Romance your loved one in Shakespeare Country
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Shakespeare Country with a host of romantic inspired ideas.
Romance your loved one by booking into a luxury country house hotel, enjoy champagne teas, sonnets and love scenes, river cruises and romantic haunted pub walks or simply relax over a romantic candle-lit dinner in one of the areas many beautiful and historic buildings.
Experience a weekend of Shakespearean romance, Tudor traditions of courtship and expressions of love at the Shakespeare Houses and Gardens from 12 – 14 February. Bring your sweetheart to Shakespeare’s Birthplace and hear sonnets and love scenes performed by Shakespeare Aloud! At Nash’s House & New Place hang your favourite love quote on the tree for all to see and dedicate it to a loved one. Enjoy the Essence of Love with wine and preserve tasting at Hall’s Croft. At Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, experience Tudor courtship and hand-fasting rituals.
Enjoy a romantic cruise and delicious 4-course meal along the picturesque River Avon with the Countess of Evesham, a popular 70 ft restaurant cruiser. The cruise, which takes 3.5 hours, is the perfect way to take in the delights of Stratford-upon-Avon from the river.
Fall in love with nature at the Stratford Butterfly Farm with an array of beautiful butterflies, insects, giant millipedes and snails over Valentines weekend. Learn all about 'Animal attraction' from an animals perspective - how to attract a mate and what to do when you have. Hear tips taken from a praying mantis and tarantula on how to be romantic! The gift shop also boasts a stunning selection of jewellery, perfect for that special Valentines gift.
Join fearless ghost hunters at the haunted Falstaff Experience from 11 - 14 February with a romantic haunted pub walk of Stratford, ghost tours by lantern-light within the building and overnight ghost hunts with a rose for every lady. The pub walk will retell the loves and life of Stratford’s residents, including William Shakespeare. Ghost tours and overnight ghost hunts are on offer for braver couples with the haunted pub walk taking place on 11 February, lantern-lit ghost tours on 12, 13, & 14 February and the ghost hunt on 12 February.
Looking for the perfect place to propose or hold a fairytale wedding then Warwick Castle provides the perfect backdrop and the Peacock Garden makes a beautiful, tranquil location for drinks and canapés. The magnificent Great Hall and State Dining Room are available for wedding receptions. The Castle now has a civil wedding license for many of their grand and beautiful rooms. A mediaeval banquet option is on offer with court jesters and a mediaeval hand-fasting ceremony for those looking to recreate the magic of old-fashioned romance.
Kenilworth Castle is the setting of one of history's most enduring love stories – that of Elizabeth I and her favourite Lord Robert Dudley. Explore the fairytale setting of Kenilworth and spend the most romantic day of the year amongst its ruins. Stroll around the re-created Elizabethan Garden and soak up the scents and sounds of this wonderful pleasure garden as Elizabeth I would have done over 400 years ago.
Looking for inspiration for a romantic gift this Valentine’s Day, then why not book a luxurious Champagne tea or Sunday lunch at Blenheim Palace? Champagne teas are served in the Indian Room overlooking the Water Terraces and include mini pastries, cakes, scones and Cornish clotted cream, finger sandwiches and two glasses of Champagne. Enjoy a 3-course Sunday lunch served in the Orangery with a live musician. Whilst visiting enjoy a special exhibition ‘Gladys Deacon – An Eccentric Duchess’ from 12 February – 25 March.
Compton Verney provides a stunning setting for proposals, weddings and receptions. From the most intimate ceremony and reception to a lavish mansion house affair with perfect photographic backdrops, Compton Verney is perfect. The Adam Hall, with its marble floor, ornate ceiling and fresh, white decoration, is perfect for a civil ceremony, wedding breakfast for up to 100 guests or reception drinks and photographs in the lakeside marquee.
For all romantic Sci-Fi fans, the Heritage Motor Centre is hosting ‘Sci-Fi at the Movies’, where you can see original artefacts, replica models and costumes from legendary past and present Science Fiction movies. This unique exhibition, which runs from 19 February – 4 September, will showcase some of the most popular and iconic superheroes and villains from films such as Star Wars, E.T. Harry Potter, Aliens, Batman, Spiderman and Superman.
Treat the love of your life to a day or weekend away in the most iconic British sportscar of the last half century with The Open Road. This year the Jaguar E-Type, which Enzo Ferrari described as “the most beautiful car ever made”, is celebrating its 50th birthday. A gift voucher is the ideal way to treat your loved one on Valentine’s Day while giving them the option of taking out the iconic car when the weather improves in the spring or summer.
Spend Valentine’s Day watching one of the most romantic comedies - When Harry met Sally at the Royal Spa Centre. Performances start at 2pm on Sunday 13 February and 8pm on Monday 14 February and cost just £5 per person.
Romance your loved one at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick with the arrival of snowdrops. Enjoy an enchanting display of snowdrops and garden walks on 19 & 20 February whilst on 19 February there will be a talk on ‘Snowdrops and Spring Flowers’ by John Williams. Snowdrops and other winter bulbs and plants will be on sale plus coffee, cakes and teacakes will be available in the Visitor Centre.
For those seeking a competitive thrill, Mr Karting is offering two people a 15 minute ‘arrive and drive’ session for just £20. Plus the fastest female driver of the day/night will win a bottle of Champagne!
Enjoy a host of romantic meals and overnight stays in some of Shakespeare Country’s finest hotels and eateries. Experience the ultimate romantic break at The Arden Hotel in Stratford from 11 - 14 February with chocolates, flowers, overnight stay, Champagne and a 3-course dinner with breakfast in the morning. A one night break costs from £205 per room and a 2 night break from £374 per room. Or treat your loved one to a 5-course dinner on 14 February for £40 per person.
The Mallory Court, Warwickshire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant is offering a romantic celebration on 14 February with Champagne, a 4-course gourmet meal and box of chocolates. Lunch in the restaurant costs £49.50 per person or £29.50 in the brasserie or dinner in the restaurant at £69.50 or £40 in the brasserie.
Treat your loved one to a special romantic day in the luxury Spa on 14 February at the Menzies Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon with one of their specially tailored treatment packages from just £35.
The Kings Court Hotel in Kings Coughton is offering a Valentines Black Tie Ball on 12 February with a 3-course meal, glass of bubbly and live band for £30 per person. Or enjoy a 3-course candlelit dinner, coffee and chocolates for £25 per person on 14 February.
Take a special one or two night romantic break at The Stratford Manor Hotel with dinner, bed and breakfast from £165 per couple for one night or from £280 per couple for two nights. The offer includes Champagne, Belgian chocolates, his & her Spa voucher to the value of £10 each, evening meal and breakfast in bed.
The Best Western Grosvenor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon is offering a 5-course candle-lit dinner on 12 February for £27.50 per person. Or dance the night away with the resident DJ after a 5-course dinner for £27.50 per person. Stay overnight for £199 per couple which includes a 5-course meal, sparkling wine & chocolates and full English breakfast.
Enjoy a 5-course dinner with canapés & glass of champagne at Wroxall Abbey for £49.95 per person from 11 – 14 February. Or stay overnight in their best room available with a 5-course dinner for two, bottle of Champagne and massage for two for £249 per room.
For accommodation, special offers and more information visit the official website: Shakespeare-Country.co.uk
