28 date ideas in London

From the classic to the quirky, don't disappoint with our guide to the best date ideas in London

16 January 2024

28 best date ideas in London from classic to quirky

Planning a brilliant night out for someone special can be a lot of pressure. Luckily, there are enough top-tier date ideas in London that you can always plan a fun date night; whether it's classic (think a table for two at one of the most romantic restaurants in London or romantic bars in London), unusual (wildlife drawing, anyone?) or hitting that sweet spot in between.

Here, we've done the hard part for you – coming up with 28 date night ideas in London that are sure to woo a first date or reignite the passion with a long-standing significant other. And when you've exhausted this list? Why not think a little further afield and plan a romantic getaway in the UK? And if you've happened upon this list in the run-up to Valentine's Day, we promise we won't judge if you choose to keep it simple with one of the best Valentine's Day meal deliveries in London.

Alternative date ideas in London
Surprise your date with one of these unusual London date night ideas.
1. Try your hand at wildlife drawing
Test out your date’s creative side and suss out how they are with animals at the same time at this class where you sketch real-life critters, which is set up like a traditional life-drawing class at venues including the Town Hall Hotel and the Garden Museum. Get up close with micro pigs, owls, wolves, guinea pigs and other furry friends and learn all about the conservation of the creatures as you draw.
Address: Various venues
Website: wildlifedrawing.co.uk
Price: £35
2. Go on an East London Wine Walk
Instead of heading to East London to wander around in the hope of stumbling upon a nice bar, guarantee a phenomenal night by booking onto this curated tour of Hackney’s finest drinking establishments. You’ll be given the route to four unexpected wine bars within a short walk of each other and greeted at each one by the owner with a glass of excellent wine and some snacks along the way. So much classier than your average pub crawl. For more romantic glasses of wine, see our guide to the best wine bars in London
Website: indytute.com
Price: £136 for two
3. Take a trip to a lighthouse
Did you know there’s a lighthouse in East London that's home to a piece of music which is playing for 1,000 years? A short DLR ride will take you to arts hub Trinity Buoy Wharf where you’ll find Longplayer – an artwork made of singing bowls by musician Jem Finer. For an unusual date, walk up to the atmospheric bell tower to look out over the Thames and listen to the meditative echoing sounds. Once you’ve had your fill, head to the incongruously placed Fatboy’s American diner next door for fries and a shake.
Address: Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, Poplar, London E14 0JW
Website: longplayer.org
Price: Free entry
ZSL London Zoo
4. Be a zookeeper for a day
If your date is an animal lover, activities don’t get wilder than spending a day as a keeper at London Zoo. Get up close with some of the zoo’s residents, find out what goes on behind the scenes and get stuck in by mucking out the enclosures. The unique experience doesn’t come cheap though: at £295 per person, you’ll want to save this one for a special occasion/person.
Address: ZSL London Zoo, London NW1 4RY
Website: zsl.org/experiences/keeper-for-a-day
Price: £295 per person
5. Discover a surprise gig at a secret venue
With so many concerts taking place in London each night, it can be tough to choose which to go to. So why not leave it totally up to the beauty of serendipity by booking a Sofar Sounds gig? The intimate secret shows have three surprise acts and take place in living rooms, shops, cafés and other mystery locations across London which are only announced on the day of the gig. Go with an open mind and you’re guaranteed to have a memorable night.
Website: sofarsounds.com
Price: £12–17 (each gig ticket is allocated on a lottery system)
6. Go collaging
The couple that sticks together stays together. Or so say the folks running this fun evening collage club where you can rip, stick and draw to your heart’s content. The classes pop up in venues all around London, all levels are welcome and materials (as well as drinks and popcorn) are provided – all you need to do is let your imagination run wild and get glueing. It’s like being back at school, but way more fun.
Address: Various locations
Website: collageclubldn.com
Price: varies
7. Make your own rings
Founded by jewellery designers Katie Woodward and Kirstie MacLaren, The Workbench runs creative ring-making workshops all over London, from Peckham to Islington. Each tutorial is made as fun as possible, and the result is more of a craft club than a class. Katie and Kirstie take a patient, hands-on approach, so it’s almost impossible to get your design wrong, and if you’re in the business of hint-dropping, it’s the perfect moment to mention your interest in diamonds. There’s nothing like a cocktail or two to get the creative juices flowing, so the workshops are held in bars or hotels such as Kingsland Locke – why not finish the evening in a room upstairs?
Address: Various locations in London
Website: theworkbenchlondon.com
8. Dine in the dark
Richard Curtis might have ruined romance for all of us, his scripts giving us sky-high expectations, but sometimes the writer and director’s love of London comes in handy. Dans Le Noir is the same restaurant that's used in the 2013 rom-com About Time, and you can book in for a unique dining experience year-round. Though we can’t guarantee the same chemistry that sparks between the film’s characters Tim and Mary, we can promise a culinary adventure enhanced by the fact that you really can’t see a thing – including each other. So you can relax and be your best (and least self-conscious) self.
Address: Dans Le Noir, 30-31 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0DU
Website: london.danslenoir.com

9. Do a pottery class
Try something different for your next date by getting your hands dirty at a pottery taster session at stylish ceramics studio Skandihus. Spend an afternoon learning the basics of hand-building and come away with a few pieces that can be glazed and fired – the perfect memento of a successful date. If you’re lucky, you could have a Ghost moment by the end of the class.
Address: SkandiHus, 90 De Beauvoir Road, London N1 4EN and 4 Tilia Road, Clapton, London E5 8JB
Website: skandihus.co.uk
Price: Two-and-a-half-hour pottery taster sessions £45 per person
Camilla Greenwell
10. Dive into Secret Cinema
Going to the cinema is a classic date-night idea – but seeing a film at a top-secret location with immersive performances, sets, costumes and food is way more original. Secret Cinema is just that: each of the screenings is a totally transformative experience where you’ll feel as if you’re in the film. Whatever the film, dress up, get involved and be ready for an adventure. See our round-up of London's best independent cinemas for more inspiration.
Website: secretcinema.org
Price: £49–£79
11. Make your perfect cocktail
BYOC is not your average cocktail bar: rather than just turning up and ordering a cocktail, patrons are advised to bring an unopened bottle of their favourite spirit, which will be mixed into delicious drinks by the talented bartenders. So all you need to do is find out your date’s favourite tipple, splash out on a nice bottle and enjoy a night of bespoke cocktail fun.
Address: 11-13 Camden High Street, London NW1 7JE
Website: byoc.co.uk/camden
When: Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm–late.
Price: Bring a bottle; entry £35 per person
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Classic date ideas in London
Whether it's for a first date where you want to keep things simple, or you're wanting to get back to basics, these timeless date ideas in London are ideal for spurring on great conversation and special moments with the capital as your backdrop.
12. Visit Maltby Street Market
Forget the bustle of Borough Market. Instead, spend a lazy Saturday grazing on the best street food in London at Maltby Street market. The quaint Ropewalk is flanked by street-food stalls and railway arches serving grilled-cheese sandwiches, gorgeous gyoza, waffles, upscale fish-finger sandwiches and so much more. Once your stomach is truly lined, find a spot in one of the many nearby taprooms to try some of the beers brewed on site or take a table at Little Bird Gin for a mother’s ruin cocktail or two.
Address: Maltby Street Market, 41 Maltby Street, London SE1 3PA
Website: maltby.st

Kew Gardens / Gareth Gardner
13. Get steamy in Kew Garden's hot houses
For a leafy promenade with a difference, you won’t find a more romantic spot than Kew Gardens. Cruise through the Palm House for toasty tropical vibes (be sure to go up the spiral staircase to the picturesque balcony), explore the newly reopened Temperate House – the biggest Victorian glasshouse in the world – to marvel at some incredible endangered plants, cuddle up in The Hive listening to the pleasing buzz of bees and end up with a well-deserved slice of cake at The Orangery. For more romantic strolls, see our guide to the best walks in London and the prettiest parks in London.
Address: Kew Gardens, Richmond TW9 3AB
Website: kew.org/kew-gardens
Price: £17
14. Feast day and night at Duck & Waffle
Whether you want to impress your date with dinner accompanied by an epic view or you’re looking for a unique way to start or end the night, a trip to Duck and Waffle never fails to disappoint. The 24-hour restaurant on the 40th floor of Heron Tower serves up unexpected combos such as spiced-duck doughnuts, foie-gras crème brûlée and the signature duck and waffle. If the date goes really well and you’re out all night, you can always pop in for breakfast. See more of London's best restaurants with views for more inspiration.
Address: 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY
Website: duckandwaffle.com
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15. Go stargazing at Greenwich Observatory
Lying outdoors looking up at the night sky might sound very romantic but when was the last time you managed to actually catch a glimpse of any stars in London because of all the light pollution? If you’re feeling celestial, avoid inevitable disappointment by heading to the Planetarium in the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for one of its The Sky Tonight Live sessions where you can get a front-row view of all the astronomical action.
Address: Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ
Website: rmg.co.uk
Price: £10
Edmund Dabney
16. Indulge in afternoon tea at Sketch
London is full of excellent places for afternoon tea but there’s only one where you’ll dine in a powder-pink parlour lined with witty artwork by David Shrigley (that you can buy for around £4,500 per piece). The finger sandwiches, scones and cakes are also a visual treat and – if the conversation dries up – the lavish venue, especially the egg-shaped toilets, should provide plenty of talking points. For more ideas, read our guide to the best afternoon tea in London.
Address: Sketch, 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG
Website: sketch.london
Price: from £75 per person
17. Try your hand at crazy golf
Test out your date’s competitive side by challenging them to a game of crazy golf at Swingers. As you navigate the helter-skelter or the big-wheel course, you’ll see how they thrive under pressure – and if they’re a sore loser. Reward yourselves with food from Patty & Bun, Breddos Tacos or Made of Dough pizza, plus plenty of cocktails.
Address: Swingers West End, 15 John Prince’s Street, London W1G 0AB
Website: swingersldn.com
Price: £13.50 per person

18. Dine onboard the London Shell Co
Seafood, Champagne and a scenic sunset tour along the Regent’s Canal – what could be more romantic? For the ultimate dinner date, book a table on the London Shell Co for five courses of seasonal British seafood as you gently cruise from Paddington to Camden and back onboard the beautiful Prince Regent boat. In between courses, you can snuggle under blankets on the deck as you float past London Zoo and Regent’s Park.
Address: The Prince Regent, Sheldon Square, London W2 6PY
Website: londonshellco.com
Price: Five-course set menu £75 per person for lunch or dinner
19. Book into one of the most romantic hotels in London
Okay, it's not going to win any awards for originality. But a night away from all the responsibilities of home is always going to go down well – and even better if it's at one of London's sultriest stays. We like Hazlitt's in Soho for a sense of utter seclusion, or NoMad in Covent Garden which has a vibey restaurant and in-room clawfoot bath tubs. Peruse our edit of the most romantic hotels in London for ideas.
20. Splash out on a train journey to remember
There’s something incredibly romantic about train travel (scenic cross-country journeys rather than crowded commutes), so what could be more special than a meal on board a restored Twenties steam train? The Belmond British Pullman train departs from London Victoria for decadent brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner round-trips, as well as further afield for day trips to Canterbury, Bath or Folkestone. Book in advance as journeys sell out fast.

Website: belmond.com
Price: From £235 per person
21. Visit one of the most romantic places in London
It can be tempting to head straight for the cosiest bars, pubs or restaurants when planning your next date – but the city's prettiest outdoor spots make for some of heat-stopping scenery. From sweeping views on Primrose Hill to rambling Nunhead Cemetery, see our round-up of the most romantic places in London for inspiration.
Dylan Garcia Travel Images / Alamy Stock Photo
22. Discover a green oasis in the middle of London
There are few things more romantic than a blustery stroll through one of London’s most beautiful parks. It’s no secret that London has some astounding green spaces, from secret gardens with pristinely preened bushes and decadent water features to vast overgrown plains with towering trees and sprawling lakes. Take your loved one to Regent’s Park for a day spent rowing around mini islands and flocks of swans Ryan Gosling-style, or head to Primrose Hill with a bottle of something fizzy to watch the sunset from one of London’s best vantage points.

Website: royalparks.org.uk
23. Get high at a rooftop bar
Physically high, that is – heading above the buzz of London's streets to a roof terrace where you can really relax. And the city is blessed with plenty of open-air drinking spaces, lots of which stay open year-round such as the terrace at Peckham's much-loved Forza Wine, the rooftop at The Boundary in Shoreditch and the top floor of The Trafalgar St. James.
Glyn Thomas Photography / Alamy Stock Photo
24. Get back to nature at a city farm
There are not many havens for animal lovers in the capital, but Hackney City Farm provides a hit of nature in East London. Visit ponies, donkeys, sheep, pigs, geese, goats and chickens, or head to the garden to wander around the apple, pear and plum trees in the orchard and learn the art of growing vegetables and herbs among the flower beds. Or get even more involved with one of the farm’s workshops – they offer pottery classes, woodworking, art classes and herb growing sessions.
Address: 1a Goldsmiths Row, London E2 8QA
Website: hackneycityfarm.co.uk
25. Explore Hampstead Pergola and Hill Garden
This curiously peaceful corner of Hampstead Heath might just be the most romantic garden in London. Dreamt up by architect William H Lever in the early 20th century, this ivy-covered Georgian arbour has widescreen views of the heath, blanketed in twisting flowers. It's gloriously crumbly, and despite being easily one of the prettiest parts of North London, is often relatively quiet – although you will have to duck just-married couples who have descended on the space for wedding photos – it's just that beautiful.
Address: The Pergola, Inverforth Cl, London NW3 7EX

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26. Catch a movie
It's hardly a ground-breaking date idea – dinner and a film has been a classic first, third or 30th date since the mid-20th century. But sometimes, the classics endure for a reason. Luckily, London has plenty of cute indie cinemas that will elevate a night at the movies from a low-effort date night to something rather special. We like not-for-profit The Lexi in Kensal Green for its intimate screen sizes, sweet (fully stocked) bar and charity ethos; Close-Up just off Brick Lane for art-house films on the big screen; and Everyman Screen on the Green in Islington for an evening at one of London's prettiest picture houses.
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27. Get cultured at one of the capital's best museums
London's top museums range from centuries-old galleries to houses that once belonged to celebrated architects – and nearly all of them house limited-time exhibitions from artists big and small all across the world. For a date, we love a stroll around The Natural History Museum, spending a while in the gorgeous, light-filled Hintze Hall. Or go niche with a visit to spots such as Bloomsbury's Museum of Comedy (a great shout for those who value humour in a date) or the gloriously nerdy Museum of Brands in Notting Hill.
28. See a show
One of the biggest perks of living in or visiting London is having some of the world's best culture on your doorstep. Make the most with a trip to the West End to see a live show with a loved one – all the better if you squeeze in a pre- or post-theatre supper to extend the evening. In 2024, Broadway hit Hadestown comes to the Lyric Theatre, Imelda Staunton stars in Hey Dolly and Mean Girls: The Musical finally arrives in London following a hit run in New York and a film adaptation.

TopicsInspiration Romantic Breaks London England Europe London Weekend

Alternative date ideas in London

Classic date ideas in London