Valentine’s Day is approaching, and whilst it is a wonderful way to celebrate your love and devotion for a special person, finding a unique way to mark the occasion can be a challenge. It can be difficult to escape the standard gestures of flowers, chocolates and a candlelit dinner for two. 

If you are looking for a more meaningful and heartfelt way to mark the occasion, then you might like to explore our range of exclusive Welsh lovespoon designs. These have a strong link to the history of love and romance: they were originally carved as tokens of affection by a suitor for a lady that had captured his heart. 

The lovespoons are a part of the cultural fabric of Wales, often described as the ‘land of song and epic shorelines’ in modern marketing materials. In fact, Wales has been marketed as a tourist destination since the railways first opened up access from major conurbations such as Birmingham and Manchester in the 18th century.

Here’s a look at a couple of destinations that were put on the map in an early piece of tourist literature titled ‘The Seven Wonders of Wales.’ Maybe they will inspire you to do something a little different and memorable this Valentine’s Day.

Llangollen Bridge

Llangollen Bridge is an elegant stone structure dating from the 16th or 17th century that crosses the River Dee in the town of Llangollen, north east Wales. The Grade I listed bridge consists of four pointed arches, and it was extended in the 18th century to accommodate a railway line. 

Llangellen is an attractive tourist town with a Victorian promenade, and is also part of an UNESCO world heritage site that encompasses the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.  The 18-pillar structure across the Dee Valley was designed by Thomas Telford and Williams Jessop, and is a masterpiece of civil engineering.

The 126 ft high aqueduct supports a canal lined with a cast iron trough, and was completed in 1805. It’s still possible to take a narrowboat trip along the length of the bridge waterway, or to stroll across the footpath and admire panoramic views over the picturesque Dee Valley.

Pistyll Rhaeadr 

Pistyll Rhaeadr is the highest waterfall in Wales, located in the heart of the Berwyn Mountains in Powys. The waterfall is 73 metres high, as the Afon Disgynfa tumbles in three stages over a staggered cliff face. 

Despite its remote mountain location, it’s possible to park very near to the foot of the waterfall and enjoy a variety of walks from the carpark, which also contains a small cafe and toilets. 

There’s a short, although naturally very steep, path that leads up to the top of the waterfall. The perfect way to spend a romantic afternoon as you watch the water plummeting over the cliff, with birds of prey soaring in the mountain valley below.