How to survive Valentine's Day

Whether you love it or loathe it, you’re coupled up or going solo – avoid clichéd rom coms and packed-out restaurants with our guide to the coolest things to do this Valentines weekend…

Love poetry? Manchester’s Engine House hosts a Love Bites poetry face-off on the trials and tribulations of dating on Friday 11th. Shakespeare it ain’t (luckily)… www.cultureword.org.uk

Love perfume? Instead of holding out for a perfume-shaped gift, take matters into your own hands at The Book Club, London on the 14th. ‘Scratch and Shift’ is like wine tasting with different scents and perfect for an anti-Valentines girlie night. www.scratchandsniffevents.com

Love flowers? Forget single red roses, a man worth his salt should be creating you a bespoke bouquet, no? Give him more than a subtle nudge and book him on a beginners’ course… www.academyofflowers.com

Love art? With 100 different artists to choose from, put your partner in the frame with a portrait of him, or you – or the pair of you together, if you’re really feeling the love… www.commissionaportrait.com

Love food? …And, er...debate? Suka at The Sanderson hosts a ‘Conversation’ menu on the 14th, which draws on the ideas of thinkers past and present covering topics from sex and infidelity to commitment. www.theschooloflife.com

Love culture? Indie favourite The Museum of Everything (which showcases the work of rare artists) mark their final week of exhibitions with a Valentines special. Think all day music (accordions, tubas, human jukeboxes) on Friday 11th and a private view of Pop Goes The Easel directed by Ken Russell. www.museumofeverything.com

Love adventure? Forget sharing a pizza or a pitcher – share a bungee jump! You can take a lover’s leap at various locations across the UK… www.exelement.co.uk

Love comedy? Leicester Comedy Festival brings light relief in the form of comedian Al Grant’s Anti-Valentine show on the Feb 14th or check out comedy burlesque troupe Bam Bam Blue on the 13th. www.comedy-festival.co.uk

PICK THE MOST LUXURIOUS LINGERIE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY