100 London Date Ideas

Chances are high that you’re either in a relationship, or single.

Whichever it is, you need date ideas.

And that’s where we come in… because while yes our entire website is filled with amazing date ideas, hidden spots and romantic nooks, we’ve also created this: a humble collection of 100 London date ideas which will help you to not only uncover the very best of the city, but also secure the lifelong devotion of whomever it is you’re trying to impress.

Which is known in some all circles as a “win-win”.

PS – And since coronavirus has done its best to ensure you’re not allowed to snog anyone you don’t already know well enough to live with, we’ve given the list a huge shake-up to fill it with pandemic-friendly date ideas – none of which involves sitting awkwardly on separate park benches.

Last Updated: 27th August 2020 | Main image: Rooftop Film Club’s Drive-In

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1. ATTEND A ONE-ON-ONE CONCERT WITH LIVE MUSICIANS
King’s Cross | Free, donations encouraged

Intimate 15 minute concerts with musicians who haven’t played to audiences in months. Prepare to get a bit teary. VIEW MORE INFO
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2. KAYAK YOUR WAY TO CRATE BREWERY
Hackney | ££

And quench your thirst when you get there. VIEW MORE INFO
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3. STOCK A PICNIC BASKET AT ONE OF LONDON’S FOOD MARKETS
All Over London | ££

Find all the best ones here: VIEW MORE INFO
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4. GO ON A CRYPTIC TEXT HUNT AROUND LONDON’S BACKSTREETS
Across London | ££

It’s like a scavenger hunt, with wine. VIEW MORE INFO
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5. WATCH THE TALKING HEADS MONOLOGUES AT THE BRIDGE THEATRE
Tower Bridge | £££

It’s like iPlayer, but live. Imagine that… VIEW MORE INFO
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6. BRAVE A TAXIDERMY CLASS
Hackney | ££££

And give each other crabs! VIEW MORE INFO
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7. PLAY PETANQUE IN THE MIDDLE OF SLOANE SQUARE
Chelsea | Free

At this Lillet pop-up bar, obviously, not just wherever the feeling takes you. VIEW MORE INFO
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8. GET YOUR PRESCRIPTION AT THE MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY
Rotherhithe | £

Namely: unlimited marshmallows for toasting, a candlelit garden with firepits, and botanical cocktails. VIEW MORE INFO
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9. CELEBRATE THE NEW NORMAL AT THE NEW NORMAL FESTIVAL
Wandsworth | ££

An outdoor, spaced-out festival of theatre, magic and improvisation (except when it comes to safety measures). VIEW MORE INFO
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10. BOOK IN TO THE POP UP BAR IN A VICTORIAN BOTTLE FACTORY
Peckham | ££

And sample some of the bottles they have there today. VIEW MORE INFO
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11. BUILD-A-BOUQUET AT THE COLUMBIA ROAD FLOWER MARKET
Bethnal Green | ££

It’s one way at the moment – start from the west (near Ravenscroft Street). VIEW MORE INFO
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12. GET LOST IN THE BARBICAN CONSERVATORY
Barbican | Free (but reserve ahead)

Terrapins, carp, and 1,500+ species of plants… VIEW MORE INFO
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13. SOAK UP SOME OUTDOOR CIRCUS, THEATRE AND DANCE
Greenwich | Free

Your date’ll be bowled over. Possibly literally. VIEW MORE INFO
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14. GO TO A CONCERT IN A CAR PARK
Peckham | ££

Then hit the neighbourhood’s newest rooftop Italian. VIEW MORE INFO
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15. WATCH SOME COMEDY ON A DRINKS TERRACE WITH A VIEW
Alexandra Palace | £££

If your date doesn’t make you laugh, at least Ed Gamble will. VIEW MORE INFO
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16. EAT ALL THE CHEESE YOU POSSIBLY CAN
Covent Garden | ££

Yes, it’s bottomless. And this is an important test of your compatibility. VIEW MORE INFO
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17. MAKE CANDLES TOGETHER AT EARL OF EAST
London Fields/King’s Cross | £££

Though obviously, nobody holds a candle to your date… VIEW MORE INFO
NOTE: You’ll be at separate stations, and you’ll need to wear face masks throughout. Just a heads-up. You can also order a pack to do the workshop at home if you’d prefer.
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18. PRESS FOR CHAMPAGNE AT BOB BOB RICARD
Soho | ££££

Trust us, it’s glorious. VIEW MORE INFO
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19. HIT THE DRIVE-IN
Gunnersbury/Alexandra Palace | £££

Courtesy of Luna Cinema and the Rooftop Film Club…
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20. OR HIT THE CYCLE-IN CINEMA INSTEAD
Leyton | £

Four wheels good, two wheels… also good. VIEW MORE INFO
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21. BOOK IN FOR SHUK’S NEW OUTDOOR POP UP
Borough | ££

The menu promises ‘next level hummus dishes’. VIEW MORE INFO
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22. HIT UP A RESTAURANT WITH A VIEW
Across London | £££

With a view to impressing your date. VIEW MORE INFO
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23. SPEND A DAY EXPLORING SPITALFIELDS MARKET
Spitalfields | £

Street food and quirky market stalls… VIEW MORE INFO
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24. BREAK CODES FOR COCKTAILS AT THE BLETCHLEY
Chelsea | £££

And give each other codenames for the evening. VIEW MORE INFO
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25. WATCH COMEDY IN THE COURTYARD AT BATTERSEA ARTS CENTRE
Battersea | £

Then debrief over wine at Humble Grape. VIEW MORE INFO
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26. TAKE A TOUR OF THE FIVE POINTS BREWERY
Hackney | ££

Then revisit your favourites at their outdoor taproom. VIEW MORE INFO
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27. TAKE A TRIP TO THE ANDY WARHOL EXHIBITION
Bankside | £

Hey, remember art?  VIEW MORE INFO
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28. CATCH A FREE GUERILLA BALLET SHOW BY THE CANAL
Hoxton | Free

Featuring aerialists, circus performers and dancers from the Royal Ballet. Check performance dates here: VIEW MORE INFO
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29. GRAB A BITE AT THE NEW NIGHT MARKET IN QUEEN’S PARK
Queen’s Park | £

Then head to Milk Beach for a glass of wine. VIEW MORE INFO
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30. EXPLORE AN ANCIENT APOTHECARIES’ GARDEN AFTER HOURS
Chelsea | £

You can even order a picnic. VIEW MORE INFO
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31. GO CRAZY GOLFING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Across London | £

Or, you know, Hackney. VIEW MORE INFO
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32. MAKE UP FOR LOCKDOWN BY VISITING LONDON’S BEST BARS ALL AT ONCE
Bloomsbury | £

This year’s Cocktails in the City is bringing together Callooh Callay, Nightjar, Heads + Tails and more… VIEW MORE INFO
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33. GET TO KNOW THE BIRDS & THE BEES AT VAUXHALL CITY FARM
Vauxhall | Free, donations encouraged

Then get to know each other at Brunswick House… VIEW MORE INFO
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34. DO A SWEEP OF THE STALLS AT UNDERBELLY’S STREET FOOD FESTIVAL
South Bank, Hackney & Wimbledon | £

Then soak up some of the free live entertainment. VIEW MORE INFO
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35. PLAY THE MOST ROMANTIC ROUND OF CRAZY GOLF EVER AT SWINGERS
Oxford Circus/The City | ££ | Reopens 22nd September

Remember: in golf, being sub-par is a good thing. VIEW MORE INFO
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36. THEN WATCH THE SUNSET FROM THE TOP OF THE GHERKIN
Liverpool Street | £££

Champagne, oysters and 360 views… VIEW MORE INFO
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37. RENT A HOT TUG
Canary Wharf | ££££

It’s literally a hot tub. That’s also a boat. VIEW MORE INFO
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38. SIP DRINKS ON A ROOFTOP OVERLOOKING THE CITY
Across London | ££

We have some suggestions here... VIEW MORE INFO
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39. PLAY A FEW ROUNDS OF DARTS AT FLIGHT CLUB
Finsbury Square/Bloomsbury/Victoria | ££

Use the board to determine what you drink. VIEW MORE INFO
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40. BOOK IN TO MILK & HONEY FOR THE LAST TIME
Soho | ££

They’re closing in September – and if you haven’t been, you really ought to. VIEW MORE INFO
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41. TRY FINE DINING IN THE MIDDLE OF A MARKET
Borough | £££

Ex-City Social chef Tomas Lidakevicius is plucking ingredients right from the market and whipping them into tasting menus there and then. VIEW MORE INFO
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42. DO EVERYTHING AT THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM
Forest Hill | £

They’ve got a butterfly house, a farmers’ market, an outdoor musical garden, a pygmy goat enclosure, an aquarium, a functioning bandstand, a Dutch barn, 16 acres of gardens… and a giant overstuffed walrus. VIEW MORE INFO
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43. ORDER THE DUCK AND WAFFLE AT DUCK AND WAFFLE
Bishopsgate | £££

Best order it at 4am. Just because you can. VIEW MORE INFO
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44. GO TO SECRET CINEMA’S MYSTERIOUS NEW ‘ACTIVIST’ FILM SCREENING
Secret Location | £££

First up is Ladj Ly’s directorial debut, ‘Les Misérables’. VIEW MORE INFO
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45. STROLL THROUGH KALEIDOSCOPIC ARTWORK
Greenwich | Free

It’s back in a big way. VIEW MORE INFO
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46. NERD OUT AT FOUR QUARTERS
Peckham | ££

Show off your video game skills at Four Quarters. Loser buys a round of craft beers. VIEW MORE INFO
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47. UNCOVER THE HISTORY OF ELECTRONICA AT THE DESIGN MUSEUM
Kensington | ££

It looks as good as it sounds. VIEW MORE INFO
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48. WATCH A FILM IN YOUR OWN PRIVATE BOAT
Paddington | £££££

And get pasta delivered directly to you. VIEW MORE INFO
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49. MAKE EACH OTHER BOTTLES OF GIN AT THE GINSTITUTE
Notting Hill | ££££ | Booking from 1st September

Then take them home for a nightcap. VIEW MORE INFO
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50. PRETEND YOU’RE ON FIRST DATES AT FRED SIRIEIX’S POP UP RESTAURANT
Clapton | ££

What’s more, the inimitable Andi Oliver’s in charge of food. VIEW MORE INFO
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51. DRINK COCKTAILS AT NIGHTJAR
Old Street | £££

They have 100 year-old Pimm’s. VIEW MORE INFO
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52. COSY UP AT THE CAMPFIRE CLUB
Across London | ££

And watch the sparks fly. VIEW MORE INFO
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53. LET SIMON AMSTELL CRACK THE JOKES
Peckham | £££

While you enjoy the scenery at this rooftop comedy gig. VIEW MORE INFO
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54. HEAD TO THE SOUTHBANK’S NEW KERB MARKET
Southbank | £

Then take your street food for a stroll along the river. VIEW MORE INFO
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55. TAKE THE BOAT FROM TATE BRITAIN TO THE TATE MODERN
Bankside | £

Then talk about the signs, doors, and chairs as if they were exhibits. VIEW MORE INFO
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56. SHOOT VIRTUAL GAME IN A VIRTUAL GAME
Liverpool Street | £££

Then sample the bar’s vast whisky collection. VIEW MORE INFO
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57. TAKE A STROLL ON HAMPSTEAD HEATH
Hampstead | Free

Take in the Pergola, Kenwood House, and a pub. Or two. VIEW MORE INFO
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58. VISIT LONDON’S MOST BEAUTIFUL SEWAGE PLANT
Abbey Wood | £

If your date turns up, you’re on to a winner. VIEW MORE INFO
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59. DRESS UP ’40s STYLE AND GO TO CAHOOTS
Soho | £££

Order one of their ‘Dig for Victory’ vegetable cocktails… VIEW MORE INFO
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60. WATCH FILMS ON THE ORIGINAL 16mm REELS
Hackney | ££

At the return of Ciné Real’s screening nights. VIEW MORE INFO
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61. GO BOWLING AT ALL STAR LANES
Holborn / Westfield / Brick Lane | ££ | Reopens 28th August

And see who can come up with the most puns about balls, pins, and splits. VIEW MORE INFO
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62. BOOK A TABLE AT BRASSERIE ZEDEL
Piccadilly Circus | ££

Then sip cocktails in their authentic 1930s bar… VIEW MORE INFO
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63. FEAST ON DIM SUM ON CHINATOWN’S NEW AL FRESCO TERRACE
Chinatown | ££

And finish with ice cream in fish-shaped cones from Bake. VIEW MORE INFO
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64. TAKE A BOAT TRIP TO GREENWICH
Greenwich | ££

And take a picnic for the park. VIEW MORE INFO
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65. THEN CLIMB THE O2 BY TWILIGHT, DRINK CHAMPAGNE AT THE TOP
Greenwich | £££

It’s a long climb. Perfect for checking out, or improving, your date’s stamina. VIEW MORE INFO
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66. STROLL THE GLASS WALKWAY ABOVE TOWER BRIDGE
Tower Bridge | ££

And finish up with dinner in a Coppa Club igloo. VIEW MORE INFO
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67. HIT THE OLYMPIC PING PONG TABLE AT BOUNCE
Farringdon / Shoreditch | ££

Invent victory dances. VIEW MORE INFO
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68. SEE A MUSICAL AT THE REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE
Regent’s Park | £££

Pick up hot chocolates at the bar before you go in. VIEW MORE INFO
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69. TAKE EACH OTHER ON AT DABBERS
The City | ££ | Reopens 11th September

Looking for a new competitive date activity? Bingo. VIEW MORE INFO
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70. VISIT ANOTHER WORLD TOGETHER
Haggerston | ££

Courtesy of the ‘Otherworld’ virtual reality bar… VIEW MORE INFO
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71. MAKE MOLECULAR COCKTAILS IN THE BREAKING BAD RV
Hackney | £££

And see if there’s good chemistry. VIEW MORE INFO
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72. TOP UP A TAB CARD AT VAGABOND WINES, DRINK DOZENS OF SAMPLES.
Various Locations | ££

Then buy a bottle of your favourite for your next date. VIEW MORE INFO
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73. WATCH UN FILM ROMANTIQUE AT THE INSTITUT FRANÇAIS
South Kensington | £

That’s French for ‘a romantic film’… VIEW MORE INFO
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74. SMUGGLE BOOZE ONTO THE LONDON EYE
Westminster | £££

These guys totally managed it. VIEW MORE INFO
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75. TAKE A CANDLELIT TOUR ROUND SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE
Holborn | £££ (Free by day) | Reopens 1st October

Feat. salvaged architecture, an imaginary monk, and moving walls… VIEW MORE INFO
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76. GO TO LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK
Across London | ££

It’s actually happening! VIEW MORE INFO
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77. PICK OUT A BOOK FOR EACH OTHER AT DAUNT BOOKS
Marylebone | £

Then read the first chapters to each other over strudel at Fischer’s. VIEW MORE INFO
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78. PIT YOUR WITS AGAINST THE OFFICIAL SHERLOCK ESCAPE ROOM
Shepherd’s Bush | ££££

And don’t get Sherlocked in. VIEW MORE INFO
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79. WATCH A PLAY IN YOUR BACK GARDEN
Your House | ££££

Thanks to the roving performers behind Bard In The Yard. VIEW MORE INFO
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80. TRAVEL AROUND THE GLOBE IN ONE NIGHT
Greenwich | Free at night

At the evening viewings of Luke Jerram’s jaw-dropping artwork. VIEW MORE INFO
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81. SEE WHO CAN HAGGLE THE BEST DEAL AT PORTOBELLO MARKET
Notting Hill | ££

The most quintessential of London dates. VIEW MORE INFO
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82. BOOK A MASH-UP DINNER AT KRICKET
White City | ££££

Featuring chefs Andrew Wong, Vivek Singh and Nuno Mendes. VIEW MORE INFO
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83. GET ON YER BIKES, AND GO ON A MONUMENT CRAWL
Around London | £

We recommend including the Monument itself, the view up there is amazing. VIEW MORE INFO
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84. TUCK INTO SEAFOOD ON A FLOATING POP UP RESTAURANT
Wapping | £££

Then go window-shopping for boats around the marina. VIEW MORE INFO
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85. HAVE A SHUFFLEBOARD CONTEST
Shoreditch | ££

Then toast your victory with cocktails. VIEW MORE INFO
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86. GO FOR A MOONLIT SWIM IN A HEATED LIDO
Hampton | ££

They’ll supply the drinks and glow-sticks. VIEW MORE INFO
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87. CURATE YOUR OWN STREET ART CRAWL
Across London | Free

At the inaugural London Mural Festival. VIEW MORE INFO
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88. PLAY BOARDGAMES TOGETHER AT DRAUGHTS
Dalston/Waterloo | ££

Do NOT play Monopoly if you want there to be a second date. VIEW MORE INFO
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89. TRY NOT TO PROPOSE AT CLOS MAGGIORE
Covent Garden | £££

It’s craaaazy romantic there. If you book a table in the right room (this one). VIEW MORE INFO | SEE MORE ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN LONDON
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90. VISIT KEATS HOUSE, READ YOUR DATE POETRY
Hampstead | £

Challenge them to tell if it’s Keats’ or yours. VIEW MORE INFO
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91. GO TO THE ZOO. DECIDE WHY THE ANIMALS ARE IN PRISON.
Regents Park | £££

Those zebras are wearing comedy burglar outfits. VIEW MORE INFO
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92. HIRE YOUR OWN BOAT FOR THE DAY
Paddington | £££

And speak in pirate voices all day. VIEW MORE INFO
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93. TAKE A TOUR OF LONDON’S SECRET GARDENS
Around London | Free

And finish up at Petersham Nurseries for dinner. VIEW MORE INFO
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94. GO TO ELTHAM PLACE, PRETEND TO BE ROYALTY
Greenwich | £

Bring a picnic to have on the stunningly well-manicured lawn. VIEW MORE INFO
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95. GO FOR BRUNCH AT THE WOLSELEY
Piccadilly | £££

They have fried haggis, duck eggs and whisky. VIEW MORE INFO
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96. BE ART COLLECTORS FOR THE DAY AT THE OTHER ART FAIR
Brick Lane | ££

Pool your cash and try to hunt out the next Picasso. VIEW MORE INFO
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97. RUN AWAY FOR THE DAY
Not London | ££

These lovely places are all reachable in 2 hours… VIEW MORE INFO
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AND IF YOU’RE IN A BUBBLE TOGETHER…

98. TAKE A DIVE INTO A 1920s CRIMINAL UNDERWORLD
Elephant & Castle | £££

At this immersive (but suitably distanced) theatre show… VIEW MORE INFO
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99. HAVE A PRIVATE PARTY IN A LISTENING BOOTH
Shoreditch | Free

For a spellbinding music experience in the pitch dark…VIEW MORE INFO
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100. BOOK A RUSSIAN LOG CABIN FOR A PRIVATE SPA DAY
Hoxton | £££££

And get thrashed by tree branches together. VIEW MORE INFO

 

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Looking for more date ideas? Here are some fun things to get up to in London in the summer…