Christmas in London is indeed magical. As the temperature drops and the clocks return, the city turns into a winter wonderland with Christmas lights and creatively decorated trees, winter pop-ups and Christmas markets on every corner, and Christmas songs floating through the air.
When December comes around, everyone seems to be a little friendlier. You can spend your free time drinking hot alcoholic seasonal beverages, watching holiday shows and pantomimes, watching your favourite Christmas movies again, gliding around beautiful ice rinks, and having a good time at all the Christmas parties.
Best Places To Go For A Romantic Christmas Date In London
Are you looking for a romantic Christmas date in London? We’ve got you covered! Our list of best places to go with your partner includes some of London’s most popular and romantic destinations. So whether you’re looking for a night out with your partner or want to spend some time together at a beautiful location, you’re in the right place!
1. Enchanted Eltham Palace
Eltham Palace, an art deco mansion south of the river, has been given a Christmassy makeover this holiday season. Its path has a lot of fun things to see that are lit up, like fairy-light tunnels, a light maze, and an installation by artist Aowen Jin. They also make an excellent background for cute photos, but don’t forget to bundle up!
2. The Ivy Chelsea
Every December, the entire front of The Ivy Chelsea is turned into a magical Christmas scene, making it a dream for influencers. But there’s good news: anyone can take pictures here. This means that you and your partner already have the perfect background for a cute Christmas card photo of the two of you.
Santa’s grotto, a gingerbread house, and a snowy winter wonderland have all been used as themes in the past. From the beginning of December, people will line up on the busy sidewalk to take pictures in front of the magical decorations. But that means many tourists are willing to take a picture of the perfect couple for you in exchange for a few seconds of your time to take a picture of them.
3. Columbia Road Christmas
Flowers, fairy lights, and mulled wine are all ingredients for romance, and the three Wednesdays before Christmas Day, Columbia Road’s evening events have all three. The streets are full of Christmas trees and small seasonal shrubs, many of which would make great mid-date gifts.
4. Trafalgar Square
Most Londoners know that Christmas has started when the giant Christmas tree shows up in Trafalgar Square. Norway gave the tree to Great Britain to show how thankful they were for their help during World War II. It is more than 20 meters tall and is lit up. Big Ben and the London Eye are in the background. And recently, the Underbelly pop-up winter market has been set up next to the tree in Trafalgar Square.
Small wooden booths selling trinkets and, most importantly, mulled wine will surely get you in the holiday mood. After you’ve looked at the stalls, get a cup of hot chocolate and sing carols with your friends on the steps of Trafalgar Square. Most choirs encourage people to join in, and the lack of a stage or microphones makes for a magical, close-knit moment under the Christmas tree lights.
5. Roof East
Nothing says “Christmas” like a few heated games, and Roof East is a great place for competitive couples to go at it. The top floor is set up for curling, and you can even have cocktails brought to the sidelines, so the game doesn’t get interrupted. Along with the winter sport, this year, the rooftop is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the cult classic movie Cool Runnings, so there will be a lot of rum and a few bobsleds for good measure.
6. Biscuiteers
This is one of the unique things to do on a date in London in the winter. Show your partner how creative you can be at the well-known Biscuiteers. They have two-hour Christmas-themed biscuit icing workshops in the Icing Café on Northcote Road or Notting Hill.
With different Christmas-themed sessions like “Apres Ski,” “The Snowman,” and “Christmas Tree Decorations,” you and your partner can spend a lovely couple of hours talking over tea and cookies while practising your piping skills.
7. Dalloway Terrace
This terrace is always a good choice for people who want to have dinner with their dates. This season, the space at Dalloway Terrace is taken up by a frosty flower arrangement made of white, pink, and silver petals that have been frozen. The winter menu, on the other hand, is anything but cold. It has warm dishes like Swiss cheese fondue and pigeon pie.
8. Backyard Cinema
If you usually watch Christmas movies on the couch, you can switch things up by going to Backyard Cinema, which becomes a magical Winter Night Garden in November. You’ll enter through a wardrobe that looks like it belongs in Narnia. You’ll walk down a corridor lined with trees and into a vast, beautifully decorated movie theatre.
Get there early and try some excellent street food in the covered courtyard to make date night last longer. Their pizza is delicious! The theatre room has cosy sofa chairs and a full schedule of Christmas movies to watch all winter long. You have many choices with Home Alone, Elf, and The Holiday.
9. Jimmy’s Lodge
If you don’t want to go skiing or snowboarding this winter, Jimmy Garcia‘s winter lodge on Southbank has most of the same things for a lot less money. The Alpine lodge is excellent for eating fondue and cooking steak piperade-style on hot stones.
10. Queen of Hoxton’s Winter Rooftop
This famous Shoreditch rooftop has all the elements for a wintry date night, from roaring fires and hot cocktails to comforting raclette. The rooftop is a French affair with a bohemian Montmartre theme, so it’s all rather romantic. Under several heart-shaped arches, you can drink Tarte tatin rum and mulled port during the winter. There are even tarot cards for interested couples, but you do so at your own risk.
11. Lucky Voice
Try the Christmas Karaoke Brunch at Lucky Voice in Soho, one of the unique places to eat in London, for a special Christmas lunch. Since two tickets cost £110, this is one of London’s more expensive winter date ideas.
But it will be a Christmas to remember with a lot of holiday cheer. With a private karaoke pod for two, bottomless bubbly, and Christmas-themed pizzas, you and your partner can give it your best belter all through December.
12. Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew is one of the best times of the year. Every year, it sells out for a reason! You’ll follow a lit path through Kew’s winding gardens when you get there at night, where you’ll see exciting and mesmerising light displays. Wrap up warm and get a hot drink on your way around to enjoy a slow walk with lots of things to talk about.
13. The Ritz
Having afternoon tea at The Ritz is always a good idea, but there are even more reasons to do so during the holidays. The famous Palm Court is turned into a winter wonderland from the Edwardian era. The giant Christmas tree is decorated with old red ribbons, and the archways are trimmed with fancy decorations.
Also, a live Ritz choir is ready to sing all your favourite Christmas songs while you eat freshly baked scones and mince pies. Dress up because The Ritz has a strict dress code to make it feel even more special. The Ritz Christmas Afternoon Tea is one of London’s most unique and magical winter date ideas. It costs £85 per person and comes with a glass of champagne, so make sure it’s within your budget!
14. Hyde Park
When you say “Hyde Park Winter Wonderland,” every Londoner will roll their eyes. I mean, waiting in line for half an hour for £6 isn’t romantic. But hear me out: starting in 2021, you’ll have to buy tickets for Winter Wonderland ahead of time. This should mean there won’t be more crazy lines to get in. You can book your rides and attractions when you buy your ticket.
The Giant Wheel has to be the best place for a date.
No, this isn’t a cheap version of the London Eye. Instead, it’s a great way to see the lights of Winter Wonderland from 70 meters up (two standard tickets cost £18 each). Afterwards, go to Bar Ice, where you can step into -10°C (you’ll be given warm jackets and gloves to keep you warm) and get a complimentary cocktail in a pre-carved ice glass for £14 each.
With all the ice around you, this will probably be the ideal date you will ever go on.
15. Somerset House
This is one of the best winter date ideas in London if you’re one of those cool couples who knows all the best music before anyone else. This Christmas, UNIQLO and Somerset House are putting on a “Skate Lates” series every Friday night in December. Part concert, part ice skating, these late-night events will have a live up-and-coming DJ or artist to play while you skate under the multicolour lights and 40-foot Christmas tree.
Planning Your Romantic Christmas Date
There’s no need to stress about your Romantic Christmas Date this year! Here are a few tips to help you plan and make the most of your time together.
- Make a list of what you want to do and where you want to go. This will help you prioritise and determine the best time to spend.
- Be open-minded about what date night ideas might work for you. You don’t have to do everything on your list, but knowing some potential options will give you some flexibility.
- Keep communication open between yourselves and make sure to schedule plenty of time for both talking and kissing! A Romantic Christmas Date is about spending quality time together, so don’t forget to take care of each other too!
Conclusion:
There are many fun and romantic date ideas for Christmas in London. Whether you want to enjoy a festive dinner at a favourite restaurant or take a walk in the park, there are plenty of options. So whether you’re looking to spend quality time with your loved ones or treat yourself to something special, there’s no wrong way to go!
FAQs
Where are the best Christmas lights in London?
Regent Street Christmas Lights
Known as ‘The Spirits of Christmas’, the lights display (which covers Regent’s Street and St James) is the largest of its kind in the country. Hundreds of thousands of LED lights cover the 45 spirits flying over shoppers.
What street in London is famous for Christmas lights?
Oxford Street
The UK’s most famous shopping street never fails to deliver on its Christmas lights, and this year is no exception. With sparkling gold and silver snowballs descending from the skies above, you will feel like you’re in your own winter wonderland as you shop until you drop!
How can I be romantic during Christmas?
You can do a few things to make your Christmas feel more romantic. One is to get a present for your partner that is unique and personal. Another is to spend time together doing something fun and exciting, like going out for dinner or taking a walk in the park. Finally, try setting the mood by lighting some candles, putting on some music, and cooking your partner a special meal. These simple steps will help make your Christmas feel extra special!
