Unusual Activities to Shake Up Your Dating This Valentine's Day
Sick of the same old date nights?
Stargaze at Kielder Observatory
Under some of the darkest skies in Europe in the third-largest protected Dark Sky Reserve in the world, Kielder Observatory has plenty of options for romantic stargazing. The observatory hosts events each month with endless opportunities to explore the night sky, and this year the North East Dark Skies Festival takes place from 13th–21st February, conveniently in time for Valentine’s Day. Join the Late Night session on the 14th to observe the cosmos during the darkest hours of the night.
Black Fell, Off Shilling Pot, Kielder NE48 1EJ
kielderobservatory.org
Get a Clue at Lumley Castle
A castle is an impressive location for any date, but why not try something a little different? Work as a team to find your way out of Lumley Castle’s escape room, where Lily Of Lumley is rumoured to haunt the halls. You’ll investigate the haunting and hopefully solve a mystery to find Lily, free her from the curse, and make your way out in one piece. This immersive game is the only one of its kind in the UK.
Ropery Lane, Chester-le-Street DH3 4NX
escapedurham.co.uk
Fly High at Eshott Airfield
Get a bird’s-eye view of Northumberland’s stunning scenery with a flight experience at Eshott Airfield, a former World War II Spitfire base. Choose from a 30- or 60-minute flight experience and you’ll see the county’s iconic castles, bays and beaches from above – think Amble Harbour, Warkworth Castle, Alnwick Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle and Bamburgh Castle.
Bockenfield, near Felton NE65 9QJ
eshottairfield.com
Target Practice at Asgard Axe Hall
Channel your inner Viking and (safely) wield a weapon when you challenge your date to axe throwing. Learn from trained instructors and hope you score a bullseye, then stick around after your session and enjoy a selection of meads, ales, ciders and spirits in the Viking Longship bar.
85 Portrack Lane, Stockton TS18 2LR
asgardaxehall.co.uk
Walk on the Wild Side with Alpaca Alpaca
A walk in the great outdoors is always a good idea, but this walk is a little different. You’ll meet the alpacas or llamas before heading out on a 45–60 minute walk leading your own alpaca or llama along the River Leven in Alpaca Alpaca’s private grounds. Cute! There are plenty of photo opportunities and don’t miss the chance to hand feed the female alpacas.
Garth Cottage, Low Leven, Yarm TS15 9JN
alpacaalpaca.com
Eat What You See at Eatflix
Take your cinema date to a whole new level with this immersive 5D cinematic experience complete with a specially designed tasting menu to match: you eat what you see on the screen. This February, Eatflix is showing Shrek 2 and maybe that doesn’t sound particularly romantic, but it’s sure to be a good laugh.
69 Chillingham Road, Newcastle NE6 5LL
eatflixcinema.com
Get a Hole in One at Junkyard Golf Club
Claiming to be the craziest golf club in the world, there are three crazy golf courses to choose from at Newcastle’s Junkyard Golf Club, each just as wild as the next. We’re talking a slide on a smashed up Mini, a UV rave room, and a toxic volcano. Refuel on cinema-style snacks and hope for a hole in one. The loser buys the drinks.
Unit 4, 17 Newgate Street, Newcastle NE1 5RE
The Light, The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8TL
junkyardgolfclub.co.uk
Get a Taste of Ad Gefrin on a Distillery Tour
One for the whisky lovers, a distillery tour and tasting at Ad Gefrin is a multi-sensory experience and includes a special viewing of the cask store, before exploring the landscape that inspires their flavour profiles, and of course you’ll have the chance to taste the finished product! Book the special Twilight Tour, Dinner and Tasting Experience on Valentine’s Day to enjoy dinner and an alchemist-led spirit tasting alongside dessert.
South Road, Wooler NE71 6NJ
adgefrin.co.uk
Make a Sweet Treat at La Chocolatrice
La Chocolatrice’s chocolate truffle making workshops are taking place each Saturday this February – a fun introduction to the art of chocolate making with tasting, demonstrations, and decorating. Not only is it a great date idea, you’re also creating a pretty great Valentine’s gift in this relaxed 90-minute chocolate making workshop.
Unit 1 Commercial Road East, Coxhoe DH6 4LD
lachocolatrice.co.uk
Interactive Darts at Flight Club
Since opening its Newcastle outpost in November, Flight Club has become a popular date-night location. Reinventing classic darts with interactive games, get competitive and go head-to-head with your partner when you try your hand at Social Darts. Fuel up on cocktails and sharing plates.
22 Nelson Street, Newcastle NE1 7AP
1–2 South Parade, Leeds LS1 5QL
flightclubdarts.com
Roll the Dice at Chance & Counters
A board game café with more than 500 games on offer, a trip to Chance & Counters is a bit more thrilling than the usual coffee, cake and a chat. They serve a range of delicious beverages (coffee, tea and milkshakes by day, beer, cocktails and wines by night) and tasty comfort food including burgers and loaded fries. Their staff are on hand to help you find the perfect game to liven up date night, from classics to creative new releases.
6–8 Merrion Street, Leeds LS1 6PQ
chanceandcounters.com
Reach New Heights at Clip ‘n Climb
Climbing is not only great fun, it’s also an amazing workout and a fantastic date night activity for any active couple. With a variety of walls for every ability, Clip ’n Climb in Ilkley even have problem-solving challenge walls with all kinds of novelty themes, and a ‘Face 2 Face’ wall on which you can race your partner. What’s a relationship without some healthy competition after all?
17 Station Plaza, Ilkley LS29 8HF
01943 603829
clipnclimbilkley.co.uk
Try the Winer Things at Holmfirth Vineyard
Luckily, you don’t need to travel to France or California for vineyard tours. Enjoy one right here in God’s own country and spend an afternoon learning all about English-made wines and the grapes that thrive in Yorkshire before quenching your thirst by sampling a selection of vintages with an expert. Limited tables remain for their special wine tasting Valentine’s Dinner this year.
Holmfirth Vineyard, Woodhouse Lane, Holmfirth HD9 2QR
01484 691861
holmfirthvineyard.com
Take a Leap by Skydiving
You might be strapped to a total stranger rather than your partner, but skydiving makes a great date. Plunging through the air from 10,000 feet is an experience unlike any other, and who better to share the thrill with than your other half? With views of the Yorkshire countryside and coastline like never before, you can have the experience filmed to relive and share over and over again.
East Leys Farm, Grindale, Bridlington YO16 4YB
01262 228033
skydivegb.com
Potter About at Sunken Studio
Pottery is a more chilled-out date and a good way to wind down together – plus, you get two souvenirs to take home to brighten up your kitchen. Make a mug, paint a pot or even start a full course together in clay throwing, hand sculpting or glazing to turn it into a new skill – whatever you do at Sunken Studio, everyone is welcome and creativity is encouraged.
Unit 3, Sovereign House, Butterley Street, Leeds LS10 1AW
sunkenstudio.co.uk
Take a Cooking Class at Arches Cookery School
They say the way to your partner’s heart is through their stomach, so you’ll know right away if your relationship stands a chance once you find out who’s better in the kitchen. Forget the kids, work and pressures of everyday life, dedicating all of your attention to each other and the food. You can be as competitive as you like or work as the perfect team, while you rustle up a selection of delicious seasonal starters and mains, before finishing with dessert. This Valentine’s Day is all about Italian classics – book your space fast.
Grinkle Park Farm, Loftus, Saltburn TS13 4UD
01287 644231
archescookeryschool.co.uk
Take to the Water with SUP Active
Whether your aim is to improve your water confidence and fitness, or you're just hoping for a relaxing float on the water, stand-up paddleboarding is a great choice for both. If you’re a total beginner, encouraging and learning with your partner can be great for strengthening your relationship. Or if you’ve both done it before, why not get competitive with a race around the lake?
Ellerton Lake, Richmond DL10 6AR
07984 247519
supactiveyorkshire.com
