Valentine’s Day is fast approaching – but perhaps that table for two in a favoured restaurant is proving elusive.
But don’t worry – we’ve compiled a list of all sorts of other things you could be doing to make the day special for you and your loved one:
Top Hat at Manchester Opera House
What: Winner of three Olivier awards and the Evening Standard Award for Best Night Out, this spectacular West End production is now touring the UK and picking up five-star reviews wherever it goes. Top Hat brings the glamour of Hollywood’s golden age and the glorious, tap-dancing magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to the Opera House in one of the greatest dance musicals of all time.
Times: 7.30pm
Tickets: Tickets £19.90 – £58.40 plus £4.00 transaction fee
Address: Manchester Opera House, Quay St, Manchester, M3 3HP
Tickets: Book online here
50 Shades of Grey at Vue Cinema
What: The hotly anticipated adaptation of E L James’ internationally bestselling – and rather saucy – novel finally hits the big screen. When young literature student Anastasia Steele agrees to interview the wealthy and powerful Christian Grey as a favour to her roommate, she soon finds that she’s getting herself into a lot more than she’s bargained for.
Times: February 14th – 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 10.45pm
Tickets: From £9.20 for an adult. Book online here.
Address: Denmark Street, Altrincham, WA14 2WG
Valentine’s Disco at Silver Blades Ice Rink
What: Love is in the air at Silver Blades – come with your partner or friends for a Valentine’s Day disco. You’ll get a free meal of burger or hotdog if you book online.
Times: 8-10pm
Tickets: From £8. Book online here.
Address: Silver Blades Ice Rink, Oakfield Road, Altrincham WA15 8EW
Re-opening of the Whitworth Art Gallery
What: The art gallery is back after a £15m renovation and will reopen on Valentine’s Day with a packed programme of art, music, talks, walks, performance, literature, family fun and a fire and light show. You can see the full programme here.
Times: 10am to 1am
Tickets: Free
Address: The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER
More info: Website
Beauty treatment and massage package at Ki Day Spa
What: Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day beauty package with a Ki Well Being Back Massage, Ki Facial Massage & Ki Shape and Polish for £65. Treatments can be taken from Wednesday 11th February until Friday 13th March 2015.
Times: 9am to 5pm
Price: Ki Well Being Back Massage, Ki Facial Massage & Ki Shape and Polish for £65
Address: Kings Court, Railway Street, Altrincham, WA14 2RD
More info: Website
New York Met Opera Live – in Knutsford
What: Watch 219 minutes of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, all live from the New York Metropolitan Opera theatre.
Times: 5.30pm
Tickets: £16
Address: Toft Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0PE
More info: Website
Valentine’s Day Special at Cheshire Cookery School
What: Learn how to cook the Perfect Valentine’s Day Meal together with this special class for £130 (normally £150). If you love Italy and pasta and genererally all things Italian, then this is the class for you and your chosen one. Under the guidance of an expert chef, you will cover everything from making traditional pasta sauces to Italian favourites and a romantic Italian dessert. Classes are fun and informal and when the dishes are completed you can then retire to the dining room to enjoy the fruits of your labour with a glass of fizz.
Times: February 12th, 6.30-9.30pm
Tickets: £130 for two. Book online here
Address: The Cheshire Cookery School, LM Business Park, Norman Road, Altrincham, WA14 4EP
Sam Joseph Chocolates at Altrincham Market
What: Get your Valentine’s Day chocolate fix by enjoying the fruits of Market House’s own chocolatier extraordinaire.
Times: From 10am
Address: Market House, Greenwood Street, Altrincham
More info: Website
Re-opening of the exhibition and house at Dunham Massey
What: After its winter break, Stamford Hospital (and house) will reopen from February 14th with new stories of the patients and nurses brought to life by actors, original archive material and objects.
Times: House/hospital 11am-5pm, Garden 11am-5.30pm, Mill 12pm-4pm
Tickets: £13.50 per adult and £6.70 for children. Family ticket is £33.70.
Address: Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4SJ
More info: Website
Breakfast at Y McGregor
What: We’re not sure whether there’s a particular Valentine’s Day angle here – but as it’s on a Saturday this year, what better way to start your day than with a coffee and a superb cooked breakfast from Y McGregor.
Times: Open from 9am to 5pm
Address: 29 Stamford New Road, Altrincham WA14 1EB
More info: Website