Celebrate with your Valentine in and around Newbury

Celebrate with your Valentine in and around Newbury

Romance is for life, not just for Valentine’s Day! But Valentine’s season in and around Newbury is pretty special, and there is no better time to make that special someone in your life feel, well, special! And with Valentine’s Day just days away, it’s time to make sure you’ve got it booked. Here’s a few ideas to melt his or her heart …

Love at first bite

Here’s four quite different local eateries with special Valentine’s menus to tickle your tastebuds, whatever your budget.

Côte

Everyone knows that both the art of love and cooking are two Frenchs specialties, so why not sample a little of ‘gay Paree’ in the heart of Newbury at Côte, centrally situated on Northbrook Street? This Valentine's season, Côte is offering a special Valentine's menu, featuring some of their best-loved dishes. Enjoy a kir royale upon arrival and choose three delicious courses from their Valentine's menu at £27.50 per person, which will include such delights as, for example, a warm tiger prawn salad to start, followed by Duck Confit à l’Orange, perhaps all rounded off with Pain Perdu – a wonderful brioche bread and butter pudding. Available from Saturday 11 February at 5pm until the end of Tuesday 14 February; this will be the only menu served after 7pm on 14 February. Tel: 01635 35315

Prezzo

Share a little of the romance of the country known as ‘the land of love’ at Prezzo in Cheap Street, and enjoy two or three courses and a glass of Prosecco for £19.95 or £22.95 respectively. Their authentic Italian dishes are crafted with love and you could start with mini cheese and truffle filled pasta with mushrooms and a rich mushroom stock poured over asparagus, peas and parsley; then share a special spaghetti moment with delicious king prawn spaghetti, slow cooked with spinach, red onion, red chilli and garlic in a pomodoro sauce; and finish with something suitably sweet, such as Banoffee Tiramisu, two fine desserts in one!

The Two Watermills

Based just on the outskirts of town next to Newbury College at Monk's Lane, this friendly pub is offering three courses for two people for just £25, available after 5pm 12–14 February. The menu includes: First Date Starters – such as beetroot, mascarpone and pomegranate tart; The Main Event – perhaps Cupid’s rotisserie chicken; and Happily Ever After – warm the cockles of both your hearts with jam roly poly and custard. Tel: 01635 800310

Crab & Boar at Chieveley

This really is a special treat: an exquisite 7-course tasting menu, available from 10 –14 February for dinner; £75 per person and booking is essential. Inspired by the best of the land and sea, each dish is lovingly crafted from the finest produce and you will be treated to: Champagne – Octopus & Ham Hock Amuse Bouche – Oysters – Stir-fried Prawn – Scallops Crispy Pichette – Fillet Steak Lobster Tail – Trio of Desserts. Tel: 01635 247550

A romantic getaway / afternoon tea and spa

The love of your life surely deserves a special treat, so why not splash out on a delicious afternoon tea, perhaps preceded or followed by a relaxing spa treatment … or even an overnight stay?

The Vineyard at Stockcross
The Vineyard is famed for the highest degree of elegance and style, an invites you to whisk your loved one away for an unforgettable one-night romanic Valentine's break, which includes: luxury double room; five-course tasting dinner with matched wines per course; a dozen red roses; chocolates and chilled champagne in your room on arrival; 5-star full English breakfast; morning wake-up coffee from you personal Nespresso machine; full use of The Vineyard's exclusive spa. Available Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Tuesday 14 February; £799 for tow (terms and conditions apply). 

For a day-time experience, afternoon tea is something pretty special at The Vineyard. There's serveral choices, all of which are gorgeous treats: starting at £29.50 per person, enjoy a range of finger sandwiches, cake patisserie, plus, of course, homemade scones; or add a little sparkle with a Champagne afternoon tea (prices vary depending on your choice of bubbles); but if not indulging in Champagne, for £36 per person you might choose a Lalani and Co afternoon tea, with a different tea to match each course - or turn this into a Highclere Castle afternoon tea, with the additional of a copy of Lady Carnarvon's book 'Lady Catherine and the Real Downtown Abbey' together with Lady Caranvon tea for £39.50. 

Top of tail this with an indulgent pampering treatment in The Vineyard's 5-star spa, or enjoy a luxury spa day or break to truly life the spirit of romance. Tel: 01635 896754. 

Donnington Valley Hotel 
Especially for Valentine's, Donnington Valley Hotel is offering a romantic getaway Valentine's Break. Arrive to a bootle of chilled Champagne red rose in an executive room where you can relax. Enjoy full use of the spa facilities and in the evening dine in the Wine Press restaurant before a restful night followed by a leisurely breakfast the next morning. Available Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Tuesday 14 February; £209 for two (terms and conditions apply). 

Alternatively, enjoy afternoon tea with scones freshly baked at the hotel, plus a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes and tarts, all just £15.50 per person. Add a glass of fizz for an extra treats! Served 2-5pm Sunday - Friday and 1-5pm Saturday in the bar, by the pools (or even in bed! at this 4-star hotel, just 10 minutes from Newbury town centre. Team this with one of their treatments in the spa awarded a 5 Bubbles Spa rating by the Good Spa Guide. There are many treatments to choose from, including a hot stone massage - or go all out with a full-on spa day. Tel: 01635 551199.