Looking for Love this Valentines Day?
We're here to help with creative ways you might meet a partner or perhaps you're planning to ditch Valentine's for Galentine's and plan fabulous dates with friends. Read on!
Single and looking to mingle? Valentines Day is just around the corner, so finding love may be at the forefront of your mind. With research showing that dating apps are now in decline*, there’s no better time to get out and meet your special someone the traditional way. There's a huge range of workshops and courses on offer in Chichester, West Sussex and the surrounding area, where you can make new connections for the very best opportunities to fall in love face to face. Bond over bushcraft, connect over canoeing, hit it off over heritage crafts, fall in love over foraging or run your way into a relationship. Equally these make great ways to celebrate friendship with a group of pals.
FALL IN LOVE OVER FOOD
Valentines Day Chocolate Masterclass with Noble and Stace Chocolatiers, Midhurst
Date: 14 February 2024
Cost: £85 per person
This exclusive masterclass takes place at Noble and Stace’s brand new chocolate studio near the historic market town of Midhurst. During this three-and-a-half hour course you’ll make fresh cream truffles, design three of your own chocolate bars and make some decorated shards. You’ll also learn how to make the perfect ganache, how to pipe, how to temper chocolate and how to use coloured cocoa butter to create eye-catching designs.
Met your match? Adjourn to Midhurst’s swanky new Italian, Fratelli, where you can spend time getting to know one another or toasting long-lasting friendships.
Boozy Baking with Emsworth Cookery School, Emsworth
Date: 7 March 2024
Cost: £65 per person
Under the expert tuition of Emsworth Cookery School, you’ll master Tequila, Lime and Coconut slices, Raspberry Mojito cupcakes and Italian Hangover cake. What better way to open up conversation with potential new love interests than by sharing stories of when the Italian Hangover cake could have helped you most!
Met your match? Head to the nearby waterside village of Bosham for a drink a deux in The Anchor Bleu, were you’ll be treated to unrivalled views across the harbour.
CONNECT OVER CREATIVITY
Bushcraft Courses with Forest Knights, Arundel
Date: 15 March - 17 March 2024
Cost: £295 per person
Channel your sense of adventure ready to be immersed in nature as you tackle a weekend of Bushcraft. Build your own shelter then sleep in it, learn the secrets of fire and learn to cook over it. Plus you'll be taught plant and tree Identification, tracking skills and woodcarving. A perfect back to nature experience, and maybe a chance to connect with your fellow campers.
Met your match? Make a beeline for The Black Rabbit, Arundel where creature comforts await.
Weekend Creative Calligraphy Courses at West Dean College, Chichester
Date: 24 - 25 February (further Calligraphy course dates available)
Cost: £309 per person
Will you click with that special someone over calligraphy? You can find out by joining West Dean College’s Creative Calligraphy - pointed nib, wash and resist course taking place this February.
Maisie, the course leader and calligrapher at the Modern Calligraphy Co, will teach you expert tips and tricks as you explore colour blending, metallic washes, highlights and embellishing techniques. You’ll create your own calligraphy masterpiece using masking fluid and coloured washes to bring your calligraphy to life. The course is suitable for beginners and a residential option is available if you would like to stay on-site overnight.
Met your match? Compare your creations as you dine at Goodwood’s stylish, sustainable and award-winning Farmer, Butcher, Chef restaurant.
Heritage courses at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, Chichester
Date: 10 March 2024
Cost: £140 per person
Hit it off over heritage crafts during the Weald & Downland Living Museum’s Make a Living Willow Chair course, taking place this March. On this unique course which helps preserve the ancient crafts, trades and manufactures of the Weald and Downland region, you’ll work with a variety of coloured barked willows to create a living seat. In this one-of-a-kind learning environment you’ll make use of the museums historic exhibit buildings, before taking the chair back to your home and garden to admire. Will it strike up memories of when you first met your true love? Only time will tell.
Met your match? Cosy up at Singleton’s The Fox Goes Free, for delicious food set against the spectacular backdrop of Levin Down.
A Day of Clay with Chisel Pottery, Selsey
Date: 10 March 2024
Cost: £150 per person
Get hands on during this one-day beginners workshop at Chisel Pottery. A light-hearted and fun way to learn a new skill and meet new like-minded people at the same time, you’ll get to try your hand at the pottery wheel, learn how to centre clay and create your very own masterpiece. You’ll even get to decorate it at the end. With expert guidance and tuition along the way, the team at Chisel Pottery will be on hand to make sure your days a success. Whether you meet ‘the one’ however, is down to you.
Met your match? Head to The Escapist, Chichester to compare your crafting success while you sample the variety of craft beers.
Beginners Photography Course with Imber Court Photo Training, Chichester
Date: 24 February 2024 (further dates available)
Cost: £95 per person
Bond over a shared love of photography on Imber Court Photo Training’s beginners’ photography course. All you need is a passion for photography, a DSLR or mirrorless camera and bags of enthusiasm. The trainer, Ashley, will teach you everything else you need to know.
Through a mixture of classroom and practical sessions you’ll get to grips with shutter speed, aperture, ISO, composition and lighting. As you capture the stunning landscape of Chichester Harbour - a National Landscape (the new name for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) will someone capture your heart?
Met your match? Admire more incredible views of Chichester Harbour whilst dining on fine food at Dell Quay’s Crown & Anchor.
FIND YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE GETTING SPORTY
Date: Every Saturday
Cost: Free. Registration required in advance
If running’s your thing, you may just run into someone special at Chichester parkrun. Taking place every Saturday at 9am in Oaklands Park, you’ll walk, jog or run 5k at your own pace with hundreds of other runners and joggers.
Met your match? Keep it casual and enjoy a post-run coffee at Trading Post Coffee Roasters.
Discover Kayaking and Canoeing with Fluid Adventures, Chichester
Date: 17 March 2024
Cost: £100 per person
Connect over canoeing on a one-day Discover Kayaking and Canoeing Course with Fluid Adventures. Based at Itchenor in Chichester Harbour, you’ll get to grips with all things water-based including paddling, manoeuvring skills, route planning, kit planning, rescues and self-preservation. You’ll play plenty of kayak and canoe games along the way to reinforce the new skills you’ve learnt, helping break the ice with any potential love interests too. Who knows, you may sail off into the sunset together.
Met your match? Stop for a post-paddle pint in Itchenor’s Ship Inn.
OTHER GREAT WAYS TO MEET PEOPLE IN SUSSEX
If you love the sound of getting out and about to meet new people, but the activities above aren’t for you, then why not consider joining a guided group tour?
With guided group tours on offer across West Sussex for all interests, you’ll be able to see new things and meet new people, without having to contend with learning a new skill too.
Our top picks are:
- Take a guided group tour of Arundel with Arundel Historic Tours
- Spot some of Chichester Harbour’s rare wildlife on a group boat trip with Chichester Harbour Water Tours
- Explore the historic City of Chichester on a guided group tour with Chichester Tour Guides
- Undertake a guided West Sussex wildlife group tour with Nature Trek
- Join a guided group mountain bike ride, followed by a delicious pizza and pint with Pedal and Pace
More great things to do in Sussex
If we’ve inspired you to explore more of the great things we have to see in Sussex, then why not take a look at our full list of things to do in Sussex here.
*Recent figures show that the world’s most popular dating app, Tinder, saw its users drop by 5% in 2021, while shares in Bumble and Match Group, who own Tinder, have declined steadily over the last couple of years. Sourced from The Guardian, 28 October 2023.