Valentine’s Day is fast-approaching, and many couples will be wanting to spend some time together on or around this date. Some may want a quiet night in, or a nice meal out somewhere. Others may want to do something a little different, and go out & explore to see what there may be to offer. There are plenty of options to choose from, and we very much hope that this will provide you with a good starting point.
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You may have questions, though, about how to get to where you want to go. Well, why not leave the car at home and let the train take the strain? Many Valentine’s Day options can use rail travel to get to them, so there may be plenty of great deals on cheap train tickets to be had through our website. So let’s dive on in to see what there may be on offer in the UK! (Please note that this article only considers England, Wales, and Scotland - Northern Ireland is on a separate rail network to the rest of the UK).
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Afternoon tea at the Ritz
Address: The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Nearest station: Green Park (served by London Underground on the Jubilee, Piccadilly, and Victoria lines)
What could be more iconic than afternoon tea at the famous Ritz Hotel in London? Situated at the northern corner of Green Park, the hotel opened in 1906, and has seen large numbers of high-profile guests stay there over the years. It's a symbol of luxury, and is arguably one of London's most-renowned hotels, if not one of the world's most-renowned hotels as well. Perhaps its most well-known institution is the famed afternoon tea, where you can enjoy a selection of sandwiches, scones, pastries, and cakes, all washed down with one of their many selections of tea. At the time of writing, there were 20 (yes, twenty!) different teas on offer, so there's quite a few to choose from! If you wish to make it an even more opulent experience, why not choose a glass of champagne instead? Alcohol-free alternatives are also available, so you don't need to feel like you're missing out if you're not drinking alcohol for any reason. There are menus for other dietary requirements available as well (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free) - if you have other dietary requirements, please contact the Ritz before your visit. It's all accompanied by the hotel's resident pianist providing music for a truly unforgettable experience.
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City break to Oxford
Most suitable station - Oxford (served by Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, and Great Western Railway)
Not far from the Chilterns National Landscape and within easy reach of London is the famous city of Oxford. It's highly-known for the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest in continuous operation in the world (beaten only by the University of Bologna). The university has buildings in so many different architectural styles, and its history dates back well over 900 years. If you wish, you can tour the renowned Bodleian Libraries, and further information about that can be found HERE. There are also other tour options if you want to take them in as well. There's plenty more to do in Oxford as well, and we've put together an article HERE which we hope will give you some inspiration for this famed university city! The city's connectivity to the rest of the country by rail can help to facilitate obtaining cheap train tickets for your journey there and back, so please make sure to use our website for your travels!
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Theatre date
Most suitable station - Varies, depending on where you're going
An evening at the theatre is a popular date night idea, so why not incorporate it into Valentine's Day for something extra-special? To go through all the options available in England, Scotland, and Wales would take an inordinate amount of time, but trust us when we say there'll surely be something that takes your fancy. Whether it's a popular West End show such as Les Misérables, a touring play, a well-known (or even lesser-known) stand-up comedian, or something more local to you, we're certain you'll find something that you enjoy. In any case, you'll be wanting to get the best-value travel possible if you're going a bit further afield, so don't forget to use TrainSplit for your cheap train tickets!
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More Splits, More Savings! Find cheaper train tickets by splitting your fares with the TrainSplit app. Download now on iOS or Android - search for TrainSplit in your app store.
City break to Manchester
Most suitable stations - Manchester Piccadilly (served by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales), Manchester Victoria (served by Northern and TransPennine Express), Manchester Oxford Road (served by East Midlands Railway, Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales)
A number of people cite Manchester as the most important city in the north of England, and it's easy to see why. Given its contributions to many industries over the years (including culture, sport, and media), as well as the city being known for its role in the trade union and cooperative movements, and not to mention its connectivity to vast swathes of the country, there's more to Manchester than people may think. Probably two of the most well-known things from Manchester are its football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United, with the rivalry between the two being one of the biggest in English football, and one of the most well-known rivalries in the whole world. Stadium tours of each ground are possible if you wish to do something perhaps a little different together. In terms of music and other events, Manchester Arena in the centre of the city and Co-op Live near the Etihad Campus towards the east are probably the two most popular venues, and are also the two largest indoor arenas in the UK in terms of overall capacity. There's more with history & industry as well, and the places to visit for this are Manchester Museum (which had a major refurbishment that was completed in 2023) and the Science & Industry Museum (part of the Science Museum Group, which also includes the popular National Railway Museum in York). Further to all this is the fact that Manchester is well-connected to the rest of the country by rail, so we're sure you'll be able to find some cheap train tickets from our website for your journey to & from this thoroughly interesting city. If you'd like more ideas on what to do in Manchester, then perhaps our article HERE will give you some further ideas.
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Board game café
Most suitable station - Varies, depending on where you're going
Board game cafés have grown in popularity over the years, and represent a great way of getting out of the house for a bit and playing some board games in slightly different surroundings. You may also make some new friends while you're at it! If this is something you're interested in, then please remember to purchase your cheap train tickets from our website to help your money go even further. To list all the board game cafés we can find would take a while, but we've mentioned a few below across the country which we hope will give you a good starting point.
- Clubhouse Gaming (Newcastle-upon-Tyne - nearest station is Newcastle)
- Sugar and Dice (Liverpool - nearest station is Liverpool Central)
- Sliced N Diced (Birmingham - nearest station is Selly Oak)
- Dice Saloon (Brighton - nearest station is Brighton)
- Secret Solstice Games (Edinburgh - nearest tram stop is The Shore)
- TableTaps (Wrexham - nearest station is Wrexham Central)
There are so many different board game cafés available across the country. Whether you try one in your own town, a little bit of a journey away, or incorporate a visit into a stay somewhere else, it's definitely something worth considering if you want to try something different.
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City break to Swansea
Most suitable station - Swansea (served by Great Western Railway and Transport for Wales)
The second-largest city in Wales, Swansea is a city worth visiting. Situated to the east of the stunning Gower Peninsula (which was designated as the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956), there's more to Swansea than one may first think. The city's proximity to the Gower Peninsula makes it an attractive base for exploring this part of Wales, though do please remember to make sure you're equipped for any changes in the weather! As for other things to do? Well, there's the birthplace of poet and playwright Dylan Thomas (you can even stay overnight if you wish!), the National Waterfront Museum, taking in a visit to Swansea City AFC's stadium, and more as well - we hope our article HERE will prove to be a useful starting point. If you're travelling to Swansea, you'll presumably be wanting to get as much value out of your break, so don't forget to use our website to purchase cheap train tickets for your journey there and back!
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Explore nature and history
Most suitable station - Varies, depending on where you're going
If any of you enjoy getting out and experiencing nature, or if you're history buffs (or maybe both!), then perhaps it's worth looking at some of the options available to you if you want to get outside and enjoy some time with your loved one. The National Trust, English Heritage, Cadw, and Historic Environment Scotland help to look after many different properties and areas across England, Wales, and Scotland. There is a lot of choice out there, and each website gives travel directions to the various attractions, so we're certain you'll be able to find somewhere to visit that you'll enjoy. With the sheer number of places to visit, you'll surely be able to find some cheap train tickets on our website for your journey to increase the value you'll get from a visit!
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We very much hope that we've been able to convince you to consider a slightly different date idea in England, Wales, and Scotland. If we have, then fantastic! If you’ve already booked and need help with your tickets or booking, our support team will be happy to help. Please email us on customer.support@trainsplit.com, and we'll be more than happy to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a Valentine's date by train? Here are answers to the most common questions about finding cheap train tickets, using split ticketing, and making the most of autumn adventures across the UK.
How can I find cheap train tickets in the UK?
You can save money by booking in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and using TrainSplit to find split ticket options, often involving cheap Advance tickets. It’s a great way to cut the cost of travelling across the UK by train.
Can I use split ticketing for journeys by train?
Absolutely. Many UK train routes allow for split ticketing, meaning you can book multiple tickets for different parts of a journey and save compared to a single through fare. TrainSplit does this automatically and shows you the savings upfront.
When should I book train tickets for the best prices?
It’s best to book well in advance, as fares rise closer to the travel date. Booking 8–12 weeks ahead often gets you the lowest fares. Split ticketing can also help you save even when booking later.
Are there discounts for frequent train travellers in the UK?
Yes. A digital Railcard offers 1/3 off most fares and works alongside split ticketing for even bigger savings. It’s ideal for frequent travellers or those planning several day trips and weekend breaks.
Is it cheaper to book train tickets online or at the station?
Booking online in advance is almost always cheaper. Using TrainSplit lets you compare fares, find split ticket combinations, and avoid paying full-price walk-up fares at the station.
Can I reach Valentine's date options by train?
Yes. Many options such as the city breaks are within a short distance of train stations, making travel even easier.
Can I still travel if my original train is delayed or cancelled?
Yes. Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, you’re entitled to take the next reasonable service to complete your journey if your train is delayed or cancelled.
When is the best time to travel for autumn events?
Trains are quieter outside peak hours. Travel early and check return times in advance. Mid-morning departures often offer the best balance between comfort and cost.
How can I reduce my carbon footprint when travelling?
Travelling by train produces far fewer CO₂ emissions than driving. Visiting autumn events by rail helps reduce congestion and environmental impact while supporting sustainable tourism across the UK.
Do I need to print my train tickets?
No. Most tickets are available as e-tickets you can store on your phone. You can also collect them from a station machine with your booking reference if you prefer a paper copy.