What's a good first date idea in London?

Something with a built-in activity beats dinner. A cocktail-making class, a board game café or a life drawing session gives you a shared thing to do, so the conversation looks after itself.

What are the best cheap date ideas in London?

Museum lates, God's Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, the Sky Garden at sunset, a Little Venice canal walk and free comedy at Angel Comedy are all free or under £15.

What can you do on a rainy day date in London?

Pottery, a candle-making workshop, an escape room, a board game café or an immersive theatre show all work happily indoors.

Where can you take a date that isn't a restaurant?

Try a secret Sofar Sounds gig, a ghost walk through the old City, a silent disco walking tour or a late-night museum opening — all built around doing something rather than sitting across a table.

For two

Date ideas in London that aren't just dinner and drinks

London is full of date ideas you'd never think to search for. We've pulled together our favourite things to do as a couple — the kind that give you something to actually talk about afterwards.

Whether it's a first date that needs a low-pressure activity, an anniversary that deserves a bit of magic, or a rainy Sunday to fill, here are our favourite unusual date ideas across London, sorted from free to fancy.

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

24 quests

One-offCocktail-making masterclassLearn 2-3 classics then drink them; widely available - search by area on DesignMyNight. Typically ~£35-50pp, 18+. Book ahead.Citywide/One-off£££

One-offPottery date night (couples special)Ghost-style two-person wheel session at a paint/pottery studio; book a couples slot ahead. Studio on Redcross Way SE1 (site is now myo.place); the Hackney E8 paint-your-own site is listed separately.Borough SE1/One-off£££

One-offNeon Naked Life DrawingLife drawing with UV neon body paint at rotating London venues; ~£18-22pp, runs through the week. Materials provided, no experience needed. 18+. Book ahead.Various/One-off££

One-offSofar Sounds secret gigIntimate gigs in secret venues - you book before knowing the line-up or exact location (revealed ~36 hrs before). ~£25-35. Citywide.Secret venues/One-off££

Drop-inDraughts board-game cafe100s of games + game gurus; small cover. Original site is Acton Mews E8; second branch at Waterloo SE1.Haggerston E8/Drop-in£

One-offGhost / Jack the Ripper walkEvening guided spooky history walksEast End/One-off£

One-offPerfume-making workshopBlend your own fragrance to take home; Experimental Perfume Club & others run sessions. ~2-3 hrs, book ahead. Fixed lab-boutique on Monmouth Street WC2 — all blending workshops run there.Seven Dials WC2/One-off£££

One-offEscape roomsHundreds of themed rooms citywide (60-min team puzzles). Typically ~£25-35pp; best for groups of 3-6. Book ahead. Age guidance varies by room.Citywide/One-off££

One-offCheese & wine tastingGuided tasting flights; The Cheese Bar in Camden (Stables Market) does all-cheese menus & flights - walk-in or book. Open daily, later Wed-Sat.Camden NW1/One-off£££

One-offSky Garden (free)Free rooftop garden atop 20 Fenchurch St ('Walkie Talkie'). Book a free timed slot ~3 weeks ahead online; limited walk-up. Great City views.City EC3/One-offFree

Drop-inPunting / pedaloCheap, classic summer dateHyde Park / Regent's/Drop-in£

One-offLate-night museum latesAdults-only evening events w/ drinksVarious museums/One-off£–££

One-offImmersive theatre (Punchdrunk etc.)Walk-through theatrical experiencesVarious/One-off£££

Self-guidedGod's Own Junkyard (neon paradise)Free to wander; cafe among the neonWalthamstow E17/Self-guidedFree–£

Drop-inAngel Comedy (free)Free nightly stand-up at The Bill Murray. Home venue The Bill Murray N1; also programmes The Camden Head N1.Islington N1/Drop-inFree–£

One-offCandle-making workshopBlend & pour your own scented candles; many studios via ClassBento. Half-day workshops, take your candles home. Book ahead.Various/One-off££

Drop-inKayaking – Moo CanoesKayak/canoe hire on the canalsLimehouse E14/Drop-in££

Self-guidedLittle Venice canal walkPretty free waterside stroll to CamdenMaida Vale W9/Self-guidedFree

Drop-inSwingers crazy golfTwo indoor courses (West End & City), cocktails + street food; 1920s seaside/countryside theming. ~£13.50pp. 18+. Book ahead, esp. evenings. Only one London course now: John Prince's Street W1. The City site EC3 closed in 2025.West End W1/Drop-in££

One-offSilent disco walking tourHeadphone dance-walk; gloriously sillyCentral London/One-off££

One-offGo Ape Trent Park (high ropes)Treetop course + zip lines; near youCockfosters EN4/One-off£££

ClassThe Snow Centre HemelReal-snow indoor slope; lessons + lift pass. Second Snow Centre site is in Manchester.Hemel Hempstead HP3/Class£££

ClassSUP – Active360Stand-up paddleboard lessons. Main base is Kew Bridge Arches W4; other bases at Ladbroke Grove W10 and Brentford Lock TW8.Strand on the Green W4/Class££

One-offScuba diving try-divePool try-dive before open waterVarious pools/One-off££

Questions people ask

What's a good first date idea in London?: Something with a built-in activity beats dinner. A cocktail-making class, a board game café or a life drawing session gives you a shared thing to do, so the conversation looks after itself.
What are the best cheap date ideas in London?: Museum lates, God's Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, the Sky Garden at sunset, a Little Venice canal walk and free comedy at Angel Comedy are all free or under £15.
What can you do on a rainy day date in London?: Pottery, a candle-making workshop, an escape room, a board game café or an immersive theatre show all work happily indoors.
Where can you take a date that isn't a restaurant?: Try a secret Sofar Sounds gig, a ghost walk through the old City, a silent disco walking tour or a late-night museum opening — all built around doing something rather than sitting across a table.

Every Monday

This week's side quests

Five things worth doing in London, in your inbox each Monday morning. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.

Keep exploring

Experience gifts in London Unusual things to do in London Things to do in London this summer All guides