7 Adorable Valentine’s Day Date Ideas in London (Updated for 2026)

Love is in the air, and there’s no better place to feel it than London. Sorry Paris, Venice and Bruges, but we truly believe London is one of the most romantic cities in the world.

Forget cheesy films and crowded restaurants. This Valentine’s Day in London, ditch the predictable and plan a date that actually feels special. From floating hot tub boats and immersive art experiences to indulgent food spots and chocolate-filled cocktails, these romantic London date ideas are perfect whether you’re hoping to ignite the spark or celebrate the long-term love you already share.

Whether you’re planning your first Valentine’s together or looking for fun, memorable Valentine’s Day ideas in London, this list will inspire seven adorable, romantic and unforgettable dates to enjoy in the capital.

1. Frameless Immersive Art Experience - surround yourself with love and art this Valentine’s:

Stroll hand in hand through four immersive gallery rooms exploring impressionism, surrealism and loads of other famous paintings on a massive scale. Wall to wall, floor and ceiling, you are utterly surrounded by art and music as the paintings swirl off of the walls, enveloping you in the landscapes. From Canaletto to Dali, Rembrandt to Van Gogh, it's absolutely fabulous! Frameless also makes a perfect afternoon Valentine’s date - pair it with a coffee nearby or a stroll through Hyde Park instead of a full dinner.

Closest tube: Marble Arch

Standard entry £28

Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11am – 6pm

Friday: 11am – 10pm

Saturday: 10am – 10pm

Sunday: 10am – 6pm

Website

If you’re also into off‑beat museums and cultural gems, you might love our guide to the Top 10 Alternative London Museums.

2. Champagne + Fromage, London - romantic foodie indulgence in Covent Garden:

Book a table at this heavenly little French bistro tucked away behind Covent Garden on Wellington Street. Rustic and romantic, Champagne et Fromage has an extensive champagne menu to go with their heavenly baked camembert. We chose the garlic & herb (the best seller as it turned out!) which came with plenty of crusty bread for dipping. Cheese pull heaven! Champagne+ From age now also have a branch in Greenwich, another achingly romantic part of London to walk around. You'll feel like you're in a period drama!

Closest tube: Covent Garden

Hours: Monday: 5pm – 9pm (kitchen 8pm)

Tuesday: 1pm – 10pm (kitchen 9pm)

Wednesday/Thursday: 12pm – 10pm (kitchen 9pm)

Friday/Saturday: 12pm – 11pm (kitchen 10pm)

Sunday: 12pm – 9pm (kitchen 8pm)

Website

3. Skuna Boats Guided Hot Tub Cruise - a unique Valentine’s Day in London:

Take a guided cruise of London Docklands and Canary Wharf... in a hot tub!

It's a really fun way to see this fascinating part of London from a different angle. You'll go from the historic warehouses to the super modern financial district, under bridges and past lots of envious passersby. The cruise lasts about 75 minutes and is unbelievably relaxing.

All you need to bring is a towel and swimmies, there are heated changing rooms and lockers to use, and the boats have special plastic tubs so you can take your phone on board.

Closest tube: West India Quay

From £35pp

Website

4. The Royal Opera House's Piazza Terrace Bar - cocktails with a view:

Raise a glass to your love in this lovely rooftop bar tucked away on top of the Royal Opera House. It's a gorgeous spot for a cocktail or three with your sweetie, with amazing views over London's romantic Covent Garden. They also have a lovely lunch menu!

Closest tube: Covent Garden

Hours: Monday to Saturday 12pm – 2.45pm and 5pm – 8.45pm

Sunday 12pm – 5.30pm.

Lunch and Lunch à la carte menu available 12pm – 2.45pm, Monday to Friday only.

Website

5. Gourmaze - playful puzzles and foodie adventure for couples:

Team up on London's tastiest treasure hunt with Gourmaze, a genius company that has combined three of our favourite things: exploring London, puzzles and food. Following cryptic clues sent directly to your phone, you are sent on a journey of delicious discovery, through secret side streets and hidden squares, unlocking tasty treats along the way! You can either race the clock and try to complete the puzzles as quickly as possible (top of the leaderboard each month wins a prize), or enjoy the stroll and take your time. Not to worry, the clock is paused each time you stop to eat.

This experience is equally fun as a casual afternoon date - enjoy the puzzles and treats, then take a walk together along hidden side streets, nearby park or hole up in a cosy cofe shop to round out the day.

N.B The entire activity is run from your phone, so make sure it's charged. It might be worth bringing a power pack and charging lead just in case. Also, sadly, London seems to be notorious for phone snatching at the moment, so just stay alert and look out for each other as you'll be walking around with your phone out a lot - if you have a wrist strap, we'd recommend using it.

Prices start from £27pp

Website

6. The Chocolate Cocktail Club - a sweet twist on cocktails for two:

Calling all chocoholics! Get yourself over to this fabulous bar in Farringdon that specialises in, you guessed it, chocolate cocktails!! Their scrummy and inventive menu includes decedent treats like: Biscoff Martini, the Jaffa Cake, Chocolate Chilli Picante Margarita and Banana Colada.

Closest Tube: Farringdon

Hours: Tuesday : 1:30pm- 6pm

Wednesday : 4:30pm -10:30pm

Thursday : 4:30pm - 10:30pm

Friday : 1:30pm - 10:30pm 

Saturday : 1:30pm - 10:30pm 

Closed Sunday/Monday

Website

7. A South Bank Sunset Stroll and Winter Drinks - a free, effortlessly romantic Valentine’s:

There’s something undeniably romantic about London at dusk. Take a slow walk along the South Bank from Westminster Bridge towards Millennium Bridge, watching the city lights come on around Big Ben, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. While the other ideas on this list are booked experiences, this London date is completely free and perfect if you’re after something relaxed and spontaneous. In February, winter pop-up stalls and riverside bars often serve mulled wine and hot chocolate, making it a cosy, low-pressure Valentine’s date that feels effortlessly romantic. This was actually one of our first dates, and it feels timelessly London.

Closest tube: Westminster / Waterloo

Cost: Free (drinks optional)

So, whether you're hand-in-hand exploring immersive art, sharing a bubbling camembert, or toasting your love with a chocolate-infused cocktail, London offers a wonderfully romantic backdrop for Valentine's Day. So scrap the clichés, embrace the adventure, and may your celebrations be filled with love and laughter! And if you’re looking for even more ways to explore London without spending a penny, our guide to free things to do in London has 100 ideas to inspire you.

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