HE was one of the great romantic poets of the generation, so Valentine’s Day may inspire lovers to follow in the footsteps of Swansea’s famous son Dylan Thomas and pen an ode to their sweetheart.

His poem, And Death Shall Have No Dominion carries the famous quote “Though lovers be lost love shall not;”

In fact literature plays a huge part in the current St Valentine’s Day with the first recorded association of the day with romantic love being in Chaucer’s Parlement of Foules in 1382.

Nowadays of course instead of handwritten love notes, greeting cards are sent featuring hearts and cupid’s arrow among other illustrations.

As well as cards, flowers, chocolates and other gifts being sent across the nation, there are some regional customs too as in Norfolk a character called Jack Valentine knocks on the back doors of homes leaving sweets and presents and in some areas of Wales Dydd Santes Dwynwen, St Dwynwen’s Day, is marked on January 25. St Dwynwen is the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

The National Museum of Wales recounts the tradition of Dwynwen, who lived during the fifth century and was described as ‘one of the prettiest of Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters’.

The Museum information states: “The story goes that Dwynwen fell in love with Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should marry someone else. Maelon was so outraged that he raped Dwynwen and left her.

“In her grief Dwynwen fled to the woods, where she begged God to make her forget Maelon. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.

“God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. First she wished that Maelon be thawed, second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers and third that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life.

So whether you’re celebrating St Valentine’s Day or St Dwynwen’s, we’ve picked out 10 eateries where these special days of love can be marked.

1. Fairyhill – with a magical name like this, it’s asking to be included in a list to mark one of the nation’s most romantic days. A country house hotel with an award winning restaurant. Acclaimed by the Good Food Guide, holder of AA rosettes yet no jacket is required when dining!

2. Y Polyn – AA Restaurant of the Year for 2009-2010, Y Polyn has two AA Rosettes, an Egon Ronay Star and is featured in the Good Food Guide, the Michelin Pub Guide and Alistair Sawday’s Guide to Pubs. It promises everything is made on the premises, and bread and bottled water comes at no extra charge.

3. Hanson at The Chelsea – holder of two AA rosettes and named as one of the top Fish Restaurants in the UK and the 2010 holder of the best value restaurant in Wales award, this is one for fish-lovers. A range of menus available from lunch to a-la-carte to vegetarian and one for children.

4. Maes-Yr-Haf – this Gower restaurant describes itself as a Restaurant with Rooms. Menus are updated daily. It was named by the Times as one of the best 10 restaurants to open in the UK in 2007.

5. Frankie & Benny’s – okay it may be a chain but it’s fun. Recognisable with its red neon sign, it promises great service in the American way with American food and traditional Italian dishes.

6. La Braseria – a continental bar and restaurant which describes itself as ‘providing the freshest locally sourced food which is complemented by the largest wine menu selection available all set in a rustic bodega environment’.

7. Govindas – a vegetarian restaurant which also provides for other special dietary requirements including wheat-free, gluten-free and dairy-free and even takes orders for egg-less cakes.

8. Welcome To Town – a country bistro on the Gower Peninsula with a host of awards from AA rosettes to dining out to being named Restaurant of the Year in 2003. Master chef Ian Bennett accepted an affiliation to the Master Chef of Great Britain Society in November 1999 and is a fellow member of the Epicurean World Master Chefs Society.

9. The Junction – incredible views from this eatery with the famous Mumbles Head and lighthouse in one direction and Swansea docks and marina in the other.  This family run café was restored in 2001 winning awards for its design. The grade II listed building was once the generating station for the Mumbles Train – the first passenger railway service in the world.

10. The Bay View – a historic landmark for more than a century with train travellers stopping to quench their thirst en route from Swansea city to the Mumbles.  The award winning bar and Thai restaurant also holds music nights.