More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Get hot and steamy this Valentine's Day by cracking open a bottle of bubbly on board the Spa Valley Railway.
The West Kent railway will be running several wine specials - ideal for loved-up couples - on Sunday, February 12.
There's a choice of four trains leaving leaving Tunbridge Wells West throughout the day. Tickets cost £40 for two passengers, which includes a bottle of wine between you.
Wines to choose from include Mondelli Pinot Grogio, Hardys Varietial Chardonnay, Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo and the Blossom Hill White Zinfandel Rosé. Several sparkling wines will also be on offer.
Also available will be cream teas at £4 per person from the bar car.
Spa Valley trains run to Eridge, calling at High Rocks and Groombridge along the way.
The railway will also be running trains all of next week - including Valentine's Day on Tuesday - although there is no service on Monday, February 13.
To book seats or for more details visit spavalleyrailway.co.uk
It’ll be a case of love on the ropes this Valentine’s Day if you choose to head to Go Ape. There are two Go Ape adventure sites in Kent – one at Leeds Castle in Maidstone and the other at Bedgebury Pinetum.
Since Go Ape opened its doors across the country in 2001 there have been 12 engagement proposals – so who knows where a trip in the trees could lead to?
During Valentine’s week, from Monday, February 13 to Friday, February 17, there is a 20% discount for couples. Use the code FEBPR.
To book go to goape.co.uk
If you’d prefer to take a walk on the wild side, how about taking your Valentine to Port Lympne Wild Animal Reserve near Hythe?
Treat your loved one to a delicious five course dinner at the Port Lympne Hotel. Enjoy a glass of bubbly on arrival in the Glyn Philpot bar, before dining in the dramatically decorated restaurant.
Priced at £65 per person, including a beautiful rose, tables are available to book at 6pm or 8pm. For more information and booking, visit aspinallfoundation.org
Why settle for a dozen red roses this Valentine’s Day when you could give the gift that keeps on giving? A lesson on how to grow your own!
Book a place for you and your valentine on the All About Roses workshop at Godinton House and Gardens in Ashford and learn from their expert head gardener. The course costs £55 per person including a homemade lunch and refreshments and takes place on Saturday, February 18. Booking is essential.
For more information visit godintonhouse.co.uk
Chapel Down’s sparkling Chalksole Vintage Reserve is the bubbly of choice for the Valentine’s afternoon tea at The Marquis at Alkham, near Dover.
The Marquis is also a great choice for a Valentine’s dinner or lunch and they even have rooms aavailablee for romantic stays. Afternoon tea starts at £49 per couple, lunch is £45 per person, dinner £65 and two-night stays including one lunch or dinner, bed and breakfast start at £299.
For full details visit themarquisatalkham.co.uk
Cool cats who are feline loved-up can try a new experience in Kent.
The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, near Ashford, is running a Valentine’s Day special experience on Tuesday, February 14.
Guests arrive at 2.30pm for afternoon tea and a glass of bubbly before a VIP afternoon tour and a three course meal. Couples then retire to a luxury lodge on site with a complimentary bottle of rose champagne and chocolates.
The next day guests will gave a full English breakfast followed by a VIP morning tour and the chance to hand-feed one of the cats. Costs £750 for two. Call 01233 771915.
You’d be hard pushed to find something more romantic than harp music.
Two restaurants are bringing in harpists, to entertain loved-up diners while they tuck into the Valentine’s Day menu.
The Milk House in The Street, Sissinghurst, has a six-course feast of love, with harpist Tamara Young performing her own arrangements of love songs.
The special menu is available on Saturday, February 11, or Tuesday, February 14 and costs £60 a head.
Its sister restaurant, The Barrow House in Egerton, has a four-course menu for £50 per person, also on Saturday, February 11 or Tuesday, February 14 with harpist Olivia Jageurs.
To book for the Milk House, call 01580 720200 or visit themilkhouse.co.uk and for the Barrow House call 01233 756599 or go to thebarrowhouse.co.uk
Fancy a signature lobster platter for two, or a grilled 21-day rib eye steak for Valentine’s Day – for free?
Seafood and grill restaurant Loch Fyne in Bluewater is on the search for couples willing to put their knowledge of their other half on the line for the chance to win a romantic meal for two.
To enter, loved-up couples need to visit lochfyneseafoodandgrill.co.uk/sole-mates to submit a question which must then be answered by their loved one by Sunday, February 12. The first four to match will win a meal worth £100. The restaurant is on the lower floor of the West Village in the shopping centre.
Looking for luxury with your loved one?
Hever Castle and Gardens – where Henry VIII came courting Anne Boleyn – is holding a special Valentine’s Day experience on Saturday, February 11. Couples check in to a luxurious five star bedroom before a drinks reception at 7.30pm, followed by a six-course meal with wine, coffee and chocolates in the Tudor Suite Dining Room, with a harpist playing. Breakfast the next morning will be followed with a private guided tour of the castle.
The luxury package costs £205 per person. To book call 01732 861800, email stay@hevercastle.co.uk
