76 London Autumn Date Ideas | Firelit Pubs to Underground Jazz

Apparently, the traditional name for Autumn in the north of England was backend.

And if that doesn’t get you in the mood for romance…

…then these autumn date ideas will. What follows here is a bumper harvest of date spots, cosy nooks and quirkily romantic experiences to help you seize the season in London, from live soul in an underground crypt to pubs with roaring fires, candlelit theatres, pumpkin picking, cheese markets, a bath of red wine, and the occasional rutting stag…
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Toast Marshmallows at the Midnight Apothecary

It’s a rooftop cocktail bar in a garden. With hot rum toddies and s’more kits. What’s not to love?

Details: Fridays and Saturdays until 28th September | Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, SE16 4LF | Entry from £8, book tickets here
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Play Pétanque, Drink Pastis at Baranis

After all, the French do it best.

Details: Open Tuesday-Friday evenings | 115 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PP | Book Baranis
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Go to A Museum Late

Learn about dinosaurs with cocktails instead of coach tour groups.
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Embrace The Chill on a Crisp Walk Through London

iStock/SHansche

Take in some of these scenic lakes or London’s best parks en route.
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Then Warm Up Over A Steaming Bowl of Ramen

Here’s our pick of the best ramen spots in London.
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Go Browsing in a Second-Hand Bookshop

Then read the first chapters to each other at one of London’s best cafés.
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Go for the Perfect Sunday Roast

Maybe try all of them, just to be sure.
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Watch Shakespeare in a Candlelit Theatre

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is the Globe’s closed-roof – and sliightly more autumn-friendly – sibling.

Details: All’s Well That Ends Well runs 8th November – 4th January | 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT | From £5
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Wander Round An Eccentric Townhouse Stuck in Time

Candlelight, wine, and an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus.

Details: Open Wed-Sun 10am-5pm; lates on 18th & 27th September | 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP | Free entry, lates £25/15
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Go On A Day Trip

Incredibly, this doesn’t require a plane ticket.
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Get Steamy in a Sauna

Or enjoy the unusual experience of ‘parenie’ at Banya No. 1.
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Go For Sri Lankan Breakfast at Pavilion

Then hit Victoria Park‘s lake on a rowing boat.

Details: Open daily | Victoria Park, E9 7DE
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Perfect Your Hot Toddy at a Cocktail Masterclass

Then drink your homework.
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Go For Dinner at London’s Most Romantic Restaurants

And have a nightcap at one of these equally cosy cocktail bars.
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Step Into The Kit Kat Club

Rebecca Frecknall’s gloriously stylish production of Cabaret has won rave reviews.

Details: Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5DE | From £30
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Sip Cocktails in The Standard’s Library Lounge

Then go bowling, 50s style, at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes.

Details: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
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Meet For A Wander Around Leadenhall Market

Nicolas Lysandrou/Unsplash

Before sitting down to chops & Autumn Negronis at Blacklock City.

Details: Open daily | Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT
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Go On A Woodland Pumpkin Trail

Dalston Curve Garden‘s annual illuminated extravaganza returns. And so does their after-hours bar.

Details: 28th October – 3rd November, 6-10pm | Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, 13 Dalston Lane, London, E8 3DF | Free entry
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Spend A Rainy Day Exploring Bloomsbury

Featuring Victorian artists’ shops, hearty stews, and a very unusual museum…
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…Then Hole Up For Cocktails On A Twinkling Terrace

The Bloomsbury Club Bar is pretty beautiful… but it’s even lovelier on the outside.

Details: Open Wed-Sat | The Bloomsbury Hotel, 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN | Book a table
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Watch Top-Tier Comedians in a Stunning Listed Church

They’ll have you rolling in the aisles.

Details: 5th & 31st October | Union Chapel, Compton Terrace, London, N1 2UN | Book tickets (£27.50)
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Take The Craig David Approach To London Cocktail Week

Take your date for a drink on Tuesday… and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday…

Details: 3rd – 13th October | Across London | Wristbands £16.67+
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Soak Up Art, Cocktails, and Live Jazz in a Church

You could literally spend an entire day together with our Camberwell date idea.
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Run Around London On A Cryptic Treasure Hunt

Solve clues sent to your phone (with perfectly timed pub stops built in)…

Details: Daily | Across London | £25pp
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Explore Kew Gardens After Hours

Sure, it might be too early for Kew’s legendary Christmas lights trail. But it’s the perfect time to suss out their new Hallowe’en trail…

Details: 18th October – 3rd November | Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, TW9 3AE | £17-20
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Hole Up In A Wine Bar For The Night

Leave with a bottle to take with you on your next date, at Hawksmoor on BYOB Mondays.
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Show You Don’t Have A One Track Mind…

…by getting tickets to One Track Minds.

Details: 19th September, 14th November and 12th December | Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG | £12-18
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Take A Candlelit Bath In Red Wine

Yes, IN, not with.

Details: Open daily | 2-3 Robert Street, WC2N 6RL | £450
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Go To A Listening Party In The Dark

A spine-tinglingly atmospheric way to listen to music.

Details: Regular events | Across London | £13+
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Watch Some Comedy Together

Even if the acts are terrible, at least you’ll seem hilarious by comparison.
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Take A Stroll Through Battersea Park

Kamran Chaudhry/Unsplash

Then stroll over the insanely romantic Albert Bridge before ending up at 606 Club for a little live jazz.
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Check Out An Exhibition at Victoria Miro Gallery

There’s a new Yayoi Kusama infinity room arriving this September. Then you can walk along the canal to enjoy a floating dinner at Caravel.

Details: Reopens 25th September | 16 Wharf Road, London N1 7RW | Free entry but book ahead
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Go Deer-Spotting in Richmond Park

Sophie Keen

Then go beer-spotting at one of these cosy Richmond pubs.

Details: Open daily | Richmond Park, TW10 5HS | Free
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Sketch Seahorses At The Aquarium with Wild Life Drawing

Then recover from your close encounter with cocktails at Lost Property Office.

Details: 16th September | SEA Life London Aquarium, SE1 7PB | £35
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Do Your Best Impressions of The Dinos of Crystal Palace Park

Get street food from the Sunday market first, then hole up at The Sourcing Table wine bar after. In fact, we’ve put together the perfect Crystal Palace date here…

Details: Thicket Rd, Crystal Palace, SE19 2GA | Free
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Go Pumpkin Picking

It’s worth carving out time for. See the best pick-your-own farms near London
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Admire Japan’s Famous Autumnal Foliage… in Kew Gardens

Then escape the chill in their Victorian hot houses.

Details: Open daily | Kew Gardens, TW9 3AE | £10+
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Do The Crossword In One of these Pubs With An Open Fire

The perfect spot to take a new flame.
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Take A Seat At The Magician’s Table

Live music, cocktails, and close-up magic right before your eyes.

Details: 5th September – 31st October | A secret location | £47.50+
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Attend A Hidden Concert

If music be the food of love… go and listen to some, in a twinkling fairy-lit attic. With BYOB.

Details: 12th & 20th September, 25th October | £20-35
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Enjoy A Cosy Day of Culture in Marylebone

From a free art-filled mansion to a pub with a toasty fireplace, via Viennese coffee with whipped cream. See our full Marylebone date idea
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Catch Some Quality Comedy at MOTH Club

Then gorge on quality pasta at Dalla.

Details: See what’s on at MOTH | Book a table at Dalla
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Cosy Up With A Film at The BFI Southbank

Then discuss it all in depth over a Custardo (hot ice cream & coffee) at Forza Wine at the National Theatre.

Details: See what’s on at the BFI | Book a table at Forza Wine
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Snoop Around Mysterious London Buildings at Open House Festival

Nose around clock towers, private mansions, and pathology museums for free…

Details: 14th – 22nd September | Across London | Free
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Go Climbing Inside A Castle

Ok, it’s an old Victorian water pumping station. But somehow that doesn’t sound quite as romantic.

Details: Open daily | Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, N4 2HA | £16.50
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Spend The Day at The Zoo

Then stroll along Regent’s Canal to The Cheese Barge for a floating fondue dinner.

Details: Open daily | Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London, W2 6HY | Book The Cheese Barge
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Hold A Board Game Tournament At Draughts

Loser gets the drinks in.

Details: Open daily | 41 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, E8 2JS | Arch 16 Leake St, London SE1 7NN | £7.25+ cover charge
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Get Deep at HowTheLightGetsIn

A philosophy & music festival combining 150 speakers & performers with long table banquets, cabaret and stand-up comedy…

Details: 21st & 22nd September | Kenwood House, Hampstead Lane, Highgate, NW3 7JR | Nudge Members get 35% off
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Go Rummaging For Gold at Hackney Flea Market

Buy each other the weirdest thing you can find.

Details: See upcoming dates | £1 entry
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See Radical New Artwork at The Turner Prize Exhibition

Then try to figure out what it all meant with jazz and wine in the cellars at Brunswick House.

Details: Exhibition: 25th September – 16th February, £14 | Jazz: Tuesdays at 7.30 & 9pm until end of November, just walk in
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Try Anatomical Life Drawing in an Old Operating Theatre

Then go for a stiff drink at Bar Swift…

Details: 14th & 28th October, 11th & 25th November | St Thomas’ Church, 9a St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY | £35pp
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Eat Your Weight in Cheese at Chiswick Cheese Market

Then sleep it off in front of a black & white movie at The Chiswick Cinema.

Details: 3rd Sunday of the month | Old Market Place, Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 2DR | Free entry
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Soak Up Some Beautiful Artwork at the William Morris Gallery

Then discover the joy of a haggis toastie at the Deeney’s cafe inside.

Details: Open Tues-Sun, Lloyd Park Market runs Saturdays 10am-4pm | Lloyd Park, Forest Road, London E17 4PP | Free entry
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Do It Like They Do On The Discovery Channel

…and see the wonder of nature at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. And on 30th November, you can visit after hours and be serenaded with live music from the Royal College of Music.

Details: 11th October – 29th June 2025 | Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD | £15.50+
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Enjoy An Evening of Wine, Drunken Noodles & Cinema in Shoreditch

With our perfect Shoreditch date night.
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Immerse Yourself in a Classic Sherlock Holmes Mystery

Don’t worry, Sherlock still solves the crimes. You drink the cocktails.

Details: Until 29th September | The Lost Estate, 9 Beaumont Avenue, W14 9LP | £77.95+
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Do Some Midcentury Window Shopping at 2 Willow Road

Then sip hot chocolates in the fairy-lit gardens of Burgh House.

Details: 2 Willow Road, London NW3 1TH – open Thurs & Sun | Burgh House, New End Square, London NW3 1LT
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See Something Quirky at the BFI London Film Festival

Then take things into a whole new dimension at LFF: Expanded, a festival of 360° and immersive film. Darkfield are back with an immersive sound journey into an interactive games arcade… in the pitch black.

Fancy something less experimental? See something in one of London’s cosy independent cinemas

Details: 9th-20th October | Across the Southbank | Some events free
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Try Not To Get Lost In This Kaleidoscopic Inflatable Maze

Then go for dinner Crispin at Studio Voltaire. Assuming you find each other again.

Details: 14th – 22nd September | Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE | £12
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Listen to Jazz In A 300 Year-Old Crypt

And find out if you’re soul mates.

Details: Various dates | St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ | £9-29
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Go Vintage Shopping On Camden Passage

Ungry Young Man

Buy each other antique spoons and vintage prints, before settling in for a Viennese pastry. See your Islington Sunday date idea here

Details: Camden Passage, Angel Islington, N1 8EA
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Test Your Weekend Compatibility At Sunday Papers Live

Comfy sofas, roasts, Bloody Maries and fascinating talks. It’s not the worst place to start a tradition…

Details: 6th October | One Marylebone, 1 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 4AQ | £20-39.50
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Go Star-Gazing

Not the Leicester Square kind, the Greenwich Observatory kind…

Details: Shows Friday – Monday | Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich SE10 8XJ | £12
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Go Watch The Fireworks At Alexandra Palace

Because if your date doesn’t like the sound of a massive bonfire; a fireworks display; a ton of street food; a funfair; a German bier festival; a disco on ice; Kylie & Elton John tribute acts and something called ‘lightning magic’… there’s going to be fireworks.

Details: 1st & 2nd November | Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY | £15.50+
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Go For A Crisp Sunday Stroll On Hampstead Heath

Julian Simpson

We’ve prepared the perfect day out for you, featuring hot chocolates, yakitori and live jazz… See our Hampstead Heath date idea
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…Then Listen To Live Music and Sip Cider at The Southampton Arms

When the weather turns really cold, they serve it mulled.

Details: Open daily | 139 Highgate Road, London NW5 1LE
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Don’t Go Hunting

And instead practise a little humane virtual clay pigeon shooting at Clays. With humane cocktails and snacks.

Details: Open daily | 55 Moorgate, EC2R 6LL | Clays Canary Wharf: West India North Dockside, 1 Cabot Square, E14 4QJ | £8+
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Check Out The Frieze Sculpture Exhibition in Regent’s Park

Then go for a blow-out live fire banquet at Lita.

Details: Frieze: 18th September – 27th October, free entry | Book a table at Lita
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Go Leaf-Peeping in Epping Forest

Martin VMorris/Flickr

It looks alright in the autumn.
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Listen to Poetry in a Candlelit, Carpet-Strewn Bar

Then write your own over dinner at Akub.

Details: 19th September | Coronet Theatre, 103 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3LB | £20
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Have Your Own Ghost Moment In A Pottery Class

Then sip smugly from your slightly off-centre mugs by the fireside (four to six weeks) later.
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Features | London

76 Autumn Date Ideas

By Hattie Lloyd