Roundup of London’s best outdoor date ideas this spring

With the partial lifting of lockdown restrictions, outdoor dating is finally here! We are free from tedious and freezing walks around London parks while trying to�� meet our soul mate. So if you’re after a few fun and quirky outdoor date ideas to create flying sparks, look no further than our carefully created list of date ideas you can enjoy in London this week and throughout spring!

Brixton Courtyard

1. Brixton courtyard at Brixton Jamm
One of London���s many bars that have been welcoming drinkers to its terrace, Brixton Courtyard is the perfect place to while away a boozy afternoon’s alfresco date. Even better they have released a major line-up for the spring season, with DJ sets by regulars such as Crazy P and Horse Meat Disco. Wednesday night is ���Open Decks���, where anyone can come to show off their spinning so you can impress your date with your DJing skills. www.thebrixtoncourtyard.co.uk

2. Wander Art outdoor gallery
While sadly most galleries remain closed, there is still plenty of art on London���s streets to lift the spirits and enjoy alfresco. Wander Art is London���s largest outdoor gallery, spanning the streets of Mayfair and Belgravia and which displays works from the likes of Yinka Ilori and Margaux Carpentier. Spend an afternoon following the trail to discover each artwork; an engaging outdoor date and a welcome change from all the recent park walks. mayfairandbeligravia.com��

3. Acklam Village Market
Nestled away at the upper end of Portobello Road, which is itself a lovely shop and stroll and a date idea in itself. Explore the antiques market or one off designer clothes stales, before heading to Acklam Village Market to sample its collaboration of street food and entertainment. It is a great place where you can grab tasty food and cocktails while listening to the resident DJ

4. Saturday Two Tribes Campfire x From The Ashes barbecue
Dining out, even outside is such an exciting prospect after the long winter of restrictions, and nowhere more exciting for BBQ lovers than Campfire. Campfire is the brand-new outdoor fire pit and taproom by Two Tribes Brewery in the heart of King���s Cross, where you can watch and be wowed by fire chefs and sip on some London-brewed TT beer. Throughout the summer it will be hosting live DJs to soundtrack your nights. www.twotribes.co.uk

5.���� Ad��bayo Bolaji: The Power & The Pause at Beers Gallery

For its inaugural exhibition, Beers Gallery, run by Kurt Beers, welcomes British Nigerian filmmaker, poet and artist Ad��bayo Bolaji to showcase new work. In his first solo show for the gallery, Bolaji presents work that explores what can come from a great pause in normal life, like that caused by the pandemic. By appointment only. www.beerslondon.com

6. Alfresco dining at Covent Garden
The day we can return to our favourite restaurants and bars (albeit outside) is finally here and we couldn���t be happier. But where to start? Covent Garden, obviously, which is one of the most beautiful areas in London for an outdoor date and is filled with some of the best places to recharge and catch up with friends and family. The iconic piazza and its surrounding area is home to so many of our top picks including Sushisamba, Ladur��e and The Petersham. coventgarden.london

7. Alexandra Palace farmers��� market
Even in the city there are lots of options for incredible farmers��� markets and one of them is at Alexandra Palace Campsbourne School. If you’re looking for an outdoor date idea with great food and views this is the ideal place. The market features stalls from lots of different producers, with fresh ingredients as well as baked goods and other delicious weekend treats to get excited about. While you���re there, be sure to enjoy the unbeatable views over the capital as well. Sundays, 10am until 3pm. weareccfm.com

8. Swim in an outdoor pool
Londoners love a lido, so it���s a good thing we have 17 of them. Garb your towel and bikini and take your date to the most glamorous, Hampton Pool, in south-west London, which is, of course, famous for its very charming and popular midnight swims and if you’re not shy, a marvellous outside date idea. No word on the starlight sessions yet, but booking for daytime swims (via the pool���s dedicated app) is now open. New sessions become bookable every day at 8am. Places will get snapped up quickly because when it comes to lidos, Londoners are insatiable. If you���ve got any questions, there���s an enquiries form on their homepage.

9. Captain a little boat
There are a few delightful little boating options you can have for a romantic afternoon in London parks but for a more adventurous option try GoBoat in Paddington. You can hire and self-drive your own boat with a crew of up to six (if you want to invite other coupes along) and make your way across London’s canals. Depending on how good your steering skills are, you���ll be traveling past London Zoo, through Regents Park and Camden Lock. Prices start at ��79 for 1 hour. www.goboat.co.uk

10. Stroll Through A Botanical Garden
If you didn���t get enough of strolling through parks over the past few months, why not upgrade the experience and visit Kew Gardens. London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful landscapes, botanic gardens, glasshouses and caf��s. If you’re looking for somewhere pretty to explore in the sunshine and grab a bite to eat, Kew Gardens is the place for you and your date. kew.org