Published February 2021
Please continue to observe the Government’s national lockdown guidelines.
Sending a bunch of flowers on Valentine’s Day sounds a little generic, but not the way Winchester’s independent florists do it. Browse Catkin and Pussywillow’s Valentine’s Day range for a selection of valentine’s inspired bunches or may be the everlasting love wreath from Wild Bunch Florists in Alresford will put a smile on your loved ones face. The bright blooms at Wickham Flowers in beautiful display boxes will make a great surprise or The Original Flower Stall is the perfect place to browse for a burst of colour.
Spend a romantic night in together and order a take away from your favourite Winchester restaurant. If you are celebrating virtually why not buy from the same restaurant to enjoy a meal together.
Enjoy some classic dishes from our favourite independent eateries or some fantastic restaurant chains. Shut your eyes and imagine yourself in a French Bistro with a delivery from Cote Brasserie or enjoy the fresh tastes of the seaside with a dish from Rick Stein Winchester. Valentine’s Day is a Sunday this year – the perfect excuse for a roast with all the trimmings. Put your chopping board away and treat your special someone to a take away from The Swan Hotel in Alresford for a traditional Sunday Roast. Spice up your evening with a delivery from Kuti’s of Wickham or Shapla in Alresford. Find all the places offering collection or delivery in the Winchester district here.
Prepare something special for desert and make a lemon tart – a favourite on the Fox Inn menu.
If you aren’t spending Valentine’s Day with your loved ones this year why not send them something really special to make their day? Take a virtual trip to Winchester and be inspired by everything on offer in the independent shops around the district. Many of our shops are open online so you can still order that perfect gift.
Send a completely unique and homemade piece of jewellery from Frivolities, or find something sweet from The Wickham Chocolate Shop Valentine’s range or the Sweet Corner in Bishops’ Waltham. For something a bit different why not browse Dinghams for the perfect kitchen gift.
If it’s inspiration you’re after browse the fantastic gift shops on offer throughout the district. Log on to Cornflowers Gift Shop, the Alresford Gift Shop, Longbarn and Hearts and Hugs for a whole host of treats including the all important Valentine’s Day cards.
Don’t forget anyone this Valentine’s and treat your little ones to something special from the district. Choose one of the toys on offer at The Toy Cupboard, give the gift of style from Ragamuffin or find that unique outfit from Sienna’s Baby Boutique. Support the district’s local independent shops and find the perfect gift.
If you are missing day trips to the Winchester district why not take a virtual trip to your favourite places this Valentines. Take a ride through the beautiful countryside of the South Downs National Park on the Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line, visit a virtual exhibition and take a tour of picturesque village of Bucklers Hard with Dan Snow. Find out everything on offer here.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with all things Jane Austen. Enjoy talks, readings, music and games in a special online event – a chance to share your love of Jane Austen with the one you love. Regency dress is optional, but encouraged. Find out more here.
Raise a glass with the people you love this Valentine’s Day. Find the perfect bottle and enjoy a glass of something special. Browse everything on offer at Toscanaccio for the perfect Italian wine, find a special bottle at Wine Utopia or book onto a virtual wine tasting event with The Naked Grape. You could order a special bottle of your favourite English Sparkling Wine from Hattingley Valley Wines or Black Chalk Wine and enjoy the bubbles together virtually.
®Harvey Mills Photography 2017
Make sure you’ve got all the best ingredients in this Valentine’s Day to mix up your favourite cocktails for your loved one.
If Bombay Sapphire is your drink of choice check out their fabulous recipe list for inspiration. Use your flavour palette to find the perfect drink for your evening – may be a refreshing Laverstoke or the fruity, honeyed aromas of the Oakley Fashioned?
Be inspired by the Winchester Distillery and find your perfect cocktail. Warm yourselves on the Winter Wassail Warmer or the citrus and sweet taste of their fabulous Hampshire Collins. You can find everything you need, including their famous Twisted Nose Gin, right on their website.
Plan your romantic night under the stars. Wrap up warm and step outside to take in the beautiful night sky. Why not sit in the garden on a clear night with a warm hot chocolate – order a bag of Chococo’s 70% Madagascar Hot Chocolate Flake to make the night particularly delicious.
Make this Valentine’s Day super special and create something unique together. The Colour Factory have some brilliant workshops and events to inspire you and teach you everything you need to know to make something great for your special someone. May be a homemade pendant and set of earrings, or a silver bangle with charms? You could book a private zoom class for you and your valentine, or may be sign you both up for a gemstone ring class or a painting class to enjoy later.
The workshops at Bella Crafts will also leave you with something unique to give your valentine. Try your hand at a floral wreath or a felted fairy garden Gnome – give it a try and make this Valentine’s Day completely unique.
Spend a relaxing Valentine’s Day pampering your loved one. Browse the huge selection on offer from Vita Skin Spa and bring the spa home, they even have dedicated Valentine’s Day selections as well as their top sellers and other fantastic ranges. Alresford Beauty also have a great range of relaxing products along with some great accessories and gifts. Bay Tree Beauty in Wickham has a great selection of pampering products that will delight your loved one – their bath bombs look too pretty to fizzle away.
If you’re missing the entire spa experience get your special someone a spa gift voucher from the Holiday Inn Winchester or the Winchester Hotel and Spa for you both to look forward to.
Share your Valentine’s Day plans with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instragram so we can share them and help inspire the district and share the love this Valentine’s Day.
