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After six weddings and two beheadings, Henry VIII’s record as a husband may come into question, but it’s hard not to admire his taste in homes. Riverside Hampton Court Palace was his favorite residence, and the only Tudor royal palace in London that’s open to the public. Having wondered at the Great Hall and historic kitchens, save some time for tackling the famous maze together – like couples have been doing since it was first planted in the 1680s.

Continuing the theme of important London homes is Hampstead’s Keats House. The 19th-century romantic poet John Keats lived in the building for less than two years. However, as visitors will discover, it was also where he fell madly in love with neighbor Fanny Brawne. And all before dying of tuberculosis at the age of 25. That’s right; Keats became one of Britain’s most celebrated Romantic poets and owned his own home before turning 25. It’s enough to put us all to shame, really.  

At St Paul’s Cathedral, couples simply must climb the 259 steps up to the Whispering Gallery. Forming part of the 65,000-tonne dome, it has the intriguing property of amplifying even the slightest sound around its walls. It’s also the best place to see the dome’s splendour up close. 

Couples in London looking for a foodie treat are well catered for. The capital’s list of places to be wined and dined is a long one, meeting all tastes, budgets, and dietary requirements. It’s also mostly fantastic, which is obviously great news for any partner hoping to impress their better half.

Though there may be more shared benches than tables for two, one of the newest kids on the block is Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey. A short walk from Tower Bridge, Maltby Street offers a veritable mish-mash of delectable cuisines under one “roof”. Venezuelan arepa shares the space with Ethiopian wat and Chinese gyoza in a celebration of world cuisine. Be aware that Maltby Street is only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, so weekdays won’t cut it.

More traditional dining experiences still don’t have to cost the Earth. Home of the capital’s Bengali community, Brick Lane is the cherry on top of the cake of London’s love affair with curry. Even so, prices are a fraction of those charged by celebrity chefs and London’s 60 or so Michelin-starred restaurants.

If you abide by the idea that couples who drink together stay together, look no further than The Top Hat, one of the Strand’s top cocktail spots. Inspired by the board game Monopoly, it’s sure to add a quirky touch to your romantic adventure.

William Shakespeare’s words have echoed through the centuries. Where better to relive the romance of Romeo and Juliet or Anthony and Cleopatra, or the bromance of Prince Hal and Falstaff in Henry IV, than Shakespeare’s Globe? Outside of performances, tours detail some of the theater’s most captivating tales, such as the time an audience member’s breeches burst into flames alongside the original playhouse.

On rainy days, duck into a Curzon Cinema for a fun, dry time. Showing a medley of arthouse, modern classics, and up-to-date releases, share a tub of popcorn and feed it to each other while watching some movies. Sounds romantic to us.

Or, swap the screen for the stage at Wicked, one of London’s biggest live shows. Having spun off into its own famous film franchise, see where the magic began. Witches, songs, something about a yellow brick road - you get it. You could say it’s… wickedly good. We’ll see ourselves out.

Even dirty old rivers – to steal a phrase from The Kinks’ 1960s classic Waterloo Sunset – have a certain innate romance. Take to its banks pretty much anywhere along its 215-mile course, and you’ll have to agree the Thames is no different. One of the cleanest rivers in the world - yes, really - its further reaches are home to otters, dolphins, and seals in addition to landmarks known the world over.

What’s more, there are several ways for couples in London to enjoy the majesty of the Thames. The classic way is to take to its waters, with river cruises slipping up and down stream between Westminster and Greenwich. When it comes to timing, sunset is difficult to beat, and is known as the golden hour for taking in the city’s panoramas.

Boarding a Thames cruiser isn’t the only way to fully appreciate the capital’s lifeblood. A completely different perspective is offered from a gondola of London’s first cable car, connecting the two sides of the river via a journey which takes in the entire Greenwich Peninsula. At dusk, the trip is extended, so you have even more time to admire the panoply of sights below you.

Daring couples can even climb the O2 Arena to get a rather unique view of London’s winding river. If you have the stones for it, more power to you. This show of bravery is sure to impress your better half.