Don't let down with our list of the top date ideas in London, which includes both traditional and unusual options.
The pressure of organizing a fantastic night out for someone special may be best. Fortunately, there are enough excellent date suggestions in London to ensure that you can always come up with a fun date night, whether it's traditional (consider reserving a table for two at one of the city's most romantic restaurants or bars), unusual (wildlife drawing, anyone?) or finding the perfect middle ground.
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Here, we've done the hard bit for you by coming up with 25 date night suggestions for London that are likely to wow a potential date or reignite the flame with an existing love interest. When will you have finished with this list? Why not go outside the box and arrange a romantic vacation in the UK? We also swear not to criticize you if you decide to keep it simple with one of the top Valentine's Day food delivery in London if you just managed to stumble into our list in time for the holiday.
Alternative London date suggestions
1. Experiment with sketching wildlife
In this session where you sketch real-life animals, which is set up like a typical life-drawing class in locations like the Town Hall Hotel and the Garden Museum, you can test out your date's artistic side and learn more about how they are with animals at the same time. As you sketch, get up close and personal with guinea pigs, micropigs, owls, wolves, and other furry pals while learning all about the conservation of the animals.
Address: Several locations.
url: wildlifedrawing.co.uk
Price: £35
2. Take a wine walk in East London
By signing up for this carefully chosen tour of Hackney's best drinking venues, you can ensure a fantastic night instead of traveling to East London and aimlessly wandering about in the hopes of finding a great pub. You'll be given directions to four surprise wine bars close to one another and will be met with a glass of fine wine and some appetizers at each one by the owner. Much more elegant than the typical pub crawl. See our list of the top wine bars in London for further suggestions on more romantic wine pairings.
URL: indytute.com
Cost: £136 for two people
3. Visit a lighthouse.
Did you know that a piece of music has been playing for many years in an East London lighthouse? A quick DLR journey will get you to Trinity Buoy Wharf, a hotspot for the artists, where you can see musician Jem Finer's singing bowl sculpture Longplayer. For a unique date, climb the ominous bell tower to take in the views of the Thames and hear the quiet echoing noises. When you've gotten your fill, proceed next door to the oddly situated Fatboy's American restaurant for fries and a shake.
The address is: Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, Poplar, London E14 0JW
URL: longplayer.org
Cost: Free admission
4. Spend a day as a zookeeper.
Spending a day working as a keeper at the London Zoo is one of the wildest things you can do with your date if they love animals. Get up close and personal with some of the zoo's inhabitants, learn what happens behind the scenes, and pitch in by cleaning the cages. Although the one-of-a-kind event is pricey, at £295 per person, you should save it for a particular person or occasion.
Location: ZSL London Zoo, NW1 4RY London
Price: £295 per person
Price: £295 per person
5. Find out about a surprise show at a secret venue
It might be challenging to decide which concert to attend when there are so many that are held in London every night. So why not schedule a Sofar Sounds performance and completely rely on the wonder of serendipity? The intimate secret concerts feature three unexpected acts and are held in homes, businesses, coffee shops, and other hidden places across London that are only revealed the day of the performance. You will undoubtedly have a fantastic night if you go with an open mind.
URL: sofarsounds.com
Price: £12-17 (each gig ticket is allocated on a lottery system)
6. Start a collage.
The couple that maintains its relationship does so. Or so claim the hosts of this enjoyable evening collage club, where you are free to tear, glue, and draw as much as you like. All skill levels are welcome, and tools (as well as beverages and popcorn) are given; all you need to do is let your creativity run wild and start gluing. The courses pop up in locations throughout London. It's like going back to school, except much more enjoyable.
Address: Numerous places
URL: collageclubldn.com
Cost: varies
7. Create custom rings
The Workbench, an organization that hosts imaginative ring-making classes all around London, from Peckham to Islington, was founded by jewelry designers Katie Woodward and Kirstie MacLaren. Each session is designed to be as enjoyable as possible, so the end product resembles a craft club more than a class. It's nearly difficult to get your design wrong with Katie and Kirstie's careful, hands-on approach, and if you're into dropping hints, now is the ideal time to bring up your interest in diamonds. The sessions are hosted at restaurants or hotels like Kingsland Locke because there's nothing like a few cocktails to get the creative juices flowing. Why not end the evening in a room upstairs?
Not your thing to make rings? See our list of London's top creative workshops.
Address: Several places in London
Internet address: theworkbenchlondon.com
8. Have dinner at night
Richard Curtis may have destroyed romance for all of us by setting unrealistic expectations in his scripts, but occasionally their love of London comes in useful. You may make reservations at Dans Le Noir year-round for a distinctive dining experience. It is the same restaurant that was featured in the 2013 romantic comedy About time. Although Tim and Mary's chemistry in the movie can't be guaranteed, we can offer a culinary experience made more enjoyable by the fact that you can't see anything at all, including each other. So that you may unwind and be your best, most unconcerned self.
Place of business: Dans Le Noir, 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0DU
Internet address: london.danslenoir.com
9. Take a class in ceramics.
Get your hands dirty with a clay taster session at chic ceramics studio Skandihus to try something different on your next date. Learn the fundamentals of hand-building in one afternoon, and you'll leave with a few pieces that can be fired and glazed—the ideal souvenir of a fulfilling date. By the conclusion of the lesson, you could have a Ghost moment if you're lucky.
Addresses: SkandiHus, 90 De Beauvoir Road in London, N1 4EN, and 4 Tilia Road in Clapton, E5 8JB
URL: skandihus.co.uk
Price: £45 per person for two-and-a-half-hour ceramic taster sessions
10. Explore Secret Cinema
The traditional date-night activity of going to the movies is far more creative than seeing a movie at a top-secret venue with immersive performances, sets, costumes, and cuisine. Secret Cinema is exactly what it sounds like: each screening is a unique experience that will make you feel as though you are in the movie. Whatever the movie, get involved, dress up, and prepare for an experience. For additional ideas, check out our list of London's top indie movie theaters.
url: secretcinema.org
Price: £49-£79
11. Create the perfect cocktail
Instead of merely showing up and ordering a cocktail at BYOC, customers are encouraged to bring an unopened bottle of their preferred spirit, which the skilled bartenders will blend into delectable beverages. So all you have to do is learn what your date's preferred drink is, spend some money on a great bottle, and have a fun-filled evening of custom cocktails.
Location: 11–13 Camden High Street, NW1–7JE London
URL: byoc.co.uk/camden
When: 5 p.m. until late, Tuesday through Saturday.
Price: Bring a bottle; entry is £35 per person
Simple date suggestions in London
These traditional date ideas in London are perfect for sparking interesting discussions and unforgettable moments with the city's skyline as your background, whether it's for a first date when you want to keep things simple or you're seeking to get back to the fundamentals.
12. Check out the Maltby Street Market
Forget about Borough Market's commotion. Spend a leisurely Saturday at Maltby Street Market, where you can get some of London's best street cuisine. Street food vendors and railway arches line the charming Ropewalk, where you can get grilled cheese sandwiches, exquisite gyoza, waffles, upmarket fish finger sandwiches, and much more. Once your appetite is fully satisfied, reserve a table at Little Bird Gin for a mother's ruin cocktail or two, or choose one of the many neighboring taprooms to sample some of the locally created beers.
Address: 41 Maltby Street, London SE1 3PA, Maltby Street Market
URL: maltby.st
13. Experience the heat at Kew Garden's hot houses
Kew Gardens is the most romantic location for a green stroll with a twist. Visit the newly reopened Temperate House, the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world, to marvel at some incredible endangered plants, cruise through the Palm House for toasty tropical vibes (be sure to go up the spiral staircase to the picturesque balcony), cuddle up in The Hive to listen to the pleasant buzz of bees and finish with a well-deserved slice of cake at The Orangery. See our guides to London's great walks and beautiful parks for ideas on romantic strolls.
Postal Code: TW9 3AB Kew Gardens, Richmond
Internet address: kew.org/kew-gardens
Price: £17
14. Dine all day and all night at Duck & Waffle
A visit to Duck & Waffle never lets you down, whether you're seeking a memorable way to start or finish the night or you want to dazzle your date with supper and an incredible view. The 40th level of Heron Tower's 24-hour restaurant offers unique pairings such as spiced-duck doughnuts, foie-gras crème brûlée, and the restaurant's distinctive duck and waffle. You can always stop in for brunch if the date is fantastic and you end up staying out all night. For more ideas, check a list of London's top restaurants with views.
The address is: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
Internet address: duckandwaffle.com
15. View the stars at the Greenwich Observatory
Although lying outside and gazing up at the stars might sound like a romantic idea, light pollution makes it difficult to see the stars in London. When was the last time you saw any stars there? If you want a front-row seat to all the cosmic action, attend one of The Sky Tonight Live presentations at the Planetarium in the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to escape the inevitable letdown.
Address: Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ, Royal Observatory
URL: rmg.co.uk
Price: £10
16. Treat yourself to tea at Sketch
There are many great locations to have afternoon tea in London, but only one where you can eat in a powder-pink parlor adorned with clever works of art by David Shrigley, which you can buy for £4,500 each. If conversation dries up, the finger sandwiches, scones, and cakes are also a visual treat, and the opulent setting, particularly the egg-shaped restrooms, should offer enough discussion starters. Read our guide to the finest afternoon tea in London for additional suggestions.
Address: Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 2XG
URL: sketch.london
Cost: starting at £75 per person
17. Play a round of crazy golf
Challenge your date to a round of crazy golf at Swingers to see how competitive they are. You may determine if they are a good under-pressure performer or a bitter loser as you maneuver the big-wheel or helter-skelter track. Enjoy lots of beverages while treating yourself to cuisine from Patty & Bun, Breddos Tacos, or Made of Dough pizza.
Address: 15 John Prince's Street, London W1G 0AB, Swingers West End
url: swingersldn.com
Price: £13.50 per individual
18. Have dinner at the London Shell Co.
What could be more romantic than seafood, champagne, and a beautiful sunset cruise down the Regent's Canal? Book a seat at the London Shell Co for five dishes of seasonal British shellfish while you leisurely sail from Paddington to Camden and back on the lovely Prince Regent boat for the perfect dinner date. As you float through Regent's Park and the London Zoo in between courses, you may cuddle up under a blanket on the deck.
Address: The Prince Regent, Sheldon Square, London, W2 6PY
Internet address: londonshellco.com
Five-course set meal costs money. £75 for lunch or supper per person
19. Make a reservation at one of London's most romantic hotels.
It won't win any prizes for innovation, much is true. Even better if it's at one of London's sexiest hotels, a night away from all the obligations of the home will always go over well. For complete privacy, we recommend Hazlitt's in Soho or NoMad in Covent Garden, which both have hip restaurants and rooms with clawfoot bathtubs. For inspiration, go through our list of the best romantic hotels in London.
20. Spend lavishly on a memorable train trip.
What could be more romantic than supper on board a restored Twenties steam train? Train travel is indescribably romantic (scenic cross-country trips as opposed to packed commutes). The Belmond British Pullman train leaves from London Victoria and travels farther afield for day excursions to Canterbury, Bath, or Folkestone, as well as for opulent brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner roundtrips. Travel reservations should be made in advance since seats fill up quickly.
url: belmond.com
Cost: Starting at £235 per person
21. Go to one of London's most romantic locations
When organizing your next date, it might be tempting to head straight for the coziest bars, pubs, or restaurants, but the city's beautiful outdoor locales make for some of the most sweltering views. For ideas, check out our list of the most romantic locations in London, which includes anything from primrose hill's panoramic vistas to Nunhead Cemetery's winding paths.
22. Find a green oasis in the heart of London.
Few experiences are as romantic as a windy stroll through one of London's most lovely parks. It's no secret that London has some amazing green areas, ranging from large overgrown plains with towering trees and sprawling lakes to private gardens with immaculately groomed plants and extravagant water features. Take your significant other to Regent's Park to spend the day boating around little islands and herds of swans in the style of Ryan Gosling, or go to Primrose Hill with a bottle of something bubbly to enjoy one of London's top vantage locations for watching the sunset.
url: royalparks.org.uk
23. Enjoy some booze at a rooftop bar.
Going above the bustle of London's streets to a roof terrace where you can unwind will make you feel physically elevated. And the city is endowed with a wealth of outdoor drinking establishments, many of which are open all year long, like the popular Forza Wine's terrace in Peckham, The Boundary's rooftop in Shoreditch, and The Trafalgar St. James' top floor.
24. Visit a city farm to get back to nature.
There aren't many refuges for animal lovers in the city, but East London's Hackney City Farm offers a taste of the great outdoors. Visit the ponies, donkeys, sheep, pigs, chickens, geese, goats, and sheep. You may also visit the garden to explore the apple, pear, and plum trees and discover how to cultivate vegetables and herbs in the flower beds. Or, if you want to become even more engaged, visit one of the farm's workshops. These include those that teach ceramics, carpentry, painting, and herb gardening.
Address: 1a Goldsmiths Row, London, E2 8QA
URL: hackneycityfarm.co.uk
25. Discover the Hill Garden and Hampstead Pergola
There's a good chance that London's most romantic garden is located in this oddly tranquil section of Hampstead Heath. This ivy-covered Georgian arbor, designed by architect William H. Lever in the early 20th century, boasts expansive views of the heath, which is draped with twisted flowers. Despite being one of North London's nicest areas, it is beautifully crumbling and frequently quiet. However, you may have to dodge newlywed couples who have gathered there for wedding photographs because the area is so lovely.
The address is: The Pergola, Inverforth Cl, London NW3 7EX