Valentine's in the Dean Wye

Love is in the air in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, not just for our gorgeous landscapes and spectacular views but for Valentine's Day! Explore our guide to the best experiences, days out, gifts and meals to enjoy with a loved one this Valentine's:

Eating Out: Romantic Dining and One-Off Tasting Menus

The Barn at Severn & Wye Smokery are hosting a special Valentine’s Tasting Menu, for one night only on Saturday 12th February 2022. Known for their exceptional range of seafood, on the menu for this occasion there's Cornish turbot and their famous smoked salmon. You'll also find an excellent vegetarian menu and with seven courses it's sure to be a very memorable dining experience in their stunning modern barn restaurant. Booking in advance is a must.

The Speech House Hotel are offering a 3-course Valentine’s menu on Saturday 12th and Monday 14th February 2022, in the historic and iconic Verderers’ Court Restaurant, including a red rose and handmade chocolates with the price.

The Red Hart Inn at Blaisdon have a one-off Valentine's evening menu including a wide range of local produce such as sirloin steak and lamb.

Join Taurus Crafts in Lydney for a Cupid's Feast, with a choice of dishes from their three-course menu including a bottle of wine on Saturday 12th February 2022.

Fancy eating in instead? Forest Deli in Coleford have created a three-course Italian inspired menu to take away, including antipasti, meatballs and a choice of desserts. It's for collection only from Forest Deli on Monday 14th February and needs to be ordered by 5pm on Friday 11th February.

Unique Valentine's Gifts Ideas from Our Local Businesses

Buy something completely unique for your special someone this Valentine's Day with our massive Forest of Dean and Wye Valley online gift guide. It contains everything you need to help you choose a gift from our brilliant local businesses but here are a few of our ideas especially created for Valentine's Day:

A hamper full of delicious goodies is available from many of our farm shops and delis, some including with delivery.

Forest Deli in Coleford even allow you to build your own! Gin and cheese? Done! Chocolate and wine? Done! Or choose one of their ready made hampers, with heart shaped baskets and trays and a massive range of food, drink, treats and gifts available. Free local delivery or choose a courier delivery to anywhere in the UK.

Our local food and drink producers are also great options for a Valentine's present with locally made wine, cider, beer, gin, meat and cheese on offer.

Looking for something handmade and fair trade? Look no further than the creative pieces made by the team at Taurus Crafts. Their online shop has a wide range of handcrafted items and beautiful makes.

Hand made chocolates are available in the Forest of Dean from The Chocolate Bar in Lydney with home delivery. Their range includes a special box of Valentine's hearts filled with luxurious ganache (hint hint other half, not the same old stuff this year please!).

For more ideas see our online gift guide here, with everything from food and drink to arts and crafts, wellbeing to adventure and weekends away to unique one off pieces of art.

Couples Experiences for a Valentine's Day With a Difference

Join Harts Barn Cookery School for a fun Valentine's chocolate making workshop on Sunday 13th February 2022. During the two hour experience you will learn about tempering and make a range of heart shaped chocolates and decorated chocolates, also allowing you to take your creations away with you to enjoy later.

Make a mosaic love heart: join Rachel Shilston - Inspiring Creativity for a romantic Valentine's Mosaic Heart Making Class on Monday 14th February 2022. Why not join together as a couple and make a mosaic heart together for a great fun crafting experience together. Rachel's at home mosaic kits make great gifts too and you can even buy a Lovebird Mosaic Kit to gift to your loved on or make for them in advance.

Book a relaxing floatation experience for two at Float in the Forest. Floatation provides a really unique experience in the heart of the Forest of Dean and a couples floatation is even available (in separate tanks).

Or how about a gin making experience? Create your own unique gin recipe, distil it and take it home with you on a make your own gin experience with Silver Circle Distillery in the Wye Valley.

Join Joel Dommett for one night only at The Savoy Theatre in Monmouth on Saturday 12th February 2022 for his Unapologetic (if that's ok?) Off the Kerb tour sure to bring plenty of laughs.

You can enjoy a gentle stroll through the fabulous woods of Puzzlewood this Valentine's as they reopen for the season on Saturday 12th February. Also check out their National Lottery campaign offer which allows two to enter with cream teas for the price of a lottery ticket! Advance booking required.

Overnight Stays for a Romantic Retreat to the Forest

Enjoy a weekend away or an overnight break with our huge range of couples' accommodation ideal for a romantic getaway in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley here.

Or for something extra special why not book a hot tub holiday in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, no matter the weather you can relax in bubbling bliss surrounded by nature and then curl up in front of the logburner for a romantic getaway to remember.