Unique and fun date ideas in London that’ll make you fall for each other all over again
Have you seen the movie 50 First Dates? It’s where Drew Barrymore’s character suffers from short-term memory loss, so she forgets everything that happened the day before—and Adam Sandler’s role is to find a way to make her fall in love with him time and time again.
Isn’t that what most couples want? For the person you love to keep showing up, giving their best to take care of what you have—no matter how exhausting, ridiculous, or over-the-top it might seem to others?
If you’re nodding along and thinking it’s time to shake things up or impress each other a little more, then fate brought you here. From free activities to quirky experiences, start turning these unique and fun date ideas in London into memories with your partner!
Free and budget-friendly ideas
Stroll through London’s Hyde Park
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Website: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/visit/parks/hyde-park
Address: London, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 300 061 2000
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 5 AM – 12 AM
Sometimes all it takes is a spontaneous (or well-planned) romantic stroll amidst nature to bring your introverted new partner out of their shell. You’d be surprised at how much you can learn about a person on a long walk than you can over an overpriced dinner at a restaurant.
Talk, hold hands, or snap pictures of each other along the winding paths and picturesque meadows. Feel your heart flutter as you discover how you both love the squirrels passing by, the swans at the lake, or the herons under the bridge.
Not only that, see if your person’s a history enthusiast when you reach monuments like the Wellington Arch or the Apsley House—and if they start sharing the stories behind them. Before you leave, stop by the Royal Parks shop for a keepsake of your date.
Visit the British Museum
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Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/
Address: Great Russell St
Contact details: +44 20 7323 8000
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Thursday – 10 AM – 5 PM
- Friday – 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Ever thought about exploring two million years of human history and culture with your favorite person? You definitely can at the British Museum—for free, with no travel budgets or international flights needed just to see pieces of the past.
While you’re welcome to visit anytime during operating hours, Friday nights bring serious Night at the Museum vibes. Share the excitement as Greek sculptures and Assyrian palace statues almost seem to come alive the longer you look at them.
Spend some time in the Enlightenment Gallery, too, where you can look over old books, globes, and artifacts together. There are actually more exhibitions—both permanent and temporary—to see as a couple, plus the in-house cafe for a cozy post-museum coffee date.
Discover vibrant street art at the Alternative London Street Art Tour
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Website: https://alternativeldn.co.uk/london-street-art-tour/
Address: 19 Hessel St
Contact details: +44 7551 911822
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM – 4 PM
You could easily do this at your own pace as a couple, admiring colorful murals hand-in-hand and collecting memories with every photo. But a walking tour means you’ll actually know what you’re looking at (and won’t miss the best walls hiding in plain sight).
On the Alternative London Street Art Tour, the guides will reveal the untold stories about the Shoreditch street art scene. The routes change regularly, too, so you can go again and still discover something new—beyond the usual Banksy, Roa, and Shepard Fairey pieces.
It’s a shared discovery for the two of you, or with close friends and family on a private tour. But if you’re up for a group of 20 new faces, book your £20 tickets easily on their website—and remember, rain or shine, the tour goes on.
Food and drink experiences
Take cooking classes at The Avenue Cookery School
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Website: https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/
Address: 3 Enterprise Way
Contact details: +44 20 8874 7623
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM – 10 PM
You know the saying, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”? While that’s often true, food is really a way to each other’s heart—especially when you’re sharing meals and cooking together at home or in a class like this.
The Avenue Cookery school has over a hundred classes, but the ones listed below are the real date night favorites. You can stick with one for multiple sessions or try something new each time—it’s totally up to you!
| Class | Description | Duration | Menu | Price |
| Italian cooking class Book now | Delve into classic Italian dishes with an Aperol Spritz on arrival. | 3 hours | Pasta, risotto, gnocchi | £120 |
| Mexican street food class Book now | Explore the flavors, ingredients, and techniques of traditional Mexican street food. | 3 hours | Tacos, burrito, nachos, and churros | £120 |
| Bao class Book now | Gain kneading, rolling, cooking, and filling skills to achieve light and fluffy buns. | 3 hours | Bao buns with pickled cucumber, homemade Asian mayonnaise, and crushed peanuts | £120 |
| Fish class Book now | Learn fish and seafood basics to help you prepare and cook fish. | 3 hours | Scallops with pea purée, pan-fried sea bass | £145 |
| Jamaican cooking class Book now | Know how to season and marinate to perfection using the bold and spicy flavors of Jamaican cuisine. | 3 hours | Jerk Poussin, Jerk Sauce, Jamaican Slaw, and rum cake | £120 |
| Moroccan cooking class Book now | Pick up fun tips and presentation tricks in creating a Moroccan feast from scratch. | 3 hours | Chicken Tagine, Herby Couscous, Zaalouk (Aubergine salad), Harissa dip, Khobz (Moroccan bread), Roz Bel Hlib (Moroccan rice pudding) | £120 |
Each class also comes with bottomless wine and a chance to test your teamwork as you create something that’s all yours. Afterward, you’ll sit down with the other participants and enjoy the meal you cooked for yourselves.
Join the Secret Food Tours London
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Website: https://www.secretfoodtours.com/london/
Address: 6-8 Bonhill St
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday – 24 hours
Go on a culinary journey through traditional British dishes and global flavors that have found a home in London! Know just how delicious the city (and your love) can be when you’re stealing bites from each other’s plates.
With Secret Food Tours London, you can taste your way through London Bridge, Shoreditch, East London, Soho, or the ever-popular Camden Market. Each tour lasts between 3 tand 3 ½ hours, and the highest price you can expect to pay is £99.99—here’s what else to know:
| Secret Food Tours | Meeting point | Number of stops | Menu | Price |
| London Bridge Book now | Outside Evans Cycle Shop near London Bridge Station | 7 | Bacon and egg bap, fish and chips, sausage roll, British cheeses, classic English dessert, glass of ale | £89.99 |
| London Shoreditch Book now | Shoreditch High Street station | 6 | Salt-beef bagel, Ghanaian cocoa, fish and chips, Chinese Jian Bing crepe, sweet fruity dessert, glass of ale | £85.99 |
| Indian Food Tours: East London Book now | Outside the Whitechapel Art Gallery | 5-6 | A selection of curries, Naan bread & Basmati rice, spicy chickpea, sweets (gulab jamuns and ras ghulla), Tandoori dishes, lamb delicacies, Indian beer, wine | £89.99 |
| SoHo Food Tour Book now | Entrance of Golden Square | 7 | King Prawn Croquettes, Jamon & Migas Croquettes, Truffle Arancini with Fontina Cheese, Coconut Beef Rendang Curry, BBQ Pork Bao Buns, bittersweet Vermouth, 3 historic gins | £99.99 |
| Camden Market Book now | Camden High St | 7 | Birria tacos, British cheese board with sweet pairings, Cantonese roast duck, deep fried pizza doughnuts, roasted pork pastries, Artisanal gin, London craft cider, red wine | £89.99 |
Take note of the menu to make sure it’s something you’ll both enjoy—just keep in mind that some dishes may vary depending on what’s available locally. And if you want to share the day with family and friends, private tours are available, too!
Adventure and outdoor activities
Kayak along the Thames River
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Website: https://londonkayakcompany.com/
Address: 8, Springham Walk, River Gardens Walk
Contact details: +44 7741 205515
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 9 AM – 8 PM
We’ve covered date ideas that show you London through art, from above, and even on a plate of British food. Now, let’s talk about seeing the city from the River Thames—by kayak, with a fun guide to lead the way and keep you safe.
In this adventure, your partner is your teammate as you paddle your kayak together, moving with the tidal flow. Along the historic river, you’ll feel London’s giants—Tower Bridge, The Shard, and the Houses of Parliament—standing tall and strong, just like your relationship.
London Kayak Company recommends the Kayak Bus and Barrier and Back daytime trips for complete beginners. For experienced kayakers, the Night Bus and Tower by Twilight trips are perfect—just be sure to eat beforehand for energy and maintain a positive attitude!
Go indoor climbing at The Castle Climbing Centre
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Website: https://www.castle-climbing.co.uk/
Address: Green Lanes
Contact details: +44 20 8211 7000
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM – 10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday – 9 AM – 8 PM
It’s okay if that nature hike date never made it out of your texts. The Castle Climbing Centre has all the boulders you need, plus gyms, lockers, showers, and changing rooms you certainly won’t find in the wilderness.
First time or not, the staff here will guide you with care, making sure the only thing you’re falling for is each other. They also offer courses to really build your skills, so when that hike finally happens, you’ll be more than ready.
After a day of climbing, slow things down with a cozy break at The Castle’s community garden or vegetarian cafe. And if you’re both feeling social, join one of their events—it’s a sweet way to bond and meet others who share your love for adventure!
Arts and culture
Watch Wicked The Musical
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Website: https://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/
Address: 17 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, Apollo Victoria Theatre
Contact details: +44 20 3318 3832
Available times: Tuesday to Sunday – 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Watching Wicked The Musical isn’t only a unique and fun date, it could be one of the best gifts you give to your partner. With life’s stress and struggles, hearing Defying Gravity might be exactly what they need to lift their spirits.
There’s something nostalgic about it, too—you might’ve first seen it as a wide-eyed kid on a school trip or a weekend with family. Now you return to it, grown-up and in love, adding a new chapter to an old favorite.
Just like at the movies, you can share popcorn and drinks while you watch. After the show, take your time capturing a few sweet photos together under the green lights and beside Wicked displays for your Instagram end-of-the-month dump.
Participate in art workshops at The Clay Garden
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Website: https://www.theclaygarden.com/
Address: Railway Arch, 63 Cambridge Grove
Contact details: Contact form
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 AM – 10 PM
- Friday – 10 AM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM – 9 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM – 9 PM
Dates still feel like home at The Clay Garden’s pottery studio in Hammersmith. With big windows letting in soft daylight and warm, romantic lighting after dark, it’s as if you’re shaping mugs, pots, and vases right from your own cozy living room.
Their wonderful courses will have you learning to throw on the potter’s wheel, hand-building techniques, trimming, engraving, and more. If you’ve been looking for a hands-on workshop to enjoy together, this might be the one—simply choose from the following:
| Pottery course | Description | Duration | Day and time |
| Beginners/roll-on | For complete beginners and those who need practice or tutor support | 5 weeks | Tuesday and Wednesday – 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Sunday – 10 AM – 1 PM |
| 10 weeks | Monday – 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Saturday – 10 AM – 1 PM | ||
| Throwing-only | For improving throwing skills on the wheel | 7 weeks | Thursday – 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM |
| Discovery sessions | A taster class (with wine) for complete beginners to try their hand at 2 hours each of hand-building and throwing on the wheel | One-off | Sunday – 2 PM – 6 PM |
Quirky and unusual date ideas
Solve puzzles at Escape Hunt Oxford Street
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Website: https://escapehunt.com/uk/london-oxford-street/
Address: 70 Oxford St
Contact details: +44 20 7637 3222
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Friday – 10 AM – 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM – 11:30 PM
Forget the usual movie night for a second—Escape Hunt gives you a chance to be the heroes in each other’s story. With only clues, puzzles, and 60 minutes on your side, it’s the ultimate couple’s bonding test across five immersive escape rooms:
| Escape room | Theme | Pricing (for two) |
| Doctor Who: A Dalek Awakens Book now | Sci-fi adventure, Doctor Who universe | £42 per person |
| Alice in Puzzleland Book now | Alice in Wonderland, adventure/quest | £42 per person |
| Blackbeard’s Treasure Book now | Pirate, high seas, survival, action/thrill | £42 per person |
| Aladdin & The Magic Vault Book now | Aladdin fantasy, rescue mission, magic and sorcery | £42 per person |
| Journey to Atlantis Book now | Atlantis mythology, underwater/deep sea, navigation and strategy | £42 per person |
| Escape the Wild West Book now | Wild West/Western adventure, treasure, train escape | £42 per person |
If you both had a blast and want to keep the fun going, Escape Hunt also offers Play at Home games for a cozy date night in. Or, turn the city into your playground with a City Hunt—armed with a digital map and props, hold your partner’s hand while cracking codes around town.
The Vaults
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Website: https://www.thevaults.london/
Address: Launcelot St
Contact details: +44 20 7401 9603
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday – 11 AM – 7 PM
I, too, thought theater productions couldn’t be interactive, let alone immersive. Usually, it’s the actors on stage and you in the audience—but at The Vaults, you are part of the show, which makes it unlike any other date idea.
Past productions like Alice’s Adventures Underground have taken audiences on multi-sensory journeys through fantastical worlds. In Plied and Prejudice, performers even approached the crowd, delivering or singing their lines from right beside their seats.
The Vaults’ location in a maze of disused railway arches, along with the distant rumble of trains overhead, might also make you hold your partner’s hand a little tighter. If that sounds like your kind of night, check what’s on and start planning your visit!
Check out London’s speakeasies at Cahoots Underground
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Website: https://www.cahoots.co.uk/
Address: 13 Kingly Ct, Carnaby
Contact details: +44 20 7352 6200
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 5 PM – 1 AM
- Thursday – 5 PM – 2 AM
- Friday – 4 PM – 2 AM
- Saturday – 1 PM – 2 AM
- Sunday – 4 PM – 12 AM
For couples who live for a good night out, Cahoots Underground brings you back to all the wildness of the 1940s. Sip cocktails under dim lights at Soho’s underground– and ticket hall-themed bar, or steal glances across the table in Borough’s vintage-style post office.
You can finally experience that old-fashioned romance you’ve only read or seen in classic war-time love stories. That’s not all, your drinks are served in old mugs, hip flasks, and tins—almost turning you into time travelers as you say “Cheers!”
No one also says they’ve been to Cahoots without catching their Live Music events—grab your partner to the dance floor as the talented bands, pianists, and vocalists do their gig. Keeping the night alive is DJ Mark Charade spinning tracks from 11 PM ‘til late.
Seasonal and special events
Enjoy Film Club at Canary Wharf
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Website: https://canarywharf.com/whats-on/film-club/
Address: 25 Canada Square
Contact details: +44 70 1004 1763
Season: Tuesday and Sunday – June to September
Rewatch your favorite film as a couple or simply discover a new one in a setting that’s neither your couch nor the cinema. From June to September, Canary Wharf’s Film Club turns Canada Square Park into a date spot with free movies under the stars and chances to steal a cuddle.
Tear up, laugh, or whisper “Awww” with your partner as classic films light up the screen and your faces. Past favorites have included romantic hits like Mamma Mia!, Dirty Dancing, and 10 Things I Hate About You—and the line-up just gets better and bigger each year.
Bring your own blanket, foldable chairs, and snacks so you won’t have to leave mid-scene to visit nearby shops. Deckchairs are available, too—but be early, as they’re first-come, first-served.
Stop and smell the flowers at Chelsea in Bloom
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Website: https://www.chelseainbloom.co.uk/
Address: Sloane St, Pavilion Rd, Duke of York Square, and King’s Rd
Contact details: +44 20 7823 5577
Season: Mid-to-late May
You’ll gain a new appreciation of your partner’s flower bouquets as you watch West London transform into a floral art trail during Chelsea in Bloom. Everywhere you look—shops, restaurants, and streets are decked out in incredible flower displays.
This free-to-attend festival might just be the daytime date you’ve been dreaming of—filled with long walks, photo-ops, and cozy cafe stops. With each corner bursting with color and blossoms, it feels like nature itself is blessing your love.
Coinciding with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, this one’s from mid to late May only. If your partner’s birthday or even your anniversary falls on this month, consider adding this charming, elegant, and Instagram-worthy date idea to your plans.