This time last year we were in lockdown which obviously cast a shadow over Valentine’s Day, so this year Swindon will be making a very special effort to celebrate the most romantic day of the year in style.
There is nothing like a romantic meal to make Valentine’s Day a date to remember and here are just a few of the Swindon restaurants offering a very special dining experience for February 14th.
Make this Valentine’s extra special at Miller & Carter Steakhouse by treating your loved one to an evening of exquisite dishes and splendour. Fall in love with their decadent three-course Valentine’s menu from £29.95, available all day from Monday 14th to Friday 18th February. Make it an unforgettable evening with a luxurious glass of Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne for £9 or enjoy a bottle exclusively to yourselves for £45! millerandcarter.co.uk
The ever-popular Fabio Restaurant in Old Town is offering a lovable 3 course meal at £22.95 per person. For starters the Zuppa Afrodisiaca (rich spicy tomato soup) sounds like the perfect recipe for lovers! fabioswindon.co.uk
Harper's Steakhouse at the Weighbridge offers its trademark great steaks plus romantic sharing platters and is also extending its weekly offer on cocktails (usually available from 3pm - 7pm) to all evening so you can really make a night of it. They’ll be mixing up delights such as Kir Royale, dark cherry Bellini and Passion fruit martinis to tickle your tastebuds. harperssteakhouse.co.uk
Alternatively, why not treat your loved one to a delicious Mediterranean treat at Greek Olive in Faringdon Road where they are offering a Grecian Valentine’s lunch at just £11.95. It’s cosy and it’s authentic. thegreekolive.co.uk
The Runner on Wootton Bassett Road is one of the friendliest pubs in Swindon and is offering a special Valentine’s menu from Saturday 12th February through to Monday 14th, two courses £17.95, three courses £22.95. Both the rump steak and the salmon hollandaise promise great things. runninghorsepub.co.uk
For a fine dining experience head to the beautiful Chiseldon House Hotel. For £80 per couple enjoy special dishes like wild salmon ravioli, slow braised feather steak or herb crusted hake fillet. And if you fancy staying over, stay in one of their 21 luxury en-suite rooms. chiseldonhouse.com
Equally luxurious is the Valentine’s three-course flame meal at Blunsdon House Hotel at £35 per person. For fish lovers there is torched mackerel or smoked haddock gratinée for starters while the carnivores among us will love the 8oz Hereford cross Aberdeen angus sirloin steak. For dessert, Passion fruit mille-feuille sounds like the smart choice for romantics. And the hotel is set in 30 acres of beautifully maintained grounds with views of the Cotswolds. blunsdonhouse.co.uk
Last but not least, Lamaya Lebanese Kitchen & Bar in Regent Circus is offering a more exotic Valentine’s set menu at £39.99 per person, including a lovingly designed shared platter, sea bass and a lush sounding chocolate date cake. lamayarestaurants.co.uk
Of course, wining and dining is one thing, but Valentine’s wouldn’t be Valentine’s without a romantic gift. Old Town in Swindon is definitely the neighbourhood to head to for extra special gifts.
Deacons Jewellers in Wood Street has been the place to go for romantic gifts in Swindon since 1848 and whether it’s diamonds, bracelets, earrings, necklaces or pearl jewellery for the ladies or luxury watches like Rolex for the gents, it still offers the wow factor. deacons-jewellers.com
Kapada Vintage in Devizes Road is Swindon’s go-to destination for vintage clothes but also has a wider range of gift ideas including candles, wax melts and herb garden soap. kapadavintage.co.uk
Oink Gallery in Victoria Road is a treasure chest of contemporary art, quirky ornaments, funky lighting and designer books. oinkgallery.co.uk
Luckily, some of the best things in life are still free and unaffected by pandemics and inflation, and when it comes to romantic walks, Swindon and its surrounding area has a stunning array of beautiful green spaces to rival any town in the UK, from beautiful Victorian parks in and around the town to the Ridgeway, Britain’s oldest road. visitswindon.org.uk/days-out/green-day-out
Add to that our stately home gardens, wildlife reserves and areas of outstanding natural beauty – this really is a place to explore and seal it with a kiss.