Looking for cheap date ideas in London? We got you, boo.
Planning a date should be fun, but it can get a bit stressful when you're unsure what to do and still want to impress. Luckily, there are plenty of cheap date ideas in London that can still woo your other half without costing you your entire monthly income.
London isn't exactly known for being cheap, but it's absolutely possible to have a date night that doesn't skimp on the romance and doesn't cost a fortune either.
From gorgeous parks for picnic dates to strolling through the sights hand-in-hand, there are so many fun date ideas in London to choose from.
Check out our best cheap date ideas in London below.
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Cheap date ideas in London
If you want more inspiration beyond this list, our full round-up of cheap date ideas you'll actually want to do has plenty more where these came from.
Take a pottery class
If you want to make memories on your date, a pottery class isn't just a fun and different date idea, you'll get something to take home with you afterwards.
Whether you want to try your hand at actually making pottery from scratch or you'd rather just paint a piece, there are plenty of pottery classes across London to experiment with.Junkyard Golf — Shoreditch
Junkyard Golf is crazy golf to the extreme. Prepare for loud music, bright lights and a properly fun atmosphere as you make your way around the course and tackle the obstacles. You can drink alcohol throughout and there's a great food menu too, so it's a fun place to relax once you've finished your round.Flight Club — Shoreditch, Bloomsbury, Islington or Victoria
Flight Club has four locations across London and is a great date activity if you're competitive. The food and drinks are relatively cheap, but the real fun is the interactive darts game that can really unleash your competitive side. The atmosphere is always super lively and you can even go for brunch on weekends.Puttshack — Bank, White City and Watford
Puttshack is a tech-driven mini-golf experience that can really unleash your competitive side. One of the most popular locations is at Westfield White City, so if you're planning a date that involves shopping and grabbing something to eat, it's worth checking out at the same time. The interactive courses will challenge you, and there's plenty of food and drink on the menu too for you to enjoy once you're done.
Babylon Park — Camden
Babylon Park is an alien-themed indoor amusement park in Camden's Hawley Wharf, with a whole range of fun things to do on a date. You can buy virtual coins in advance via the app, which you can then use on the rides and arcades.
There are bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, arcade machines and great food and drink too, so you could easily spend a few hours there.Cocktail Making
Drinks are a great date idea, but take it one step further and try your hand at actually making the cocktails yourselves. Mixology is a great place to try this, with multiple venues across London offering different classes and workshops that show you the science behind the perfect cocktail.
Secret Cinema
Secret Cinema gives you the chance to step into the film itself, with immersive performances, actors, sets, costumes and food. Much better than a trip to your local multiplex.Climb The O2
If you're up for a challenge, climbing up and over The O2 is an unforgettable experience. Push yourself and your date as you scale one of London's most iconic landmarks, then treat yourselves to dinner and drinks afterwards at one of The O2's many venues.Visit the London Dungeon
If you want to do something a bit different, the London Dungeon is not for the faint-hearted but makes for a great date experience. Advance online tickets are usually your cheapest option, so it's worth booking ahead rather than paying on the door — just try not to scream. You can also save a bit more ££ with our London Dungeon student discount.Bounce
The home of ping pong, Bounce is not only a great activity to challenge your date to, but also a great place for food and drink. Now based at Battersea Power Station, it offers brunch, pizza, cocktails and much more, so you can sit back and relax after beating your date at a game of ping pong. Students can also get 20% off food and drinks.
First date ideas London
Nerves running high? Our guide to where to go on a first date has more low-pressure spots if you want extra options beyond this list.
Visit rooftop bars
One of London's highlights is the huge number of rooftop bars, such as Pergola Brixton. These are definitely more of a summer date option, but nothing beats taking in stunning views of London over a few drinks and some great music.Visit an outdoor food market such as Chinatown, Borough Market or South Bank
If you're a foodie, you'll never run out of date ideas in London. Rather than sitting in a restaurant on a first date with someone you don't know that well yet, opt for one of London's many amazing food markets to grab something to eat, enjoy the sights and get to know your date.Get coffee
There's no shortage of coffee shops in London. If you don't want to travel into central London for a date, explore your local area and see what's on offer for a relaxed first date without the hustle and bustle of the busier streets, from Grind to a more exciting Knoops (which comes with a student discount).
Boxpark — Shoreditch, Camden, Wembley or Croydon
An absolute classic; Boxpark has four London locations, and each one is a great spot for a casual date. You can choose from multiple food stands (so you don't have to get the same thing) and there are usually plenty of live events and entertainment on, from DJs to big-screen sports and live TV moments.Visit a comedy club
London has plenty of comedy club offerings, and it's a great place to go on a first date because, let's face it, if things get awkward, at least you can defuse the tension with some laughs. Comedy clubs are also more chilled and laid-back than some of London's fancier bars and restaurants, so it's a solid first date idea.
Cute date ideas London
Stargazing at Greenwich Observatory
The Royal Observatory Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time and one of the area's most famous landmarks. Standard adult admission is around £24, with a student discount available if you bring valid ID — and what's more romantic than stargazing together?Visit The Globe
Shakespeare's Globe is an important historical landmark, and tickets for a performance are properly affordable, with yard tickets available from around £5. You can experience theatre just how Shakespeare intended it to be seen.Hire a bike around the city
As a city, London encourages green travel, and you can't go far without seeing the bikes you can hire. Grab one and cycle across one of London's many parks, or challenge your date to a race and reward yourselves with lunch at a local park or restaurant afterwards.Get bubble tea
There are so many great bubble tea spots across London, from Chinatown and Soho to Brick Lane. Bubble tea is fairly affordable, so you can sit back and enjoy a catch-up with your date without forking out at one of London's pricier bars.
London night bus tour
A London night bus tour is a great, cheap way to see the city's best views. Sure, you could visit one of London's many rooftop bars or restaurants for the sights, but a bus tour gives you plenty to chat about along the way and is properly budget-friendly.Take a trip on an Uber Boat
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is one of the coolest, yet most affordable, ways to get across London. If you want to cross the Thames without forking out on an expensive boat ride, it's your answer to a fun and affordable date you couldn't do anywhere else.
Outdoor date ideas London
Go Ape
Get outdoors and push yourself to try something new with Go Ape. It currently has four locations in and around London — Battersea Park, Trent Park (Cockfosters), Alexandra Palace and Black Park — and all of them will have you swinging from the trees and climbing new heights. Even better? You can get a Go Ape student discount too.
Ice skating
This one's dependent on the time of year, of course, but come winter there are loads of stunning ice rinks across London that are fun to try on a date. From Hyde Park to the Natural History Museum, London's ice rinks are among the best places to visit in the capital during the colder months, so definitely take advantage once winter rolls around.
Take a stroll along South Bank
South Bank offers iconic views of London, including the London Eye, Big Ben and the River Thames. There's plenty to do there by way of food and drink, but if you're on a budget, nothing beats a riverside stroll taking in some of London's most iconic landmarks.Visit Battersea Power Station
Although it's not entirely outdoors, Battersea Power Station is one of London's most popular hangouts for eating and shopping, and it's a great spot for a date if you haven't checked it out yet. It has its own tube station and plenty of outdoor space to sit and relax too.
Free date ideas London
Want even more ways to spend nothing and still have a great time? Our list of the best cheap or free days out for students is a solid follow-up read.
Picnic in the park
Nothing beats a picnic in the park, and luckily London has lots of beautiful parks to take advantage of. From Hampstead Heath to Battersea Park, enjoy London's green spaces in summer with a picnic — perfect for an affordable but still lovely date.Visit the Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is free to enter, meaning you get beautiful views of London and the public gardens for free, seven days a week. There are plenty of events on too, as well as a (pretty pricey) restaurant and bar. Spaces are limited, so it's worth booking your free slot online in advance rather than just turning up.Natural History Museum
One of London's most iconic museums, with free entry and a whole load of cool things to see. From dinosaurs to fossils and wildlife, it's something everyone should visit at least once, and a really cool place to take a date.Visit the Barbican Conservatory
The Barbican Conservatory is one of the most unique spaces in London, home to a secret tropical oasis. It's free to visit and has food and drink options too, but it's only open on select scheduled days, and tickets are released online in advance, so check the Barbican's site and book ahead rather than just showing up.Science Museum
The Science Museum is not only educational but super fun too, with loads of interactive exhibits covering everything from space exploration to how vaccines are developed. If you want to learn something new, this is the place to visit — the exhibits are updated regularly, so no visit is the same twice. And it's free, which makes it one of the best cheap date ideas in London.
Date ideas when it's raining
It wouldn't be dating in the UK without a slight probability of rainfall. Dating shouldn't have to be based on the weather, but it's probably best to plan ahead in case of downpours.
Luckily, there are plenty of date ideas for rainy days, so the romance doesn't have to stop. Rain can actually add some cinematic drama to a date, if you let it.
Rainy day date ideas:
Craft night — grab some canvas or paper, paints and sit opposite each other trying to paint a portrait of one another. Or grab some pasta and glue and make some DIY picture frames. The craft world is your oyster.
Visit an arcade — arcades are great places to visit when it's raining. The dim lighting and closeness add to the vibe, and you're guaranteed a few laughs too. Check out BOOM BATTLE BAR for some instant savings.
Cooking lesson — either at home or in a restaurant, a cooking lesson is a great rainy-day date idea that helps you both learn new skills.
Escape rooms — tucked away from the rainy day, escape rooms will have you and your date laughing, getting worked up over a small disagreement, and finding a new intimacy that only cramped situations can teach you.
Go bowling –– a classic you can't go wrong with. Trade your trainers for some bowling shoes and get a little competitive (if you want). Save on bowling with our Lane 7 student discount.
Date ideas when pregnant
Date nights don't have to be thrown out the window if you're pregnant. There are plenty of date ideas that work at any stage of pregnancy. A few to try:
Get a couple's massage
Follow your cravings and turn your date into a food crawl
Take a childbirth class together
Cook a meal together
Make something together for the baby — a photo album, for example
Make mocktails together, or take a class
Fancy taking date night beyond the capital? Our round-up of date night ideas around the country has you covered wherever your uni city is.
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