68 Summer Date Ideas

68 London Summer Date Ideas

You know how it is with date ideas. You take ages to craft the perfect one…

…then 68 turn up at once.

So roll up your sleeves, and prepare to dive head-first into our fresh collection of summer date ideas in London, including ice cream crawls, floating hot tubs, rooftop film screenings, al fresco jazz, open air theatre, wild swimming, twilight zoo trips and a beer garden that floods…

1. Watch A Film Beneath The Stars at Rooftop Film Club

Partly because it’s romantic as hell, but also because the bottomless popcorn policy will avoid any awkward misunderstandings around ‘sharing’.

Details: Bussey Building, Peckham | Roof East, Stratford | £16.95+
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2. Enjoy Some Canal-Side Jazz At Grow Hackney

It’s nearly as smooth as the bar’s homemade Hackney Spiced Rum.

Details: Every Thursday | Grow, Main Yard, Hackney Wick, E9 5LN | Book here
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3. Build Each Other Bouquets at Chiswick Flower Market

Anna Kunst

Revel in your blossoming romance… then get gelato at Foubert’s.

Details: First Sunday of every month | Old Market Place, Chiswick High Road, W4 2DR | Free entry
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4. Go on a Rooftop Bar Crawl Hike

Take your relationship to dizzying new heights.
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5. Rent a Hot Tub Boat

It’s a boat that’s also a hot tub, guaranteeing a pretttty steamy time.

Details: Daily | Off Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14 4AL | £120-180 for 2 | Book here
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6. Spend All Day at Summer By The River

Flit from acoustic gigs to film screenings to al fresco discos without breaking a sweat…

Details: 30th May – 1st September | The Scoop at More, London SE1 2AA | Free
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7. Join The High-Tide Lock-In At The White Cross

And when the water finally releases you again, take a stroll along the Richmond riverside.

Details: Check tide times here | Riverside, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1TH
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8. See Big Name Acts Against A Panoramic Backdrop at Kaleidoscope Festival

A convenient, London-based, one-day festival – because it’s too soon to inflict your four-day wet-wipe-bath musk on each other.

Details: 13th July | Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY | £63
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9. Take A Boat Trip to Greenwich

Get sandwiches from Heaps, and listen to some live jazz at the park bandstand.

Details: 16th June | Greenwich Park, SE10 8XJ | £5 | Book here
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10. Get Lost In Walthamstow Wetlands

But somehow find your way home again via the Blackhorse Beer Mile.

Details: 2 Forest Road, Walthamstow, N17 9NH | Open daily, 9.30am to 5pm | Free entry
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11. Test the Oysters-As-Aphrodisiacs Theory with London Shell Co.

Though the whole candlelight, sparkling wine, and ‘London sailing past your window’ thing may disrupt the experiment…

Details: Cruises Wed-Sun | The Prince Regent, Sheldon Square, W2 6PY | £75 | Book here
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12. Play It Cool With An Ice Cream Crawl Through Central London

Make sure not to waffle on.
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13. Hang Out Canalside At Crate Brewery

Share a pizza and design your imaginary houseboat together.

Details: Open daily from noon | The White Building, Queen’s Yard, E9 5EN
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14. Crown The Bread-Winners At Sarnie Party

Of course, the jury’s out on whether eating three sandwiches in a row is a good move on a date.

Details: 17th-19th May | Camden Town Brewery Beer Hall, 55-59 Wilkin St. Mews, NW5 3ED | £30
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15. Sip Frozen Margaritas Overlooking Battersea Power Station

Rebecca Hope

Date spots don’t come much more spectacular than Joia’s rooftop bar.

Details: 15th Floor, 1 Electric Boulevard, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ | Book here
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16. Take a Food Tour of the World at Mercato Metropolitano

…and bop your head to live music at TAM afterwards.

Details: Open daily from 11am – late | 42 Newington Causeway, SE1 6DR | Free entry
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17. Head to the Midnight Apothecary

Because: botanical cocktails, subterranean live music, and bottomless, toastable marshmallows.

Details: Fridays & Saturdays | Brunel Museum Rooftop Garden, Railway Avenue, London, SE16 4LF | £8 | Book here
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18. Make a Picnic Hamper at One of London’s Best Food Markets

Or just cheat and get some street food hot out the kitchen.
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19. Listen To Live Music in Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

Then nab one of the outdoor tables at Angelina for a Japanese-Italian feast.

Details: Open daily, book here for music nights | 13 Dalston Lane, E8 3DF
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20. Learn About The Birds & The Bees at Zoo Nights

Sip Champagne by the penguin pool and play (with actual) sleeping lions…

Details: Friday evenings from 7th June – 26th July | ZSL London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY | £21.50
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21. Sip Cocktails From Coconuts At Limin Southbank

Tyler Zielinski

Soaked up by a little Trinidadian grill food…

Details: Open daily | Gabriel’s Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, South Bank, SE1 9PP | Book here
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22. Bask in Sunshine & BBQ at Big Grill

Just check if your date’s veggie first.

Details: 8th & 9th June | Five Points Brewing Co, 61 Mare Street, London, E8 4RG | £50
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23. Buy Each Other The Weirdest Thing You Can Find at Spitalfields Antiques Market

A Victorian anatomical lung print? For me? No really, you shouldn’t have.

Details: Every Thursday, 8am-5pm | Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW | Free entry
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24. Take A BBQ Boat Trip

Good at cooking and sailing? Who knew.

Details: Daily | Off Hertsmere Road, West India Quay, E14 4AL | £90-150 | Book here
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25. Hold Your Own Mini Olympics on Roof East

There’s batting cages, disco lawn bowls, crazy golf and more. And afterwards, you can toast the winner at Barge East.

Details: Open Tues-Sun, and bank holidays | Floors 7 & 8, Stratford Multi-Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, E15 1XE | Free entry – games from £12pp | Book here
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26. Brush Up On Your Shakespeare At The Globe

Bring a blanket and get £5 yard tickets to cuddle up under the stars.

Details: Throughout Summer | Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT | From £5 | Book here
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27. Listen To Mozart In A Car Park At Bold Tendencies

Damian Griffiths

Then head up to the roof for sunset negronis at Frank’s.

Details: 17th May – 14th September | Bold Tendencies, Floors 7-10, 95a Rye Lane, SE15 4TG | £6+ | Book here
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28. Eat Lunch Al Fresco In Circolo Popolare’s Hidden Courtyard

In fact….eat al fresco for EVERY MEAL, thanks to our al fresco dining guide.
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29. Plan A Day Trip Out Of London

This beach is 90 minutes away….
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30. Play Dinosaur Mini Golf

But if that’s too terrifying a prospect, maybe one of these other crazy golf courses will do the trick.

Details: Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf, A1 Golf Driving Range, Rowley Lane, Barnet, EN5 3HW | £8.75pp | Book here
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31. Row A Boat On One Of London’s Many Lakes

Or a pedalo, if you want a calf workout/the ability to eat ice cream while you’re at it.
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32. Go Geocaching Together

They’re literally all over the city… meaning you can tie it in with a visit to the best restaurant in whichever neighbourhood you end up in.
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33. Take a Board Game to The Faltering Fullback’s Roof Garden

Then nibble on seafood and sip vermouth at Tollington’s.

Details: 19 Perth Road, N4 3HB
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34. Pick a Picnic at these PYO Farms near London

It’s totally ok to just get five punnets of strawberries.
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35. Show Off Your Knowledge of the Italian Futurist Art Movement…

…just as soon as you’ve enjoyed a Campari spritz in the Estorick Collection‘s secluded courtyard garden.

Details: Open Wed-Sun | 39A Canonbury Square, Islington, N1 2AN | £7.50 gallery entry
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36. See A Show at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

And pre-book a Champagne picnic for two.

Details: Throughout summer | Regent’s Park, Inner Circle, NW1 4NU | Tickets from £25, picnic £55.95 for two | Book here
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37. Attend a Seasonal Supperclub in an Ancient Apothecaries’ Garden

Here’s hoping they can cure your lovesickness, wheeey….

Details: Various dates until September | Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS | £70+ | Book here
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38. See How Far You Can Get Along the Bermondsey Beer Mile

Remember, in these summer months it’s important to stay hydrated.

Details: Saturdays 11am-5pm | See the route here
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39. Listen To Live Music In An 18th Century Mansion Courtyard

Somerset House‘s summer gigs cover everything from alt-pop, to rock, to G-folk, with artists like Corinne Bailey Rae and Patti Smith.

Details: 11th-21st July | Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA | £32.25+ | Book here
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40. Go Wild Swimming At One Of These Outdoor London Swim Spots

For guaranteed butterflies during the date.
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41. Go Dinosaur Spotting at Crystal Palace Park

Decide why this one is soooo lazy.

Details: Crystal Palace Park, 13 Orchard Grove, SE20 8DN | Free
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42. Take a Stroll Round Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden

Then go for a drink at the equally floral Churchill Arms.

Details: Open daily | Holland Park, Ilchester Place, W8 | Free
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43. Follow A Cryptic Text Trail Around Hidden Parts of the City

And stop in at tiny, off-the-beaten-track pubs en route.

Details: Daily | Across London | £20+ | Book here
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44. Head To The Inaugural Jazz Café Festival in Burgess Park

For a date that’s a little offbeat.

Details: 15th September | Burgess Park, Albany Road, London SE5 0AL | £35-65
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45. Absolutely Thrash Each Other at Boules

Then grab lunch by the river at KERB’s street food market by the National Theatre.

Details: Open all summer | 101 Upper Ground, Southbank, South London, SE1 9PP | Book here
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46. Get Street Food On A Church Rooftop at Mercato Mayfair

Then walk through Hyde Park towards the Serpentine Galleries for a free dose of culture.

Details: Open daily | 13a North Audley Street, W1K 6ZA
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47. Hire A Go Boat and Sail Through Little Venice

Give each other pirate names, then ruthlessly plunder the Cheese Barge afterwards (by booking a table, and paying at the end).

Details: Daily | Paddington, Kingston & Canary Wharf | £75+ | Book here
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48. Get Gelato From Romeo & Giulietta, Then Take A Stroll Around Stokey’s Clissold Park

Weldon Kennedy/Wikimedia

Then check if Hackney Flea Market‘s on, and pick out a vintage souvenir for each other.

Details: Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, N16 9HJ
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49. Play Crazy Golf at the Horniman

Bring a pie from Mystic Burek, and enjoy a post-round picnic with panoramic views afterwards.

Details: Open weekends/daily in school holidays | 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ | £7
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50. Go Antiques Shopping Along Camden Passage

It’s No Game/Flickr

Refuel with pastries at Kipferl, then see the kunekune pigs at Freightliners City Farm.

Details: Sundays | Camden Passage, London N1 8EA
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51. Listen To Folk Music in a Riverside Garden

Then slink off for cocktails at The Watergate.

Details: 1st June | Master Shipwright’s Palace, Watergate Street, London, SE8 3JF | £39
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52. Feast On Hot Dogs & Champagne At Bubbledogs

Dress half in black tie, half in sportswear. Jk jk, it’s popping up in a really fancy hotel and they won’t let you in.

Details: Until 29th September | 45 Park Lane, London W1K 1PN | Book here
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53. Witness Chaka Khan’s Meltdown

The 80s powerhouse is curating this year’s edition of the annual Southbank Centre festival.

Details: 14th-23rd June | Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX | Book here
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54. See London From Every Angle In A Day With This Viewpoint Bucket List

And make sure you end up at Sushisamba’s SAMBA ROOM.

Details: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY | Book here
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55. Do Some Chin-Stroking at Camden Art Centre

Then get a coffee in their leafy garden cafe.

Details: Open Tues-Sun, evening opening on Thurs | Arkwright Road, London NW3 6DG | Free
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56. Attend An Oyster Masterclass at Bentley’s

Yep, this date really shucks. Then forget everything you just learnt with a couple of martinis at Dukes Bar.

Details: Saturdays | 11 – 15 Swallow Street, London, W1B 4DG | £75
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57. Beat The Heat in Covent Garden with Open-Air Pools and Candy Floss Ice Cream

Your perfect date awaits…
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58. Sip Frozen Cocktails On Board Peggy Jean

And if you have time, take a dip, have a picnic and explore a riverside village first…

Details: Riverside, Richmond, TW9 1TH | Book here (terrace walk-in only)
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59. Take A Rooftop Yoga Class

By the time you’ve freshened up, the rooftop bar will be open & the pizza ovens fired up…

Details: Weekends | Bussey Building, 133 Rye Lane, London SE15 4ST | £20
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60. Learn To Forage on Hampstead Heath

Emma Croman

With a bit of luck, you might find a bit of comté and artisan sourdough lurking in the long grass.

Details: Weekends | Hampstead Heath & Hackney Marshes | £40
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Details: 6th June, 18th July, 15th August | Kew Gardens, Kew, TW9 3AE | £40
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67. Soak Up Some Poetry at The Last Word Festival

But remember, you should aaaalways let your date have the last word.

Details: 1st-30th June | Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH
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68. Skate, Dine and Bowl at Skate, Dine and Bowl

Keep cool while everyone else is sweltering above ground, at their DJ-fuelled ice skating nights.

Details: Open daily, DJ nights from 7pm | 17 Queensway, Bayswater, W2 4QP | £10 | Book here

Need even more inspiration? Luckily there’s 101 year-round London date ideas right here…

Features

68 Wonderful Summer Date Ideas