
- Lovers Rock - Sandra Cross and Tradition play a Valentine's Day Special at Streatham's top music and comedy club, Hideaway. Feb 14, hideawaylive.co.uk
- A Cup of LGBT History - Join Surrey Heritage and Surrey's LGBT organisation Outline to celebrate LGBT History Month. The event takes place at Surrey History Centre in Woking and will feature a talk from Professor Peter Hegarty, a behind-the-scenes tour of the History Centre as well as free refreshments. Feb 23, 6.30pm-9pm free; 01483518737
- Winter Walk at Winkworth - With a mixture of level walkways and challenging hills, there's a route to suit everyone and half-term trails for youngsters to enjoy. Dogs on leads are welcome. Check website for ticket details nationaltrust.org.uk
- Graduate Show - The Lightbox in Woking will be playing host to the University of the Creative Arts, Farnham, Graduate Show. This exhibition showcases highlights from the MFA Photography summer degree show, enabling graduates to show their work in a professional gallery. Feb 4-26, free (donations welcome); thelightbox.org.uk 01483737800
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