The season to celebrate love and relationships is fast approaching with Valentine’s Day only weeks away and the pressure to plan the perfect date increasing. Avoid Valentine’s date night cliches and overused ideas by exploring the unique cultural date spots around York. To save you the unnecessary stress of coming up with your own amazing date idea, we have found the must-visit cultural spots perfect for this year’s Valentines date…

York Art Gallery 

Spend your Valentine’s day immersing yourselves in the impressive collection of paintings found at York Art Gallery that spans over 600 years. Here you can find the largest collection of Etty’s work, the most extensive and representative collection of British Studio Ceramics and a range of interesting exhibitions. ‘Treasures from the stores’, ‘Queering the Burton’ and the upcoming ‘Marvellous and Mischievous: Literature’s Young Rebels’ are a few of the amazing exhibitions you can book onto this Valentine’s. 

 

Blue Tree Gallery 

Based in the heart of historic York is another amazing art gallery to take your date to the next level. Blue Tree Gallery is an independent art gallery where you can treat your eyes to fine contemporary artworks. There are six exhibitions every year which is currently an exhibition called ‘Duality’, that is available to view until March 11th. You can even take home a piece of art to commemorate your date with a wide variety of pieces available to buy. 

Cheese and Wine 

Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without a bit of cheesiness so head on over to Love Cheese to experience their Bubbles & Brie Valentines Tasting. Indulge on some of the most delicious and creamiest cheeses, alongside sparkling wines that pair perfectly and compliments each cheese. This date is great for cheese loving couples looking for a different way to spend Valentine’s this year. Bubbles & Brie costs £75 per couple and is being held on February 11th. 

Pottery Classes at The Potter Man Studio 

Learn how to create a ceramic masterpiece with your partner at one of the regular adult pottery classes at The Potter Man Studio just outside of York. For only £35 per person you will explore a range of different techniques and processes to create your own unique piece of work including wheel throwing, slab building and coil building. The price includes the tuition given, clay, glaze, firing, use of facilities, use of the studio’s equipment as well as tea and coffee. These sessions are a great alternative to the usual and overdone Valentine’s date night ideas and gives you the chance to create something unique to symbolise your relationship.

Wine tasting at 2 Many Wines 

The perfect date night for all wine lovers is a sophisticated wine tasting at 2 Many Wines. Unwind and enjoy the rich and vibrant flavours that the wines at 2 Many Wines have to offer. Their upcoming wine tasting for February takes place on the 6th for £30 per person and is focused on warming red wines with layers of spicy, rich flavours that are perfect for a cold winter’s night. Tickets are selling out fast so make sure you book soon to avoid disappointment. But if you are unlucky enough to miss out on this month’s tasting, gift yourselves tickets to one of the future tastings taking place over the next few months. 

Explore York’s landmarks 

All across York are historic landmarks that you can explore during your Valentine’s date this year. Stroll along York City Walls for a unique view of the city below whilst experiencing first hand hundreds of years of history beneath your feet. After your relaxing walk on the walls head on over to York Minster. Take in the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s most breathtaking cathedrals which is completely free for all York residents. Then you can explore the Shambles, a unique street dating back to the fourteenth century that inspired the iconic Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. There is so much to see and discover in York to keep you busy during a fun-packed Valentine’s Day date. 

Chocolate making workshops 

Create some tasty chocolate full of love this Valentine’s at York Cocoa’s ‘Chocolate Love Heart Chocolate Bar Making Workshop’. This is a fun and unique way to celebrate your love with your partner whilst learning how to work with tempered chocolate to decorate, mould and package up your chocolate hearts. Tickets cost £22.50 per person and events are on right now everyday up until February 19th so make sure you book soon so you don’t miss out! 

York City Cruises 

Cruise along the River Ouse for a relaxed Valentine’s date on one of the York City Cruises. See this historic city from a brand new perspective whilst learning about local history without having to fuss around with maps, hours of walking and getting lost. You can spot even more iconic landmarks along the river such as Clifford’s Tower and York Museum and Gardens. For a chilled out, sightseeing date like no other book yourself and your partner onto one of the many cruises available before they sell out. Fingers crossed for a dry and sunny weather forecast!