6. Cuddle up in an alternative cinema
Where: The Phoenix Cinema, 52 High Rd, London N2 9PJ
What: Movies are classic date-night favourites, and hardcore cinephiles will love a night out at the Phoenix. Londoners have been watching films here since 1910 – it’s one of the UK’s oldest purpose-built, continuously operating cinemas. Since 1985 has been run by a charitable trust for the community, so you know everyone working there loves movies as much as you.
Price: Adults £9.50 (okay, so you’ll need more for popcorn!)
Nearest tube station: East Finchley (Northern line)
Discover more: The Phoenix Cinema
7. Go boating on the Serpentine
Where: The Serpentine lake, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH
What: Hire a rowboat (or a pedal boat) for two, channel Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, and have your own Notebook moment on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. There are 16 hectares of calm waters, not to mention loads of swans (okay, okay, so the movie had swans, geese andducks, but this is pretty damn close!).
Price: Adults £10 for 30 minutes (or £12 for an hour)
Nearest tube stations: Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line)
Discover more: Boating on the Serpentine
8. Picnic on Hampstead Heath
Where: Hampstead Heath, Gordon House Road, London NW5 1QR
What: Encompassing around 320 hectares of woodlands, ponds, playgrounds, a training track and a gorgeous lido, this glorious, rambling park is absolutely enormous, and one of the most beautiful spots in the city. It’s the perfect place to spread a blanket and enjoy a romantic picnic.
Price: Free (plus the price of a sandwich)
Nearest tube station: Hampstead (Northern line), but much better to take the overground to Hampstead Heath railway station
Discover more: Hampstead Heath
9. Tour a museum by candlelight
Where: Sir John Soane’s Museum, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3BP
What: Once home to the architect of the Bank of England, today, it houses a fantastic collection including works by Turner, Canaletto and Hogarth, and the Egyptian sarcophagus of Seti I. But ditch the normal tours in favour of something totally unforgettable: on the first Tuesday of each month, between 6pm and 9pm, the Museum is lit entirely by candlelight.
Price: Free, but as the Museum is a charitable body, voluntary donations are appreciated. Suggested donation: £7 per person
Nearest tube station: Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines)
Discover more: Sir John Soane’s Museum
10. Grab a spray can and tag your love
Where: Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel, Leake Street, London SE1 7NN
What: In 2008, some of the world’s leading graffiti artists converged on this disused road tunnel running under Waterloo train station, and turned it into a giant exhibition space. The event was the now-legendary Cans Festival, the organiser was Banksy himself, and the legacy lives on to this day – it’s the biggest legal wall in London, so if you’re feeling artistic, grab a spray can and head to the tunnel to tag your love.
Nearest tube station: Waterloo (Northern, Jubilee, Waterloo & City and Bakerloo lines)
Price: Free
Discover more: Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel
