A super-sized sweet Valentine’s gesture: Region’s landmarks receive mysterious tokens of love on Valentine’s Day

A super-sized version of the classic confectionary, famed worldwide for their cheeky romantic messages, was hand delivered to destinations across Wales and the South West. In a playful reference to Oxford Castle & Prison’s storied past, the sweet’s message declared: “Heart Stealer”

The tasty tokens of love were accompanied by a mysterious letter expressing admiration for what they – and their owners and staff – do for the region.

Addressed “To Wales and the South West on Valentine’s Day” the accompanying letter declares love for the area’s stunning landscapes and the valuable social and economic role the tourism industry plays.

“We just can’t keep it in any longer,” it gushed. “We love you. Truly, madly, deeply… How could we not? You are breathtakingly beautiful. Your rolling hills, golden beaches, wild moors, and ancient towns and cities stir hearts and minds.”

“It’s not just your beauty that has us smitten – it’s what you do. You are the beating heart of tourism and leisure, where visitors come to escape and explore the extraordinary. You create jobs, fuel local businesses and unite communities – you make this region irresistible.”

A source close to this publication has revealed the secret admirer to be none other than train operator Great Western Railway, who released an open love letter to the tourism industry across Wales and the South West on its social media channels.

GWR Sales and Marketing Director, Amanda Burns, said: 

“We know just how much work and effort is put in by our tourism partners that we wanted to share our love for them and reaffirm our promise to keep connecting people to their wonders. Let’s celebrate what makes this area extraordinary, and let’s ensure its future shines as brightly as its past.”

Working with iconic sweet maker Swizzels for this grand gesture, GWR hopes to underscore its love for the region and the joy of connecting people to its treasures.

Sarah-Louise Heslop, Head of Marketing for Swizzels, said: 

“We are excited to see visitors to the British landmarks sharing photos with the iconic Love Hearts and their fun messages.  Love Hearts have been made in the UK for over 70 years and they remain the perfect way to ‘Share the Love’.”

Four iconic locations received an oversized Love Hearts sweet, each featuring a custom message:

• Smeaton’s Tower, Plymouth: You Shine

• SS Great Britain, Bristol: Steamy

• Cardiff Castle: For Keeps

• Oxford Castle and Prison: Heart Stealer

Lesley Wright, Head of Marketing and Partnership Services at Experience Oxfordshire, said:

“As one of our Ambassador partners, GWR is an active supporter of Oxfordshire’s £2.3 billion visitor economy. This delightful collaboration with fellow Experience Oxfordshire partner Oxford Castle & Prison is a fantastic example of their commitment to highlighting our destination’s attractions and the ease with which they can be reached.”

Last year alone, 55 million leisure travellers relied on GWR to carry them to Wales and the South West’s attractions, a figure GWR proudly embraces as part of its ongoing commitment to the region it serves.

GWR closes the letter with a heartfelt pledge:

“We’re going to keep on making journeys greener, more reliable, and more comfortable, working with you to showcase all that you offer, inviting more people to visit, to stay longer, and return again and again.”

A Grand Love Story Premieres on TV

In the spirit of all great love stories, the letter has its own postcript. GWR is set to premiere a grand adventure celebrating the South West on primetime ITV, starring none other than the Famous Five. To find out more, keep an eye on our social channels from 3 March and share the love @gwruk

As GWR so poignantly put it: “Every great love story deserves a grand gesture.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Love Hearts is a registered trademark of Swizzels Matlow Limited and is reproduced with permission.

Main picture: GWR gateline assistant Reeve Fernandes with Oxford Castle & Prison tour guide Arwen Baxter. B-roll footage is available upon request

The love letter from GWR reads:

To Wales and the South West on Valentine’s Day,

We need to say something. It’s been on our minds for a while now, and we just can’t keep it in any longer. We love you. Truly, madly, deeply…

How could we not? You are breathtakingly beautiful. Your rolling hills, golden beaches, wild moors, and ancient towns and cities stir hearts and minds.

But it’s not just your beauty that has us smitten – it’s what you do. You are the beating heart of tourism and leisure, where visitors come to escape and explore the extraordinary. You create jobs, fuel local businesses and unite communities – you make this region irresistible.

And the 55 million leisure travellers who chose our train services to get to you last year agree. We are proud to be part of your story. We’ve carried dreamers, adventurers and holidaymakers to your doorstep for generations. Every journey, every ticket, every train connects people to the places that matter.

Our partnership has transformed the way people experience Wales and the South West, creating memories that last a lifetime. And we’re going to keep on making journeys greener, more reliable, and more comfortable, working with you to showcase all that you offer, inviting more people to visit, to stay longer, and return again and again.

Love GWR

PS: Every great love story deserves a grand gesture… ours is so grand that we’ll be shouting it from the rooftops on primetime ITV. Join us (and the Famous Five) as we celebrate Wales and the the South West in a brand-new adventure that will span TV, cinema, and radio – to name just a few!

To find out more, keep an eye on our social channels from 3 March and share the love @gwruk

First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services and helps more than 80 million passengers reach their destination every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to operate the Great Western network: https://www.gwr.com/about-us