Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so the shops tell us, their windows plastered with voluptuous hearts and teddy bears big and small and oh so cuddly. You ask yourself “Already? Didn’t I just get caught up in Christmas?” Alas dear reader, time flies like cupid’s arrow on a busy day and indeed that time is nigh. Santa is probably in the Caribbean sipping on a cocktail. It’s now time for the little cherub to take centre stage, to waltz around the globe spreading the joy of love.
For the romantics, young and old, a cottage holiday in Bath is an exciting way to surprise one’s partner on two counts. One, a cottage, whether classic or contemporary, exudes a certain romantic quality, a perfect place for you to whittle off one of your poems to your lover, a dreamy place to propose, or somewhere to remember all the good times you’ve experienced over the many years you’ve been together.
Two, Bath, historic, an official World Heritage site, arresting in its architecture – there’s something special about the Royal Crescent’s understated curves for example – and home to the Roman Baths, is equally dreamy.
Put the two together with basic mathematics and boom, you have got yourself a perfect setting for a short break that will be long remembered. Bearing this in mind, Bath Tourism Plus has come up with some suitably lovey-dovey ideas as to what couples can get up to when visiting the city.
It suggests checking out the Beaujolais Bistro, described as a traditional Bath favourite. On closer inspection, it is understandable why it remains a popular eatery – understated, with a generous menu and prices that are competitive. They’ve also got humour: “We love children but if they run around the restaurant we will give them a shot of espresso and a free puppy to take home!” Not bad eh? Have a lunch, let your kids go wild and get a puppy in return.
One place that demands a visit is the Prior Park Landscape Garden, jaw-dropping and beautiful in every way possible, and, we expect, come Valentine’s Day, beginning to once again blossom into life. It’s an 18th century landscape, created with the kind of skill that suggests Ralph Allen, an entrepreneur from the city whose idea it was, knew about love.
Valentine’s Day is a once a year event and though some may argue it to be a little cheesy, a bit too obvious and outdated, we think it provides an opportunity, at least, for lovers to dedicate proper time to one another. With everyone often so busy with work, socials and managing the family, the occasions we get with just our partner can often feel to be lacking or rushed. Make time and keep falling in love with one another…over and over till the end of time.
