It’s Valentine’s Day, but not as you know it

100 Queen’s Gate is part of the Curio family of hotels – built upon the ideas of curiosity, intrigue and novelty. So with our curio hat on, and with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, here are our top five unusual date ideas to impress your significant other on 14 February.

1. While Kensington’s Natural History Museum may not ordinarily scream romance, this Valentine’s Day it may just surprise you. In this most unexpected of settings, The Luna Cinema is staging a series of film screenings under the museum’s giant Blue Whale skeleton. Watch classics such as Pretty Woman and The Notebook while tucking into some complimentary popcorn.

2. Go out for a nice dinner. Doesn’t sound too out of the ordinary, does it? Well, Clerkenwell’s Dans Le Noir is dinner with a difference. Here, you and your date dine in complete darkness, as the sensory nature of the meal is prioritised over the visual elements of the date. As quirky Valentine’s Day ideas go, this is definitely up there.

3. Escape rooms are all the rage right now. And while they may not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of romance, what better first date ice-breaker could there be than having to figure out how to break free from a locked room?! The Bletchley, located on Chelsea’s King’s Road, adds cocktails into the mix for a perfect date-night experience.

4. BYOB pottery painting. Heard of that? Well, apparently it’s a thing. M.Y.O is hosting a Valentine’s BYOB pottery painting class at its Peckham Levels HQ on 14 February. Get creative with your beloved on everything from mugs and bowls to tiles and ornaments, while sipping on your libation of choice. While you won’t be able to take your piece home on the night (it’ll need glazing and kiln-firing first, which can take up to 12 days), you’ll soon have your personalised ceramic returned to adorn your home with.

5. Speed dating! That’s right – Valentine’s Day isn’t just about all the loved-up couples out there. For those of you single and ready to mingle, this is a great and fun real-life alternative to monotonous swiping on dating apps. The Prince Albert in Battersea is hosting one such event (and for charity too!) so head along to banish those Valentine’s blues and support a good cause at the same time.