Valentine's Day 2010
How to show a loved one they’re really special – in Swindon!
Worse still - Valentine’s Day so-called ‘treats’ like that are surely exactly the opposite of what you are supposed to be trying to achieve on February 14. Surely she or he deserves better... We’re not saying the fancy chocolates and the romantic meal can’t be part of the package, but on their own they are a bit of a cop-out, if you’re honest with yourself - so we’ve come up with some off-beat ideas to perk up your Valentine’s Day this year.
You’ll notice something else that’s different about our ideas. We think it’s time to get away from the idea of Valentine’s Day being about exchanging trivial, over-priced and often pointless gifts, and make it more about sharing – especially as February 14 falls on a Sunday this year and is absolutely crying out to be turned into a day spent together. So here are 14 ideas for you to celebrate the day together - all in and around Swindon, and enough for one a day from the start of the month to the big day... 1 Romance with altitude!
Because the balloon moves with the breeze, it’ll probably be warmer than you think – and anyway, who said you can’t be romantic in scarf and gloves?
There are lots of firms flying over, around and near Swindon, including Head in the Clouds Balloons, Balloning in the Cotswolds and Altitude Balloons.
Alternatively, Virgin Balloons organise a ticket scheme with vouchers that you can redeem with the balloon company of your choice.
2 Stopping over at a hotel
If you think about it, where the hotel is situated is fairly irrelevant as the idea is to turn up the romance - first in the hotel restaurant and then behind closed doors.
The best plan is probably to stay over on the Saturday night, so you wake up there on Valentine’s Day, and then have the rest of the day together too.
Even better is the fact that deals should be easy to come by at hotels on Saturdays because they are less full than during the week, so you’ll have money left over for roses or chocolates.
Check out our Swindon hotel guide, but as smaller venues are sure to be friendlier and cosier, also see Arkell’s guide to their premises that offer accommodation.
3 A day out together
When God created Swindon, He kindly put us within easy reach of some stylish and romantic places – so there are plenty of locations to choose from if you are planning a day out for just the two of you and not just by car. From Swindon station why not take the train to Bath, it's the obvious choice because it’s good for shopping, sightseeing and eating out, and has a naturally romantic atmosphere, but there are countless options for days out that you’ll both enjoy.
Barnes Coaches’ website www.barnestravel.co.uk is a great place for ideas - why not a trip to the theatre?
Sadly, they are running no excursions on the day itself, but there are plenty of others to either get you in a romantic mood or keep you in it.
4 Pampering times two This idea requires that you get over the old-fashioned notion that pampering and/or chilling out is just for women. Men deserve it too – and this Valentine’s Day there are lots of options for enjoying the experience together. Check out our guide to controlling your stress (link below) for a range of ideas.
As well as relaxing together in the hydro pool, sauna, steam room and ‘relaxation suite’, you can also spoil each other by booking ladies’ beauty treatments, male grooming sessions or by picking from the wide range of luxury de-stressing activities on offer, such as ‘experience showers’.
Just the two of you.
It’s cheap, it’s a whole lot of fun – and you’ll certainly end up with an unforgettable experience. Softies could compromise and hire a rowing boat-sized one with a silent electric engine.
Of course, you’ll need some wine or even Champagne for your trip, check out Magnum Wine in Old Town they've gots lots to choose from.
Not just one night, but several. If you’ve watched Strictly Come Dancing and fancied getting off the couch and learning together, then surely there’s no better time to start dancing than in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day! The Barn, which is a ballroom and Latin American school of dancing at Wanborough, will set you on the road to endless romantic nights together that will guarantee Valentine’s Day togetherness all year round.
And if you want to learn another kind of dance together, check out or guide to dance schools
7 A really, really posh meal SwindonWeb features guides to all the best restaurants in town (see below) but if you can’t push the boat out for Valentine’s Day, when can you? Some venues are so special and so posh that it’s not so necessary to visit them on the big day itself for the meal to seem really romantic.
You can revel on real quality and ambience the following Michelin rated and award-winning restaurants
8 Take home something special If you’re thinking of investing in that extra special present for him and her, then you’ve probably already thought about jewellers such as Deacons. But our theme is sharing, so instead of buying each other rings and cufflinks, you could pool your money and take home something to celebrate your partnership and remind you of Valentine’s Day every day of the year, such as a quality clock.
Deacons once supplied the Great Western Railway with clocks, so can provide expert guidance – on clocks and across a wide range of special gifts.
If you haven’t posed for a proper portrait as a couple since your wedding day, then maybe its time to tell the world that you’re still in love. Swindon-based Pixtrix Canvas Prints have a special Valentine's offer, and can produce a range of different styles. Alternatively, get a wedding photographer to snap the two of you together. They are, after all, the experts at producing romantic shots.
Check out our guide to the best wedding photographers in town.
10 Stepping out together
For example, you could have a wander around Stanton Country Park possibly nipping over to Stanton House Hotel afterwards, to take advantage of their special Valentine’s Day menu.
And if you don’t fancy a full-blown meal, just drop in for a cosy Valentine’s tea instead.
11 Let’s get personal Personalised gifts are always special, and there are lots of different ways to say ‘I love you’ (or, better still, ‘We love each other’) with a gift that is literally unique. Perhaps most appropriate for the occasion are personalised champagne bottles from Magnum Wine, but if you think about it, it’s possible to personalise most things, just by taking them to the engraver’s. Vince Ayris produces plaques but can also engrave directly on to glass, crystal and metals.
OK, this one only really works if both of you are football fans, but it’s great to share! It’s a football book all about your favourite club, featuring its history over the last century and filled with contemporary newspaper reports, all beautifully bound. There is a Swindon Town version and others if – God forbid – you happen to support another team!
You can pay extra and personalise it, thus turning it into a Valentine’s gift with both your names on it.
Hiring a tandem is a nice, fun thing to do with your partner – and is something every couple should do together at least once. You won’t actually be able to do it on Valentine’s Day because they don’t re-open until the spring, but you can make a date with Red Planet Bikes.
Because they are based at Lydiard, you will have a romantic ride around the house, park and church to look forward to.
14 Lingerie for him and her Is lingerie God’s gift to men or women? We think it’s both! Buying lingerie is something that couples are increasingly doing together rather than on their own – because the smart people have realised it’s part of the fun. Besides, how else are you going to know what is going to be the most effective, before you buy it?
We recommend visiting the Swindon Designer Outlet where several of the units stock sexy underwear, including a Triumph store where you can not only get in the mood but support local workers at the same time!
Or for those really racey, Ann Summers in the Brunel Shopping Centre we don't think will disappoint!
And.... for those more traditional....
Not forgetting the staple diet of the typical Valentine Day's treat. A meal for two
As Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, you have the option of treating each other to lunch, dinner, supper – or all three!
Alternatively, blokes often prefer a nice pub meal with a couple of pints of real ale, and Arkell’s obviously have a pub to suit every taste.
Chocolate
Personalised chocolate from Thorntons in The Parade is always that little bit more special, but don’t feel like you are restricted to the usual products such as their chocolate message plaque, as they will gladly personalise others.
If she’s on a chocolate-free diet, buy her an inedible chocolate beauty treatment instead! The Thyme Treatment Rooms at West Swindon, do chocolate body wraps.
Check out our guide to florists where they will be able to advise you on the most romantic way of saying it with flowers.
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