It may still be January but I am seeing more and more places advertising their deals, offers and events for Valentines Day in the North East already. Like most occasions, anywhere and anything good gets booked up so quickly these days – I’m blaming it on everyone being so restricted over the last couple of years we are making up for it now. Yes, Valentine’s Day is commercial, overpriced, blah blah, but if you take part or celebrate it on any scale there are some great things available. Here’s some Valentine’s Day ideas in the North East for 2022, and I will update this list as I see more over the next month.

There’s a bit of everything on this list, including gifts, overnight stays, meals, day dates, nights in and some very unique events too, so it covers a full scale for different budgets and effort levels. They’re intended to be inclusive of everyone too, whether you’re in a relationship, whoever with, single or want to get in the Valentine’s spirit.

St Marys Spirits Hamper

St Mary’s gin has become one of my favourites over the past couple of years. The team at St Marys have a range of spirits including gin, rum and vodka, and for Valentine’s day they’ve teamed up with other local brands: Blyth Fish and Guest Wines to create a make your own Valentines hamper.

Full details below in their instagram post but a champagne, lobster dinner sounds pretty amazing to me! If you’re a seafood fan like me this is definitely one to look at especially if you want a night at home. I really like this either as a gift or for something to do together.

Beadnell Towers

We visit and had a lovely meal up at Beadnell Towers last summer, they have some very nice rooms to stay in too and they’re dog friendly. They have some offers and packages available for the full Valentines week in February from 11th – 20th. A night stay up there on the Northumberland coast with good food sounds very appealing.

They book up quick as it’s such a popular spot. Visit Beadnell Towers website here.

Spanish City 1910 

One of the most iconic landmarks along the North East coast makes for the perfect Valentines setting, especially if you book in to the 1910 restaurant. Kieran and I did this a year or so ago and it was so lovely with views all along the coast. Have a drink in the Champagne bar before dinner, then after a very nice meal have another one (or a bottle) under the dome listening to the pianist. We said at the time we don’t know why we don’t do it more often as it’s on our doorstep.

Read my review of 1910 at Spanish City here and book your table on their website.

Murder Mystery at the Vermont

The Vermont Hotel in Newcastle are hosting a vicious Valentine murder mystery night on Saturday 12th February. Tickets are £35 and include a welcome drink and three course meal. Definitely something a bit different and a great group activity.

Find all the details and how to book on their website here.

South Causey Inn

A beautiful spot near Beamish to enjoy over Valentine’s weekend, with their big range of rooms, suites, and hot tub suites available for a romantic stay. They have loads of dining options available too, including in their restaurant and bar, private dining pods, hampers and their Valentine’s weekend afternoon tea. See the full details on their instagram post below.

Valentine Spirit Nails

Treat yourself, your partner, or your girls to a manicure and nail appointment. I spotted these fabulous designs on Instagram this week by Kured Studio. She does some beautiful designs and they’re really high quality. She’s already booked up for January so if you’re keen for some loved up nails get in touch via her instagram profile below.

Revs de Cuba Speed Dating 

One for the single folk, Revolucion de Cuba are hosting a speed dating night on 10th February. Find details of the event and purchase your ticket for £20 here. If all else fails the cocktails are good and so is the food!

Valentine’s At Leila Lily’s

Leila Lily’s on Grey Street have a range of options for Valentine’s Day, including something for Galentines with the girls. This includes a Charlotte Tilbury masterclass with afternoon tea priced at £55 per person. They also have afternoon tea in their outside dome available to book, and a Valentine’s sharer experience for £50 per person. The menu looks pretty good for this, if you like steak. Have a look and book online here.

The Hudson

The Hudson are putting on a bottomless brunch from 12th – 14th February between 12pm-5pm, at £35 per person. I love a bottomless brunch, and this one is for anyone over the course of the weekend, with the girls or with your partner. A brunch followed by a few bars is my ideal day date.

Beau Monde Spa Day

If you’re looking for a spa day then I highly recommend Beau Monde Spa in Lucker Northumberland. They are a day spa and offer very customisable packages based on what you’re looking for – relax in the spa, treatments, afternoon tea, champagne by the pool etc.

Read my full review of Beau Monde spa here, or visit their website to see all packages here.

Town Moor Valentine’s Run

I’m not going to lie this is my idea of absolute hell on earth, but I do know some couples who would love this. Enter the Valentine’s 10k run over the Town Moor on Sunday 13th February. Full details and how to enter here.

Sara’s Cakes

If you are looking for a very tasty and equally pretty cake box filled with treats like cupcakes, cake pops and more, then Sara’s Cakes are my favourites. She hasn’t shared anything official yet but I did see her share on Instagram story that shes getting lots of requests so keep an eye on her instagram page for more info. I got some of these last year and they were delicious.

Jesmond Food Market 

If my working out is right, it will be the Jesmond Food Market on Armstrong bridge on Valentine’s weekend. The Saturday will see lots of local North East food companies line the bridge selling everything from bread and pastries, to chocolate slabs, fudge, and a lot more. I loved my visit here for Christmas, so I’m sure they’ll all have some tasty treats for Valentine’s weekend. It’s a nice thing to do with your partner as well, a walk through Jesmond Dene then pick up lunch at the market.

Flowers, Chocolates and Treats

There are a few local brands I would draw your attention to for flowers, chocolates and treats that aren’t the bog standard supermarket variety. Firstly the Good Tempered Chocolate company, pictured below – their chocolate slabs are just incredible, Northumberland Fudge who have a range of flavours for the occasion – find out more here, and Katherine’s florist who I walk past on my way to work – the arrangements on offer are just so nice way prettier than a supermarket bunch.

All things French

And finally, with the French known for their romance there are a few French themed ideas you might like too. A French Quarter hamper, either one of the pre made ones or one that you make yourself – these are fabulous we had one last year and my parents got one for Christmas. Fill it with olives, chutneys, coffee, wine, cheese, it’s a lovely gift or experience for two. Find more details on their instagram here. If you prefer to sit in I do love a visit to the restaurant, it’s very cosy and the service as well as the food is always excellent, so it’s a good one for a date night.

Secondly Cote do a very good champagne brunch at weekends and that might be a good idea for Valentine’s weekend. I really enjoyed it when I went in October last year it was really good food in a lovely environment. Find their menu online here.

Updated ideas 1st Feb

I said I would update this post as I saw new ideas, so here’s a couple I’ve spotted since this post first went live:

St Mary’s spirits luxury at home cocktails – the names of these are great and include A Smooch on the Pier, Lover’s Dream, Two to Tango and Perfect Score to name just a couple. They’re pre made cocktails that you just need to pour and serve for £7.50 each. If venturing out into restaurants all decorated for Valentine’s Day isn’t your thing this is a good night in idea.

Batch Bakery Breakfast Boxes

The Batch Bakery breakfast boxes are amazing value for money if you can get to their shop on Clayton Road in Jesmond. I had one last year (read about it in this blog post) and one on Christmas eve. The Valentine’s boxes are limited and you just have to message them on Instagram to secure yours.

Wynyard Hall afternoon tea

Another afternoon tea this time at Wynyard Hall, where they’re serving it on Sunday 13th February. Email them on reception@wynyardhall.co.uk to book.

Walwick Hall

It’s recently been closed for renovation works but back open again, and Walwick Hall really is a lovely spot. A stay with them for Valentine’s includes complimentary Champagne and a box of homemade petit fours, access to the pool and a Valentine’s Day Tasting menu – featuring an indulgent sharing Dark Chocolate Fondue for two. I doubt this will be around for long so book up fast if you’re keen.

Alternative Dates

I’ll keep adding to this list if I see specific events or things to do, but in general just some of the most fun dates we’ve had over the last six months include:

A bar crawl along the North Tyneside metro route, or if you prefer town my favourite bars at the moment are WC Newcastle and Hibou Blanc.

Glamping if you can find somewhere with availability, Cheviot Glamping and Shepherds Retreat were the ones we did last year.

Warkworth is a lovely place for a weekend, with scenic walks and good pubs. We really enjoyed a stay at Warkworth House hotel, with its wonky rooms, friendly staff and good food.

We often go for a Sunday lunch and Sunday funday, a favourite being the Newcastle quayside market followed by lunch at the Broad Chare. Downstairs if we are with Arthur, upstairs if we’ve booked for just the two of us. You can’t beat it.

We also really enjoyed some places in Northumberland along the coast, ideal for a walk followed by lunch. Have a look at 6 of the best ones here, and most recently we went to Middleton Lodge, which was a stay but you could just go for lunch and make a day trip of it, it was absolutely gorgeous. Read my full review here.

We haven’t made specific Valentine’s Day plans yet, likely will be the standard M&S dine in for two meal, as we are heading to London for a couple of days the following week.

If you have any suggestions or see anything to add to the list let me know, I’ll keep it updated right up to the 14th February.