London is a city of romance. The historic streets, the beautiful open parks and gardens, the palaces, the restaurants, the city’s reputation for artists and poets; together this all creates the perfect setting for a weekend away with your loved one.
There are so many things that couples can do together in London. Read on for our guide to the:
20 romantic things to do in London for a trip for two in 2020!
1) Dine at the Most Romantic Restaurant in London
In fact, you can choose from several options if you opt for one of the Marble Arch restaurants for your dinner date! One of the most romantic restaurants in London is Kitty Fischer’s, a cosy corner in the historic Shepherd Market. Small wooden tables dressed simply with fresh posies of wildflowers keep the vibe relaxed. The seasonal menu is simple and full of flavour. Opt to share some starters before diving into a succulent main course paired with wine.
2) Eat al Fresco With a Picnic Date
If the sun is shining and you have an empty afternoon ahead, pack a picnic and make a date with one of London’s gorgeous parks! Hyde Park, St James’s and Regent’s Park can all be found within the centre of the city and have tranquil ponds and pretty flower gardens to enjoy a long, lazy session of soaking up the rays. Share fresh berries and savouries, lay back and watch the clouds float past.
3) Connect with Nature at Hampstead
Add bathing suits to your packing list for the M By Montcalm and spend a few hours at the mixed bathing pond at Hampstead Heath. Practise your diving skills by plunging into the chemical-free water. If this isn’t your cup of tea, then consider going to the Parliament Hill lido instead. This colossal outdoor pool isn’t heated, but there is a sauna onsite and you’ll have fun daring each other to jump in!
4) Sing Along at a Musical
Every night in London you can take your pick from musicals which are a truly special date night in the city. Pretty Woman: The Musical has opened in time for 2020 and remains faithful to the 1990 rom-com starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere about an unlikely romance between a wealthy businessman and his kooky companion. The musical score has been set by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, a recipe for romance!
5) Propose to Your Loved One
The sky-high viewing decks provide unforgettable backdrops for popping the question. Either the View from The Shard or one of the skyscraper’s 6 restaurants provide a magical setting to propose in London. Or, take them to a beautiful park, such as the Queen Mary’s Rose Garden or Holland Park. You can celebrate with a bottle of bubbly in one of London’s 5-star hotels and start to think about dates!
6) Play a Round of Bowls
This classic first-date activity has never gone out of fashion, and London has plenty of bowling alleys to choose from – many with a retro theme, all with the silly pumps. The Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes was the original pioneer of the trend and offers an all-American themed series of lanes. The loser can buy pizza and milkshakes for the winner!
7) Craft Your Own Gin or Cheese
One of the best things for couples to do in London is to sign up to one of the workshops you can find in the city! At the Ginstitute (Notting Hill) you can partake in a workshop where you blend your own bottle of gin to take home. Couples can enjoy this experience together and see who crafts the best gin. Alternatively, you can make your own cheese with Wilde’s Cheese: The Urban Cheesemaker. This is one of the top foodie courses in the UK and can be experienced as a one-day course or a short evening class, the amusingly named ‘Come Stretch with Us’.
8) Indulge in an Afternoon Tea
Sharing a long afternoon tucking into dainty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and sweet pasties and macarons is one of the most romantic things to do in London. It gives you the opportunity to reflect on your shared experiences in the city, have a proper heart to heart, and indulge your sweet tooth! Find London afternoon tea deals that include a glass of champagne to make more romantic.
9) Catch a Flick at London’s Most Romantic Cinema
If you want to surprise your date then why not take them on a date to the most romantic cinema in London, the Electric Cinema! Also one of the oldest cinemas in London, this plush lounge oozes romance, class and comfort with its luxurious cashmere blankets and leather armchairs. If you want to really impress, then book one of the velvet beds and snuggle up to watch the latest release, There’s even a handy table to keep a bottle of wine and box of popcorn on.
10) Relax with a Spa Afternoon
Few things are as luxurious as retreating to a spa for a few hours of pampering and experience a treatment such as a massage together is a recipe for romance! Take the time to unwind at your London hotel and spa; wash away the stress of your daily lives and frantic London streets by relaxing in the sauna or steam room. Book a spa package and turn this into a full afternoon of shared indulgence.
11) Have a Laugh
One of the most fun things for couples to do in London at night is to catch some comedy! London has many comedy clubs, particularly in the Leicester Square and Covent Garden neighborhoods. For something extra special, check out the Boat Show Comedy Club, London’s only comedy club aboard a docked paddle steamer. Shows are relatively inexpensive as they are often well-established acts practising new material. Remember, laughter is considered by many to be an aphrodisiac…
12) Navigate London’s Waterways
Something that proves great fun for couples in London is kayaking along the waterways. You can rent kayaks from a range of different operators and take yourself out for a leisurely paddle. Guests of Montcalm Marble Arch London can head to Limehouse Basin, from where Moo Canoes operate. The eastern end of the Regent’s Canal is a springboard for visiting the canalised breweries, pizzerias and cafès whenever you need a break from paddling. Another option is to kayak by night with Kayaking London, whose guided tours take you past the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, lit up under the night sky.
13) Lust After the Sunset in London
Share an epic sunset together over London in one of the city’s most picturesque spots! Richmond Park is always a beautiful setting, as the sun fades away behind the grazing deer in this wild open space. The view from Primrose Hill is another fail-safe option, and can be made all the more romantic if you remember to take a bottle of wine along to share. Watching the sun sink behind the historic buildings and skyscrapers along the River Thames as you share a riverside walk will also make for a memorable dusk!
14) Go Star-Gazing
Unfortunately, you’re unlikely to see very many stars above the central areas of London. But, fortunately, the Royal Observatory in Greenwich offer an alternative with their weekend planetarium shows. Clasp hands, and gaze up at the projections for one of the best date night experiences in London. You can usually get a ticket on the door, but it is worth booking ahead if you can.
15) Watch Romance on The Big Screen
Summer in London means one thing; open-air cinemas! This burgeoning trend brings classic films and new releases to outdoor screens around the city. Every summer, they get even more stylised and polished, with innovative seating and creative cocktails all forming part of the experience. Stay tuned for schedules which will be released during spring. Popular cinemas include the Luna Cinema, the Rooftop Film Club at the Bussey Building (Peckham) and Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House.
16) Trawl a Market for Trinkets
Particularly if you and your loved one have recently begun cohabiting or have moved house – taking a morning to browse homeware, antiques and art for your home is a lovely, romantic way to start the day. Even if you’re just in the market for browsing, you’ll find some quirky pieces to inspire conversations and memories. Markets such as Covent Garden, Portobello Road and Spitalfields usually have delectable food stalls too, so you can grab a scrumptious treat to go whilst you shop.
17) Spend a Night at The Museum
Rather than getting lost among the crowds, turn your cultural date into a night at the museum and attend one of the Lates events. They have become as much an institution in London as afternoon tea deals. Different museums and galleries across the city open after-hours on a weekly, monthly, or ad hoc occasion. Fridays followed by Thursdays tend to be the most common ‘Late’ night. The Natural History Museum, Wellcome Collection and Tate Galleries are part of the programme. Decide which venue appeals and check their events page. Geared towards adult audiences, they often feature live music and food and drink stalls.
18) Go Wild at Zoo Nights
Similarly, ZSL London Zoo operate their own late night antics. Zoo Nights take place during summer for a limited time only and are strictly for 18+ audiences only. This gives you to chance to observe the wild animals with your own mate and attend talks about animals and conservation. Many attendees choose to dress up, and there is always plenty of global fare and drink stalls to keep you and your significant otter energised! A wild, adventurous date night perfect for love birds.
19) Watch Shakespeare at The Globe
‘If music be the food of love, play on…’ The master of romance, William Shakespeare himself, has left his legacy in London in the form of The Globe Theatre. This modern replica of the original theatre that Shakespeare staged his work at sit on the London Southbank. During summer, you can watch adaptations of his work beneath the night sky – if you book a standing ticket.
20) Find Your New Favourite Bar in London
Let yourselves be tempted to a night on the tiles and find a cubby hole where you can chat late into the night. Tucked away beneath Charing Cross, you can find Gordon’s Wine Bar. This candlelit bar retains its historic value with vaulted cellars and original Dickensian-style decor, and provides fine wine served with tapas and cheese platters. If you prefer cocktails to wine, head to Sketch. A kitsch teahouse by day, by night you can sip a libation at their enchanted woodland themed bar. For something more musical, sit back to smooth jazz at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho!
