If there is a moment of the year when we definitely need a date, it is in winter. Cold and lonely nights in a bed too big for one person but not enough for a two-meter larger teddy bear, when the pillow are not comfortable enough to be hugged for about a third of the year, here starts the « Partner Hunt ». One of the most complicated part is to find them - well, now, with online dating and apps like Tinder, this part has become easier. The second most complicated part is to know where to go on a first date - to learn enough about them to know if they can be teddy-bear material. And this article will give you some ideas. If you live in London, this article is for you. If you live elsewhere, pretty sure you can adapt the article to your place.
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1- A Comfortable Cafe
It is cold outside. And what a better place to learn to know if a man is teddy-bear material than a place than creates the beverages that works with the teddy bear in Winter. Hot-chocolates, tea, coffee; name it and get it. There is nothing better to warm up your body. Why comfortable then? If the date goes well, it is always better than staying hours on a hard-wooden chair and having to walk like a weird specimen when the need comes to use the loo. If the date goes wrong, at least you will have the memory of having a bad date BUT a nice seat. Perfection!
2- Regent’s Park & Primrose Hill
Are their arms comfortable enough for these cold nights of December? How would you know if you do not try to get a little bit cold?
For this one, I would recommend to start with Regent’s Park. Feeling the warmth of your own clothes is good enough while you spend a moment walking and talking to get to know them. If they are worth it, bring them to one of the nicest view of London: the top of the hill in Primrose Hill. Up there, manage to receive a hug. Good hugger, continue the date. Bad one, run! Run for your life! NEXT!
3- Hyde Park
Hyde Park, as Regent's Park and any other park in London, will give you time to walk and talk, time to try and get a hug (comfortable enough?), time to enjoy the beauty of nature surrounding you and most of all, time to question if doing Same principal, swans in extra. Pedalo
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4- Winter Wonderland
One of the greatest events in London and my favourite of Winter-time activity. For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, Winter Wonderland is a sort of huge winter free-fair built in a part of Hyde Park. You can find there a amazingly HUGE Christmas market where you can find whatever you need to find, plus attraction like ice-skating. Obviously, some of the days are tougher than others and you have to queue for a good 30 minutes before being able to get in.
Why is Winter Wonderland a great place to go on a date? Become it is as cheesy as a Christmas Market can be. And even though you do not want for your date to become your life-time partner, a little bit of romantic atmosphere has never killed anyone. And the best thing of all is that, if the date goes wrong, leave the person by a stand and… disappear. the fair is so crowded that they would look for you at first and, won’t ever find you again. But the magic of Christmas will be there to cheer them up. Happy Ending for everyone.
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5- Saint Paul’s Cathedral and Fleet Street
With more that 500 steps to climb, St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most sportive FREE attractions in London. You want to see if your date is a sportive kind of teddy-bear or a smoker than cannot breathe after 10 steps, bring them to the cathedral, wait and see. Being on top of the dome will help you to experience the second best views of London. Amazing.
After that, you can treat you date by going in one of the pubs on Fleet Street and start to know them. A pub is always a great place for that.
6- Museums
Tate Modern, Natural History, Science, Tate Britain and National Gallery are my favourite for dates as they are interesting and... free. The god thing with important museums as these ones is that it is acceptable for you to have a conversation. Talking while growing your general culture; what else can you ask for? Need to escape that date, museums are full of solutions for the perfect exit. Just wait for it.
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7- Walk by the Thames - preferably towards Southbank.
From London Eye to London Bridge. From London Bridge to London Eye. One way or another, this walk is just relaxing. Moreover, this is such a long walk that you can use the time to get to know the person walking by your side. And if your date is boring, you can always throw them in the Thames. Don’t try it at home.
8- A Good Wine Bar - Gordon’s bar
I am truly in LOVE with Gordon's. Good wine, great service, great location for a mythic bar; just a perfect equation. Go there, drink, flirt, eat if you feel the need to, and just have a great time. And your date goes wrong, just turn around. This bar is always full of people, one of them will surely be a better match. Cheers!
9- Convivial English Pub - like Elephant’s Head in Camden
Typical English pub; do I need to explain why I love the atmosphere for a first date? If you think I do, just leave this page and go down to one of them for a drink and observe. Then you'll get it.
Why Elephant's Head in particular? Because this bar is both cosy and active, loud and quiet, packed and empty; there is the space before the bar and there is the space after the bar. Different atmospheres in one bar that create the perfect equation for people to flirt. If the date goes wrong? Let them go and stay there. Don't leave that pub for a bad date.
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10- Shard
I admit that I still need to go there, but again, wonderful view of London. This English version of the Empire State Building - so to speak - can only make a date go from good to perfect. At least for the view...
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If after that you cannot decide if a date can be teddy-bear material, I don't know what will... Keep looking, there're enough people in England for all of us to get one. A bon entendeur, salut!
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