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Why not change the habit of a lifetime this year and forgo the oversized cuddly toy and mass-produced Valentine’s card for some real quality time with loved ones.

Take a romantic walk and discover breathtaking landscapes, enjoy a delicious meal in inspiring surroundings or simply have some fun on one of the National Trust’s special Valentine’s events that are taking place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Here’s an assortment of romantic events to rival any box of chocolates.

Polesden Lacey, Surrey

Valentine's Dinner Dance, 12 February 8pm - 11.45pm

King George VI and our late Queen Mother spent their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey and that fine sense of romance will be recreated with a sumptuous dinner for two in the Courtyard Restaurant. Then, dance the night away to wonderful live music.

All tickets £40.

Booking essential please call 01372 452048.

Saltram, Devon

Valentine’s Dinner, 12 February 7.30pm - 10pm

Enjoy a sumptuous three-course meal in the Park Restaurant, surrounded by centuries of sophistication and extravagance on the estate. The sound of romantic music from Cupid’s harpist, Peter Fisher, will fill the room throughout the evening.

All tickets £25.50.

Booking essential please call 01752 333523.

Chartwell, Kent

Valentine’s Dinner and Jazz at Chartwell, 12 February 7.30pm – 11pm

Spoil a loved one with a sumptuous three-course dinner at the home of Sir Winston Churchill and his wife. Enjoy dinner in the Mulberry Room with a glass of bucks fizz on arrival and rounded off perfectly by coffee with heart-shaped chocolates. Guests will be serenaded with soft jazz music and tables will be decorated in style.

All tickets £35.
Booking is essential for this event, please call 01732 861161.

Gibside, Tyne & Wear

Gibside in Love weekend, 12-13 February 11am – 3pm (tour at 1pm)

Leave the crowds behind for a wander around Gibside's top romantic viewpoints or join a special guided tour recounting the dramatic love life and marriage of Gibside's most famous lady, Mary Eleanor Bowes.

Normal admission charges apply.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01207 541820.

Ightham Mote, Kent

Valentine’s Dinner, 12 and 14 February 7pm – 10pm

Treat yourself and a loved one to a romantic evening in the Mote Restaurant of this medieval manor house. Guest will be given a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, followed by a mouth watering three-course meal.

All tickets £35.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 01732 811314.

Ilam Park and South Peak Estate, Derbyshire

Valentine's picnic with the one you love, 13 February 11am – 3pm

Spend the day with the one you love at Ilam Park and enjoy one of the estate’s romantic picnic hampers – with delicious food and drink for two.

£15 per hamper.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 01433 670368.

Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens, Anglesey

Valentine’s walk, 13 February 11am – 4pm

Enjoy a romantic walk in the gardens with breathtaking views of the Menai Strait, then head indoors for a warming cream tea in Whistler’s restaurant.

Normal admission charges apply, plus an additional charge for cream tea.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01248 714795.

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Lovers’ Lunch, 13 February 11.30am – 2.30pm

Treat a loved one to a tasty chocolate themed two-course lunch in the Terrace Room, followed by a romantic stroll around the evocative castle and grounds.

All tickets £22 (including castle entrance and parking).

Booking is essential for this event, please call 01580 830074.

The Courts Garden, Wiltshire

Willow heart workshop, 13 February 11am – 3pm

Make a loved one feel extra special this Valentine's Day and treat them to a unique and natural hand-made gift. Join a member of the garden team to create a love heart made from willow and then decorate it with ribbons.

Normal admission charges apply, plus an additional £2 per item plus and up to £5 for materials.

Booking is not required for this event. This is a drop-in event.

For more information please call 01225 782875.

Avebury, Wiltshire

Anti-lovers' walk, 13 February 10.30am – 12.30pm

Let walking boots and bracing winds put all thoughts of love hearts, flowers and chocolate aside. There will be stops to look at carpets of snowdrops and to drink hot chocolate along the way.

Normal admission charges apply, plus £5 event charge (hot chocolate included).

Booking is essential for this event, please call 01672 539250.

Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

Romantic Ramble, 13 February 11am - 1.30pm

Enjoy a refreshing one hour guided walk around the beautiful deer park with stunning views, followed by a romantic lunch in the Audit Room restaurant to warm the heart.

All tickets £20 (includes walk, roast lunch and dessert).
Booking is essential for this event, please call 01798 342207.

‘Love Bytes’, 13 February 2pm – 3pm

Following rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe, not-for-profit repertory group Castaway will stage a two-part performance of ‘Love Bytes’ in the Servants' Hall of this 17th-century mansion.

Duration 50 minutes.

Normal admission charges apply, no additional event charges.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01798 342207

Stowe Landscape Gardens, Buckinghamshire

Love, passion and deceit at Stowe , 13 February 11.30am – 1.30pm

Discover the stories of love and betrayal in the grand gardens of Stowe on this Valentine's tour. One of the most remarkable creations of Georgian England, the garden boasts over 40 remaining temples and monuments with a dramatic backdrop of lakes and valleys.

Normal admission charges apply, plus £5 event charge (includes a hot drink and home-made biscuit at the end of the walk).

Booking is advisable for this event, for more information please call 01280 822850. Bookings taken Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk

Treat a partner to a romantic dinner in the Old Kitchen of this magnificent moated manor house.

All tickets £29 (booking fee applies to credit card payments).

Booking is essential for this event, please call 01366 328258

Lanhydrock, Cornwall

Love at Lanhydrock, 14 February 7pm – 9pm

Enjoy a romantic Valentine's supper in the historic restaurant of this beautiful country house and estate.

All tickets £29.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 01208 265951.

Mount Stewart, Co Down

Love is in the air, 14 February 7pm
Enjoy a romantic Valentine’s with a sumptuous three-course dinner for two and a complimentary glass of cava and take in the surroundings of this unique and unusual garden.

All tickets £25.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 028 4278 7807

Cotehele, Cornwall

Valentine’s romantic dinner, 14 February 7pm – 11pm

Set in the romantic atmosphere of the Barn Restaurant, enjoy a sparkling wine upon arrival followed by a three-course dinner lovingly prepared by the chef from fresh local produce.

All tickets £28.50.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 01579 351346.

Overbeck's, Devon

Snuggle up with your Valentine, 14 February 11am - 3pm

Snuggle up with a winter warmer next to a roaring log fire – the perfect way to appreciate each other’s company. Enjoy the spectacular blooms of Overbeck's 100 year old magnolia (weather dependant).

There will also be a special Valentine’s free prize draw, with the opportunity to win a prize worth £50.

Booking is not needed for this event.

Free entry to garden and tearoom (museum closed).

For more information please call 01548 842893.

Events with the children:

For those who will have the children in tow, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained over Valentine’s weekend. Here are a few fun events the whole family can try their hand at:

Stourhead, Wiltshire

Be My Valentine, 12 February 11am – 3.45pm

Valentine’s Day is about having fun, and this drop-in event is perfect for all the family – not to mention the stunning backdrop of world-famous Stourhead. Visitors will have the opportunity to make personal Valentine cards and masks and also decorate the Valentine tree with messages for loved ones.

Normal admission charges apply, no additional event charges.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01747 842012.

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire

Valentine’s family activities, 12-13 February 11am – 3pm

Make cards and special gifts for the loved ones in your life in this spectacular Neo-classical mansion framed by historical parkland.

All materials provided.

Normal admission charges apply, plus additional event charge of £1.50 per child.

Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01332 842191.

Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, North Yorkshire

Valentine’s Art Workshop, 13 February, lunches 11am – 3pm, art 1pm – 3pm

Children can take part in crafty activities to make cards and gifts for their loved ones. Lunch will be served with love in the restaurant of this Georgian mansion.

Normal admission charges apply, plus there will be an additional charge for activities and lunch.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information please call 01904 472027.