Rather than heading for your nearest drinking establishment next time you’re setting up a date ^[1], why not try something different instead? We’ve searched high and low for some slightly more unusual date ideas, for every budget, and every taste. Never be stuck for the wow factor again.

1.    Pick your area wisely
As we’re sure you’re aware, each area of London has its own character. Want to eat delicious Indian food and follow in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper? Head east towards Whitechapel.  Fancy hanging out with punks and hearing some unsigned live bands? Go north to Camden. There’s something for every taste, so if you’re picking somewhere for a first date, make sure it suits your mood. You’re probably not going to hang out in Bloomsbury if you’re both into indie and like Thai food.

2.    Choose your time
London may not quite have gained the status of ‘the city that never sleeps’, but you can find something fun to do most hours of the day. Don’t feel constrained to just meeting for drinks in the evening. How about bagel brunch in Notting Hill on a Sunday at 202, or Saturday afternoon coffee at Monmouth Coffee near Covent Garden? If you work near each other, fix up a lunch date in the week.

3.    It doesn’t have to cost the earth…
One of the main things Londoners hear from non-Londoners is how expensive it must be to live in the capital. And while living costs are hardly cheap, there are some excellent free perks. Somewhere like Regent’s Park is perfect for lazing in the summer with a picnic or for strolling around in the autumn when the weather gets crisp. Or you can visit some of the hundreds of free museums and galleries, from the famous National Gallery to the lesser known Grant Museum of Zoology.

4.   …but can be a great place to splash the cash
But, if you’re looking to impress your date, then London is always there to help you burn some cash. Hire out a pod on the London Eye (complete with Champagne) and then treat your date to dinner at one of the city’s 43 Michelin starred restaurants, finishing the evening off with a Rolls Royce ride home.

5.    Learn something to meet someone
If you’ve not yet secured a date, try taking advantage of one of London’s great evening courses to meet someone. Yes, it’s a bit of a cliché, but it can work. Learning a skill on your own, be it wine tasting or car maintenance, forces you to meet new people and talk to them. You never know who might be in your class. And for something a bit less formal, try one of the Science Museum’s adult only evenings ^[2] – a chance to hear speakers, explore the museum without children running about, and have a few drinks.

6.    Get sporty
As the host city for the 2012 Olympic Games, London is pulling out all the stops to have the best in sporting facilities. And there is nothing like an active date – whether you’re skating hand in hand at Somerset House in the winter, or playing lawn tennis in Holland Park – to get the blood pumping.

7.    Enjoy the great outdoors
Just because London is a big city, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the great outdoors on your dates. Go for a horse ride along Rotten Row ^[3], paddle in one of the many lidos in the summer or simply take a short trip to one of the Home Counties to experience some real countryside for the day.

8.    Make it easy for your date
When you’re dating in London, remember some simple date etiquette. On a first date don’t assume they earn as much as you and suggest an expensive restaurant – unless you’re happy to pay, but even then they may feel uncomfortable. Also if you live in Highgate and your date is in Acton, don’t make them trek all the way over to you, unless you’ve got a very good reason!

9.    Experience some history
The first incarnation of London was a Roman settlement in 43AD, meaning the capital has a lot of history to offer up. For a more cerebral date, go to a performance at the Globe Theatre – a loving recreation of the original Globe theatre where many of Shakespeare’s plays were first performed. Alternatively, visit the Tower of London, Cabinet War Rooms, St Paul’s Cathedral – or even create your own historical walk around London.

10.    Grab every opportunity
London is a city filled with opportunities, and has something for everyone. The most important tip we can give you is to take every opportunity to meet people, go on interesting dates, and generally have a good time. Otherwise,  you might as well live in a cave in the middle of nowhere.

Looking for information on dating in other UK cities? Find out more:

London ^[4] | Bristol ^[5] |  Edinburgh ^[6] | Birmingham ^[7] | Nottingham ^[8] | Manchester ^[9]

Sheffield ^[10] | Bradford ^[11] | Leeds ^[12] | Newcastle ^[13] | Edinburgh ^[6] | Glasgow ^[14]

Belfast ^[15] | Liverpool ^[16] | Cardiff ^[17] | Oxford ^[18] | Cambridge ^[19]