Leadenhall Market will be celebrating Valentine’s with a series of specially curated romantic walking tours, poetry soundscapes and creative workshop dates. The Market’s wide selection of restaurants, bars and cafés will also be available to experience over the Valentine’s weekend.
On Saturday 14 February, Valentine’s walking tours will be led by City of London Guides through Leadenhall Market. Running at 11am and 2pm, the limited-edition walks will explore stories of love and romance from across the centuries, including tales of historic love potions and the story of one memorable former resident, a lovestruck goose said to have once ruled the Market’s passageways. Tickets can be booked online now.
For couples preferring to explore at their own pace, Leadenhall Love is a romantic self-guided walk through Leadenhall available via the ECHOES Soundwalks app. As visitors move through the Market, poems on the theme of love are automatically triggered, featuring works by writers including Robert Burns, Christina Rossetti and Shakespeare. The poems were selected to highlight Leadenhall’s 700 year history and are read by members of the Market community.
Lovers wanting a grab and go snack for their walk can visit Leadenhall Market’s Bibimbap, Baba Ganoush, or Chango Empanadas for delicious Mediterranean falafel, Korean dishes, and Mexican empanadas. Leadenhall Market also offer a selection of free self-guided walks of the City via its website.
For those planning a romantic evening meal after their walk, Leadenhall Market’s Luc’s Brasserie will be opening especially on Valentine’s Day, serving classic French dishes and char-grilled steaks with views across the Market’s grand atrium. Argentinian Grill offers prime Argentine beef cooked over an authentic charcoal grill, while La Viña provides a lively setting for tapas and Spanish dishes, alongside wines, sangrias and cocktails.
Alongside its restaurants, Leadenhall Market is home to several spots well suited to casual dates. These include Buns From Home for freshly baked pastries, Boom Bap Burger for an impressive draft beer list and delicious food, and Chango Empanadas, Baba Ganoush and Sfrigola for quick and comforting bites. Traditional pubs and bars such as The Lamb Tavern, The Golden Goose and Oriani offer relaxed settings for drinks, while the independent, family-owned drinks specialist Amathus is a convenient stop for picking up a bottle for a special someone.
Within the week ahead of Valentine’s Day visitors to the Market can take part in a programme of Valentine’s and Galentine’s creative workshops hosted by SoLo Craft Fair Shop, designed for couples, friends and small groups. Sessions include watercolour card designing (10 Feb), tea blending (11 Feb) and embroidered Valentine’s decorations (12 Feb), with many workshops free or under £8 and available to book online now.
With its grand Victorian architecture, Leadenhall Market provides a memorable backdrop for Valentine’s Day, from daytime exploring to an evening meal in the heart of the City.
Leadenhall Market is owned and managed by The City of London Corporation.
