Where creativity meets connection
HEAD TO THE PICTURES
This February, Towner Eastbourne is exploring the power of romance with two special cinema screenings. At 11am on Fri 14 Feb they’re showing Klimt And The Kiss – a fascinating documentary which one of the Austrian painter’s most recognisable works. This evocative image of an unknown embracing couple has captivated viewers with its mystery, sensuality and dazzling materials ever since it was created. But what lies behind the appeal of the painting – and just who was the artist that created it?
Then at 3pm (with another showing on Thurs 20 Feb), the contemporary art institution is showing Billy Wilder’s most acclaimed film – The Apartment. It marks the centenary of screen icon Jack Lemmon's birth, as this Oscar-winning tragicomic masterpiece returns in a dazzling 4K restoration. Balancing quips with existential crises, Wilder’s classic is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. If you want to go all in, you can book an intimate lunch at Light, Towner’s fabulous bar and restaurant.
CLEAN UP YOUR ACT
Perhaps not the most obvious Valentine’s treat but why not show a bit of love for the environment and join Surfers Against Sewage for a beach clean? The beach will love you for it. The Show the Love campaign is organised by The Climate Coalition – Surfers Against Sewage are coalition members alongside some of the UK’s biggest group of people working together for action on climate change – including WWF, ActionAid, RSPB, the National Trust, The WI and Christian Aid.Show the Love for what’s important to you this Valentines Day, with a green heart and post across your social media networks with #ShowTheLove and #SurfersAgainstSewage
GET IN THE DRIVING SEAT
Share an unforgettable adventure this Valentine’s Day with a thrilling Off-Road Driving Experience. With prices starting from £149, Goodwood (the original and arguably best motoring attraction) is ready for you to jump into a classic Land Rover and hit the trails.
Step back in time and embrace the charm of these iconic 1960s vehicles as you navigate the rugged off-road tracks at the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit. Feel every bump and drop as you tackle narrow trenches, steep descents, challenging inclines, and muddy trails. With space for up to three loved ones, this exhilarating experience is the perfect way to bond over adventure and nostalgia.
After a driver’s briefing and introduction to the vehicle, you’ll soon be exploring narrow and tricky trenches, steep descents, challenging inclines and mud traps. Other activities include the timber slalom, the axle twist and a awesome log bridge.
www.goodwood.com/experiences/driving/off-road
SMELLS LIKE CLEAN SPIRIT
Those experts on all things lovely and perfumed are letting you create your own special bath bombs. For just £10 per person, stores across the UK & Ireland are hosting product-making workshops for customers to create their own personalised Valentine’s Day gift. You can master the art of bath bomb making, and create something memorable with a free personalised hand-written love note inside. Even if you’re not feeling ‘crafty’, there’s a huge range of treatments and goodies on offer to pamper that cherished one.
GO OUT OUT
Brighton’s premier comedy venue is running TWO special shows on Fri 14 Feb. For those of you that love a proper laugh, it once again assembles some of the nation’s finest stand-up talent to make your evening sizzle. This Valentines Day special welcomes Kae Kurd, Aideen McQueen and Daman Bamrah, with everything compered by the fantastic Sally Anne-Hayward.
If dancing is more your thing, the Gal Pals Prom will be providing LGBTQIA+ women, non-binary and gender non-conforming people in with a safe, expressive evening of floor-rocking tunes and top people
MAKE A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
Let’s be honest, not everyone has time to be go out on Valentine’s Day. Busy lives get in the way of even the best intentions. So why not plan a getaway together, and have something romantic to look forwards to?
Opening in March 2025, The Alfriston is a brand-new hotel experience. Nestled beneath the South Downs, in the delightful village it shares a name with, this Grade II listed building dates back to the 14thcentury. It’s been lavishly updated to offer 38 individually styled bedrooms and suites. Their new 1554 Brasserie will also be championing the best of Sussex fare, working with local, independent suppliers, while the seating are provides stunning views across the front lawn. To make your time there truly relaxing,there’s also a spa with treatments, sauna, a steam room and a heated outdoor swimming pool, after which you can soak up the fresh air with a walk around The Alfriston’s picturesque grounds.
www.thealfriston.com
GET ARTY
There’s a Valentines edition of sip & paint in the comfort of Shoreham’s The Crown & Anchor on Sat 15 Feb. With all equipment provided, you can even immortalise a loved one.
You can unleash your inner artist as you sip on drinks and paint a masterpiece with your partner (or best friend) by your side. No experience necessary - just come ready to have a great time!
PLAY ON
Sofar sounds specialise in unique gig experiences. For £34, two of you can take your love out for a night of intimate music, where three artists of different genres play their best love songs in a cozy, romantic space. For Valentine’s Day, they’re bringing an extra special show to The Lanes in Brighton, to create that perfect romantic evening.
www.sofarsounds.com/cities/brighton/lists/valentine-s
EYE LOVE YOU
The latest trend is Iris photography. For £40.75pp, Brighton’s Iris Gallery will use state of the art equipment to reveal the beauty and uniqueness of your and your partner’s eyes. The results are turned into a fabulous works of art with your iris’s displayed on the same canvas.
www.en.irisgalerie.com/pages/concept
TEA FOR TWO
Head to Bolney Wine Estate for a delicious Valentine's Afternoon Tea. There’s not many things more romantic than enjoying some delicious food with a glass of bubbly, while looking out across one of the best vineyards in Britian. Offerings include a selection of sweet and savoury treats like sandwiches, scones with cream and jam and cakes as well as a welcome glass of our Bolney Bubbly or Bolney Bubbly Rosé.
SIMPLY SAVE
Valentine’s Day doesn’t always need to be expensive or extravagant. You can still create magical moments together amongst some of Sussex’s most beautiful spots. Brighton & Hove Buses are helping the romantics amongst us with some fabulous Valentine’s Day deals. If you’re travelling as a pair by bus (whether partners or just good friends) can get 50% off DUO tickets when using the Brighton & Hove Buses mobile app. After adding a DUO ticket to their basket, use the code LOVE25 at the checkout for a flirty 50% off. So, whether you’re going for a walk at the Seven Sisters or grabbing lunch at Brighton Marina (or simply getting the night bus home after a big one)the two of you can do it in style for less.
SHOW YOUR SWEET SIDE
Under the expert guidance of Mike Noble, Owner & Head Chocolatier from the acclaimed Sussex based artisan chocolatiers, Noble and Stace, you can enjoy a relaxed, fun filled day of creating treats. Priced at £300 for two, this chocolate masterclass includes making fresh cream truffles, caramel truffles and solid chocolate tablettes.
You will leave with your delicious hand crafted chocolates beautifully boxed and ready to enjoy, or ideal for a perfect gift, together with the recipe handouts so that you can recreate them at home.
www.theartisanbakehouse.com/collections/shop/products/chocolate-making-workshop
GO BACK IN TIME
Founded in 1970, the award-winning Weald & Downland Living Museum is a leading museum of historic buildings in England, covering 40 acres in the beautiful South Downs National Park in West Sussex. With over 50 historic buildings dating from 950AD to the 19th century, re-erected from their original sites in southeast England, it also offers year-round demonstrations of how daily life would have been for our ancestors. To mark Valentine’s Day you can visit learn about Heart Cakes in the medieval Winkhurst kitchen, as their team authentically prepare traditional Valentine gifts for loved ones in the 16th century.
Stuart Rolt
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