31 Fun Date Ideas in London for 2024
Whether you’re planning that critical first date or the second date is hanging in the balance, we’ve got you covered with this guide to fun date ideas in London. Don’t risk being ghosted because of your poor date game. There are plenty of exciting date ideas to impress your crush in the liveliest city in the U.K.
The London lifestyle is all go, all the time, and perhaps you don’t have a second to spare to think about where to take your love interest. If this sounds like you, then look no further. Whether you need foodie date ideas in London or something a little adventurous, here are some date night ideas that show you really did your homework.
Jump to Section
- Foodie Date Ideas in London
- Date Ideas on a Budget in London
- Indoor Date Ideas in London
- Active Date Ideas in London
- Quirky Date Ideas in London
- Winter Pop-Up Date Ideas in London
Foodie Date Ideas in London
1. Cooking Class
Romantic dinner dates are an old-fashioned favorite, but they can demonstrate a lack of imagination. If you want to get a conversation going and move a little closer to your date, sitting across a table with a mouthful of pasta is not the best way to go about it. For fun foodie date ideas in the city that are a little more interactive, peruse the many cooking classes in London. You could even find a cooking class near you if you expect the date to go well. Perhaps you want a bit more privacy? You could enroll in online cooking classes and invite your date round to yours.
2. Private Chef Meal
Want to step it up a gear? Or perhaps you need date night ideas in London for a special anniversary. In either case, hiring a private chef is a surefire way to impress. Picture this: A world-class chef cooks a gourmet meal for you and your loved one in your own kitchen. There is no need to shop for, prepare or cook a single thing. Even clean-up is included in the service. What makes this the perfect date idea in London is that it takes place in the comfort of your own home. Simply choose from a selection of private chefs in London who specialize in a range of different cuisines. If you're stuck for date ideas in London, finding the perfect private chef near you is a creative solution.
3. Food Tour
Want a date that is active and educational? A food tour can tick both of those boxes. If your date prefers walking about to sitting still, going on a food tour is an ideal activity-based date idea in London. What better city to embark on a food tour than London? The city is proud to present a mix of traditional British dishes alongside a diverse global food scene. London is a massive multicultural city with many boroughs offering their fair share of markets, independent food stores, bakers and more. With all this on your front door, you can pick from a variety of food tours near you. Led by an expert guide, going on a food tour in London will open your eyes to parts of the city you’ve never seen before and foods you’ve never tasted.
4. Brewery Tour
If you and your date prefer a pint in the pub to a glass of wine, a brewery tour could be the perfect date idea in London. The capital boasts a booming brewery and microbrewery industry with many opening their doors to visitors. Whether ale is your tipple of choice or perhaps an innovative craft beer, there is a brewery for every taste. You and your date will be guided through the brewing process and more importantly, get to sample a few beers along the way.
5. Afternoon Tea
Show your sophisticated side and entertain your date with a spot of afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British tradition that came about in the 1800s. It was the perfect post-midday pick-me-up for upper-class London socialites who wanted a nibble and a natter. Nowadays it's a civilized way to take a break from modern day life with a small snack and hot beverage. Choose a grand setting for your afternoon tea date to woo the object of your affection and they will be truly impressed. The Painted Hall Café at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is a beautifully historic backdrop to sip tea and take a piece of cake or two with your date.
6. Famous Food Markets
London is well-known for its market culture, playing host to some of the most famous food markets in the world. Chances are you have heard about Borough Market, the historic food market that dates back to the 12th century. For the perfect daytime date in London, window-shop to your heart's content and sample some of the delicacies on offer. Finally, treat your date to dinner and stop off at one of the many restaurants on-site. The restaurants at Borough Market boast an array of cuisines, from traditional roasts to Galician-style octopus, so your date will be spoiled for choice.
7. Street Food
Keep it casual and fun with a date to BOXPARK in various boroughs around London. The world's first pop-up shopping mall launched back in 2011 in Shoreditch. Shipping containers were repurposed to house independent retailers, music events, and food and drinks vendors. Walking around the site, you can snack on tasty bites from street food sellers putting gourmet twists on classic fast foods from around the world. They say opposites attract, so if your date fancies jerk chicken but you’re craving tacos, BOXPARK is the ideal date idea in London.
Date Ideas on a Budget in London
8. Date in the British Museum
London can be an expensive place to go out. However, there are free attractions to visit that can double up as a perfect date idea. Taking your date to one of the city’s many museums will show that you are not just a pretty face. Swot up on the current exhibitions and offer tidbits of information as you guide your date around the beautiful museum. Entrance to permanent exhibitions is usually free, with payment of admission fees required for temporary exhibitions only. Check out the British Museum, which includes fascinating artifacts from all over the world, available for you to view for free.
9. Date in the Natural History Museum
Wandering through The Natural History Museum is another zero-cost way to spend an afternoon with your date. You will both learn so much about nature and hopefully perhaps a little bit more about each other too. Their collection of dinosaur skeletons is sure to leave you both awe-struck.
10. Arty Date
If your date is the creative sort, a trip to an art gallery will win you bonus points. Whilst new temporary exhibitions usually require a fee in venues such as The Tate Modern, permanent works are on show for free. Time your date just right and you might be able to show your date around London Gallery Weekend’s extensive programme of events, workshops and exhibitions, which is completely free to attend.
11. Park Date
London’s parks are something else; they are grand and full of life. The larger parks often have their own schedules of events and goings on which would be great ideas for a budget date in London. World-renowned Hyde Park is home to a romantic ornamental rose garden, while Greenwich Park boasts Instagram-worthy views of the river Thames and Canary Wharf.
12. Date in the Country
For a touch of the quaint English countryside, head to Richmond Park in southwest London. You might be lucky enough to see the red and fallow deer that roam freely across the park’s 2500-acre grounds. Could you picture a more perfect date idea in London?
Indoor Date Ideas in London
13. Online Beverage Tasting
Beverage tasting events can break the ice and give you something to talk about and discuss with your date, which is a great idea if you are a nervous dater. They're also a great date idea in London for any couple, no matter how long you've been together. Virtual wine tastings enhance your palate, introduce you to new vintages and even teach you about ideal food pairings. If cocktails are more your thing, then online mixology classes are a deliciously interactive way to spend a date night at home.
14. Comedy Club Date
Laugh out loud with your date at a comedy gig. London is home to many comedy venues, hosting comedians catering to all senses of humor. Enjoy a rib-tickling evening of live comedy in London and pray that you won’t be picked on in the front row.
15. Stargazing at The Royal Observatory
London can offer many things, but a clear night sky is not one of them. Whilst it may seem like a good idea to lie on a grassy bank somewhere and look up at the night sky with your date, you might be in for disappointment. No worries; the Royal Observatory at Greenwich is here to save your romantic gesture. The Planetarium in the Royal Observatory plays host to The Sky Tonight Live sessions, where you can stargaze and learn about all things astronomical without braving the elements.
16. Musical Date
For fans of musicals, London’s West End is a must-visit. Take your date out to a pre-show dinner before their favorite musical to surely secure date number two.
17. Paint Date
Guided by a talented painter, Paint a Pic events will help bring out your inner artist. Explore your creativity with your partner and enjoy a few drinks from the on-site bar. You will even have a souvenir of your date to bring home, your finished masterpieces. Now that’s something to show the grandkids.
18. Spa Date
London can be a stressful place to live in, that’s for sure. What better way to treat your date and yourself to some self-care than by going on a couple's spa day? With locations in and around the city, you can forget about the stresses of modern life that exist outside of the spa. It’s just you, your date and a selection of sumptuous spa treatments.
Active Date Ideas in London
19. Skate, Dine and Bowl at Queens
Not at Buckingham Palace but at Queens, close to Queensway station in West London, you can ice skate, bowl, go curling or go karting. You can even play a game of beer pong if that’s the kind of activity you like. If you prefer dates that leave you a little breathless, Queens is the place to go. Recharge your batteries after a few games with some of the best burgers in the city. Before you leave, capture your special evening with a couple's pic at the photobooth.
20. Axe-Throwing in Oxford Circus
Oxford Circus, one of the busiest places in London, is home to Whistlepunks axe-throwing studio. If you and your date share a love for high-octane activities, this date idea in London is for you. As a pair, you’ll throw with other guests, but there is an option to hire a private lane for just you and your date.
21. Ping-Pong Date
Ping-pong is on trend again, in case you are not up with what’s in and what’s not. Impress your date with your ping-pong skills at Bounce in Farringdon, Old Street, or at their new branch at Battersea Power Station. Just whatever you do, don’t act like a sore loser. That never goes down well on a date.
22. Follow the Clues
Perhaps you and your date are after an active date idea that involves using some brain power too? If so, London has a whole range of escape rooms and treasure hunt activities to solve with your partner. You can play out your Sherlock Holmes fantasies at Sherlock: The Official Live Game, an escape room located in W12 Shopping Centre, London.
Quirky Date Ideas in London
23. Ball Pit Date
Yes, that’s right, a ball pit date is the next hottest trend in date night activities. Jump in with your date and relive your childhood. Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch is an ideal location for a quirky date. It’s essentially a cocktail bar with a unique glowing ball pit. After getting all sweaty in the ball pit, you can enjoy some sophisticated cocktails to bring you back to adulthood.
24. Zen Date
For a date with a difference, head to one of the many meditation clubs in London such as the Levitate: Meditation and Wellbeing Studio, where you and your partner can experience next-level meditation together. Try out different techniques for a truly zen-like date idea in London.
25. Karaoke Date
If you and your date are fans of karaoke, be sure to check out one of the many karaoke bars in the city. Here, you’ll find an exuberant array of karaoke events from drag karaoke to cabaret and comedy shows. Just ensure that your date is a fan of karaoke beforehand or else you won’t be getting another one.
26. Date With a Cowboy
Well, not an actual date with a cowboy, but with one step inside the Moonshine Saloon, you’ll be tipping your hat with a yee-haw. The Moonshine Saloon is an East London pop-up immersive drinking event complete with cocktails and cowboy hats.
Winter Pop-Up Date Ideas in London
27. Winter Wonderland
For festive fun with your loved one, visit the aptly named Winter Wonderland in London's Hyde Park. During the festive period, the park is given a magical makeover, turning its green grounds into the set from a Christmas movie. With fairground rides and food stalls, there is plenty to see, do, eat and drink, all in one place, making it an ideal date idea in London. Treat your date to wintry cocktails by an open fire whilst listening to live bands and DJs. With themed Bavarian villages, Alpine and ice bars, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
28. Mercer Roof Terrace Igloos or Greenhouses
The coziest way to spend a date night in London is in one of the Mercer Roof Terrace Igloos. Look out over the lights of London as you feast on farm-to-table cuisine in one of their warm glass domes or greenhouses. Complete with faux-fur blankets and twinkling lights, this is a date idea that really brings the Christmas spirit. The igloos are a perfect group date idea, with a minimum of five guests. The greenhouses, which accept three or four guests, are ideal for a fun double date.
29. Christmas Cinema
If you are a sucker for a cheesy Christmas movie and want to share a heartfelt cinematic moment with your Christmas crush, check out Rivoli Pop-Up Cinema on Brockley Road. Cozy up together and watch festive favorites such as "Elf" and "Love, Actually" on the big screen. There couldn’t be a more grand setting for a movie date than the Rivoli Ballroom.
30. Rooftop Bar Date
The Queen of Hoxton is yet again set to host its annual rooftop bar over the festive season. For a Christmas date idea in London, take your partner for après-ski themed drinks and transport them to the Alps. Toast your s'mores and sip signature cocktails with the city skyline as your backdrop.
31. Log Cabin Date
The Log Cabin at The Montague Hotel is the most cozy, winter date idea in London. Situated near Covent Garden, the terrace will be transformed into a log cabin complete with a Christmas tree, comfy armchairs and a warm fireside. Perfect for post-Christmas shopping when you want to put your feet up and relax with a loved one.
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These are just some of the date ideas in London you could try. The beauty of London is that there are so many activities to take part in and places to visit with your date. There truly is something for everyone in this city. For even more ways to explore London, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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