Seven Suffolk Valentine's Day date ideas, including Bedford Lodge in Newmarket and Africa Alive in Lowestoft

With Valentine's Day just around the corner it might be time to start planning the perfect date night or experience to treat your significant other.

Suffolk has a plethora of restaurants offering special romantic menus to celebrate the big day, as well as small businesses and venues coming up with Valentine's offerings, so we've collated seven ideas to inspire you this year.

1. The Beagle, Sproughton

The Beagle pub in Sproughton, near Ipswich, has a three-course set menu this year to help couples get into the romantic spirit.

Charming starters, mouth-watering mains and decadent desserts are promised here, including extra special offerings such as the Valentine's Billionaire Bomb, that have been made for the occasion.

The menu is available from February 10 to 17, excluding Sunday 12, and costs £27.95 per person.

2. The Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds

There are a few ways to celebrate the big day at The Moreton Hall, a pub in Bury St Edmunds, including an exclusive in-app buy one get one free offer on glasses of 19 Crimes red wine from February 6 to 19.

The menus have also been specially selected with a Fixed Price Lunch Menu of 3 courses for just £11.29. Book online, here.

3. Bedford Lodge Hotel, Newmarket

For a truly indulgent and luxurious Valentine's Day meal, why not try the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket.

This 5 course menu is available from February 11 to February 14 and is £55 per person.

Meals include hand dived scallops, salt aged rib of beef and pressed butternut squash. For more, click here.

4. The Suffolk Platter, Bury St Edmunds

If you wanted a romantic night-in this year, while supporting a local business, The Suffolk Platter based in Bury St Edmunds could be the perfect option for you.

Grazing boxes, brunch Boxes and cream teas are available to order seven days a week with free collection or delivery within eight miles of IP30 0QS.

Especially for Valentine's Day, the business has created dessert bouquet with homemade chocolate brownie hearts topped with chocolate ganache, raspberries, macarons, chocolate dipped strawberries, and more.

5. Africa Alive, Lowestoft

Africa Alive in Lowestoft is offering a special Valentine's Day deal where couples can feed the giraffes and enjoy afternoon tea.

The perfect gift for animal lovers, and the menu includes two fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, two cheese scones with butter, two small sandwich selections of three different flavours), two sausage rolls, four macarons, four cakes and unlimited tea or coffee.

It starts at £60 per couple, with only two dates left to book in. Click here for more information.

6. The Marquis, Layham

Three courses and a glass of champagne are on offer at The Marquis in Layham this year.

The menu includes starters of oysters and scallops, mains of beef wellington and partridge and desserts of yuzu sponge and cheesecake, amongst others.

For £85 per head, find out more here.

7. The Botanist, Ipswich

Designed for sharing, with courses like the oozy baked truffle camembert fondue starter and famed hanging kebabs, The Botanist in Ipswich could be the option for you and your loved one.

Live music will soundtrack the evening with talented resident musicians performing from 7pm onwards and there will be a romantic atmosphere thanks to twinkly fairylights and hand-painted artwork adorning the walls.

Valentine's special cocktails have also been created, so it could be a great stop for a Galentines celebration too.