Don’t let the cold weather stop you from snuggling up with your date with these festive date night ideas. Read on for the best and most romantic winter date ideas.
Winter Date Night Ideas
1. Go Ice Skating
Perhaps the ultimate romantic date night idea, there are myriad ice rinks on offer across the UK during winter. Warm up at a pub afterwards.
2. Watch a Movie at a Winter-Themed Cinema
Watching a movie with your loved one surrounded by a winter wonderland scene – what could be more romantic?!
Backyard Cinema in London is one of our faves with its Winter Garden and Snow Kingdom and a huge range of movie choices or, this winter, Luna Cinema are offering drive-in cinema experiences to watch your favourite movies in optimum comfort. Don’t forget the popcorn.
3. See a Theatre Performance
Going to the theatre together is a wonderful activity for winter. Whether you want to go classic and see a ballet like The Nutcracker or funny musical like The Book Of Mormon, there’s sure to be something to delight every couple.
4. Go for Dinner and Drinks at a Winter Terrace
Yes, wining and dining is nothing new for a date night idea, but if there’s one thing London does well, it’s its abundance of winter terraces.
From the highly-Instagrammable Dalloway Terrace to beautiful in-hotel options like the Garden at The Corinthia, there are a whole host of offerings for a super-romantic winter date.
5. Visit a Winter Farmers’ Market
Wrapping up warm to sample some cheese, wine and street food is the perfect recipe for a post-Christmas winter date, and there myriad farmers’ markets across the UK perfect to visit in the colder months.
Some of our fave picks in London include Clapham’s Venn Street Market, offering everything from cheese and seafood to brownies and hog roasts, as well as Marylebone Farmers’ Market, who serve up fresh sandwiches and French cuisine. The perfect setting for a Sunday morning wander with your loved one.
6. Try Your Hand at a Cooking Class
A great Christmas pressie to redeem in the – sometimes bleak – midwinter, a cooking class is a great way to reconnect while having fun as a couple.
Whether it’s learning how to make bread or a fakeaway curry, this is a lovely way to spend a cold winter’s afternoon. It makes for a great Valentine’s activity, too. Check out The Avenue Cookery School or Borough Kitchen for inspiration.
7. Play crazy golf
With a whole range of crazy golf courses available across the UK that now mix in food stalls, craft beer and more, this is a great winter date night idea that’s so much more than just hitting a ball!
The likes of Swingers and Junkyard Golf offer cocktails and excellent food, as well as big group bookings that are perfect if you want to make it a fun double – or triple – date.
8. Go on a Winter Walk
OK, this one might sound simple, but we think there’s nothing more romantic than heading out to a beautiful location near you and walking for hours with your loved one – finished off with a cosy pub lunch or movie night at home.
Just wrap up warm, grab some hot chocolate and you’re good to go. A winter walk can also be a super-cute way to propose!
Read More:
- Christmas Gift Guide 2022: Gifts for Him
- Christmas 2022 Gift Guide: Gifts for Her
- 28 Unique and Romantic Christmas Proposal Ideas
Date Night Ideas at Home
Staying at home can provide plenty of romance – and is easier on the pursestrings! Here are our favourite fun and easy date ideas for you and your partner to try from home.
These cocktail masterclasses might just make for the cheapest (and tastiest) happy hour ever. Mix and Twist offer free live online cocktail masterclasses, which take you step by step through their Latin Menu of rum and tequila.
If you don’t have the equipment or ingredients, and fancy splashing out, you can invest in a ‘My First Masterclass’ box for £149.
P.S. check out our guide to DIY cocktail recipes for some more inspo.
- Comedy Gig Date Night
Who better to turn to than your favourite comedian for a hilarious night to remember with your other half? Grab the popcorn, a bottle of wine, and turn down the lights as Netflix offers you live recordings of your favourite stand-up comedians.
- Aquarium Live Stream
If you’re craving a change of scene, there are live streams from aquariums and zoos all around the world for you to choose from.
For a colourful peek into the coral reef, tune into the National Aquarium’s live stream to see how these aquatic creatures are spending their time in lockdown. From the ‘Blacktip Reef’ to ‘Jellies Invasion’, there are endless aquatic world that you and your partner can marvel at tonight.
- Treasure Hunts
Put your partner to the test by planning a special treasure hunt for them in your home; you’d be surprised by how many hiding places you’ll discover! Test how well you really know each other with romantic riddles, personality questions, and brainteasers to guide your partner from treasure to treasure.
If you’re thinking about proposing, but struggling to plan the moment, this is a romantic and easy way to surprise your partner by hiding the ring as ‘hidden treasure’. There are plenty of other ways to pop the question during lockdown, and Wedding Ideas can help to inspire you. Read our top tips for proposing at home.
- Afternoon Tea at Home
An afternoon tea is an indulgent treat, and checking in to a swanky hotel or restaurant to sample their exquisite finger sandwiches and finest Champagne makes for a lovely day date.
Long Distance Date Night Ideas
Schedule some romantic one-on-one time (even if it does take place through a screen). With endless ways to communicate, organise a video call and try out one of our ‘distance date night’ ideas.
- Stargaze (Together!)
Even if you’re miles apart, stargazing apps can make you feel a lot closer. SkyViewLite is a great one, as you just hold it to a night sky and it will identify the planets, constellations, and satellites that you can both see.
It even reminds you of celestial events that you and your date can both step outside simultaneously to witness. If it’s a first date, learn each other’s birthdays and use the app to find their horoscope constellation.
2. Supper Surprise
It’s important to support our local restaurants and food vendors post-pandemic. Luckily for us, many of them now offer a delivery service, so you can support your local cuisines from home.
Do some research into which restaurants located near your partner are offering home delivery, while your partner does the same for you. Order each other dinner at the same time, and be surprised by what you receive. This one is a great way to see how well they know you!
- Quizzing
Test each other’s memories with our Mr and Mrs Quiz. It’s not just for married couples either! From their biggest fear to your funniest memory, any couple can get to know each other to a deeper level with our romantic (and revealing) couples quiz.
- DIY Classes
Couples who learn together, stay together. Craft Courses are offering so many online DIY courses for you and your partner to get creative with during your time apart. Schedule a video call, and help each other to create something useful and wonderful.
Read More:
- The Most Romantic Quotes for Wedding Day
- 27 Unique and Romantic Christmas Proposal Ideas
- 12 of the Most Romantic Winter Honeymoon Destinations
The Best Summer Date Night Ideas for Couples
Days are longer and there’s a new energy in the air. It’s the perfect time to change up your dating routine with something unique, entertaining and seasonally appropriate. Here are our favourite ways to feel the love with a date night this summer.
[words by Tabitha Syrett]
The Best Summer Date Night Ideas for Couples
We’ve assembled a whole range of date ideas perfect for some fun in the sun, giving you time to connect as a couple while making the most of the glorious English summer.
Our list is full of variety and caters to all temperaments and energy levels, including romantic London venues, stay at home ideas, adventurous activities and all manner of other ways for romance and fun in the sun!
Summer Date Night Ideas in London
We’ve teamed up with DesignMyNight who revealed the must-visit date night locations that you need on your London list this summer.
Plonk
Plonk is anything but boring. So if you’ve ever found yourself talking about the weather, or perhaps nothing at all after a long week at the office, then Plonk is sure to get some welcomed trash talk flowing.
With three London locations, all with neon golf courses and arcade games, this place is the ultimate date night location.
Skylight
There’s always something going on at Peckham’s favourite rooftop. As well as boasting Instagrammable interiors, far-stretching views of the city and a stellar line-up of cocktails and drinks, Skylight throws lots of monthly events, from cocktail masterclasses to drag brunch parties, all above London’s skyline.
Take your date here for a day of laughter and conversation, and when the evening rolls around, snuggle up beneath the fairy lights with a warming picante (or three).
The Big Bakes
If you or your other half are a dab hand in the kitchen, you can live out your dreams of becoming the next Mary Berry at The Big Bakes; a competition that sees you team up with your partner in a bid to win best bake against a room of contestants.
The 90-minute competition comes with all the ingredients you need to be crowned, and if you need to drown your sorrows together, not to worry – there’s a secret on-site bar that’s accessible through an unassuming fridge.
Rooftop Film Club
Rooftop Film Club – it’s like the cinema, but 100 times better. Expect deckchairs complete with blankets to keep you warm on cooler nights (or go without and use it as an excuse to cosy up together), as well as epic views over London, and a range of drinks and street food to keep grumbling tummies at bay.
Kings of outdoor cinema, the team are planning a stellar lineup of favourite films this summer, both old and new, from classics like Notting Hill (i.e the ultimate date night film), to new releases like Death On The Nile.
London Shuffle Club
If you haven’t heard of shuffle, you’re seriously missing out. The game has been described as a mix of tenpin bowling and curling, and it’s a sure fire way to have some fun with your other half this summer.
With this in mind, make your way to The London Shuffle Club. It boasts table and lane shuffle, meaning there’s a game for everyone (and more chances to win), as well as premium cocktails, craft beers and pizza. If you’re in search of a space that’s a little more intimate, head down to their speakeasy Crazy Eight – if you can find it.
Big Shots Golf
Ask many men their opinion on the perfect date location and they’ll probably say the driving range – and in this case, we’d have to agree. Big Shots Golf is a driving range concept in Northwick Park that allows guests to blow off some steam whilst firing balls off into the sunset.
The venue is complete with high speed games that transform the golfing experience, as well as an onsite restaurant and bar if you and your other half fancy making a night of it.
London Bridge Rooftop
London Bridge Rooftop is the perfect location for a relaxed date. With views of London and The Shard, the 200-capacity venue serves up a range of delicious drinks and authentic Spanish food to a soundtrack from the venue’s resident DJ.
Perfect for lunch before a day of sightseeing, or a day of relaxed drinks in the sun, this place will soon become your new go-to venue when venturing into the heart of London.
The BBQ Club
Head to The BBQ Club with your date this summer and bond over your mutual love of food. The much loved pop-up is returning to Southbank this summer, bringing with it a brand new, showstopping menu of BBQ flavours and experimental cooking techniques.
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Thames in cosy riverside cabanas before embarking on a six-course DIY tasting menu that can be matched with paired drinks if you want to go all out.
London In The Sky
Nothing says romance like being wined and dined 100ft in the air. Boasting views of the capital’s skyline, London In The Sky is a date idea that will leave your significant other boasting for months on end.
Whether you’re in the mood for brunch, lunch, cocktails or dinner, expect five-star dining, excellent service and all the vibes at this unique venue. This one’s sure to earn you some brownie points – just remember…don’t look down!
Neverland
Nipping to faraway shores for date night might not be all that realistic, but paradise by way of Neverland Fulham is certainly doable.
Expect indoor and outdoor beach verandas (because we don’t have 100% faith in London’s summer weather), as well as delicious street food, cocktails, resident DJs and games such as beer pong and table tennis. This is a date that will have you planning your next trip together in no time.
Looking for more information on date ideas in London? Visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Facebook @DesignMyNight.
More Summer Date Night Ideas
Go for a Bike Ride
Introduce your potential new squeeze to one of your favourite spots (or vice versa) before a delicious bite to eat in a café or restaurant.
Why not release some of that pent-up winter energy with a cycle through Hyde Park and stop for a glass of rose in The Serpentine Lido Cafe? A super fun and romantic way to soak up the sunshine for couples in both the city or the countryside.
Go for a Picnic
Nothing says summer charm and relaxation like taking your date for a halcyon picnic. Here you can enjoy an element of old-school romance with bonding time, wine and some delicious English delicacies.
Get out your basket, rug and utensils the night before, then pop in the chocolate, strawberries and champagne you’ve been keeping cool in the fridge for the outing. Why not try out this Picadilly Picnic Time for Two hamper?
If you’re based in the countryside just stroll over to your nearest field and settle in for a happy day of pastoral romance. Equally, you could head to one of London’s many gorgeous parks. Wimbledon Common, for instance, which is rife with springy verdant spots for any couple looking to cultivate romance in the sunshine. And you could even throw in a refreshing swim with a riverside picnic at Potters Fields Park or Victoria Embankment Gardens.
Sleep Out Under the Stars
Yes, camping may not seem like the most romantic of dates, (especially for wary city dwellers), but think again! A special camping adventure with your partner or new beau allows you to connect away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and makes the most of those warmer summer temperatures. So how to make this night away one to remember?
You could either opt for a more up-market option with this One Night Glamping Break for Two from Buyagift, or get closer to nature by doing it all yourself. Get cosy by setting up your campsite together, building a fire, cooking something delicious over the logs and nestling into one huge sleeping bag! You could also do some ultra-dreamy stargazing. We recommend using one of the many apps on offer (such as Star Chart) to pick out certain stars and impress your partner.
Go for Drinks on a Rooftop Terrace
Take your date for drinks at a swanky rooftop terrace to watch the sun set and dive into the heady atmosphere of a city full of people similarly liberated by the joys of summer! The rooftop bars on offer in London are particularly splendid as the city is rife with spots in which you can sip on your cocktail amongst the clouds.
Head on a Road Trip
This is a great way for newlyweds to explore new places together and start married life with an adventure. It could even serve as a cheap and convenient honeymoon excursion for those couples seeking to save up after the soaring expenses of a big wedding.
Hopping in the car and driving somewhere like the Cotswolds or to a local beach for a night or two, or even just the day, makes for a wonderful way to spend time together this summer.
Do a Challenging Activity Together
With summer heating things up, a challenging activity is therefore the perfect date for any couples who need to reawaken the spark with a little competitive tension!
Activities like paintballing, bowling and go karting will pump up the adrenaline and have your heart racing in no time. You can have fun completing the challenge together (remember that scene in 10 Things I Hate About You), while activities like a Treetop Challenge will build the trust between you.
Have a Movie Night at Home
This is a terrific way for a first-time Mr and Mrs to settle into their new life together, while long-term couples get the chance to quietly appreciate one another’s presence.
Cosy, comfy and cheap, this is an ideal wind-down after a long day of chores or the perfect way to cool down when the summer commute leaves you tired and sweaty. So, pull down the shutters and mix up some summer punch for a chilled environment to watch your movie together.
Read More:
- The Most Romantic Cities for a Honeymoon in the UK – Where to Stay, Eat & More
- 12 of the Most Romantic Winter Honeymoon Destinations
- 14 Luxury UK Minimoon Hotels to Visit Without Breaking the Bank
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