Not only is February ‘National Heart Month’ – where healthy eating, wellbeing and caring for your heart is at the top of the agenda for charities such as the British Heart Foundation – but it’s also hard to ignore the fact that Valentine’s Day is looming. With just a couple of weeks to go, there are already lots of lovely ideas being promoted for eating out as well as cards and gifts to send to your loved ones. We’ve highlighted a few of the best options available locally in Ross-on-Wye in our Valentine Guide below.
Eating out
Avellino on the High Street is now taking bookings for Valentine’s night and you can choose from the à la carte or their Valentine’s special menu. Relax with one of their signature cocktails before settling down to a delicious three course meal in this lovely Italian bistro. Call 01989 769222 to book.
Cosy up at The Royal, with its fabulous views over the River Wye and open log fire in the bar. Their special Valentine menu offers three courses for £21 so why not start the evening with a pink strawberry G&T or one of their special Valentine raspberry & orange blossom fizz cocktails for £6.99? Book your table online here.
The Hope & Anchor‘s Valentine’s Date Night includes a three-course menu with Lobster Thermidor starter, Wild Boar Loin and Vegetable Wellington main and Chocolate Torte and cheeseboard to finish. Vegan and gluten-free options are available too. Three courses are £29.95 pp plus two palate cleansers, or you can upgrade to include a bottle of wine or Prosecco for an additional charge. To book call 01989 477025.
The King’s Head Hotel‘s AA rosette Conservatory Restaurant will be a popular choice this year so book early. Using only the best fresh local produce, their menu includes a variety of delicious starters followed by local Pengethley Rump Steak, Sous Vide Halibut and Baked Goat’s Cheese Fondant main dishes. Finish with White Chocolate Fondant, Classic Lemon Tart or a selection of local cheeses. Two courses £25 or three courses £30. Telephone reservations on 01989 763174.
A booking at the much loved No 3 on Gloucester Road is certain to win your partner over. Their cocktails and seasonal menus are to die for and also include vegetarian and vegan options. Book online here or call 01989 564997. If tapas is more your scene, head over to Leonard’s at 39 on the High Street where you can also enjoy a wide range of cocktails, light bites or one of their signature burgers – call 01989 567830 or book online here.
Just outside of Ross at Wilton, you can enjoy the exquisite Valentine Menu at the historical Orles Barn, dating back to the 14th century. For £55 per person, enjoy a classic champagne cocktail on arrival, an amuse bouche, followed by a fish course of Tiger Prawn, Scallop & Sea Bass, a meat course of Roast Breast of Duck, finishing off with a Caramelised White Chocolate Mousse for dessert plus tea, coffee and petit fours. To book, call 01989 218081 (note there will be two sittings at 6pm and 9pm).
Gifts
The Made in Ross creators and artists have been busy in their studios – they have some unique gifts to buy which you won’t find anywhere else. Sarah Freer‘s gorgeous red and pink woven merino and nylon hanging hearts are £8. Also available are mini knitted heart key rings at £5.50 made by talented Chris Champness as well as her pretty knitted metal gold heart on crochet chain (£30). There is also a huge range of beautiful jewellery, art, pottery and hand made cards made by local artists in the gallery upstairs at the Market House every day from 10am to 4pm.
Head over to Livinloom on Gloucester Road for a range of gifts also created by local makers. As well as candles, cards and cute felted animals – say ‘I love you’ with one of these gorgeous felted heart-holding sloths at £15 – there is some unique and stylish jewellery including rich gold glaze porcelain clay hearts with 14ct gold hoops. Or pick up some original art like this lovely hand cut framed gold heart by local artist Sharon Curtis (£60).
Crowsfeet on Cantilupe Road has plenty of unique treats for Valentine’s Day including jewellery, handbags, accessories, candles, toiletries and greetings cards. We love these cute ceramic initials on silver chains (£15), glamorous Art Deco diamante drop earrings (£22) and romantic heart candles – try St Eval‘s heart shaped pillar candles at £7.50 or one of the Rose & Geranium soy candles in enamel mugs at £14.75.
Love is truly in the air at Heavenly Homes & Gardens on the High Street – as well as a huge range of colourful pillar candles (from £2.50), vintage style matches (from £8), rose fragranced soy wax melts (£12), and red glass hanging hearts (£6), you can buy faux flowers either by the stem or a selection which can be made into bouquets on request.
There’s also a lot of love in the room at High Street favourite, Crossfield Creations – the new window display says it all, with love hearts galore. Check out their beautiful wooden heart decorations, ceramic tea light holders and jewellery. Many pieces can also be engraved with a personal message or with your loved one’s name – email crossfieldcreations@aol.com or pop in to find out more (42 High Street).
Jewellery
Wear your heart on your sleeve, they say .. we prefer around your neck, in your ears or on your fingers. A stunning piece of jewellery is always a welcome gift and there’s plenty of choice in Ross. Lalena Jewellery on the High Street stocks a fantastic selection of pretty 925 silver heart pendants and Silver Store on Gloucester Road has a beautiful selection of silver bracelets and earrings, including this gorgeous antique style heart charm bracelet (£58.99) and pretty sterling silver double heart drop earrings (£20.99). Lizzie Bunting stocks award winning Welsh jewellery from Carrie Elspeth and also The Tinsmiths – check out their range of colourful, eco friendly sustainable jewellery made from upcycled and repurposed tins, aluminium, brass & silver, all made in their North Wales workshops. David Christopher in The Maltings stocks the popular Pandora range of sterling silver rings including the Tilted Red Heart Solitaire Ring (on sale at £25) or their Freehand Rose Gold Heart Ring (£40).
For him
For the man in your life, Lizzie Bunting also has a lovely range of toiletries – try the Farmers‘ range of body washes, soaps and shaving cream, Geo. F. Trumper‘s shaving creams and body washes, or the Highland Soap Co.‘s delicious handmade products including Whisky and Honey beard oil, soap and body lotion.
Or how about sharing the potter’s wheel with your beloved? Recreate that moment from the film Ghost (or maybe not..) and create something unique and memorable (maybe a ‘Marry Me’ star?) to take away at one of Yat Pottery‘s experience days in Symonds Yat. Call Adam to book on 01989 566551 or email adam@yatpottery.com.
They say the way to a man’s heart is often through his stomach – so why not create a delicious hamper to win him over? Truffles Delicatessen is stocking the Godminster vintage heart shaped organic cheddar (£6) and heart shaped Neufchâtel Brie (£5) which pairs perfectly with local award winning Three Choirs Vineyards‘ Classic Cuvée sparkling wine (£19.50).
Alternatively, if your partner would love nothing more than a romantic car care pack, breakdown recovery kit or tyre pressure gauge, Andy Pack Care Care Centre has everything under the sun to care for your most precious four wheeled family member. All perfectly necessary if he’s driving you to your favourite restaurant and back.
Sweet treats
Local baker, Debbie, who runs Bunting & Baking – Bespoke Cakes and Everyday Bakes, has her usual stunning array of sweet treats on offer for your loved ones. With individual bagged cupcakes and cookies starting at £3.50, there are also boxes of half a dozen macarons at £6, boxes of 4 cupcakes for £10, small treat boxes at £12 and large treat boxes at £20. Call Debbie to order on 07946 062737 or email debbie@bunting-baking.co.uk.
Caption Catering‘s filled hat boxes are the perfect Valentine’s gift – containing four floral cupcakes, one large and two small heart-shaped chocolate brownies, an edible teddy bear and four gold orange heart sugar cookies (£35). Or you can buy a selection of stunning floral cupcakes presented in long clear boxes with handles (four cup cakes £20). To order, call Karen on 07701 038089 or email karen@captioncatering.co.uk.
Cards
Say you love someone in style with a beautiful card from one of our independent retailers – try Crowsfeet for some gorgeous vintage style cards and Heavenly Homes & Gardens for a Valentine card with a twist – ever heard of Galentine’s Day? An upgrade on the traditional cards, this relatively new trend exists for you to show some love for your bestie or girlfriend (gal)!
Winner of the ‘Best Wedding Stationery‘ in Herefordshire at the Matrimony Awards 2022, Dear Emma Wedding Stationery not only creates stunning wedding stationery but also beautiful hand made occasion and Valentine cards. Emma lives and works in Ross-on-Wye and trained at Hereford Art & Design College and then studied Illustration at Cardiff University. She has a wealth of experience in events and weddings so if you’re planning on popping the question this year, Emma’s your lady!
