Date spot in Soho and Covent Garden
National Gallery
Wander the free national collection on Trafalgar Square, from Renaissance altarpieces to Van Gogh's Sunflowers, then step out onto the steps for the view down Whitehall.
Why it's a good date: It's free, so you can drop in for one room rather than trying to see everything. Each of you picks a favourite painting and makes the case for it over a drink afterwards.
Photo: Christine Matthews, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
More from our Soho and Covent Garden guide
Kiln
Brewer Street, Soho
Address: 58 Brewer Street, London W1F 9TL- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Mid-price
- Foodie
- Cheap and cheerful
Pull up a stool at the long counter and share fiery Thai dishes cooked over a wood fire, in woks and in clay pots, right in front of you.
Why it's a good date: Watching the chefs at work gives you something to talk about, and the small plates are made for sharing. It gets busy, so go early or be ready to wait with a drink nearby.
Prince Charles Cinema
Leicester Place, off Leicester Square
Address: 7 Leicester Place, London WC2H 7BY- Activity
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Catch a cult classic, a late-night film marathon or a sing-along screening at the independent cinema just off Leicester Square.
Why it's a good date: The crowd joins in, which makes even a film you've both seen feel new. Look at the programme together and pick something neither of you would choose alone.
Photo: LavaLampBamboo, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Neal's Yard and Seven Dials
Monmouth Street and Shorts Gardens, Seven Dials
Address: Neal's Yard, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9DP- Activity
- Free
- Outdoors
Wander the seven little streets that meet at the Seven Dials sundial pillar, then duck into Neal's Yard, a tiny courtyard of brightly painted shopfronts, window boxes and cafés.
Why it's a good date: It costs nothing to wander, and there's a café or a cheese shop to stop at whenever you like. Go in the morning or early evening, when the courtyard's at its calmest.
Photo: Anthony Webb, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized)
