London

Everlandia
Instead of a predictable trip to Paris, make a journey with a difference at the ICA, with help from Slovenian digital artist Martin Bricelj, whose virtual travel agency enables you and your partner to visit the land of your dreams (created entirely in your imagination) for the evening. So far so cheap (its free with £1.50 ICA day membership). If you can stretch to dinner, a Valentine’s meal (available on Feb 14 only, although you’ve got until Mar 29 to visit Everlandia®) in the ICA café costs £12.50 a head.
Everlandia Institute for Contemporary Arts, The Mall, SW1. Box office 020 7930 3647. Charing Cross tube. Free with ICA day membership (£1.50). Daily 12noon-7.30pm. Feb 14-Mar 29.

Håagen-Dazs Evening of Romance
Ice cream, a champagne cocktail and coffee – plus a head and shoulder massage, a serenading harpist and an embarrassment of flowers and heart-shaped balloons at the Leicester Square ice cream emporium. So cheesy it might almost be charming, this one’s for Valentines who don’t appreciate a subtle gesture.
Håagen-Dazs Evening of Romance Leicester Square, W1. Bookings 020 7287 9577. Leicester Square tube. £40 per couple. Tue 14 7pm or 9pm.

Love an Animal
People may let you down, but you know where you are with a four-legged critter. At Spitalfields City Farm you can visit the love grotto for hot chocolate and pink marshmallows, have your photo taken with one of the animals and buy hand painted Valentine cards and heart T-shirts. The day’s offerings include a guided tour, a special Valentine’s Day lunch (suggested donation £2.50) and a talk on animal welfare.
Spitalfields City Farm, Weaver Street, E1 (off Brick Lane and Buxton Street). 020 7247 8762. Shoreditch tube. Donations appreciated. Tue 14, tour 11am; lunch 12.30pm; talk 1.30pm. Feature continues

Valentine’s Day trip through the Thames Tunnel
You’ve been together for a while and although the lurve’s still there your enthusiasm for yet another unimaginative and overpriced Valentine meal is limited. Time for something more unexpected. How about a guided journey by Tube train past the columns, recesses and architectural features of the Thames Tunnel, Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s first project, which he worked on with his father Sir Marc Brunel. During the ride through the tunnel – the first under a river anywhere in the world which, these days, carries East London Line trains through the oldest section of the world’s oldest underground system – listen to the romantic story of handsome French officer Sir Marc Brunel and young English governess Sophia Kingdom whose marriage was to produce Isambard.
Brunel Engine House, Railway Avenue, SE16; for tube journey, meet in the Rotherhithe tube ticket office. www.brunelenginehouse.org.uk. Rotherhithe tube. 7pm, 8pm & 9pm. £7, £10 per couple.

London Diary Salsa Party
Take a partner or meet someone new at this evening for people of mixed ages and dancing abilities (there will be lots of complete salsa novices). A professional dance instructor will lead an hour-long merengue class, during which dancers will swap partners every ten minutes, and afterwards a DJ will provide the music for dancing till midnight. Booking essential.
La Tasca Bar & Restaurant, 18-19 The Mall, W5. Bookings 020 7121 0000/ info@londondiary.ltd.uk. Ealing Broadway tube. £15, incl tapas buffet and dance lesson. Tue 14 7pm-12midnight.

Speed Dating: Laws of Attraction
Learn the secrets of successful dating from a leading scientist before putting your new-found knowledge to the test at a Valentine’s Day speed dating session. The evening is aimed at men and women age 20-35. Booking essential.
Dana Centre, Wellcome Wolfson Building, 165 Queen’s Gate, SW7. Bookings 020 7942 4040/ tickets@danacentre.org.uk. Gloucester Road/South Kensington tubes. Tue 14 & Feb 22 7.30-11pm.

Valentine’s Day 1940s Dance
Learn period dances from London Swing Dance Society teachers, jive the night away to the sounds of the Ronnie Scott’s Rejects, have a 1940s makeover, watch wartime films, maybe even be swept off your feet by a ‘GI’ on leave. Admission includes an opportunity to view the museum and Cabinet War Rooms.
Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street, SW1. Bookings 020 7766 0155. Westminster tube. Dancing only £16.50, concs £12; dinner and dancing £41.50. Tue 14 6.30-10pm.

Valentine’s Day on the London Eye
Choose from a Valentine’s Day Flight (£40 per couple), a Champagne Flight (£59 per couple), a River Cruise (from £40 per couple), or go the whole hog and book a Cupid’s Capsule just for the two of you (£299, incl fast-track entry, red rose, box of chocolates and a three-course meal at a local restaurant). You could always arrange your wedding on the Eye – but perhaps that’s jumping the gun. There are discounts available for online bookings and spaces on most flights on the days preceding Valentine’s Day.
London Eye, South Bank, SE1. 0870 5000 600/www.ba-londoneye.com. Waterloo tube. From £40 per couple. Fri-Tue, various times. Feb 10-Feb 14.

Valentine’s Night at Tate Modern
An evening designed for both couples and singletons, with screenings of David Lean’s ‘Brief Encounter’ and romantic short films presented by onedotzero. There’s also a live cabaret by Christopher Green, tours of the Poetry and Dream galleries and entry to the Martin Kippenberger exhibition. For sustenance head to the art2heart singles bar for tapas or the top floor restaurant for the £25 Valentine’s menu.
Bankside, SE1. Bookings 020 7887 8888. Blackfriars/Mansion House/Southwark tubes. £15 inc glass of champagne or cocktail. Tue 7-11pm.

Comedy
Music
Nightlife