You can't be short on date night ideas in London—there are plenty of romantic things to do, whether it's your first date or your 50th. But since the city is so vast, you might need a helping hand to plan the best date ever.
London is one of the best cities in the world for a date night. It has a romantic feel, an exciting culture, and so many fun things to do and see. Put on your best suit or gown and begin the evening with a stroll through a beautiful park or by admiring the sunset from atop a hill. Take your date night to new heights—literally, with a private helicopter tour; take a trip back in time with the collections at the Natural History Museum; or throw caution to the wind and spend the night sipping G&Ts in some of London's finest gin bars.
Date nights are such a great way to keep things exciting in your relationship. So, if you're looking for ideas for things to do in London, we have great news for you! Here are some of our favourite date night ideas, to make some memories with your significant other.
ROMANTIC DATE NIGHT IDEAS IN LONDON
VIEWING THE SUNSET FROM PRIMROSE HILL
Primrose Hill is a special place to watch the sunset over London. Visit the romantic park that sits on the top of Primrose Hill and enjoy breathtaking views across London’s skyline, including many of the capital's most famous landmarks like The London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard.
Take a picnic blanket and a bottle of wine (preferably prosecco) and settle down to watch the sky turn from blue to orange to pink. Whisper sweet nothings into your partner's ears as the sun goes down and admire the city lights as they come on in the distance. Alternatively, you and your partner can go for a walk through the park, which has lovely, landscaped gardens, tennis courts, and cafés to keep you going until sunset!
A NIGHT BOAT CRUISE WITH CHAMPAGNE
Immerse yourself in London's world-famous skyline by going on a nighttime canal cruise with champagne on board! Live your own love story as you sail past iconic landmarks, glass in hand.
On this Thames River cruise, take it all in while feasting on fresh canapés and sipping champagne to add some romance to your evening. Enjoy your evening as you watch the city lights glimmering on the water and see places like Little Venice and Regent's Park from a new perspective. Don't miss the chance for some picturesque moments!
VISIT THE MUSEUMS
Museums don't have to be boring, and art dates can be fun. Take a romantic walk by The Serpentine in Hyde Park and follow that up with a visit to the museums of South Kensington. Start with the Victoria and Albert Museum, then head over to the Science Museum, finishing up your date in the beautiful hallways of the Natural History Museum!
The museums of London let you take a cultural break and spend quality time together. Plus, with most museums in London being free to enter, this date idea is perfect for those on a budget. If you’re feeling peckish as you stroll through the historic corridors and exhibits, make sure to check out the stunning restaurant in the V&A – the oldest museum restaurant in the world.
COOL DATE NIGHT IDEAS IN LONDON
TAKE A WALK THROUGH KING'S CROSS LIGHT TUNNEL
One of the most romantic spots in London is the King's Cross Light Tunnel, located near St. Pancras station. It's 90 metres long and comprises beautiful LED lights in the walls that grace the tunnel.
Walk hand in hand with your partner under a canopy of changing lights as you stroll through King's Cross' gently curving tunnel. Take in the beauty of the lightwall when viewed from the canal below. After you’ve taken in the tunnel, head over to German Gymnasium for a cocktail or three.
SIGHTSEEING AT LEAKE STREET IN WATERLOO
If you're looking for something a little bit different, head over to Leake Street Waterloo, where you can visit the graffiti-covered tunnel under Waterloo station. Although the graffiti in this tunnel is against the law, the street art community have been so persistent in making their mark on these walls that it is now tolerated, making it the inspiring cultural hub that we know today.
Spend a couple of hours and get lost in the murals of the local street artists. In addition to the visual delight, it's also worth checking out the tunnel's various archway venues, which play host to various pop-ups and neon-lit bars — the perfect climax to your date.
GRAB SOME DRINKS AT GORDON'S WINE BAR
Who doesn't love sipping on a well-made cocktail? Gordon's wine bar could be your favourite spot for a date night in London. As the oldest wine bar in London, it's the perfect place to warm up with a glass of red in the winter months.
Romantic and with a mellow ambience, Gordon's Wine Bar is popular amongst locals and visitors alike. You can grab a well-earned glass of wine after strolling along Victoria Embankment or book a table near one of the cosy fireplaces.
This intimate and petite wine bar is the perfect setting for a romantic date. Try an indulgent vintage with your partner while you enjoy the stunning view of the Tower Bridge, sharing small plates of rustic British food.
ACTIVE DATE NIGHT IDEAS IN LONDON
CLIMB THE ROOF OF THE O2 ARENA
How about a romantic outdoor climb over the O2 Arena's world-famous roof? Take on the challenge of climbing over the the top of the world-famous building to get a unique view of London. Get ready for an adventurous and unique date night out!
VISIT THE HILL GARDEN AND PERGOLA
Your date will be impressed by your cultural awareness as you head to Golders Hill Park for one of London's most romantic spots, the Hill Garden and Pergola. Indulge them with a stroll as you take in the stunning views across the city!
Once the private garden of a now-demolished manor house, the hilltop garden features an elevated walkway on pillars, arches, and curves joined by wisteria and roses—the perfect spot for a stroll in the romantic sunset mood!
GO BOWLING IN STYLE AT ALL STAR LANES
Fancy letting your competitive side loose? You and your partner can go bowling in style at All Star Lanes in Holborn. This location is a classic American-style bowling alley, complete with all the visual cues you would expect from a mid-century movie.
There are other locations around London, but this one is in a particularly interesting setting—the Trocadero,located near Piccadilly Circus, is an area known for its theaters, shops, bars, and bright lights. If that doesn't provide enough distraction from the game ahead of you, then we don't know what will!
As far as food and drinks go, the burgers are top notch, as are the cocktails if you're feeling brave enough to have a couple before getting into a friendly competition with your date.
FUN DATE NIGHT IDEAS IN LONDON
DO A PAINTING CLASS TOGETHER
Make your next date night a night to remember by doing something a bit different with a painting class. Together, you can practice your brush strokes while enjoying some wine and cheese.
Set yourselves loose with a blank canvas and paint the night away together and take home a masterpiece at the end of the evening.
PLAY PING PONG AT BOUNCE OLD STREET
Grab your partner and enjoy a fun night out at Bounce Old Street, where you can play Ping Pong and many other games. You can play on the actual table that was used for the World Championship Finals in Tokyo!
If you fancy making it a double date, grab another couple and play doubles. Do note that it's advisable to book in advance so take that into account when planning!
VISIT THE WIZARD EXPLORATORIUM IN SOHO
The Soho Exploratorium is considered one of the premier wizarding attractions in London and stays true to what magic is all about: exploration. The Wizards will help you explore your wild side with mind-bending tricks that make you question reality as you know it. This immersive interactive experience will have you and your partner exploring magic-themed rooms. You will come up against optical illusions, secret knowledge, and a variety of magic tricks!
POSH DATE NIGHT IDEAS IN LONDON
TAKE A CANDLELIT WINE BATH TOGETHER
Talk about romance and poshness! Head to AIRE Ancient Baths for a pampering wine bath at their spa. You can drink champagne and enjoy the wine's anti-aging properties at the same time. It's simply sublime.
A candlelit wine bath at AIRE is a luxurious & tasty way to enjoy a private moment together. Revel in the fun and sensuality of the experience as you sip on chilled white wine and nibble on fresh grapes while sliding down into the hot thermal water of the pool. The date ends with a relaxing massage designed for two. It's bound to be a night you'll remember forever.
VISIT SEA LIFE LONDON AQUARIUM
Enjoy a romantic day at the Sea Life London Aquarium, where you come face-to-face with a huge variety of incredible marine life. Explore the depths of the ocean and discover the fascinating underwater world in the stunning aquarium with one of the largest collections of global marine life in Europe.
Explore underwater galleries, feed sharks, and see exotic fish like seahorses and stingrays. Be enthralled by the aquarium's fascinating displays, from ocean turtles to a replica of a World War II bomb disposal unit surrounded by octopuses. Get up close to different species of flying fish, jellyfish, and seahorses during this exciting evening out.
GO ON A PRIVATE HELICOPTER TOUR
Take your date night in London to new heights—literally! Nothing says romance like a helicopter tour over London with your sweetheart (not to mention the killer social media post). Leave your cares behind as you soar past the iconic Shard building, Houses of Parliament, and theLondon Eye.
Enjoy a private helicopter tour of London with your partner and experience London in a new way! Take a private helicopter from Battersea Heliport, Central London, and enjoy stunning views of the city. Get to see the best sights in London as you explore the city highlights from the air!
IT'S TIME TO HAVE FUN!
When it comes to date nights, almost anything is possible in London. From climbing rooftops to enjoying thrilling walks through underground tunnels or taking in a bird's eye view of London, your date night options are almost limitless.
Because there are many date night ideas in London, it can be hard to know where to start! But we don't want you to be one of those couples who end up in the pub due to a lack of planning. So, you can always contact us when you need some help! Not sure of the best way to get around London? You have nothing to worry about because London has one of the best taxi services for tourists!
