Valentine’s Day may be the most traditionally romantic day of the year, but that doesn’t mean you have to celebrate it in a traditional way. As a central hub for activities and attractions for all types of visitor, London is one of the best places in the UK to go if you want to indulge in a little city break romance with your loved one – with this blog sharing some of the most romantic things you can do in London this Valentine’s Day.
Book an overnight stay
What better way to treat your loved one to a romantic trip to London than with an overnight stay – revelling in the luxury of the Park Grand Kensington Hotel London which combines its close proximity to the city’s top attractions with a range of onsite facilities and amenities.
Following breakfast in the onsite restaurant, guests who stay at this coveted hotel can choose to relax in the opulent bar or make the most of room service and a movie with their loved one – before heading out to enjoy a date night against the bright lights of London. Keep reading for our pick of ways to combine London’s natural and manmade attractions with the need for a romantic and intimate date setting.
Explore the Royal Parks
London’s Royal Parks are a collection of green spaces which are all managed and operated by the Royal Parks organisation, and are home not only to footpaths and manicured lawns but also host a plethora of events throughout the year and offer peace and tranquillity to visitors all through the year.
Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are two of the biggest and most extensive parks, while Green Park and St James’s Park both back onto the grounds surrounding Buckingham Palace and the iconic Mall which leads down the Palace gates. The western side of Hyde Park is overlooked by the popular hotels in Kensington, with the Kensington Palace gardens particularly popular with those seeking a romantic stroll around the fountains and flower beds.
And if you’re looking for something a little more playful to inject some energy into your walk and outdoor date day, why not check out ZSL London Zoo which shares its border with Regent’s Park…
Embrace your inner child
ZSL London Zoo is just one of the many attractions in central London which invites visitors of all ages to embrace their inner child and revel in adventuring together. Accessible from within Regent’s Park, ZSL London Zoo is the perfect place to experience something a little different with your partner or loved one. And if zoo animals aren’t for you, why not check out one of the nearby attractions such as Madame Tussauds or the Natural History Museum.
Enjoy a musical together
London’s West End is one of the most famous districts in the city, playing host to a broad spectrum of theatres which showcase musicals, plays, operas, and more every night of the week. For a perfect Valentine’s Day, there are more than a few romantic shows on offer including Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia! – all of which make for a luxurious date night out especially when combined with dinner and cocktails at one of the nearby restaurants or hotels near Earls Court London.
Take in the views at one of London’s top viewing platforms
This is where London takes on a life of its own, with a wide selection of viewing spots which offer different experiences but the same fantastic view over the city and beyond. There are some viewing points which are linked with extravagant dinners and experiences, such as heading up The Shard for dinner, drinks, and the sunset with a view. Alternatively, you can opt for a more experiential date idea by jumping onto the London Eye or walking up to the top of Primrose Hill together, or why not keep it affordable by booking tickets to visit the Sky Garden – completely free but with an advanced booking required for access. You could even book yourself onto the Up at the O2 experience and combine adventure with a winning view – walking up and over the O2 stadium and sipping on champagne at the top.
All of these different spots in London afford the same exquisite view but from different perspectives, letting you make new memories with your loved one of that time you saw London’s skyline together.
A river cruise
Bringing it back down to earth, another great and highly romantic date idea in London involves the river and a boat – with the choice of experience dependent on whether you’d prefer cocktails on board a cruise boat or something a little more exhilarating involving sea spray and river jet boats.
If solid land is more your thing, you can still make the most of the river Thames, either strolling along its banks and stopping in one of the many bars or pubs lining the edge of the river, or else hopping on board one of the static boats which has been reimagined as a permanent fixture serving drinks, food, or both. Whichever works best for you, you are never far away from the river Thames in your Park Grand Kensington accommodation, so be sure to make the most of your river access in the mornings and evenings as part of your stay.
Keep it low key and personal to you
If none of these ideas inspire you, don’t worry – London is the kind of city which really does have something for everyone, with all manner of experiences and attractions designed to entice and delight visitors from all walks of life regardless of their preferences.
Some of the more unique and personal ideas you could lean on as inspiration include:
- London tours
- Foodie or bar experiences
- Afternoon tea
- Trip to a museum or gallery
- Time spent in your hotel with your loved one
- Heading to a sports game or event together
- Live music
- A meal in your favourite spot, eating your favourite dish, opposite your partner
Whatever your perfect Valentine’s Day looks like, choose London.
