How to Spend a Romantic Break, London Style

If you’ve been flirting with the idea of taking your partner on a romantic city break, then London is definitely a great place to go. Whether you’re wanting a picturesque village neighbourhood to amble around arm in arm, a dining experience to blow your other half away, or to toast your love whilst looking over the city from your luxurious Plum Guide penthouse, you'll find it all here. So, let's take a closer look at how to spend your dream romantic break, London style.

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First on the list is Notting Hill, home to some of the most scenic streets in London, making it a number one spot to stay in for the perfect romantic mini-break. To be more precise, a top destination to stay here would be in the beautiful area of Holland Park. Situated amongst expensive London town houses, we advise you to have a wander through the park and visit its Japanese Kyoto gardens for a romantic hand in hand stroll. Designed and built by a prestigious Japanese Garden designer and his team, it was built to commemorate the Japan Festival that took place in London in 1992. Today it still stands as one of the most beautiful gardens in London. If you manage to find a nice place to stay in this area, apologies if you are woken up by the resident peacocks.

After your lie in, step out for a morning walk and some brunch in London’s famous Portobello Market. Whether you’re into antiques, fashion or food, there’s something to tickle your fancy. A personal favourite of the Plum Guide’s is Hummingbird Bakery. Situated in the heart of the antiques sector, this bakery will have you drooling before you’ve even stepped foot inside. The black bottom cupcake is a must-try, but the red velvet is their classic. We challenge you to not walk out with a whole assorted box of treats. Burn off that cupcake and keep walking down Portobello Road until you get to The Electric – a famous cinema dating back to 1910. Watching a film here isn’t just your run of the mill everyday experience. In this small screen cinema seating just 83 people, you’ll have the choice to recline on a red velvet sofa, large arm chair or even a bed – don’t worry, the beds are right at the back so you can spoon without being judged.

Whilst you lounge around why not opt for some non-standard cinema snacks like pitta bread and hummus or a cheeky glass of vino? We also highly recommend the Korean Sticky Chicken Wings, some of the best fried chicken in London. If your appetite has been whetted, then you can pop next door to their restaurant after your screening for some high-end classic diner food before a short walk home back to your charming Plum Guide home.

Another great spot to stay in, taking you deeper into the Royal Kensington & Chelsea borough, is Knightsbridge. If you’re a temporary local here whilst staying in a wonderful Plum home in the area, you’ll want to visit Harrods – it’s the place to go if you’re looking to snap up something luxury for your partner (or for yourself). Afterwards, visit the store's Oyster, Caviar and Champagne bar for a post-shop treat – not recommended for those holding their purse strings tight though.

If you think renting a place in Knightsbridge may be a tad beyond your price range, head out of the Royal borough and Uber it up North to Hampstead. There’s a wealth of homes and activities to be found in this cutesy part of town. We highly recommend finding a spot to stay near the high street so you can pop out for delicious breakfast from Gails in the morning. Or why not find somewhere close to the Romantic poet Keats’ house. There’s a great yet tragic story to be told in this historic house. A tale of a talented writer who fled to Rome in aim of escaping the symptoms of his tuberculosis. Spoiler alert – he sadly died at only 25 years old and you can learn all about his short but significant life with a tour of his home. Afterwards you may want to visit the nearby famous 800 acre field known as Hampstead Heath, to have a picnic on the hill with your loved one and gaze over the London’s city landscape. We recommend stopping off and grabbing a bottle of Pimms on your way there to get a bit boozy in the sunshine (weather providing of course). This is a great place to find some of London's best pet-friendly homes if you're planning on bringing your four-legged friend along.

As a last stop on your trip, you’ve got to pop over to Little Venice for a romantic kiss. Get out that selfie stick because you’ll see plenty of beautiful canals and waterways, making it a haven for a couple’s activities. Little Venice is a great neighbourhood to stay in and explore on your romantic London mini-break with its quirky waterside cafes and cosy pubs. Stop off at a few locations and grab a drink whilst admiring the views. You can even take a trip down the canal on one of the boats if you’re feeling particularly adventurous. In the evening Little Venice not only boasts an array of great restaurants but also has a wealth of choice when it comes to theatre performances. Canal Café Theatre will look after you for the evening with its candlelit tables or why not try something a little different and view the renowned puppet show at Puppet Theatre Barge for a bit of big-kid fun.

So it's safe to say that if you're after a romantic break, London is certainly a great option. Want to keep reading about this amazing city? Take a look at our guide to the most unique things to do in London or the most romantic vacation homes in London next.