Love is in the air in Bristol

It’s the season for red roses, teddy bears and heart-shaped chocolates, but before booking that table for two at your nearest Italian restaurant, why not treat your loved one to something unique this Valentine’s Day?

How about adopting a love bug for the one you love or get your heart racing with a Valentine’s cycle ride. This year, Bristol is the city to woo the one you love.

Culture

Couples who crave culture should head to Bristol’s City Museum and Art Gallery where the National Gallery touring exhibition ‘Love’ will be housed from 19th January – 6 April.

Comprising works of art from the 15th century to the present day - from Raphael to Tracy Emin - the exhibition explores how artists have represented this most powerful of emotions.

But if music is more your food of love; come and enjoy a night at the opera. The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra will be joining the Bristol Choral Society at Bristol’s Colston Hall on Valentine’s Day for an evening of some of the world’s best loved operatic arias and choruses.

And why not dedicate a song to your loved one and see your romantic gesture come alive as part of an innovative performance piece on Valentine’s Day at the Arnolfini, in the heart of the City’s harbourside area.

Prior to the show, theatre company Uninvited Guests, asks for musical dedications and the meaning behind them; they will then do their best to include them sharing the acts of love with the whole audience.

Really Wild

For a Valentine’s Day with a difference, why not adopt an animal for your partner? With more than 400 animal species to choose from at Bristol Zoo Gardens, their favourite is sure to be there. Why say ‘I love you’ with flowers when you can say it with a monkey, a love bird or even a love beetle?

Food and Drink

Bristol is renowned for its array of quality restaurants many of which will be offering special packages on Valentine’s Day. Two of the most romantic are located in the heart of Bristol's historic dock – Severn Shed and Riverstation.

Set on the banks of the City's floating harbour, both restaurants provide an ideal location for a special meal. Housed in a former boathouse designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Severnshed offers a laid back yet luxurious dining experience whereas next door, Riverstation’s glass and steel exterior ensures that this former police station makes a strong visual statement with high quality food to match.

If it’s views you are after, then the sight of the illuminated Clifton Suspension Bridge is hard to beat, and the Bridge Café at Avon Gorge Hotel offers a relaxed atmosphere with superb food.

Get Active

For the active among us, Carefree Cycling Tours has organised a romantic -themed 10 mile ride designed to bring people together for a virtually traffic free signed route along the river Avon.

So, if you are looking to meet that special someone or pedal along in harmony with your partner, then head down to the starting point of the ride at The Pump House in Hotwells at 10am on 16th February after registering at Carefreecyclingtours.co.uk.

For more information on the above events and to find out what else is happening in Bristol for Valentine’s Day, visit Visitbristol.co.uk.