Mate Date Ideas; 11 fun things to do in London with friend

Who needs romance when you have mates to spend time with? As the weather starts taking a seasonal turn for the better, we’re unearthing the brightest and best activities and places to go in London with your friends this spring. From ritzy high tea fit for a queen to trampolining and trapeze school, check out our inspirational ideas for fun things to do with friends around the capital. We’ve mate date ideas and platonic date suggestions to suit every budget, so grab your besties, book a Zipcar and get to it!

 

 

Reach for the sky!

Not only is trampolining highly rated in our ‘most fun things to do of all time’ list, conveniently, it’s also good for you. What better way to relieve stress and tension while boosting your cardiovascular health? We think it’s one of the top days out in London for friends. With no shortage of trampoline parks, and so many just a short drive or tube journey away, here are some of the sites to suit complete beginners.

 

 

ZAPspace

ZAPspace offers unlimited access to its 3-storey trampoline park. Test out your skills on the Power Tower, take on the Battle Bean or challenge your mates to a game of Dodgeball. Leap into the weekend with ZAPspace’s Jump n' Jam sessions on Friday evenings from 7 pm. DJ's spin tunes while you bounce and boogie. 

Where? ZAPspace, Stratford, E15

Book via the website: https://zapspace.co.uk/

Hours: Monday-Sunday, 10 am-6 pm

From: £12 per hour

 

Flip Out London

Want endless trampolining? Turn your world upside down at Flip Out London. With locations all over the city (and across the UK), Flip Out spoils for choice. They’ve plenty of experiences to suit everyone - from two-hour sessions to party packages, whether you're a game first-timer or a seasoned trampolinist. There’s even unlimited flipping, so you can turn up and bounce away your worries for as long as you please. Tip: stretch your cash – opt for a mid-week deal, like 2 hours, for the price of 1.

Where? Flip Out London, E6

Book via the website: https://www.flipout.co.uk/

Hours: Unlimited flipping - Sundays, 6 pm

From: £13.50

 

The (Ball) Pits

With one million glow-in-the-dark balls to submerge yourself in, Ballie Ballerson is the place for reconnecting with your inner kid and the ideal spot for a fun friend date. Featuring a 70-metre mural and giant LED ball pit, it’ll take you right back to those days of childhood freedom. You’re bound to have a blast crawling around with your mates. If you can find them, that is…

 

Where? Ballie Ballerson, Shoreditch, EC2A & Soho, W1F

Book via the website: https://shoreditch.ballieballerson.com/

Hours: Daily, times vary

From: £10 per person

 

Paintballing

It might appear like a set from a cold war film, but Bunker 51 is home to London's only indoor paintball, airsoft, and laser tag activity centre. The site has two fully immersive zones and offers a range of entertaining, fast-paced combat games to exert even the most energetic types. Perfect for a mate date with that friend who never knows when to quit!

 

Where? Bunker 51, North Greenwich, SE7

Book via the website: https://www.bunker-51.com/

Hours: Daily, times vary

From: £25 per person Tuesday-Friday. £37 at weekends (save 10% off your first adventure)

 

Just for laughs

Thought comedy clubs were just for romantic dates? Think again. Who wants to take a new beau to see a stand-up, only to have your relationship picked apart by the comic on the stage? A comedy show is ideal for a mate date. London is home to some of the greatest clubs in the UK showcasing the best in comedic talent – with names such as Aisling Bea and Joe Lycett heading up the bill, pick your vibe and prepare to roll in the aisles*.

 

Where? Angel Comedy & The Bill Murray, Highbury and Islington

Book via the website: https://www.angelcomedy.co.uk/

Hours: 7 days a week – see website for details

From: Free - £8 per ticket

_{*The Angel Comedy Club runs comedy masterclasses for those just starting or anyone looking to polish their act.}

 

Cook up a storm

If you’re searching for unusual fun friend date ideas, look no further than a cooking course. Described as a "full-on culinary experience", Food at 52 is a cookery school like no other. The team offers a range of popular cooking courses, from Bao bun perfecting to step-by-step fish preparation. Learn how to cook world cuisine, or simply gain confidence under the watchful eye of their expert chefs. You'll learn enough to show off your skills to dinner guests for years to come. Friendly conversation and music accompany the experience. Their website lets you look around the kitchen and impressive professional cookery space.

 

Where? Food at 52, Old Street, EC1V

Book via the website: https://www.foodat52.co.uk/

Hours: Friday-Sunday. Various dates in 2022.

From: Half-day courses from £130

 

Flight Club

Designed to bring friends together for an unforgettable darts experience, Flight Club is the destination for an afternoon (or night out) with friends. Memories of Bullseye and traditional darts fade into the 80s as you soak up the atmosphere here. Enjoy great food while you play. They're open until 2 am, giving you plenty of time to scratch that social itch.

 

Where? Flight Club, various London locations

Book via the website: https://flightclubdarts.com/london/

Hours: Monday-Sunday from 11:30 am

From: Half-day courses from £130

 

 

High Tea in Hampton

As American tea connoisseur, historian, and author Mary Lou Heiss once put it, “A simple cup of tea is far from a simple matter.” We couldn’t agree more. So why not relax, slip into an afternoon of pure indulgence, and let the good people at The Mitre Hotel serve you up a quintessential cream tea or full afternoon tea by the river. Revel in freshly baked scones with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam, finger sandwiches and pastries – all washed down with a pot of tea from their Birchall range. Delicious! 

 

Where? The Mitre Hotel, Hampton Court

Book via the website: https://www.mitrehamptoncourt.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/

Hours: Monday-Sunday between 12 pm-4 pm

From: £11

 

Fly like an... ape

You’re probably familiar with the gorillas at London Zoo, but did you know there’s a Gorilla Circus located just a stone’s throw away at the north end of Regent’s Park? The Flying Trapeze School offers tuition with professional instructors for all ability levels. They’ll teach you the art of acrobatics seen in circuses around the world. Great for fitness and improving strength, your experience on the trapeze begins with a warmup in the practice area. A seasoned instructor will coach you to eventually swing on a separate bar, where you’ll be ‘caught’ by their safe hands at the end of the class. Gorilla Circus run a mixture of drop-in classes, private and course sessions – for those who want to advance their skills. Booking allows for groups of up to 10 people with parties catered for. Spectators are welcome. Take turns while your friends capture your moment of triumph on camera!

 

Where? Gorilla Circus - Regent’s Park, NW1 & Kensington Gardens, W2

Book via the website: https://www.gorillacircus.com/

Hours: Weekdays and weekends

 

Totally Axe-ceptable

By now, you’ll almost certainly heard of the social phenomenon of axe throwing, still taking the city by storm. Fresh from the woods to the heart of London, the expert instructors at Whistle Punks will teach you how to 'sink the axe' before letting you sling your own against a target. Housed in a super cool venue, enjoy a soundtrack to suit the mood as you compete against your mates. The team will show you everything you need to know about the technique to get you throwing like a pro.

 

Where? Whistle Punks, Arch 25, Vauxhall, London, SW8

Book via the website: https://whistlepunks.com/

Hours: Monday-Friday, times vary

From: £29 per adult

 

 

Get gigging

Live concerts are back, and what better way to celebrate the return of friendship IRL than dancing your socks off at one of London’s famous venues? With acts like S-X and Billie Eilish coming to town this year, you'd be hard-pressed not to find a gig or festival to suit all your sonic and sensory needs as well as your budget.

 

Check out these not-to-be-missed events in 2024.

Prices vary.

 

Be a tourist

You might be asking yourself what you can do in London for free? London is best known for its landmarks, stunning skyline, and more free attractions than you can squeeze into a single day. There are boundless opportunities for sightseeing in the capital. From quirky museums like The Brunel Museum and Thames Tunnel near Rotherhithe, to cool spots like The White Cube in Bermondsey where you’ll see the most innovative and exciting new contemporary artists, there’s something to satisfy every taste. Many museums and galleries are free to enter, with prices for others ranging from £5 to £15 (costs apply for individual seasonal exhibits*). Here are a few classics you might've missed and some intriguing new favourites. Don’t forget to peruse the gift shop and bag a souvenir to commemorate your day!

 

• London Sewing Machine Museum, Balham
• British Museum, Russell Square
• Museum of Brands, Notting Hill
• National Gallery, Trafalgar Square
• Tate Britain, Pimlico & Tate Modern, Southbank
• Sherlock Holmes Museum, Baker Street
• The London Canal Museum, King’s Cross
• Grant Museum of Zoology, UCL London
• Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly 
• Welcome Collection, Euston
• Natural History Museum, Kensington
• V&A Museum, Kensington
• Science Museum, Kensington
• National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

_{* Check individual websites for details}