London
Cheap date ideas in Greenwich
Updated
Greenwich makes a whole day out for very little. Arrive by river bus, past Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf, then climb Greenwich Park to the General Wolfe statue for one of the best free views in London. The National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House, with its spiral Tulip Stairs, cost nothing, and the Painted Hall’s baroque ceiling is worth a small ticket. Walk under the Thames through the Victorian foot tunnel for the classic view back from Island Gardens, share lunch from a couple of stalls at Greenwich Market, or try pie, mash and liquor at Goddards, serving since 1890. At dusk, the cable car takes you over the river as the lights come on.
Our picks
Greenwich Park
Blackheath Avenue, Greenwich Park
Address: Greenwich Park, Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8EJ- Outdoors
- Free
- Best in Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Romantic
Climb the hill to the General Wolfe statue for a view over the Queen's House, the Old Royal Naval College, the Thames and the towers of Canary Wharf.
Why it's a good date: It's one of the best free views in London, and there's plenty of grass for a picnic once you've caught your breath. Go late on a clear afternoon and watch the light change over the city.
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
The Painted Hall
Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk
Address: Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, London SE10 9NN- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Stand beneath the vast baroque ceiling James Thornhill spent nearly twenty years painting, in the dining hall of the Old Royal Naval College.
Why it's a good date: It's one of the grandest rooms in the country, and a wet day is a good excuse to linger. Afterwards, wander the college's courtyards and riverside grounds, which are free.
Photo: Bill Hunt from Brighton, UK, CC BY 2.0 (resized)
Goddards at Greenwich
King William Walk, Greenwich
Address: 22 King William Walk, London SE10 9HU- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Order pie, mash and liquor at a family-run pie shop that's been serving London's old working lunch since 1890.
Why it's a good date: Proper London comfort food that won't dent the budget, a few steps from the market and the Cutty Sark. If one of you has never tried liquor, this is the place to find out.
National Maritime Museum
Romney Road, Greenwich
Address: Romney Road, London SE10 9NF- Culture
- Rain-proof ☔
- Free
Wander free galleries of ships, maps and sea stories, from a gilded royal barge to the coat Nelson was wearing at Trafalgar.
Why it's a good date: It's big enough to fill a rainy afternoon and costs nothing to get in. Each of you picks the voyage you'd most like to have been on, then make the case over a cup of tea in the café.
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Greenwich Pier, Cutty Sark Gardens
Address: Greenwich Pier, Cutty Sark Gardens, London SE10 9HT- Activity
- Cheap and cheerful
- Outdoors
Ride the river bus between Greenwich Pier and central London, past Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge and the old wharves.
Why it's a good date: Arriving by water is the best way into Greenwich, and it's a proper sightseeing trip for the price of a commuter ticket. Head for the open deck at the back for the views.
Photo: Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
Climb the spiral Tulip Stairs and see the art collection in the white Palladian villa at the foot of Greenwich Park.
Why it's a good date: It's free and sits between the museum and the park, so it slots into any Greenwich day. Look straight up from the bottom of the Tulip Stairs.
Photo: Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Greenwich Market
College Approach, Greenwich
Address: Greenwich Market, London SE10 9HZ- Activity
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Browse crafts, prints, vintage and street food under the glass roof of a covered market in the middle of Greenwich.
Why it's a good date: Grab lunch from a couple of different stalls and share, then set each other a small budget to find the best little present. Different traders come on different days, so it's worth a second visit.
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)
Greenwich Foot Tunnel
Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich
Address: Greenwich Foot Tunnel, Cutty Sark Gardens, London SE10 9HT- Outdoors
- Free
Walk under the Thames through a tiled Victorian tunnel to Island Gardens, then look back across the river at the Old Royal Naval College.
Why it's a good date: It's free, a bit eerie and over in a few minutes, and the view from Island Gardens on the far side is the classic picture of Greenwich. The lifts are sometimes out, so be ready for the stairs.
Photo: Christine Matthews, CC BY-SA 2.0 (resized)
London Cable Car
Edmund Halley Way, Greenwich Peninsula
Address: Greenwich Peninsula Terminal, Edmund Halley Way, London SE10 0FR- Activity
- Cheap and cheerful
- Romantic
Glide across the Thames in a gondola between the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks, high above the river.
Why it's a good date: A few minutes in a gondola with the whole of east London spread out below you. Go at dusk and watch the lights come on along the river.
Photo: Chris Sampson, CC BY 2.0 (resized)
The Golden Chippy
Greenwich High Road, Greenwich
Address: The Golden Chippy, 62 Greenwich High Road, London SE10 8LF- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share proper fish and chips, fried to order, at a family-run chippy near Greenwich station.
Why it's a good date: It's a local institution with a big choice of fish and famously light batter, and it's a short walk from the park. Weekends get a queue, so go a little early or take it to eat by the river.
Mountain View
Trafalgar Road, East Greenwich
Address: Mountain View, 160 Trafalgar Road, London SE10 9TZ- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Order Nepali curries and dishes from the tandoor to share at a friendly family restaurant on Trafalgar Road.
Why it's a good date: It's a relaxed neighbourhood favourite with warm service and food that's full of flavour. An easy dinner after a walk through Greenwich Park.
Japes Greenwich
Nelson Road, Greenwich
Address: Japes, 15 Nelson Road, London SE10 9JB- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Share a deep-dish or thin London-style pizza in the sunny back conservatory of a casual pizzeria by the market.
Why it's a good date: It's easy-going and fun, and the conservatory is a nice spot on a bright afternoon. Handy after the Cutty Sark or a browse round Greenwich Market.
Deptford Market Yard
Deptford High Street, Deptford
Address: Deptford Market Yard, Deptford High Street, London SE8 4BX- Restaurant
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Wander the restored railway arches by Deptford station and pick from the independent kitchens and bars tucked into them.
Why it's a good date: It's a lively little cluster of places to eat and drink, right off one of London's best market streets. Saturdays are the busiest, with a market in the yard every other week.
Eat Vietnam
Evelyn Street, Deptford
Address: Eat Vietnam, 234 Evelyn Street, London SE8 5BZ- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share charcoal-grilled Vietnamese dishes from a long menu at a family-run restaurant on Evelyn Street in Deptford.
Why it's a good date: Food critics rate it highly, and it's warm and unpretentious with it. It's very busy at weekends, so arrive early.
Café Mama Pho
Evelyn Street, Deptford
Address: Café Mama Pho, 24 Evelyn Street, London SE8 5DG- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Autumn, Winter, Spring
- Cosy
Warm up over big bowls of Vietnamese noodle soup at the original branch of a family-run café in north Deptford.
Why it's a good date: Portions are generous and the welcome is friendly, so it's a great cheap dinner on a cold evening. It's walk-in only and busy all week.
Zerodegrees Blackheath
Montpelier Vale, Blackheath
Address: Zerodegrees, 29-31 Montpelier Vale, London SE3 0TJ- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Share wood-fired pizzas and beer brewed on site at a microbrewery in Blackheath Village.
Why it's a good date: It's been a Blackheath favourite for over 25 years, and it's a good warm-up after a walk across the heath. Book at weekends, when it fills up.
Quick answers
Are Greenwich's museums free?
The National Maritime Museum and the Queen's House are both free. The Painted Hall charges, though the Old Royal Naval College's courtyards and riverside grounds around it are free to wander.
What's the cheapest way to get to Greenwich by river?
The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus runs between central London and Greenwich Pier, past Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge, for the price of a commuter ticket. Head for the open deck at the back.
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