Where to spend Valentine’s Day in Soton

Mettricks

Start the day off right with a delicious breakfast from Mettricks tea & coffee house. This family owned business has three different café’s scattered around Southampton; by the Guildhall, the Old Town and Bargate. As well as serving excellent food, the coffee is superb and the café has a lovely atmosphere.

Mini Golf

Just opposite Guildhall Mettricks is East park which contains a mini golf course, and for just £2.50 (with a deposit of £5.00) you can hire putts and work your way round the course.

Riverside Park

The park takes about 20 minutes to reach by bus from Highfield interchange and follows the River Itchen. You can head down towards Bitterne Park Triangle or follow the river down to the White Swan pub, where you can grab a drink or a spot of lunch for a very modest price.

Il Picchio

If you don’t fancy a pub lunch, just a fifteen minute walk along the river, towards Bitterne Park Triangle is Il Picchio. This little Italian café serves coffee and delicious cakes, as well as a range of Paninis, pasta dishes and authentic Italian bites. It is a perfect little taste of Italy offering freshly made, great tasting food, for a reasonable price! The café is charmingly quaint, and receives excellent reviews.

Go Ape 

Perhaps for the more adventurous, and although on the slightly more expensive side, it’s well worth it! The challenging course guarantees a great laugh and is packed full of zip wires and Tarzan swings. Moreover, it is located in a scenic country park – perfect for a post-climb romantic walk.

Mayflower Park

If you’re on a tight student budget another great option is Mayflower Park. Down near West Quay, it is a great place to sit and watch the world go by. The docks are full of cruise ships and holiday goers, and behind the park are multiple restaurants with beautiful views of the sea.

Mayflower Theatre

Another pricier option – with tickets ranging from £22 in the Balcony to £62 in the Dress Circle and Stalls. However, it is a perfect way to end Valentine’s; watching Billy Elliot on stage. The show has received some amazing reviews, including from the ‘Daily Telegraph’ and the ‘Mail on Sunday’.

Greg’s Bistro

Just a one minute walk away from the Mayflower theatre is Greg’s Bistro. The romantic restaurant is slightly more expensive, however, worth the price. The food is served with impressive presentation and quality in a cosy atmosphere; perfect for couples. On Valentine’s the Bistro is offering the à la carte menu and daily specials, as well as a complimentary glass of prosecco!