LONDON GIFTS AND EXPERIENCES FOR COUPLES
London’s calling, and you’ll definitely want to answer! For cuisine, culture, shopping, and entertainment, England’s capital city can’t be beat, but it’s also home to some of the most famous architecture and historical buildings in the country. It’s a fantastic city to spend time with a partner and whatever you enjoy doing, you can guarantee that London Town will have experiences, activities and gifts to suit everyone. But luckily, we’ve done all of the hard work and put together a list of the top eight London gifts for couples, so sit back, grab a cup of tea, and see what London has to offer.
Experience the best view in London:
If you’re after a couple’s activity that mixes high wire adventure and the best view in London, then the Up at the O2 experience is the perfect solution. The O2 is one of London’s most famous buildings, and you’ll be able to enjoy it up close as you get kitted out with a harness and special grippy shoes to take a walk across the 380 metre walkway that runs the length of the dome's roof. 52 metres tall at its peak, the O2 offers amazing views across the London skyline. You can even choose to climb at sunset or twilight for a magical view of The Big Smoke
Catch a movie in beautiful surroundings:
If you’re feeling festive, head to the Luna Cinema in Kensington Palace Pavilion with a loved one to watch a classic Christmas film in a unique setting. During December, this small indoor cinema is decorated with snow and fairy lights, to create a magical movie watching experience. Stock up on a few mince pies and a glass of mulled wine from the refreshment stand and settle down to watch a Christmas classic, from The Muppet’s Christmas Carol to It’s A Wonderful Life. Cosy and Christmassy, a trip to the cinema is a brilliant activity to share with a partner.
Cruise the Thames with a Traditional Afternoon Tea:
What could be better than a cruise down the River Thames to see London’s most famous sights? Only a cruise that includes the most British of institutions, the afternoon tea. On this 90 minute trip, you’ll sip tea and nibble cakes, scones, and finger sandwiches as you glide past some of London’s best known buildings and landmarks. From Tower Pier you’ll journey up and down the Thames, taking in Greenwich, The London Eye, and Britain's newest skyscraper, The Shard. Romantic and relaxing, this is the perfect experience gift to celebrate anniversaries.
On sunny days, the best way to enjoy London is to head to one of the many parks for some sumptuous al fresco dining. Grab a picnic from The London Picnic Company for a selection of delicious treats to take with you, including goodies like caramelised onion sausage rolls, rosemary and rock salt focaccia, British cheeses, and double chocolate brownies. Or go for an Afternoon tea version if you fancy something a bit lighter. Then head to Regent’s Park to wander through beautifully landscaped gardens, or Kensington Gardens to see some of the famous memorials and statues.
London has a long and fascinating history, with more than a few spooky sites and notorious characters. On this London haunted pub tour for two, you’ll have the chance to sip on traditional beers while you learn about the most infamous parts of London’s history. Following your local guide, you’ll visit some of the scariest pubs in the city and learn about the histories of their most disreputable residents, from Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, to grave robbers and witch hunters. At each pub you’ll also get to sample some of London’s best brews, from lagers to porters.
It's official! Gin and tonic is the UK’s favourite mixed drink, and where better to sample the nation’s favourite tipple than in the home of gin. There are 24 gin distilleries in London, but if you fancy bringing the spirit of the city home, you can try a G and T made with Beckett’s gin. It’s the only gin in the world made from juniper berries handpicked from Box Hill in the county of Surrey, and flavoured with mint leaves gathered from Kingston-upon-Thames to create a subtle but refreshing spirit.
No visit to the capital would be complete without taking in a West End show and thanks to this combined ticket experience, you’ll also be able to enjoy a pre-show 2-course dinner at one of the area’s local eateries, from classic French cuisine, to hearty Italian, or even spicy Brazilian treats. Choose from classic West End favourites, such as Les Miserables, or The Mousetrap, the longest running play in the world, or plump for a funky musical, like Waitress or Wicked, for a toe tapping number that’s guaranteed to lift your spirits. Perfect as a gift for couples, this experience also makes for an unforgettable date night.
221B Baker Street must be one of the most famous addresses in the whole world. Home to Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous character, Sherlock Holmes, 221B is now a museum dedicated to the world’s favourite detective. It perfectly recreates Sherlock Holmes’ consulting rooms as portrayed in the stories, and is stuffed with curios and treasures related to Holmes, Watson, and even the Napoleon of Crime, Moriarty. An absolute must for fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original books, or the acclaimed TV and film adaptations, a visit to the Sherlock Holmes Museum is a brilliantly unusual experience gift for literary lovers or quirky couples
With such an amazing array of indoor and outdoor adventures to choose from, it’s no wonder that London is such a popular destination for couples. From romantic nights out to thrilling adventures, London has it all, and offers a fantastic range of experience gifts for couples, whether they’re foodies, history lovers, or culture vultures. Thanks to its excellent transport systems, London is also very easy to navigate, even if you’re new to the city. In fact, with so much to see and do, the hardest thing might be finding time to try them all!
