Dating is tough. Whether single or in a relationship, I scramble for date ideas at the last minute. Or struggle to find romantic places in London. Or just give up entirely. But I’ve found some good inspiration over the years, and today I want to share 9 date ideas for London.

Date Ideas for London

Date Ideas for London

I’ve been on my fair share of dates in London, from dinners and movies to less traditional adventures. But the following are some of my favorite dates, or just things I’ve always wanted to do on a date.

1. Explore South Kensington

One of my favorite date ideas for London is to spend an afternoon exploring South Kensington. Meeting for lunch at one of the restaurants around the station is a good way to start.

From there, three of London’s biggest and best museums—the V&A, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum—are right around the corner.

They’re good for proving topics of conversation, which helps keep awkward silences to a minimum.

And once a month all three museums stay open late and have music and drinks, making them even more date-friendly.

South Kensington

2. Walk the Thames Path

I like getting outdoors on dates in London, if for no other reason than that it provides an activity to keep things interesting. The Thames Path is long and picturesque, so it’s a great choice for a date you hope won’t end.

My favorite part to walk is the stretch between Hammersmith and Chiswick, but there are plenty of others to enjoy as well. I’ve even published a free self-guided Thames walk in London you can do on a date if you want to.

Boat on the Thames Path

3. Browse the Markets

The best way to a lot of people’s hearts is through their stomachs, and I’m no exception. I love going on dates to London’s markets, grazing through flavors and taking in sights and scents.

My favorite markets for dates are Maltby Street Market, Broadway Market, and—if I’m not hungry—the Columbia Road Flower Market.

My boyfriend and I once got up early to go to Maltby Street Market and loved having the whole place to ourselves before the crowds came.

Leather Lane Market

4. Picnic in the Park

When the weather is warm, I love a good picnic date. My preferred spot is Hampstead Heath, one of the biggest and wildest parks in the city.

It’s a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch and a long walk, not least because the nearby Pergola Garden is one of the most romantic green spaces in London.

Hyde Park

5. Soak up the Views

There’s nothing like a good view of London to put me in a romantic mood, and there’s no shortage of them.

Whether it’s having a sunset dinner at The Shard or soaking up the panorama from outside Greenwich Observatory, there are a lot of ways to incorporate a skyline into a date in London.

Tower of London

6. Get Bookish

I love books. On one of the most memorable dates I went on in college, we went to a bookshop and each chose a book for the other. He chose Nineteen Eighty-Four for me and I chose The House of the Spirits for him.

It was a really fun way to get to know each other, guess at what the other would like, and get a new good read in the process. Given London has so many amazing bookshops, it’s an easy date to replicate.

Daunt Books

7. Stroll along the South Bank

One of the things I love about the South Bank is that there’s always something going on. Whether it’s a summer festival or winter market, a concert or play, there’s a date waiting to happen.

I like going early and meeting for drinks (especially in the summer when the rooftop bar opens), then exploring what’s on along the waterfront or attending a show as the evening progresses.

South Bank London

8. Explore a New Neighborhood

I always enjoy exploring new-to-me places in London, and some my best dates with my boyfriend have revolved around doing just that.

From Dulwich to Walthamstow, we’ve spent many Saturdays discovering parts of London we’ve never seen before.

Ancient House, Walthamstow

9. Play Tourist

Sometimes it’s fun to play tourist in your own city. Given London’s wealth of world-class attractions, it’s not hard to think of perfect date ideas for London.

From the London Eye to a boat ride on the Thames, there are lots of ways to have an enjoyable time while doing something locals rarely do.

My second date with my boyfriend was lunch and a browse through the British Museum. It not only gave us a chance to get to know one another, but also to explore one of the city’s most iconic museums.

London Eye

London Date Ideas

I hope you’ve found these date ideas for London helpful, whether you’re looking for romantic things to do with a long-term partner or a first date with someone you’ve never met.

Writing them all down has motivated me to get more creative with my own dates, so I hope to share some of the highlights with you soon.

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Date Ideas for London

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