Valentine’s Day in Oxford
A Love Story Written by Chaucer, Celebrated at The Folly.
In Oxford, romance isn’t just in the air, it’s woven into the city’s story.
It was here, amid the cloisters, courts and colleges of medieval Oxford, that Geoffrey Chaucer first wrote about “seynt Valentynes day” as a time when birds choose their mates, a poetic moment that helped shape how the world thinks about Valentine’s Day today. This idea of love blossoming in mid-February came from the imagination and the letters of early English poetry preserved and celebrated by Oxford scholars.
At The Folly, we honour that lineage of love with an experience that feels just as timeless, and every bit as romantic.
A Riverside Feast for Valentine’s Week
From Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th February, join us beside the gently flowing Thames for a specially curated Valentine’s Tasting Menu (£89 per person) crafted with thoughtful seasonal touches and elegant flavours. On Saturday 14th February this menu will be exclusive for all guests, setting the scene for an intimate celebration of connection and conversation.
Imagine:
A carefully balanced multi-course menu, beginning with amuse-bouche and bread board and continuing through delicate starters, seasonal mains and a sweet finish.
The river glimmering beyond your table, reflecting historic Folly Bridge by evening light.
And for something truly special, our private riverside domes; cosy, warm and set right on the Thames; creating the kind of romantic cocoon that deserves to be part of your love story.