Romance and half term fun in Shakespeare Country
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Shakespeare Country and combine with a short break during half term (11 – 19 February). Romance your loved one by booking into a luxury country house hotel, enjoy champagne teas, sonnets and love scenes and romantic haunted pub walks or simply relax over a romantic candle-lit dinner in one of the areas many beautiful and historic buildings. As this is a Leap Year, Ladies can propose marriage at one of many romantic locations on 29 February.
Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage for a declaration of love on the 14 and 18 February. The new heart-shaped Lavender maze is the romantic setting for a unique Valentine’s experience. For just £5 you can proclaim your love or even propose marriage with a glass of bubbly, a sonnet recital and commemorative photograph. During half term discover the floral symbolism and language of love in Shakespeare's plays and visit the new maze.
Warwick Castle is offering loved-up lasses the chance to pop the big question on Leap Day, with a new proposal package for only £29.02 per person. Legend has it that in fifth century Ireland, St Bridget complained to St Patrick that men were taking too long to propose marriage and he decreed that once every 4 years – on 29 February women were permitted to ask the question. The package includes the choice of proposing at one of the site’s most romantic spots – The Mound or The Waterwheel; a glass of champagne each; and two daytime admission tickets. For an additional £10 loved-up lasses can propose in Merlin: The Dragon Tower or The Castle Dungeon. During half-term visitors have the opportunity to discover and experience the battle and survival techniques that have put the Grrrr into Great Britain through history. Book now online to save 20% off ticket prices!
The Royal Shakespeare Company is hosting a production of The Taming of the Shrew from 19 January – 18 February at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Shakespeare’s romantic comedy offers a searing critique of the sometimes cynical business of marriage in this sharp study of sexual politics. Enjoy a romantic evening at the Rooftop Restaurant and Bar which boasts stunning panoramic views of Shakespeare's home town, the River Avon and surrounding countryside. A delicious 3 course meal with a glass of multi award-winning Ridgeview Grosvenor Blanc de Blancs '07 on arrival and a special Shakespearean treat is available for £32.50 per head. The offer is available from 7.30pm on Saturday 11 February and Tuesday 14 February 2012 only.
If you enjoy a cozy pub and tales of tragic loves then begin your Valentines celebrations with the Dashing Jack Pub Ghost Tour with The Falstaff Experience on Friday 10 February. Jack will lead you around Stratford, spinning spine chilling tales. So cuddle with your loved one and let Jack lead you safely to 3 of the most haunted pubs. Starts at 8pm and costs £17.50 per person including 3 drinks and a rose for the ladies. On 11 February let The Bard take you and your loved one on a romantic walking tour of Stratford. Ideal for lovers to cuddle and hold hands as Shakespeare guides them round his home town. Starts at 12:15pm and costs £5.50 per person. Alternatively couples that enjoy holding tight to one another will enjoy the Lantern Lit Ghost Tour of the Falstaff Experience museum. Tours are at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm & 9pm and cost £7.50 per person.
Enjoy a special Valentine's ghost tour of Kenilworth Castle and the Gatehouse on Friday 17 February at 8pm & 9pm. Kenilworth Castle is one of England's most romantic ruined castles, but not all lovers who lived there had a happy existence. Learn about their lives and deaths. The Family Fun trail takes place every day during half term from 10am - 4pm when junior investigators can help crack clues and solve a mystery to earn a prize.
If you are thinking of somewhere romantic to pop the question then visit the UKs largest butterfly paradise at the Stratford Butterfly Farm. Walk with your loved one through a tropical paradise with hundreds of stunning butterflies flying around you. The Farm will be running its popular Jungle Explorers Club with handling sessions at 11am and 1:30pm each day during half term. Plus visitors can see the Farm’s latest new arrivals - two new Iguanas called Bonnie and Clyde!
Celebrate Valentine's Day with a visit to the snowdrop display at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick on the 18 & 19 February. Enjoy a large indoor display in the visitor centre and more snowdrops out in the restored Victorian gardens. A wide variety of snowdrop plants will be on sale as well as other spring plants. On 16 February children will have the chance to explore the 16 Victorian gardens and see signs of new life indicating spring is on its way! Plus there’s a choice of two workshops with plenty of craft activities for younger children.
If you love cars or the love of your life loves speed then a visit to the Heritage Motor Centre is a must. The Centre is set to host an exciting new exhibition entitled “Motoring Record Breakers” from 11 February – 2 September and will present the best of motoring record breakers including some of the fastest British cars, the slowest, smallest, most economical and the more wacky record breakers. Families can also enjoy a special half term 'Record Breaking' fun week with a themed quiz and trail plus a free family craft day on 16 February.
Hatton Country World will be hosting its ever popular February Frolics during half term. As well as the usual activities, 50 pregnant ewes are planned to give birth that week in the lambing marquee carefully monitored by the Farm Manager and Shepherd. Little Bo Peep will also make an appearance and in case of rain the JCB Young Drivers Zone will be under cover along with the Farmyard Favourites and huge indoor soft play area.
Following an introductory talk from the experts at the National Herb Centre, visitors will have the opportunity to handle some of the mini-beasts, such as Archie the Cornsnake and Baldrick the bull frog on 15 February at 11:30am.
There are plenty of half term activities taking place at The Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry. Bring the family along to create a fantastical new Coventry cityscape with artist Jim Morris on 13 February. Using images of Coventry's buildings, oil pastels and plenty of creativity, make a 2D collage of Coventry's skyline on 16 February. Design and build your very own spire complete with windows, embellishments and ornate decorations on 17 February.
On 17 February at St John’s House Museum in Warwick learn about one of the past residents of St John’s House, Eugenia Stoughton-Money, famous for not washing and having lots of cats. See how many of her cats you can find and make your own!
Drayton Manor Theme Park is ready to welcome families for a week of half-term fun, laughter and adventure. From 10 - 20 February, a number of Drayton Manor’s most popular attractions will be open, including Thomas Land™, the 15-acre zoo, Ben 10: Ultimate Mission roller coaster and the 4D Cinema. Plus Drayton Manor Zoo has more than 100 animal species including big cats, monkeys and primates, as well as penguins and reptiles.
Visit Sulgrave Manor during half term and take the children’s tour to discover how the Washington children lived and played at the Manor in Tudor times. Plus there’s activities, games, trails and the February Challenge to find the ‘animal tracks’!
The Menzies Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon is offering a specially tailored treatment package in its luxury Spa from £35 per person on 14 February.
Treat someone special to the ultimate romantic celebration at Mallory Court on the 14 February with Champagne on arrival, a fabulous 4 course gourmet meal and box of chocolates. Main Restaurant: lunch £49.50 per person, dinner £65 per person; Brasserie: lunch £29.50 per person, dinner £40 per person. Or treat yourself to an overnight stay with tea and scones, a brisk wintery stroll and a casual dinner in the Brasserie plus a full English breakfast. 1 night stay from £179 per room. Includes tea, scones, dinner up to £25 (not including drinks) and breakfast. Available Monday - Friday and valid until the end of March.
Enjoy a Champagne & canapé reception at The Kings Hotel in Chipping Campden on 11 February with a 3 course menu designed to satisfy the most romantic of souls. Finish off your evening with Cotswold coffee and beautiful petit fours. £37.50 per person.
Treat your loved one to the most romantic of evenings at The Arden Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon on 14 February. Sip a glass of Champagne in front of the fire and then settle down in the Waterside Brassiere to enjoy a gourmet 4 course meal, specially designed by the Head Chef with romance in mind! £45 per person. Stay overnight from £99 per adult per night in a Classic Room to £150 per adult per night in a Feature Room Suite.
Celebrate Valentines with a Michael Buble tribute and dinner at The Ardencote Manor Hotel on 11 February. Enjoy pre-dinner drinks, a delicious 4 course dinner, sounds from the Michael Buble tribute and dance to the Resident DJ until 1am. £34.95 per person. Make a weekend of it and stay the night for only £149.00 per couple!
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a weekend of gourmet food and dining at Ettington Park Hotel. A 2 night weekend break on 10 & 11 February includes a Champagne cream tea, 3 course dinner on Friday evening and a 4 course romantic gourmet dinner on Saturday, traditional breakfast each morning and accommodation in an executive double room for two for £440 per couple. A one night package is available on 14 February from £199 per couple.
Sit down to a special Game & Fish dinner at Wroxall Abbey on 18 February. Enjoy a selection of 7 delicious wines paired with the Chef’s great 7 course menu featuring a choice of game or fish. £59.95 per person for dinner and wine or stay over from only £59.95.
For further information, visit Shakespeare-Country.co.uk.
