Time is ticking away to Valentine’s Day - and Leicester’s historic landmark the Clock Tower is there to remind us.

The great poet Geoffrey Chaucer is credited with the first recorded association of St Valentine’s Day with romantic lover with his Parlement of Foules in 1382.

And he was married at the Church of Saint Mary de Castro in Leicester, where a young King Henry VI was also knighted.

Leicester is one of the oldest cities in England so for those facing a last-minute panic as to how to treat a sweetheart, a walk to rediscover the heritage of the city could be the ideal solution.

Walking hand-in-hand marvel at the Roman artefacts which can be seen at the Jewry Wall or the castle motte which dates to Norman times and is close to the church where Chaucer was wed.

Perhaps the Clock Tower could provide the spot for a romantic proposal or maybe a stroll around the Abbey Park.

Leicester Shire Promotions has just launched a series of short breaks for visitors to the city including a Gourmet Taste of Leicestershire – described as ideal ‘if you love gourmet food, and rural romance’.

Couples can enjoy three gourmet experiences from cheese tasting at the Melton Cheeseboard, cream tea at Stapleford Park, pie tasting at Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, a gourmet lunch platter at the Red Lion Inn and beer tasting, tour and lunch at Belvoir Brewery.

On launching the range of breaks Martin Peters, chief executive of Leicester Shire Promotions, said: “These new breaks are based on a unique and proven model where people choose three from five activities or attractions, coupled with overnight stays at top local hotels.”

Although aimed at visitors – maybe they give you a chance to rediscover your city with a loved one too.

If you’ve left planning to the last minute here are 10 more ideas for wooing your sweetheart on February 14.

1. Enjoy some Picasso! – Art is a way of expressing love and this amazing collection of Picasso ceramics has been entrusted to the city’s museum by Lord and Lady Attenborough to commemorate the lives of their daughter, Jane Mary, and their granddaughter Lucy Elizabeth, who died together in the Asian Tsumami on Boxing Day 2004. Picasso made plates, jugs and tiles but also designed new forms combinng aspects of painting and sculpture in ceramics.

You and your loved one could easily spend hours marvelling at the exhibitions throughout the museum which also include Bacon, Doig, Lowry and Marc in the art galleries or discover the Cetiosaurus from the dinosaur age taking centre stage in the dinosaur gallery!

New Walk Museum & Art Gallery 53 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7EA T: 0116 225 4900. Opening times Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Sunday 11am to 5pm. Free admission with small charge for certain activities on event days.

2. Strictly Vintage – promise your Valentine a treat in a few days and whisk them to Strictly Vintage in Leicester Market on February 25. It welcomes stall holders specialising in vintage clothing, accessories, arts, crafts and more. Just think of the memories yesteryear delights can evoke?

Leicester Market, Market Place, Leicester, LE1 5HQ

3. Fancy a singsong? Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival is on at the Curve Theatre until February 19 and on February 14 it’s Sing-Along-A Grease; this is your chance to see what it’s like to be a T-Bird or a Pink Lady. Could Grease be the word for your loved one? Follow in John Travolta’s footsteps and sweep your Olivia Newton-John off her feet – or, of course, the other way around!

Curve Theatre, Cultural Quarter, Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB T: 0116 242 3560

4. Reach for the Stars!– There’s nothing more romantic than a walk in the moonlight and watching the twinkling stars. Now you could learn more about what those beautiful patterns in the sky actually mean – and impress your sweetheart – with a visit to the National Space Centre . It gives you the chance to journey through six galleries and enjoy the UK’s largest planetarium.

National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS T: 0116 261 0261

Opening times school holidays 10am to 5pm, off-peak term time Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Adult £13, child five to 16 £11, concessions £11 under five free.

5. A walk in the park – stroll hand-in-hand with your Valentine in the Victorian Abbey Park which opened in 1882 and boasts formal gardens, bandstand, Chinese garden, model railway, pets corner and café. There’s also the reconstructed site of Leicester Abbey and the memorial to Cardinal Wolsey who was laid to rest in the grounds. Abbey Park is one mile north of the city centre and is divided by the River Soar.

6. Jain Centre – this is the first consecrated Jain temple in the western world. Jainism is an Indian religion followed by millions in India and by large numbers in Europe, East Africa and North America. The building is stunning and the centre has been created ‘in tradition Jain style, with rich interior stone carvings and a striking marble frontage’. A Valentines Dinner and Dance is being held at the Centre on February 18 with a non-alcoholic drinks reception followed by a Mumbai street food Jain buffet before dancing the night away – dress code smart – no jeans or trainers.

Jain Samaj (Europe Leicester, Jain Centre, 32 Oxford Street, Leicester, LE1 5XU T: 0116 254 1150

7. Shopping – whether it’s for the engagement ring for popping the question or simply because you love to shop, Leicester has a wealth of shopping malls with designer labels and the latest fashions.

Highcross, 5 Shires Lane, Leicester, LE1 4AN T: 0116 242 8644.

Haymarket Shopping Centre Shopping Centre, Haymarket Centre, Leicester, LE1 3YR

Fosse Park Shopping Centre, Fosse Park Avenue, Leicester, LE19 1HY T: 0116 2630603.

8. A touch of India – discover Leicester’s Golden Mile described as Britain’s Indian Bazaar. It describes itself as a ‘glittering stretch of road in Leicester that hosts an array of Indian jewellers, a sea of luscious sarees and an abundance of culinary delights to tantalise your taste buds. Here you experience a touch of India – spices to sparkle’.

The Golden Mile – is in Belgrave Road, Leicester

9. Adopt an animal – take a walk on the country side at Gorse Hill City Farm which covers 19 acres on the outskirts of the city. The farm is home to rare breed pigs, cattle, sheep, guinea pigs and rabbits. Open daily from 10am to 4pm admission is by donation via yellow milk churn on the farm gate. You could adopt a sheep, pony or cow as a Valentine gift for an animal lover with each adoption lasting 12 months with the money helping to feed and look after the animals at the charity.

Gorse Hill City Farm, Anstey Lane, Leicester, LE4 OFJ T: 0116 253 7582

10. Love sport? Well the home team, Leicester City, is away to Watford on February 14 so perhaps a journey there may be in order! Last time the two teams met in the championship Leicester won two nil. Or if not watching the game there’s all sorts of merchandise available to surprise a loved one this Valentine’s Day.

Leicester City Football Club, King Power Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL T: 0844 815 6000.