10 tips to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day

This year for Valentine’s Day, why not do what it says on the tin and make an actual day of it – and take a trip with us?

Use this guide to plan the perfect Valentine’s by picking the bits you like and adding in your own ideas… and you know what? Apart from the special screenings, you can take your love to any of these places any time you want.

By the way, we’ve added love poems throughout our brief guide to help you with your card.

Have breakfast together

(Love poem – This Is Just To Say – William Carlos Williams)
Get your day off to a cracking start by feasting on a brilliant breakfast.

Home Sweet Home
Scrambled eggs? Check! Crispy streaky bacon? Check! Blueberries? Check! Homemade waffle with maple syrup? Check, checkity, check, check! Head to one of the two Manchester Home Sweet Home venues for comfort food you’ll love.

Laynes
These guys know their coffee…. And with salmon and eggs served on a brioche, you can fuel up for your great day out and get a wake-up shot to boot.

Quay Ingredient
Keep it simple with boiled eggs and soldiers at this lovely little coffee shop that sits in the shade of a blooming big bridge. We’re huge fans of Quay Ingredient so take your loved one here for the start of a great day.

(Love poem – Perfect Woman – William Wordsworth)

Arthur’s Seat
The highest point of Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat gives you amazing views across one of the most romantic cities in the western world. Before you set off, go to Valvona & Crolla for sumptuous Italian deli delights to create your picnic.

Bonus romance points: If, after spending time on Arthur’s Seat, you watch the movie One Day we promise that by the end credits you will be caught up in a maelstrom of hugs and wails of romantic and especially poignant weeping.

Another Place
If you want to win or simply secure your true love’s heart then you can’t go wrong by filling them with art and nature – once you’re done loading them up with pancakes and waffles, that is. Come here to see Anthony Gormley’s amazing art installation of 100 cast-iron figures who stand from the shore to the sea watching guard over the land.

Lake Windermere
If you’re going to go for a walk, then go for a walk. You can exclaim all you like about a wonderful wander here or a super saunter there – the fact remains, there is no better landscape to get lost in than the Lakes. So head to the station and either walk 40 minutes or get a 10 minute bus down to Bowness where all manner of tourists delights await.
Alternatively, get a map and get to the Orrest Head Viewpoint which is a steep 20 minute walk from the station and gives you views to make the heart swoon.

Necropolis
Don’t question the validity of visiting a cemetery for Valentine’s Day with us. If it’s good enough for Hull’s romantic wit Andrew Marvell… Just make sure you’re standing at the top and staring west by 17.19 on that Wednesday evening. That way, if the weather’s fair you’ll see the sun set on another wonderful day together. And then you can wind your way back through the 50,000 souls here and hold your love’s hand that little bit tighter.

Watch something romantic, somewhere romantic
(Love poem – Another Valentine – Wendy Cope)

Liverpool (under an hour from Manchester)
Roman Holiday at The Palm House
Sit under the stars in this beautiful jewel box and watch one of the most romantic movies ever made at one of their Valentine’s film screenings. And if you drop in that your partner resembles either one of the leads you’ll be in clover.

Leeds (23 minutes from York)
TBC Hyde Park Picture House
This wonderful, Grade II listed, gas-lit, art house cinema screens wonderful films on Valentine’s Day every year. In previous years they’ve had specials of the wonderful monochrome heart renderer Wings of Desire although last year was the slightly less romantic, indie slash-flick Prevenge.

Twelfth Night at Home
Chortle away to Shakespeare’s proto rom com in this live screening of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production. Adrian Edmondson stars as Malvolio the play’s major comic relief. Home is one of the finest indie cinemas in the whole of the North so if you align your own personal brand to it your significant other will be impressed.

So there you go – if you have any recommendations for Valentine’s Day activities or venues across the network, let us know @TPExpressTrains. And remember, if you’re planning on going to any of these events, save over 50% by booking in advance.