Looking for the perfect romantic day out in London?
We’ve updated our ‘Romantic Things To Do in London’ guide for 2022, so this year, get your Valentine’s Day sorted with one of our unique picks!
There’s plenty of romantic date ideas to be found hidden amongst London’s museums, canals, bustling shops and angsty commuters. Whether your partner loves to enjoy an incredible meal, see the sights or simply spend time people-watching, London is a city full of stories waiting to be discovered!
Take their hand and lead them on a quintessentially London adventure by browsing our top picks for romantic London date ideas below.
London Date Ideas for 2022
Full Day Bespoke Fashion Tour Of London with Food
Why not kick things off on a stylish note?
With this luxurious, full day fashion tour, you’ll spend 8 hours exploring London’s best boutiques with your significant other. Led by an expert, private guide, you’ll get insider knowledge on the prestigious boutiques and shops of the Capital, whilst curating your wardrobe and hopefully picking up some great new pieces.
When you make your booking, your personal fashion guide will reach out to you in order to arrange your bespoke London tour. Whether you want to explore the best menswear the capital has to offer, the opulent boutiques of St. James's or the timeless shops of Chiltern Street, your guide will help you design a route to fit your needs.
Meet them on the day of your tour, and begin the shopping trip of dreams! As you explore your meticulously tailored shopping route, your expert fashion guide will provide historical context for the prestigious stores you visit. Take two breaks to rest your feet, enjoying meals at London eateries.
If you’re looking to really push the boat out this Valentine’s Day, we think this Bespoke Fashion Tour will do the trick!
Cocktail And Chocolate Making Master Class in London
We all know that chocolate is synonymous with Valentine’s Day – from the slightly unnerving Milk Tray ads of last century to the artisan chocolates of today, this is a classic gift that many fall back on come 14th February.
If your partner has a sweet tooth, treat them to this fun, interactive Cocktail and Chocolate Making Master Class in London. During this two and a half hour workshop, you'll learn everything about the art of cocktail and chocolate making, with unique twists.
From Mocha Martinis, to Rum Old Fashioned Truffles, your expert chocolatiers will guide you in creating, decorating (and of course tasting) deliciously indulgent treats plucked straight from every chocolate lover’s dreams. An incredible evening of creative cocktails and creamy chocolates, a winning combo is born!
We are willing to bet that this combination of alcohol and food will make anybody happy – and although this workshop doesn’t run on 14th February, you can treat your partner to a voucher to redeem on a future date.
Light Up London Black Cab Tour
London is magical at night – twinkling lights, lit up shopfronts and the feeling of possibility for the evening ahead.
With this Light Up London Black Cab Tour, you and your partner will go on a unique date to discover the twinkling, otherworldly atmosphere of the capital at night.
During this ninety minute experience, hop in a classic black cab and embark on a journey to explore London's massive Illuminated River Project, the longest public art commission in the world.
At 3.2 miles in length, this dazzling masterpiece stretches all the way from Tower Bridge in the east, to Lambeth bridge in the west, shining its lights all along the Thames. Throughout your journey, learn amusing anecdotes and interesting tidbits about the areas social history, and surrounding architecture from your knowledgeable driver guide.
Little Venice to Camden Town Boat Trip
What could be more romantic than a boat trip? Camden is famed for its scenic canal, so banish the pedestrian crowds with this serene trip in a waterbus.
Starting in Little Venice near Warwick Avenue, the waterbus travels north through the historic Maida Hill Tunnel, across Regents Park, past London Zoo, and finishes at Camden Town, home to the renowned Camden Market.
Whether the two of you are London locals or just visiting for the day, a waterbus trip is a great, scenic and stress-free way to see the sights!
Dinner and a Show
Well, it’s a classic for a reason – and there’s no shortage of amazing shows to be seen in London’s West End. Try a package deal to combine your favourite show with a meal from a selected restaurant, or buy them separately.
The atmosphere of a London theatre is indisputably romantic; the excited chatter, the clink of (overpriced) drinks from the bar, the excitement bubbling in the air, and the sudden hush that falls over the audience as the lights go down – it can’t be beat.
If your partner loves the theatre, sweep them up into the immersive magic of their favourite show. Maybe they want to enjoy the classic tale of Matilda, giggle at the controversial The Book of Mormon or tap their foot to Mamma Mia. Whatever they love, there’s bound to be a show for them.
Break a leg!
Take A Stroll Through Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is like a little slice of botanical peace and tranquillity in the middle of busy and occasionally stressful London life.
This is such a simple date idea, which makes it the perfect, low-cost way to treat your partner to a whole romantic day out. You could spend hours wandering the gardens, soaking up the healing properties of fresh air, gazing up at the majesty of the greenhouse and traversing the giant bridge together.
You can also bring a picnic and lay down in the grass to enjoy lunch al fresco amongst the plants and flowers; there are plenty of beautiful places to sit!
Whether you spend a whole day or a couple of hours, a visit to Kew Gardens is a romantic, budget-friendly London date idea for those who need a brief escape from city living!
Enjoy Drinks with a View
… Speaking of gardens!
Take your date up high to the Sky Garden, where you can enjoy panoramic views of London through floor-to-ceiling windows while imbibing your favourite cocktails.
This incredible sky-high bar and restaurant is adorned with towering plants and greenery, and boasts a rooftop terrace for warmer evenings. You and your date can simply sit amongst the plants and soak up the incredible views, or order a drink and some food from their extensive menu. We love the idea of surprising a date with a luxurious cocktail overlooking the city – just make sure you book in advance!
Whether you go for the views or the food, this is a date your partner will be talking about for a while!
Visit A Museum After Dark
London is bursting with incredible museums and galleries, and visiting them during the day is a fun date idea – but what about after dark?
There’s something inherently romantic about museums at night, when the crowds have left and the lights have dimmed. Many of London’s museums offer after-hours experiences, so if you’re after a unique date idea, this might be the one for you.
If your date’s a bookworm, book in for a late-night visit to the British Library.
Events change based on the Library’s current exhibitions, so you’re guaranteed to get a different night out every time you visit. Past events have included DJ sets, live performances and many, many other things you would not expect to find in a library… book in early to avoid disappointment.
Or if the two of you are the arty types, try late night events at Whitechapel Gallery or the V&A. Even the folks at the Science Museum know how to throw a good party, with past events having included a silent disco, screen-printing workshops and “Talkoke” a pop-up talk show for those who like to have their opinions heard!
Book A Night at a London Hotel
Why not make a weekend of it? There’s so many different hotels to spend the night at in London, from one-of-a-kind boutiques to the bigger, more polished hotel chains. It needn’t be expensive to treat your beloved to a night or weekend away. There are plenty of price comparison sites to use when it comes to selecting the perfect stay.
Enjoy incredible views from minimalist, luxurious rooms at The Royal Lancaster, soak up the artist boutique feel of The Artist Residence, or escape the hustle and bustle of central London to the Bingham River House in Richmond.
Wander Around Keats House
If your date is a poetry aficionado, what could be more romantic than a visit to a romantic poet’s house?
Take your partner to this stunning Regency-era property surrounded by green gardens in Hampstead. Wander around inside, and learn all about the house and the beautiful words Keats wrote there… who knows, by the end of your visit you might be inspired to pen a masterpiece yourself!
Enjoy a Round of Crazy Golf
Swingers is a unique venue in London that combines the fun of crazy golf with expertly crafted cocktails and pop-up restaurant to create a one-of-a-kind night out! If you and your partner are looking for a fun way to spend an evening, book a slot to play some crazy golf with a cocktail or two, enjoy local food from the pop-up restaurants lining the venue, and have a dance to the DJ.
Play A Board Game at Draughts
or maybe you prefer to play your games sitting down? Pull up a chair at Draughts board game café in Hackney or Waterloo, and enjoy some food while you challenge each other to a tabletop adventure… whether you’re sticking to the classics like Monopoly or Scrabble, battling the board with the timely Pandemic, or just having a bit of fun with Pick A Pig, playing together is a fun challenge and a great way to bond.
Catch A Movie On a Rooftop
The ideal summer date for film fans. Settle down with your partner in cosy deckchairs with a view over the rooftops as you enjoy a movie in this unique Hoxton venue. You’ll be equipped with high-def wireless headphones so you can enjoy spectacular sound and appreciate every line of dialogue as it was intended to be heard!
To accompany your movie, you can tuck into 100% plant-based hotdogs from their mouth-watering menu. As the sun sets over the city, enjoy a classic movie with your partner and appreciate the magic of London together!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading our romantic guide to date ideas in London - updated for 2022!
We hope you've found the perfect activity to make your partner smile this Valentine's Day, but if you're still looking, browse our full range of London experience gifts here.
If you think we missed anything, feel free to leave a comment; we'd love to hear from you!
