London is a great city to be young (or not-so-young) and in love – you’re never going to run out of things to do together. If you’re looking for some romantic inspiration, here are a few of the best.
Dine at a romantic restaurant
A dinner date is nothing new, but few places have as much choice as London. The city isn’t short of romantic places to eat – and French restaurant Clos Maggiore perhaps takes the croissant.
A ceiling adorned with flowers, a roaring fireplace and intimate candlelit dinners: this restaurant has the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable romantic evening.
It’s pricey, unsurprisingly, but the pre-theatre set menu is a little easier on the purse strings. Follow your meal with a wander around Covent Garden, or, as the pre-theatre menu suggests, a show.
Climb the Hampstead Pergola
A stroll through Hampstead Heath is lovely, but the Pergola is what makes it really stand out as a romantic destination. This is a setting straight out of the storybooks, with overhanging vines tumbling over balconies, roses circling archways and flowers blooming all around you.
The short climb up to the Hill Garden and Pergola will also grant you wonderful views over the treetops of Hampstead Heath. Explore the winding trails or relax in a quiet spot together; this is your time to just soak everything in and enjoy each other’s company.
Take a Lovers Leap Bungee Jump
Tying the knot takes on a whole new meaning with this one: nothing quite screams love like getting up close and personal with your other half as you’re tied facing one another and flung from a great height. This ‘Lovers Leap’ offers a unique way for couples to intimately share in the lasting memories of a serious adrenaline rush.
It’s not for everyone, but if you and your other half are more adventurous types, a lovers leap bungee jump might just be your perfect date idea. Prices do vary, but you can generally expect to pay somewhere around £135 between you.
Walk among the flowers in Kew Gardens
Few things are more romantic than walking through beautiful gardens surrounded by flowers. And Kew Gardens are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Over 5,000 varieties of plant can be found in Kew Gardens, many of which are rare or even endangered, and all are thoughtfully arranged and thriving. Visit the impressive Victorian glasshouse to see the more exotic plants, or seek out the peaceful surroundings of the lake.
Spring and summer are the best times to visit, when vibrant colours are at every turn and the flowers are at their peak. Tickets are more expensive at this time of year, however, at around £20 for an adult.
Visit Hampton Court Palace
You might be thinking that the home of Henry VIII doesn’t exactly scream romance, but despite his wives taking ‘unlucky in love’ all the way to the chopping block, the palace itself is beautiful.
Lose yourselves – but not your heads – in the world’s oldest puzzle maze, explore the vines and flowers of the expansive gardens, and get a feel for Tudor life while examining the tapestries in the Great Hall. You can fill a whole afternoon here easily, or stretch it to a full day if you’re especially interested in the history.
Tickets for adults range between £26-30, depending on when you visit.
Enjoy a private river cruise on the Thames
Slow down and meander along the Thames on a private river cruise, and dine in style while floating past the most iconic sights of London illuminated after dusk.
If you’re willing to pay an admittingly quite significant sum, you can take the scenic route on a private cruise completely alone together, complete with champagne and a luxurious dinner. If you’d rather save a few pennies, there are regular river tours that cost just under £20 – if you’re lucky, you can still find a quiet spot away from the crowds.
See a show on the West End
From Les Miserables to The Lion King, the West End has some of the world’s best-loved shows and performers lighting up the stage. Dinner and a show is a staple of date nights in London for a reason – and with tickets as low as £20 for many performances, it’s a no-brainer while in the city.
Go to the Tate Modern
Pondering the art on show in the Tate and having deep discussions (or not-so-deep feelings of bafflement) contemplating what you’ve seen is always a fun date.
Whether you’re an artsy person or not, the pieces at the Tate are always a great conversation starter – it’s essentially free entertainment, and gives you both the chance to see works from the likes of Picasso and Salvador Dalí up close.
As a side note, exhibitions are usually fantastic here, and though they come with an entry fee, in my experience they’re normally well worth the cost.
Boogie on down to a Rollerblade Disco
Don your neon leg warmers and grab your glow sticks – it’s time to get your skates on at a roller disco. Whether you’re rolling backwards and doing elaborate twirls or spending an inordinate amount of time on the floor, this straight-out-of-the-80s date idea is sure to be a colourful outing.
Ice skating might be the winter date of choice, but rollerblading is your year-round alternative.
Roller Nation is a permanent roller disco in London and has regular events; tickets are around £18.
Watch the sunset at the top of Primrose Hill
Watching the sunset over the city is just about the most romantic thing you can do in London.
A view from one of the skyscrapers is always breathtaking, but if you can’t get tickets to the Sky Garden or the Shard, Primrose Hill is the next best thing. This part of North London is home to beautiful pastel-coloured houses, Regent’s canal and stunning views over the capital – from the greenery of Regent’s Park to the skyscrapers of the City.
If you get the rare day when it’s not overcast and grey, a glorious sunset will be your reward for climbing the grassy slope to the top. Complete the scene with a picnic basket and blanket, and sip champagne while admiring London’s iconic skyline.
Walk along the Thames
Not every date needs to be an expensive one. Going for a walk along the river is perfect for couples looking to spend some quality time together while enjoying views around London.
The South Bank walk is particularly lovely, as you follow a 4 mile path from Lambeth Bridge all the way to Tower Bridge. Along this route you’ll see the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and St. Paul’s, to name a few. After a few hours of walking, you should end your date with a well-deserved rest stop in a coffee shop – just hop on the Tube to get back to where you started!
Wander through Kensington Gardens
A little oasis right in the centre of London, Kensington Gardens is the perfect place to unwind for a few hours.
One of the eight Royal Parks in London, these gardens were historically a playground for the royal family. The Sunken Garden was a favourite of Princess Diana, which is why you will find a memorial dedicated to her memory there today.
The gardens are peaceful, and offer some respite from the city; with an elegant palace, fountains and artfully arranged flower beds, it’s a lovely place to spend some time with your other half.
Explore Notting Hill
If I had to point to one neighbourhood in London as the most romantic, it would be Notting Hill.
Chocolate-box houses, independent coffee shops, art galleries and book shops: it’s almost designed for dates. Live out your own rom-com and spend your time here dipping in and out of book shops and antique stores, exploring the irresistibly charming backstreets and sharing cake over coffee.
Discover the Barbican Conservatory
I know, another garden. The Barbican Conservatory is worth a mention though, and is free to enter so won’t break the bank! This hidden jungle feels more suited to an exotic wilderness than the streets of London, but is unassumingly tucked away between the corporate high-rises of the City.
The mixture of wild vines and plantlife with urban concrete creates an almost dystopian-looking aesthetic – if one of you is an avid photographer, the Barbican Conservatory won’t disappoint. Keep in mind that, though free, you do need to book a ticket in advance to enter.
Eat your way through Borough Market
Wandering through Borough Market, trying out different foods and weaving through the crowds is a true London experience. It’s even better with your other half. From Indian food to Italian, go on a culinary journey together across the world, all while staying under the same roof.
Find a new perspective at Frameless
Step into a masterpiece at Frameless, and find yourselves surrounded by history’s greatest works of art. This is an art gallery with a twist, and takes a typical date idea and makes it feel new.
Immersive experiences like Frameless are great for couples, and give you the chance to try something different – here, you can see Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ sprawled across the ceiling, or experience walking on the melting clocks of Salvador Dalí’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’. It’s certainly impressive and, like all art galleries, is great for creative inspiration and starting conversations.
Adult tickets start at £25.
Stargazing at the Royal Observatory
Staying up late into the night stargazing together has been romantic for as long as humans have understood the concept. What is a bit more recent is the ability to do it with a world-class telescope.
The Royal Observatory offers you both the chance to journey through the Milky Way, explore the endless constellations and marvel at the mysteries of the universe. You can only use the telescopes when booking a ticket for a special event (prices are £24 for an ‘Evening with the Stars’), but there are regular shows that come pretty close to the experience!