Date spot in South Bank and Borough
Tate Modern
Wander the free collection in the old Bankside Power Station, starting in the vast Turbine Hall, then climb to the top-floor viewing level for a look over the river to St Paul's.
Why it's a good date: There's enough here for a whole afternoon, and it costs nothing unless you book a paid exhibition. Pick one floor each and show the other your favourite piece.
Photo: Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)
More from our South Bank and Borough guide
Borough Market
Borough High Street, by London Bridge
Address: 8 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TL- Activity
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Dog friendly
- Foodie
Graze your way round London's best-known food market under its Victorian iron and glass roof, sharing a bit of everything from the cheese, bakery and street-food stalls.
Why it's a good date: Agree to split everything, so you each get to try twice as much. It's busiest on Saturdays, so a weekday lunchtime is calmer.
Photo: Stephen Armstrong, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Shakespeare's Globe
New Globe Walk, Bankside
Address: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT- Culture
- Mid-price
- Big night
See a play in the open-air reconstruction of Shakespeare's theatre, standing in the yard as a groundling or seated in the galleries; in winter, plays move into the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse next door.
Why it's a good date: Standing in the yard is cheap and puts you right by the stage, so it's a great first taste. Bring a layer for the open-air season: the yard has no roof.
Photo: Tristan Surtel, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Padella
Southwark Street, Borough
Address: 6 Southwark Street, London SE1 1TQ- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share bowls of fresh hand-rolled pasta, like the pici cacio e pepe, at the busy little pasta bar on the corner of Borough Market.
Why it's a good date: Simple, generous and very good, and cheap enough to order an extra plate to share. It doesn't take bookings: join the virtual queue and go for a wander in the market till your table's ready.
