10 Most Romantic Things to do in London
Traveling to Europe immediately conjures up visions of romance and adventure. Here’s a list of the most romantic things to do in London.
Big cities always have beautiful sights and places to visit on dates, but with so many choices, it gets overwhelming! For couples who prefer to take it slow, London is a fantastic place to soak in England’s rich history, beautiful architecture, and lovely gardens. Whether you’re a pair of tourists looking to get the most out of your visit or a couple needing a little romance, London’s got something for you, from its rich nightlife to relaxing cafes and gardens.
So, what are the most romantic things you can do with your partner in London?
Here’s our top 10 list of the most romantic date spots in London, England:
Visit the Flower Market
Who doesn’t love a nice bouquet of flowers on a date? London’s Columbia Road Flower Market has everything a plant lover or aspiring florist needs to create the most beautiful bouquets. The market also has live plants too!
Located in Bethnal Green near Brick Lane, the Columbia Road Flower Market is open on Sundays from 8 am to 3 pm. Entry to the market is free, but you’ll have to pay a florist for the flowers! If your partner is a morning person, the flower market is a perfect place to stop while on your way to breakfast or early on Valentine’s Day.
Some lovely breakfast spots nearby include Brawn, Laxiero, Premises Cafe, Clutch, and the Cake Hole Cafe.
See an Opera
Since its inception in 1946 as the Covent Garden Orchestra, London’s Orchestra of the Royal Opera is known as one of the best opera houses around and it's one of the most romantic things to do in London at night!
London’s Royal Opera is home to several fantastic performances from around the world. As both a theater and an educational center, the facility offers hands-on learning opportunities for students and adults alike. From discount matinee performances to apprenticeships, there’s something for every theater kid.
If you and your partner love a good show, we can’t recommend a visit to the Royal Opera enough– immerse yourself in culture and music from all over Europe with these breathtaking performances. The Royal Opera House also hosts ballets and orchestral performances.
The Royal Opera is currently showing The Barber of Seville and Tannhäuser but will feature Rusalka in late February and Woolf Works in March.
Go to Some of the most romantic restaurants and Cafes
London is home to some of the finest restaurants in the world, and any visit to the city practically requires a restaurant date night. Even if you’ve lived in London for years, you can’t go wrong with a romantic date at one of these restaurants:
Brawn specializes in hearty Italian cuisine. It’s located right near the Columbia Road Flower Market!
Durak Tantuni is a restaurant that specializes in one dish: tantuni. The traditional Turkish dish is served at its finest here.
Bake Street is a small cafe known for its American-style burgers and other eclectic food choices, including samosas, Nashville hots, and makhani chicken sandwiches. The dessert menu is also delicious, with a variety of sweets from creme brulee cookies to seasonal ice creams.
Cafe Cecilia is a glamorous restaurant specializing in various high-end foods. As a newer restaurant, it certainly deserves some attention!
Ride the London Eye
Just about everyone’s heard of the London Eye: the massive Ferris wheel on the South Bank. Initially installed just 23 years ago in the year 2000, The London Eye has quickly become a popular tourist location since it is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world.
Since its use in London’s 1999 New Year’s Eve celebration, the Ferris wheel operates year-round and takes about 30 minutes to come full circle. It hosts about 15,000 visitors each day, and the facility hosting it has expanded its tickets to include riding the iconic Ferris wheel, river cruises, and tickets to other local events.
Despite its recent installation, the London Eye is one of London’s most popular tourist locations and date spots. Talk about a romantic view of the city! Spend some quality time with your partner overlooking London on one of the world’s most famous Ferris wheels.
Hyde Park
Located in the middle of the city, Hyde Park is one of London’s many parks associated with the Royal Parks charity. Founded in 2017, the organization aims to preserve these scenic spaces and manage the parks while hosting a variety of fun events.
Hyde Park is known for its history as a protest site and is still often used for protests today. It hosts the Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, the Speaker’s Corner, and many other notable locations in its 350-acre span. However, there are plenty of things to do aside from sightseeing. Hyde Park hosts a variety of free and paid classes, including horseback riding tours, music festivals, Royal gun salutes, and holiday charity events.
You don’t have to leave the park for something to eat, either– Hyde Park boasts several excellent restaurants, including The Serpentine and The Lodge Cafe.
View Live Music at Regent’s Park
All of London’s Royal Parks host live events, including music events, but none are bigger than the Regent’s Park Music Festival. Held every summer from late June to early September, the music festival offers free live performances every weekend for people to enjoy. Before the pandemic, Regent’s Park’s live music events were trendy date spots, and the park saw massive success in 2018 and 2019.
The music festival starts at 12:30 pm and ends at around 5:30 pm. For information about performances, visit the Regent’s Park Music Festival Website.
Walk hand in hand while smelling the flowers
Many of London’s parks also contain gorgeous rose gardens and are charming places to visit on a romantic day out. In London, the rose season lasts from late May to July, making it an ideal time for a romantic summer vacation. Regent’s Park and Hyde Park boast gorgeous rose gardens, but some lesser-known and equally beautiful locations incorporate roses into their landscaping with the same expertise as royal gardeners.
Enjoy hanging roses and rose trellises at Kew Gardens, home to its own unique rose species, or experience a rainbow of rose petals at the Holland Park rose gardens. If you’re in the Greenwich area, check out the Ranger’s House for an excellent view of cherry blossoms in the spring and deep red roses in the fall.
Tour the Thames
The river Thames runs right through the center of London and is home to many gorgeous sights. If you plan to sail along the Thames, you’ll find plenty of photo opportunities and romantic places to stop at. Thames cruises come in a few varieties:
Dinner cruises float guests down the river while enjoying a romantic dinner and the lights of London. These tours are best for the most romantic of couples.
Hop-on-hop-off tours spend the day taking guests around London’s hottest locations, including the Parliament building, the London Eye, and Tower Bridge.
Kayak tours let guests paddle down the Thames and some of London’s many canals using rental kayaks. These guided trips are an excellent workout if you don’t mind getting wet!
Lunch and Afternoon Tea tours are a bit more low-key than dinner cruises, but they still provide a lovely romantic atmosphere.
Speedboat tours are a newer way to explore the Thames and feature a fast-paced trip around the river set to exciting music bound to suit any adventurer’s tastes.
See a play
London is a massive hub for theater of all kinds, and West End Theater is the best place to view both new shows and classics like Shakespeare. With a constantly rotating variety of performances, check out some of London’s most popular any time of the year.
In 2023, West End will host newer shows like A Ghost Story, Shirley Valentine, The Great British Bake-Off Musical, and Matilda the Musical, as well as classic musicals like Bonnie and Clyde, Grease, Oklahoma, and The Wizard of Oz. Visit West End Theater’s website for more information about show times and tickets.
If you’re more of a history buff, London’s Globe Theatre is still open as both a performance space and a historical site. Fans of Shakespeare will love touring the venue and learning its storied history– and the history of England’s most famous playwright, too. This year, the Globe Theatre will be showing Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus in the winter, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Comedy of Errors in the summer, and As You Like It in the fall.
Sightseeing the most romantic places in London
There are many things we haven’t covered in this list, including gorgeous locations, monuments, and views. Plus, stopping by these places is totally free! Why not take some time out of your day to visit the colorful and iconic Notting Hill or share a kiss atop Primrose Hill or under The Meeting Place statue in King’s Cross?
Small boating areas like Little Venice and the many pedal boat lakes dotting the city are also great places to go for an adventure and some unique scenery, especially if you’re looking for romantic spots a little less mainstream for your date.
London is a magnificent city with tons of things to see and do for both couples and friends alike– why not check out our London Travel Tips for some more romantic travel ideas to spice up your Valentine’s Day?
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