In this article, you'll learn the following:
February - a month of fashion, romance, history and new beginnings. There’s heaps going on so make the most of it by filling your calendar with Valentine’s plans, LGBT+ History Month events, half-term activities and much more across our network.
Foodies - February marks National Pizza Day - we’ve got a plethora of recommendations for places to dine that will leave you spoilt for choice. Fashionistas - London Fashion Week is just around the corner - find out how to get involved in the action!
Here’s your detailed guide to what’s on in February 2025 in London and the South West, including our top-pick spots, and how to get there and save on your fare. Don’t forget to check SWR Rewards before you book your tickets - you can save extra cash on food, hotel stays, theatre tickets and more.
LGBTQ+ History month
All month
LGBTQ+ History Month is an annual month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual trans, and non-binary history, including the history of LGBTQ+ rights and related civil rights movements.
Here are some ways you can celebrate in London and the South West:
Find out how to save on your rail fare when you book with us directly.
National Pizza Day
9 February
Celebrate National Pizza Day, a whole day dedicated to celebrating and eating pizza, in London and the South West.
In London, popular spots include Gordon Ramsey’s Street Pizza, where you’ll get 20% off your bill when you travel with us - choose from its Southwark, Battersea or St. Paul's branches. If you’re looking for a fancier option, head to Fatto a mano Pizza & Beer in Kings Cross, or Rudy’s in Soho.
Some street food markets in London have stalls serving up super tasty pizzas including Borough Market and Mercato Metropolitano.
In Southampton, check out La Tavernetta for relaxed Italian dining, and Piccolo Mondo for authentic Italian pizza - see more Italian restaurants in Southampton.
Franco Manca is a popular spot for an authentic sourdough pizza without the big price tag. There are lots of branches across our network including all around London and in Bournemouth, Kingston, Windsor, Exeter, Guilford, Richmond and Southampton.
Valentine’s Day
14 February
Enjoy unique romantic experiences across our network this Valentine’s Day.
From fun days out, romantic getaways and more, there’s plenty to explore. Our Where Next blog is full of inspiration, but to help make your planning easier, below are some of our top picks for things to do.
Proposing this Valentine’s Day? We’ve rounded up the top places to propose across the region including Tylney Hall Hotel, Wherwell, and Richmond Park.
If you want to do Valentine’s Day on a budget, check out our budget date ideas guide which includes things to do in London, Southampton, Dorset and more.
Dining out? See our guides to the best restaurants in Southampton, London’s tastiest hidden-gem food spots, and British food gems to explore in the South West. Remember, you can save up to 20% on your food bill when you travel with us. Head to our SWR Rewards food and drink page to see all the options.
If you’d rather an activity, the Bombay Sapphire distillery in Overton hosts a Valentine’s cinema night which includes a G&T on arrival and a chocolate dipping sharing platter - find out more.
The Natural History museum is also hosting a Valentines’ event - join its scientists as they delve into love in the animal kingdom.
Celebrating on the weekend? We’ve got plenty of other ideas to help you plan the perfect romantic getaway in the likes of London and Poole.
February Half Term
Credit: Rosie Powell
17-23 February
February half term is just around the corner - there’s plenty to do on our network worth noting suited for all tastes and budgets. Check these out…
Hampshire activities - Visit Hampshire where you’ll find a whole host of things to do including a must-see family attraction - Paultons Park near Southampton. Winchester Science Centre is holding live science shows for half-term. Marwell Zoo has a special half-term event, where kids can Step into the shoes of Agents Kit Casey and Sam Snow from Netflix’s hit series The Creature Cases to solve The Case of the Missing Pebble. In Basingstoke, you could take the kids to its Let's Glow event, where he Top of Town and War Memorial Park will be transformed into a magical wonderland of interactive light installations.
The Southbank - There are few places as bustling and loaded with fun family activities as London’s Waterloo Southbank, from catching a film at the BFI Imax to racing down the Thames on a speedboat and more. Take a look at the Imagine Festival at South Bank Centre - there’ll be performances, art and free fun for children. For more inspiration see this dedicated guide.
There’s loads more to do - you could also visit Kew Gardens, SEA LIFE centre in London (get 1/3 off with SWR Rewards), and LEGOLAND® (get 1/3 off with SWR Rewards).
If you’re looking to extend a day trip, our top South West staycations and 48 hours in London guides are worth a look in.
London Fashion Week
20-24 February
London Fashion Week (LFW) is returning this February. The bi-annual event showcases menswear and womenswear from top British designers.
The main hub of activity is usually held at Somerset House, 180 The Strand, London, with various shows held at different locations across the British Capital.
The shows are invite-only, but that doesn’t mean you can’t immerse yourself into the fashion world while it’s on. There are still some public workshops and shows dotted around the city. Fashion Week Online usually details these on its website.
LFW hubs won’t be more than a short tube or bus ride away from London Waterloo.
The Six Nations
Not got tickets to a Twickenham game? Catch all the Six Nations action in London. In addition to heaps of sports bars across the capital showing the games, some bigger venues will have the games showing on a big screen. Around the corner from Waterloo, head to Flat Iron Square for a stadium-style atmosphere. You could also try Box Park, or Vinegar Yard.
BFI Future Film Festival
20 Feb - 6 March
This one’s a festival for aspiring young filmmakers who need a career boost.
Learn from people already working in the industry, including leading experts and practitioners. Plus, network with other young filmmakers.
There’ll be panels, masterclasses, discussions, interviews and more. Book your tickets.
Plan your travel with South Western Railway
Now you’ve filled your February calendar, it’s time to plan your travel. Find cheap train tickets by travelling off-peak and enjoy further discounts with a Railcard. If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave.
We’ll catch you next month with ideas for what to do across our network in March!
