Winter date ideas in London: 2018 edition

Show off your baking skills here: mince pie workshop, Bread Ahead

Artisan bakery Bread Ahead made a name for itself serving some of the best-loved loaves in the city. But what those in the know won’t tell you is that the bakery also runs masterclasses in several of its branches. If you and your date have a penchant for freshly baked goods, not to mention a sweet tooth and an abundance of festive cheer, why not book for a half-day mince pie making workshop?

Whether you end up getting competitive about showing off your baking skills, or find yourselves laughing about your lack of talent in the kitchen, this light-hearted activity should provide plenty to talk about during and after your date. Plus, you’ll be using Bread Ahead’s traditional mincemeat recipe – so whether or not the date is a success, you’ll have something delicious to tuck into once you’re home.

Let your hair down here: Heads Tails

Dating a cocktail connoisseur? What better way to impress them than by booking a table at the hottest new bar in town. Industry wizards Will Partridge (of Wax Jambu and Kilburn Ironworks) and Chris Dennis (of Sovereign Loss and Disrepute) have joined forces to mastermind a new cocktail joint in West Hampstead: Heads Tails.

The bar is split over two levels, operating very different vibes in each. The ground floor bar, Heads, is bright and airy – flooded with natural light and crowned with a high, lofty ceiling. Meanwhile Tails down below is dark and moody – all low ceilings, candlelight and plush, comfortable seating. The cocktails served mirror the different spaces too. Having been, seen and sipped, we can happily say that the Smoke on the Water served in Heads – a blend of Altos Plata Tequila, Quiquiriqui Mezcal, homemade watermelon syrup and fresh lime – is our new favourite tipple.

Cosy up here: The Berkeley Rooftop Winter Cinema

So you’re a pair of cinephiles, or, simply fans of snuggling up somewhere dark, warm and atmospheric. At The Berkeley hotel’s rooftop cinema, viewers can curl up in a grotto-esque den and shroud themselves in heated blankets to watch a Christmas classic on the big screen.

Screenings are being held twice nightly in December and the line-up features the usual favourites, from Miracle on 34th Street and Elf, to John Vernon’s 1968 The Nutcracker and Love Actually. Warm yourselves with homemade hot chocolate while you’re there, or a plate of the hotel’s fancier-than-usual cinema snacks. Lobster pizettes anyone? Yes please.

Keep it highbrow here: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake at Sadler's Wells

If you’re a pair of traditionalists, for whom the idea of watching a ballet in an esteemed venue is ideal date territory, then you’ll find yourselves spoilt for choice in London this winter; Christmas dance shows are practically tripping over one another to delight audiences. One such ballet that’s sure to delight is Matthew Bourne’s legendary all-male Swan Lake, which returns to Sadler’s Wells this winter following 20 years touring the world and winning multiple awards. It’s bound to sell out, so early booking is advised.

Be smooth here: Skate at Somerset House

Whether you’re more of a ballerina or a Bambi on the ice, gliding round a rink with someone special is a timeless activity to enjoy on a date. From coaxing each other away from the side rail to holding hands as you whizz through a throng of other merrymakers, you’ll have plenty to laugh over during and afterwards.

Skate at Somerset House is our rink of choice, with its backdrop of Georgian architecture and warming treats from Fortnum and Mason. The Natural History Museum’s ice rink is another returning favourite this winter, while newbie Skyline Skating is taking the experience up to the rooftop of John Lewis & Partners on Oxford Street, where gin brand Sipsmith is serving hot gin cocktails and MYPIE is dishing out... you guessed it... to keep skaters well-fuelled.

Dine here: Coppa Club Igloos, Tower Bridge

After booking up weeks in advance last winter, Coppa Club’s igloos have returned, offering a cosy retreat from the cold, and unbeatable views of the River Thames. With fluffy blankets, sheepskin rugs and panoramic views of the city, the igloos are a great spot to enjoy a date – that is, if you don’t mind having your moves watched by nosy passers by. Not an exhibitionist? You might want to book a table at one of these celebratory restaurants instead.

Bask in the glow of a festive light display

Winter isn’t typically a season in which we look to our natural surroundings for sightings of beauty. The trees are bare, the sky usually grey and the ground underfoot often damp and slippery. However, thanks to several awe-inspiring light displays casting a warm and happy glow over the city’s streets and parks, there’s plenty of outdoor beauty to wonder at right now. From Oxford Street’s baubles to Regent Street’s angels, Chiswick House’s After Dark display to Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland, spend a magical evening arm-in-arm under the hue of twinkling lights.