Couple celebrating Valentine's Day with champagne glasses in hot tub at Ringwood Hall Hotel and Spa

Love is all around this Valentine’s weekend in Chesterfield

By Alex Baddley - 26 January 2026

This year, Valentine’s Day lands on a weekend, which means more time to spend together, away from the weekday routines. Whether that’s with a partner, friends, family, or someone you enjoy being around, it’s the shared moments that mean the most.

Make memories together by trying something new, visiting somewhere you’ve never been before, or simply planning a little bit of fun. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about big gestures.

Discover eight ideas to help you make the most out of your Valentine’s weekend.

1. Live music

If live music is your thing, experience The Illegal Eagles at the Winding Wheel Theatre on Friday. They bring a night of classic hits in celebration of 30 years on the road. The following evening, the Winding Wheel presents a tribute to one of the world’s most recognisable voices, Céline Dion, featuring many of her best-loved songs.

Real Time Live brings a night of classic rock on Friday, followed by a Download Festival party on Saturday.

Or combine live music with two for £15 cocktails at Barca Bar, Casa Hotel, with Alex Wallhead, on Friday and Jayrar on Saturday, both from 6:30 pm.

2. Dining out

Brunch

Ninety-Four offers a standout brunch menu, with French toast Valentine’s specials ‘I love you berry much’ with Acai, coconut flakes, toasted almonds, chia seeds, banana chips and fresh berries and ‘Marry me Chicken’ with pulled chicken in a creamy tomato marry me sauce with sundried tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh . They now open Friday and Saturday evenings too, offering upmarket sharing plates.

Alternatively, head into our town centre to Bottle & Thyme. This cosy spot serves fresh, seasonal dishes with a creative edge or try their signature Turkish Eggs.

For a more relaxed setting, Sorbo Lounge is colourful, family-friendly, and dog-friendly too. Their Sunshine Brunch puts a fresh spin on all-day brunch favourites, making it an easy choice for a laid-back morning.

Make a weekend of it with Casa Hotel’s Bottomless Brunch. Enjoy sharing platters of charcuterie and tapas in Barça Bar, complemented by 90 minutes of bottomless Prosecco, Estrella Damm, or cocktails, spritzes and soft drinks. Extend the experience with an overnight stay for two in a deluxe room, followed by breakfast the next morning.

Drinks

If you’re planning an evening out, explore our diverse pubs and bars. Start on Chatsworth Road and taste an exclusive range of flavours at Brampton Brewery, where golden ales and dark stouts ensure every sip tells a story of passion and tradition.

For a livelier atmosphere, head further down the road to Junction Bar to sample their signature cocktails, such as the ‘Cherry Bakewell’ and ‘Junction Juice’. Enjoy live performances from local artists, with DJs taking over on Saturday.

Dinner

Share a special meal with your loved ones at Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa, where the elegant Coach House Restaurant will host a Valentine’s Black Tie Dinner, serving dishes from Grilled seabass fillet with spinach garlic cream to a pork loin steak, with a red wine green peppercorn sauce to make the evening feel extra memorable.

Treat yourself to a relaxed evening at the Red Lion Restaurant, to tuck into an eight‑course tasting menu packed with seasonal flavours – many fresh from their own Walton Lodge Farm Estate. Each course is created to surprise and delight. And if you fancy making it extra special, you can add a wine flight perfectly matched to each dish.

Or visit the Tickled Trout, on the edge of Chesterfield in Barlow, for quality British food and relaxed dining.

Closer to town, Casa’s Cocina Restaurant offers Spanish-inspired sharing dishes that showcase the best of British produce. Share a 16oz Châteaubriand, served with two sides, two indulgent sauces and a bottle of Malbec – perfect for a romantic evening.

For great flavours and warm hospitality in the heart of our town centre, Odyssey Greek Restaurant serves authentic flavours of Greece, with dishes perfect for a romantic date night.

3. Get outdoors

Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with a breath of fresh air and some quality time together. Take a relaxed stroll through Queen’s Park, an ideal spot for families, couples, or a catch-up with a friend, or explore Holmebrook Valley Park for open green spaces, sweeping views across town and a peaceful moment by the lake.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, venture a little further into the Peak District to discover a new scenic spot – ideal for creating memories.

Hardwick Hall hosts St Valentine with themed activities in the Stableyard over the February half term. Find playful trails and crafts inspired by connection, pairs, and love, as well as exploring the garden and hall.

Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground offers a fun family day out too, with friendly animals to meet and spaces to explore together.

Or discover Bolsover Castle for a more thoughtful, quieter Valentine’s outing. The beautifully preserved 17th-century site has richly decorated rooms, painted ceilings and gardens that inspire a sense of history and charm.

Enjoy a relaxed boat trip along the Chesterfield Canal. Departing from Tapton Lock on Saturday, every hour between 11:00 pm and 3:00 pm, enjoy a 40-minute return cruise taking in local wildlife. You could spot moorhens, kingfishers, deer, herons, and even have a go at steering! Tapton Lock Visitor Centre will also be decorated with a ‘love’ theme, welcoming you to stop off for a drink, sandwich, ice cream, and other treats.

4. Take on a challenge

Assess your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills together at Chesterfield Escape Room. Challenge yourselves in an immersive setting while sharing laughs and building memories as you work to solve clues and escape within 60 minutes. It is a lively alternative to a traditional dinner date that gives you a chance to bond in a playful, cooperative way.

Take on a fun, firsthand challenge at The Snake Room Urban Axe Throwing. The team guides you through a safety briefing and basic techniques before you compete to hit bullseyes in a relaxed but exciting environment. Perfect for adventure and a laugh with friends or a bold date idea, you can also grab a drink at the onsite café to celebrate your scores afterwards. Plenty of restaurants along the road, too.

Bring your friends or family to play over six hundred games at Board & Bean – now with free entry.

With a range of difficulty levels and plenty of choice, you could easily spend hours together without realising, making it ideal for groups, couples or families looking to try something a little different over Valentine’s weekend.

Team up or go head-to-head over trading card battles or role-playing adventures at Geeks HQ. Afterwards, browse collectibles and comics, and discover unique custom 3D-printed creations, all while sipping drinks and sharing snacks in this relaxed, late-night setting. Open until 11:00 pm Friday, 9:00 pm Saturday and 6:00 pm Sunday.

5. Get active together

Add a little adventure to your Valentine’s weekend with Iron Age Archery. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced archer, enjoy hands-on sessions and games that bring out your competitive side. It is a unique way to spend time together outdoors.

6. Spend time with local animals

Matlock Farm Park offers plenty of farmyard fun, from meeting, feeding, and petting a wide range of friendly animals to alpaca trekking through the woods.

Visit Adam’s Happy Hens to feed emus, goats, pigs, horses, and free-roaming hens. Or catch a live demonstration such as, cow milking at Chatsworth Farmyard.

7. Relax

Start your weekend on Friday with a magical night of stargazing at Chesterfield Barnett Observatory. From 8:00 pm, share views of planets, stars, and other celestial sights through a large telescope. No need to book, just show up and take a journey through the stars.

Take time just for you at Hotpod Yoga. Their modern studio at Elder Way allows you to recharge, relax, and re-energise your body while calming your mind.

Or treat yourself to a rejuvenating day at Ringwood Hotel and Spa. Experience ‘The Double Indulgence,’ a lavender back, neck and shoulder massage, followed by a customised facial. Alternatively, simply unwind in the vitality pool, saunas, steam room, and relaxation lounges.

8. Get creative

Get creative together at Peel Pottery. Paint ceramics or personalise clay pieces to take home – from mugs and plates to a heart featuring your loved one’s name.

Grab your besties and create a masterpiece on Saturday at Bottle & Thyme with Thirsty Work’s Sip and Paint special Galantine’s event. Enjoy a themed cocktail on arrival, a pre-drawn canvas, all painting materials, and a fully guided painting session. Bond, catch up, and leave feeling inspired.