Whether you're already a hopeless romantic or want to make a special effort to treat your significant other this Valentine's Day, SoGlos has 11 fantastic ways to celebrate the day of love in 2023 – from luxurious spa trips to amorous arts and craft experiences.
Take your pick from wining and dining your other half, to cuddling up at a romantic film screening, with Gloucestershire offering plenty of lovey-dovey activities for you and your Valentine.
Take a glamping trip in the Forest of Dean
Having recently ranked in the top 5 for the best UK destinations for a couples' getaway, Gloucestershire has plenty of wonderful wintertime options for a cosy glamping trip.
Escape to the countryside with that special someone for a stay in a luxury cabin at The Roost, secluded in the lush woodlands of Mitcheldean in the Forest of Dean. The cabins are adult-only and dog-friendly, with all the amenities needed for an intimately romantic time away.
For more inspiration, see SoGlos's pick of 15 sustainable staycations or 25 of the best camping spots in Gloucestershire.
Propose at The Coconut Tree in Cheltenham
Cheltenham's popular Sri Lankan restaurant is the perfect place to spice up the evening with your special someone – and this year, if that all important question is popped while dining on Tuesday 14 February 2023, you and your partner will receive a free Valentine's Day meal at The Coconut Tree every year onwards, for life!
All you need to do is shake off those nerves, put a ring on it, then celebrate with a selfie posted on Instagram with the tag @TheCoconutTreeUK and you'll be commemorating that special day for free for years to come.
Enjoy painting and prosecco at Paint It Yourself Pottery in Cheltenham
Get arty with your Valentine and paint your own piece of passionate pottery while sipping on a glass of bubbles at Paint It Yourself Pottery in Cheltenham.
With over 400 pre-made pieces to pick from, you don't need Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze's skills on the pottery wheel to let your creativity flourish, with all paints and materials included. Places are £17.50 per person and you will be guided all the way through your painting process by an experienced ceramist. Still secretly hoping that Unchained Melody might be playing in the background though...
Sip on love-struck speciality cocktails at The Ivy in Cheltenham
Treat your loved one to a Heartbreaker on the Rocks or a Passion Berry Martini as you settle in for an evening of wining and dining at The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie in Cheltenham – serving a special set menu for £75 per person, available all day from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 February 2023.
Fit for St Valentine himself, the menu includes sharing dishes like truffle arancini and duck liver parfait; lobster linguine or chargrilled halloumi for the main course; and a sweet raspberry heart mille feuille, consisting of layered white chocolate and puff pastry topped with a warm raspberry sauce, to share.
Enjoy a romantic stay at The Speech House Hotel in the Forest of Dean
The Speech House Hotel in the Forest of Dean is offering a romantic Valentine's package sweet enough to make Cupid swoon – featuring a three-course meal, red rose and a box of chocolates.
Available from Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 February 2023 for £45 per person, menu choices include wild boar tortellini or beetroot cured trout to start; thyme-roasted sirloin of beef for two, served with smoked fondant potato, sprouting broccoli and watercress puree for main; and for dessert, a gooseberry and gin parfait or a cheese board full of fresh local produce.
Indulge in a spa break at Stratton House Hotel and Spa in Cirencester
Relax and unwind in the tranquillity of Cirencester's Stratton House Hotel and Spa, enjoying an overnight stay, a three-course dinner and a 50-minute treatment of your choice with its special Valentine's spa break package.
Treatments include a skin-conditioning and detoxifying mud wrap or a calming Mediterranean marinade facial to make you feel truly pampered. Plus, each guest will have full access to the peaceful spa facilities for three hours of bliss. Prices start from £192 per person.
Valentine's Experience at Tudor Farmhouse in the Forest of Dean
Whisk your Valentine away for a romantic break at Tudor Farmhouse in the Forest of Dean. For two nights, couples can roam the 14 acres of grassland that surround the former working farm, or follow the course of the Wye Valley to the aptly named Lover’s Leap.
Its Valentine’s offer includes a romantic dinner with a five-course tasting menu and a box of locally-made chocolates. with a bottle of Champagne and a dozen red roses to be discovered on arrival. Not to mention a one hour massage to make use of during your stay.
Catch a Valentine's showing of Dirty Dancing at Gloucester Guildhall
Another one for the Patrick Swayze fans out there! Dirty Dancing, the iconic 80s romance, is perfect to get you in the mood for love on Valentine's Day – and it's being shown at Gloucester Guildhall especially for the occasion.
Get transported back to Kellerman's resort and witness Johnny and Baby's epic love story, whether it be for the first time or the hundredth, from 8pm on Tuesday 14 February 2023.
Make a heart-shaped wreath at Daylesford Farm near Kingham
Say it with flowers this Valentine’s Day with a fairy-tale floristry class at Daylesford Farm near Kingham.
Take a guided tour of the organic Cutting Garden, foraging beautiful British blooms and all the natural materials for your masterpiece, before returning to the floristry workshop to create your very own floral arrangement to take home to your sweetheart, with the guidance of an expert floristry tutor.
Have a Champagne afternoon tea at Charingworth Manor in Chipping Campden
For a more traditional affair this Valentine’s Day, cuddle up with an afternoon tea for two at Charingworth Manor in the Cotswolds.
Relish in the romantic atmosphere as you and your partner enjoy a selection of sandwiches, tasty treats and cakes; classic scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream; and some luxurious strawberries dipped in chocolate – all topped off with a glass of Champagne from £39.50 per person.
Or, for the ultimate indulgence, opt for the romance package which includes a luxurious overnight stay, candlelit dinner and a full breakfast the next morning – available from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 February 2023.
Take your dog for a gourmet doggy dinner at Lower Mill Estate near Cirencester
Want to show your four-legged friend even more love this Valentine's Day? The exclusive-use Ballihoo restaurant on Lower Mill Estate is offering a doggy dining experience for holidaymakers to treat their pups to something tasty.
Featuring meals for even the pickiest of pooches, the dog-friendly menu includes plates of beef, spinach and cinnamon; salmon, red peppers and kidney beans; or a veggie option of courgette, carrots and lentils. Finish the meal off with a scoop of dog-friendly ice cream to keep tails wagging!
