Valentine’s Day is upon us once again, and whether it’s a first date or the fiftieth, Brighton has something exciting and romantic that’s just right for you to enjoy with your significant other.
So check out our list of the top 25 things for couples to do in Brighton.
1. Get your picture taken in a photobooth
Ever wanted to get married on #Brighton Beach??? email – hello@tempest.pub #BrightonWeddings #BeachWedding pic.twitter.com/CmCJRxFrWj
— The Tempest Inn (@TempestInn) January 25, 2016
There are two old fashioned photobooths in Brighton – one located in Snooper’s Paradise, and the other in The Tempest bar right on the seafront. Squeeze in with your partner and make some memories.
7 Kensington Gardens, BN1 4AL, 01273 602558
151-161 King’s Road, BN1 1NB, 01273 770505
2. Enjoy a special picnic
Why not enjoy a fancy feast from Carluccios in Brighton in one of the parks together? You can order a special picnic hamper with an array of tasty titbits and that all-important bottle of wine to take home afterwards.
Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE, 01273 690493, carluccios.com/restaurants/brighton
3. Couples Thai Oil massage
Bring your partner along to Little Jasmine Therapies and Spa, where the two of you will be massaged by two different therapists at the same time. Incorporating Thai Oil massage and traditional Thai massage techniques, this experience will leave you both blissfully relaxed.
14 New Road, BN1 1UF, 01273 911500, little-jasmine.com
4. Visit Arundel Castle
When it came to the 'Gardens' category, it was this lovely photograph by Robert Senft that was crowned the winner. pic.twitter.com/yVUxtiI8u0
— Arundel Castle (@ArundelCastle) February 5, 2016
The medieval castle is a great place to take someone on a date – long walks, beautiful sights, and a lovely restaurant and coffee shop to finish at afterwards. Please note however, the castle opens on March 25 – so one to look forward to when the weather gets warmer.
Arundel, BN18 9AB, 01903 882173, arundelcastle.org
5. Go for cocktails and a burger
Just want to kick back with a good drink and a cracking burger over Valentine’s weekend? Then head over to the newly opened Stock Burger Co, which is marking the occasion with cocktails at two for £9.
137 Kings Road, BN1 2JF, 01273 828274, stockburgerco.com
6. Coffee date
Looking for a lowkey, low pressure location for a chilled first date? Brighton has a variety of interesting, relaxed places to grab a coffee. Marwood Coffee Shop, Blackbird Tea Rooms, and Ella’s Yummy Delights are all great.
52 Ship Street, BN1 1AF, 01273 382063, themarwood.com
30 Ship Street, Brighton, 01273 249454, blackbirdtearooms.com
51 Queens Road, BN1 3XB, 07540 892697, ellasyummydelights.co.uk
7. Walk on the beach
Wow!! #brighton #sunset pic.twitter.com/ABqRwLJcwX
— The Tempest Inn (@TempestInn) February 4, 2016
An oldie, but a classic. Take a stroll hand in hand down the promenade and look out over the ocean together – but be sure to keep clear of the bicycle lane.
8. Get crafty at a pottery café
We have 2 places left on our jug making workshop next Sunday. http://t.co/zJ0i84kmOB #brighton #brightonfringe pic.twitter.com/ML2UQobCRm
— PaintingPotteryCafe (@pottery_cafe) September 23, 2015
You can make this Valentine’s Day a creative one by joining the Painting Pottery Cafe for a painting or throwing session. However, booking is essential, so be sure to give the team a call beforehand as spaces are limited. There will also be tea and cake included for all couples painting over the Valentine’s weekend.
31 North Road, BN1 1YB, 01273 628952, paintingpotterycafe.co.uk
9. Make a toast
Enjoy champagne and oysters at one of the two Riddle & Finns restaurants in Brighton. Either choose to dine in the bar housed in the arches of the promenade right next to the seafront, or visit the original bar in The Lanes, where you and your SO can sit side by side by candlelight.
12b Meeting House Lane, BN1 1HB, 01273 721667, 139 Kings Road Arches, BN1 1FN, 01273 821218, riddleandfinns.co.uk
10. Get away for the weekend
Stay at one of the little B&Bs in and around Brighton, and escape for the weekend – there are a range of affordable guest houses in the city, so keep an eye out for somewhere ideal for your stay. The Westbourne Hotel is a particularly beautiful Victorian building near the sea.
46 Upper Rock Gardens, BN2 1QF, 01273 686920, westbournehotel.co.uk
11. Independent book store
Got a book lover in your life? Take them to one of the independent book stores around town and let them roam free. Give the lovely CIty Books on Western Road a try, where you can find all the classics alongside local authors’ works.
32 Western Road, Hove, 01273 725306, city-books.co.uk
12. Share some popcorn
The Duke of York’s Picturehouse is showing the classic Casablanca on Valentine’s Day at 6pm. Take your partner along to enjoy this great picture, which is set in Morocco during the early days of World War II and tells the story of an American expatriate who meets a former lover.
Preston Road, Brighton, 0871 902 5728, picturehouses.com/cinema/Duke_Of_Yorks
13. Look out over Brighton
Want to enjoy breath taking views of Brighton from the Wheel on the seafront with your significant other? Book tickets for a sky voyage on the website.
01273 722822,brightonwheel.com
14. Take a ride on a steam train
Visit Bluebell Railway on February 14, where you can climb on board the railway’s Wealden Rambler Afternoon Tea train together.
15. Visit a chocolate shop
I had to stop and snap this … #cakeart @choccywoccyshop by owaii #brighton pic.twitter.com/u0V3fJOYwn
— Hidden Brighton (@hidden_brighton) February 6, 2016
Choccywoccydoodah is an absolute delight. Even the windows draw crowds, Pick up an impressive marshmallow pyramid cake or glittered tattoo heart cake to share together.
3 Meeting House Lane, BN1 1HB, 0127 329462, choccywoccydoodah.com
16. Have dinner at a quirky restaurant
If you’re looking for somewhere interesting and different to take your date for dinner this Valentine’s Day, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re looking for Mexican, massive burgers, cream teas or falafal, you’ll find something unique to share together.
17. Take a cooking class together
Why not try taking a Thai cooking class together? Chilli Chicks in Brighton offers an experience that they call ‘a journey of flavour and aromas’.
07886 902855, www.chillichicks.co.uk
18. Go jewellery shopping
If you’re really looking to splash out, you could visit one of Brighton’s bespoke jewellers, such as Baroque Jewellery, which is located on Union Street. They specialise in engagement and eternity rings, wedding and commitment bands for civil partnerships.
9 Union Street, BN1 1HA, 01273 777003, baroquejewellery.com
19. Take to the skies
Looking for something to wash down yesterday's free mince pie? What's behind door No. 2? https://t.co/wMyTu2za2z pic.twitter.com/YGfWDcC9tr
— HeliFly UK Ltd (@HeliFly_UK_Ltd) December 2, 2015
Book a romantic private helicopter ride with Helifly if you’re looking to pull out all the stops this Valentine’s Day, and take your loved one to see the sunset at 1500ft.
Shoreham Airport, BN43 5FF, 01273 257070, helifly.co.uk
20. Share a sundae
#Yummy ! Come and try some new #icecream flavours ! #lipsmackingly pic.twitter.com/t63ZvglPp4
— Scoop and Crumb (@Scoopandcrumb) October 10, 2014
In true 1950s date fashion, why not share an ice cream at Scoop & Crumb, which specialises in sundaes, as well as waffles, hot dogs and Scandinavian groceries.
5-6 East Street, BN1 1HP, 01273 202563, scoopandcrumb.com/wordpress
21. Buy some candles
Choose some candles together to take home and enjoy. The White Company, located on North Street, has a huge range of candles and fragrances to choose from, or if you fancy something a bit different, pick something up from Bell, Book & Candle.
4 North Street, BN1 1EB, 01273 447061, thewhitecompany.com
38 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN, 01273 572212
22. Go for a scenic walk
If you’re hoping for some peace and quiet to enjoy each other’s company, head up to the Chattri memorial and look out over the city together. It’s a great walk up to the top of the hill, and when you finally make it to the memorial, sit on one of the benches and enjoy the serenity of the place together.
Standean Lane, BN1 8ZB
23. Get toe tapping
Why not take some dance classes together and get those bodies moving? At Brighton’s Salsa Revolution, you can learn how to dance with some of the UK’s top Salsa teachers three nights a week.
Revolution, West Street, BN1 2RA, King & Queen, 13-17 Marlborough Place, BN1 1UB, 07857123148, salsarevolution.co.uk
24. Wine tasting
It's @SxollieCiderUK time! So much love for this cider @TGBottles pic.twitter.com/s4QE63EDb1
— kenelm (@PigsEarsKenelm) January 29, 2016
Head along to Ten Green Bottles, an independent fine wine merchant and shop, and indulge in one of their private wine tasting packages. Staff will introduce the basics of wine and wine tasting in a relaxed, informal environment.
9 Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE, 01273 567176, tengreenbottles.com
25. Have a laugh
Komedia is hosting a Krater comedy club Valentine’s Day special, so why not share a few laughs with the person you love? They’re even offering a meal deal along with the tickets – a main course and dessert along with a bottle of Prosecco for £75 – so you can make a proper evening of it.
44-47 Gardner Street, BN1 1UN, 08452 938480, komedia.co.uk/brighton
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Main image: valcker / Flickr / CC