Bring on Valentine’s Day! However you plan to mark this day we’ve got you covered, whether it is planning a treat for your significant other or just making the day about you (and, why not?). We’ve gathered the best places for a meal, a weekend getaway or somewhere to buy a special gift right here, at home. It goes without saying that booking is essential at venues listed.

love at first bite

Put away the pots and pans and let someone else do the hard work this Valentine’s Day with special set menus at a few of Ludlow’s restaurants. Look to set the mood with, as the Cliffe at Dinham describes it, ‘dishes full of romance’. Go on…

Bill’s Kitchen and Ludlow Assembly Rooms have put together a Romeo and Juliet dinner on 14 February – live streaming of the utterly wonderful Kenneth MacMillan production of the Prokofiev ballet followed by a seasonal supper menu.

Cliffe at DInham is offering a chef’s three-course Valentine menu which promises to be ‘full of sensational, seasonal dishes full of romance’. Their Valentine’s menu is available from Saturday 12 February to Friday 14 February, two courses for £30 or three courses for £35. Tables available from 6pm.

Bistro 7 will be open for Valentine’s Day Monday 14 February for bookings between 6pm and 9pm.

The Queens has a new Valentine’s three-course set menu that will be on offer on Saturday 12 February and Monday 14 February only.

The Granary Café is putting on a pop-up dining experience on Saturday 12 February ‘to celebrate love and kindness’. Two courses £35 per person or three courses £45 per person with entrée glass of Prosecco and Chocolate Strawberries.

A romantic escape at Fishmore Hall Hotel includes a three-course candlelit dinner for two with a glass of Champagne, overnight accommodation with a bouquet of flowers from a local florist and a full English breakfast.

stay forever

Apartments nestled in cobbled, side streets or overlooking ancient ruins, cabins tucked next to woods with uninterrupted views and lodges sitting on the water’s edge, Ludlow offers the ultimate romantic getaway. Enjoy a 2- or 3-night booking at Steeple Mews which includes: bottle of champagne in the fridge, breakfast delivered to your door on the first morning so you can relax in bed, Valentine’s flowers on arrival, romantic table booking for two on Saturday night at a Ludlow Restaurant.

Cowmans Cabin is situated on the border of Herefordshire and Shropshire. Located just steps away from a bridleway, ensuring miles of beautiful walks without stepping onto the road. Incredible views from the minute you open your eyes. Lie in bed with a cup of tea and take in your amazing surroundings. Or, sit out on the veranda and watch the sun go down.

Rest and Wild, Downton offers nature as far as the eye can see, beautiful views, walking maps, cosy campfires and your own outdoor bathtub.

Ludlow Lodges are two luxury lodges nestling on the water’s edge in an idyllic rural setting with fishing pools in 20 acres of grounds.

The Bivvy is an instantly relaxing place, blending in naturally into the land around it that even the neighbouring sheep wander past with barely a second glance. Sitting by the firepit outside you see the Shropshire Hills laid out in front of you, the ancient roundhouse up the hill and not another building apart from the owner’s house some distance behind The Bivvy. The sunsets are amazing and when darkness settles in, there’s just you and the gentle glow of the fairy lights around the porch.

Little Hare Lodge offers a peaceful retreat from the fast pace of modern life. A well-appointed and beautiful weatherboarded lodge with stylish interiors and an airy vaulted ceiling. Set in the village of Richards Castle, the Little Hare is perfectly located to enjoy the varied delights on its doorstep, from the great restaurants and independent shops of Medieval Ludlow to the rural bliss of North Herefordshire, with its picturesque and expansive landscape.

The Apartment at Palmers House is located in central Ludlow – two mins walk from the river, bustling market square and the 11th century castle.

The Prince Arthur & Catherine of Aragon apartment at Ludlow Castle has leaded windows overlooking the castle and across the beautiful Corvedale Valley to the North.

A romantic stay at The Clive Arms includes an intimate dinner for two in a booth in the restaurant (£30 allowance per person), a dozen red roses in your room on arrival with a message of your choice, bottle of chilled champagne in your room on arrival and a box of chocolates.

from here to eternity

As if you need an excuse! But it is the flagship day to shop jewellery and gifts. It’s a divine way to show someone how much you care and we have a welter of shops to help you do so. And don’t forget the flowers, try Florabunda, Twigs Flowers and Gifts or pre-book The Florist at Bromfield (for our full list of local florists visit our A-Z Takeaway and Delivery page).

The Silver Pear has curated a collection of beautiful pieces for Valentine’s Day. Bensons of Ludlow is a family jewellers based in the heart of the town and offers a wide range of classic and contemporary jewellery, watches and giftware. For organically and ethically inspired jewellery visit LA Jewellery on Raven Lane and for vintage and floriography inspired jewellery visit Flower and Fable in the picturesque Quality Square. Try also C W Sellors , County Goldsmiths and LLoyds Jewellers, all centrally located. For alternative gifts, pop into Daisies, Eclectica and The Shop at St Laurence.

and, in other news…

Ludlow Brewery presents its annual Valentine’s Ale Massacre, 11-13 February featuring a weekend of events including comedy and cabaret by the Ludlow Fringe Festival on Friday 11 February and live music from Ludlow band, Don’t Feed The Goat on Saturday 12 Februray. Plus, there’s beer tasting with 20 plus beers and ciders over the entire weekend. Free entry.