Niche’s guide to year-round romance.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air, but there’s no need to limit your romantic escapades to a single day in February!
This year, Niche Magazine is challenging you (and your significant other, best mate, or adventurous self) to fall head over heels for Leicestershire with our A-Z of date ideas.
You’ve got until December 2025 to tick every letter off the list. That’s roughly one date every two weeks. Here we go!
A-Z Valentine's Day in Leicester (all year round)
A is for Afternoon Tea
Kick things off with a piping-hot pot of tea and dainty sandwiches at Five Fox Lane Coffee House. It’s impossible to argue when your mouth is full of scones.
B is for Brewery Tour
Grab a pint and learn how Everards of Leicestershire turns hops into happiness. Cheers to quality time and quality beer.
C is for Chocolate Making
They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. At Cocoa Amore, you’ll craft decadent chocolates and possibly gain an edge in the “favourite person” rankings.
D is for Darts
Bullseye your way to romance at Riley’s. Just don’t “accidentally” aim for your opponent’s dart score… or ego.
E is for Escape Room
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, so what better test than being locked in a room with a ticking clock? Escape Rooms Leicester has your back... if your partner doesn't throw you under the bus to solve the puzzle.
F is for Farm Park
At Gorse Hill City Farm, cuddle fluffy animals and debate who looks better in wellies. No date is complete without goat selfies.
G is for Go Karting
Zoom into their heart at Stretton Circuit Karting, where its guaranteed to get your adrenaline flowing!
H is for History Museum
Relive the drama of yesteryear at New Walk Museum, Newarke Museum, or the Richard III Centre. Bonus points if you can agree on what happened to the princes in the tower.
I is for Indian Night
Chutney Ivy will spice up your evening with curries that are hotter than your best pick-up lines.
J is for Jump Around
Trampoline park Bounce is perfect for channelling your inner kid. Just don’t laugh too hard when they miss a flip.
K is for Kayaking
Take to the water at Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre. Kayaking might not be the most elegant date, but you’ll get to see how they handle themselves in slippery situations.
L is for Live Music
Baton Rouge has the tunes; you bring the moves (or just vibe awkwardly in the corner).
M is for Musical
Catch Six, Bat Out of Hell, Chicago, and many more at Curve, as well as 42nd Street and Grease at Kilworth House Theatre. Or support local talent at affordable prices in The Full Monty, Footloose, and Hairspray, at The Little Theatre.
N is for Nature Walk
Bradgate Park offers breathtaking views and Insta-worthy deer sightings. Pack snacks; no one wants to get hangry with each other.
O is for Outdoor Cinema
Kilworth House Theatre turns movie night into a magical outdoor experience. Bring blankets for the cold and tissues for the rom-coms.
P is for Pizza Night
Dough What will load your plate with cheesy goodness. Sharing slices is optional, but fighting over the last one is inevitable.
Q is for Quiz Night
Flex your trivia muscles at Revolution. Impress your date with your varied knowledge and cool demeanour.
R is for Rock Climbing
The Climbing Station is where dates go vertical. Support each other on the wall or engage in some light-hearted competition.
S is for Shooting
Channel your inner action hero at Field Sport UK. Nothing says “romance” like clay pigeons and a shotgun.
T is for Tennis
Challenge your partner to a match at Leicestershire Lawn Tennis Club. Loser buys post-match drinks.
U is for Unplug
Turn off your phones and actually talk to each other. Radical, right?
V is for Virtual Reality
Head to Roamdome for a date that’s out of this world. Who doesn’t love battling robots or exploring alien planets together?
W is for Wine Tasting
Swirl, sniff, and sip at Veeno. Pair it with tapas, and you've got yourself a sophisticated (and slightly tipsy) evening.
X is for Xtreme Scream Park
You’ve got 43 weeks to get here, so pace yourself. Nothing says bonding like a haunted house and blood-curdling screams.
Y is for Yoga Class
Breathe deeply and stretch together with some Bikram Yoga. No laughing during downward dog.
Z is for Zoo Trip
Close the year at Twycross Zoo, where the animals steal the show, and your heart.
