What to do for a date in Kent/London this Saturday?
Discussion
Right, people of PH, your help is required.
I am taking out a lovely young lady on Saturday, but given that I live on the South Coast, I do not have my finger on the pulse of what is going on this Saturday up in the big smoke.
She lives in South London (Kent) so the options are to head into the country (I've been to Kent once to buy my car) or head into town (where I work during the week).
What would local PHers recommend (we're both in our 30's so nothing too "young")?
I am taking out a lovely young lady on Saturday, but given that I live on the South Coast, I do not have my finger on the pulse of what is going on this Saturday up in the big smoke.
She lives in South London (Kent) so the options are to head into the country (I've been to Kent once to buy my car) or head into town (where I work during the week).
What would local PHers recommend (we're both in our 30's so nothing too "young")?
contango said:
'Nam, can be hard work....Blackheath is about 15 mins drive from there, loads of bars and restaurants, usually fairly crowded with couply types makes it easy for a first date, ...Not being far from 'nam, ideal if you either want to drop her off, or go back for desert. 
Not a first date (4th), or indeed first time for desert, but it is the first time we've been out together during the day, and not after work 
contango said:
Oh...well that changes everything then, I think you are only allowed to go to Blackheath's pubs, bars and restaurants on a first date ...Greenwich is close by too, park, shops,markets, observatory, meridian line etc...again more pubs, bars restaurants, views to London, C/wharf etc..
Experience has shown that there is enough to do in this area, close to London for that away from Kent, feeling without the hassle of going directly into the smoke.
if you do go to Beckenham, whatever you do, don't bother with nearby Bromley or even worse Penge on the other side.
Whilst Bromley may not have the most scintillating nightlife (unless you are a pissed up chav with more money than sense), mentioning it in the same breath as Penge is an insult....Greenwich is close by too, park, shops,markets, observatory, meridian line etc...again more pubs, bars restaurants, views to London, C/wharf etc..Experience has shown that there is enough to do in this area, close to London for that away from Kent, feeling without the hassle of going directly into the smoke.
if you do go to Beckenham, whatever you do, don't bother with nearby Bromley or even worse Penge on the other side.
So - go to Greenwich Park and park for free at the Rangers House. Walk in the park, shuffle through the leaves, feed the squirrels, see the deer, maybe go the observatory. Walk down to the Royal Naval College on the river and, if its open, visit the Painted Chapel. Maybe get a bite of lunch in the Trafalgar or walk alaong the river until you reach the Ship which is also quite couple friendly. Maybe get a boat from Greenwich Pier to Charing Cross and back, or do some light shopping in Greenwich Market - spend time looking at the jewellery with her for added Brownie points.
There are some nice restaurants in Blackheath but they will be busy on a Saturday night so don't leave dinner to late - Chapter Two is good - and there are some interesting places in Greenwich too but avoid the Spread Eagle at all costs (Fully Air Conditioned its says so why are the windows always open?)
Alternatively, a walk around Knole Park in Sevenoaks or a trip to Whitstable and lunch at the Sportsman or the Whitstable Oyster Company.
Edited by rlw on Tuesday 13th October 20:27
Edited by rlw on Tuesday 13th October 20:29
Edited by rlw on Tuesday 13th October 20:29
contango said:
Oh...well that changes everything then, I think you are only allowed to go to Blackheath's pubs, bars and restaurants on a first date ...Greenwich is close by too, park, shops,markets, observatory, meridian line etc...again more pubs, bars restaurants, views to London, C/wharf etc..
Experience has shown that there is enough to do in this area, close to London for that away from Kent, feeling without the hassle of going directly into the smoke.
if you do go to Beckenham, whatever you do, don't bother with nearby Bromley or even worse Penge on the other side.
Whilst Bromley may not have the most scintillating nightlife (unless you are a pissed up chav with more money than sense), mentioning it in the same breath as Penge is an insult....Greenwich is close by too, park, shops,markets, observatory, meridian line etc...again more pubs, bars restaurants, views to London, C/wharf etc..Experience has shown that there is enough to do in this area, close to London for that away from Kent, feeling without the hassle of going directly into the smoke.
if you do go to Beckenham, whatever you do, don't bother with nearby Bromley or even worse Penge on the other side.
So - go to Greenwich Park and park for free at the Rangers House. Walk in the park, shuffle through the leaves, feed the squirrels, see the deer, maybe go the observatory. Walk down to the Royal Naval College on the river and, if its open, visit the Painted Chapel. Maybe get a bite of lunch in the Trafalgar or walk alaong the river until you reach the Ship which is also quite couple friendly. Maybe get a boat from Greenwich Pier to Charing Cross and back, or do some light shopping in Greenwich Market - spend time looking at the jewellery with her for added Brownie points.
There are some nice restaurants in Blackheath but they will be busy on a Saturday night so don't leave dinner to late - Chapter Two is good - and there are some interesting places in Greenwich too but avoid the Spread Eagle at all costs (Fully Air Conditioned its says so why are the windows always open?)
Alternatively, a walk around Knole Park in Sevenoaks or a trip to Whitstable and lunch at the Sportsman or the Whitstable Oyster Company.
Edited by rlw on Tuesday 13th October 20:27
Edited by rlw on Tuesday 13th October 20:29
Edited by rlw on Tuesday 13th October 20:30
Chislehurst Caves make quite an interesting place to take someone. There's miles of these crazy caves and subterranean passages. If "things" on your date go "too far too soon" they're an ideal place for a murder and to dispose of a dead body, if that helps at all? Anyway it makes a nice change from tossing a seeping rolled-up carpet off the Thames Embankment at 3am.
Have fun and don't get caught!
Have fun and don't get caught!
Edited by Andy Zarse on Tuesday 13th October 21:02
Avoid London, I'm sure she's done it before...! Why not take her to Tunbridge Wells? Beautiful place and quite romantic, nice restaurants and rich history along the Pantiles. If you do go there, you have to go to this pub. The view is spectacular! http://www.the-beacon.co.uk/
If you're set on going to London, check here to see whats going on:
http://www.timeout.com/london/
Do something a bit different!
If you're set on going to London, check here to see whats going on:
http://www.timeout.com/london/
Do something a bit different!
contango said:
At least we agree on Chapter 2,,,if the OP was on a promise, the Michelin starred Chapter 1 in Farnborough (10 mins from 'nam) wouldn't be a bad call,, usually results in back of the net!
Locksbottom please, as Chapter One is top of the mini high street. Black Horse is a nice pre dinner pub. contango said:
Cotty, would be interesting to hear of your local date venues?
If you want good food then Xian in Orpington High Street has always had good reviews. But as a date venue there is pretty much nothing to do in Orpington other than eating.If it was a weekend then a quick blast would take you to The Woodman at Ide Hill which is a regular Pistonhead meeting point due to the size of the car park and the food.
http://www.thewoodman-idehill.co.uk/
To be honest in Kent, I have never been to Leeds Castle http://www.leeds-castle.com/goto.php?sess=u2772841...
However there seems to be lots of things to do like hot air balooning, Medieval Banquet's, self-catering holiday cottages (for a night), Segway Tours could be a grin etc etc check the site out. “the greatest firework show on earth” might be woth a trip.
However there seems to be lots of things to do like hot air balooning, Medieval Banquet's, self-catering holiday cottages (for a night
), Segway Tours could be a grin etc etc check the site out. “the greatest firework show on earth” might be woth a trip.Cotty said:
contango said:
Cotty, would be interesting to hear of your local date venues?
If you want good food then Xian in Orpington High Street has always had good reviews. But as a date venue there is pretty much nothing to do in Orpington other than eating.If it was a weekend then a quick blast would take you to The Woodman at Ide Hill which is a regular Pistonhead meeting point due to the size of the car park and the food.
http://www.thewoodman-idehill.co.uk/
contango said:
Richard, would you honestly go out in Bromley???...as a 50+ year old accountant, you probably would!....Beckenham restaurants > Bromley restaurants, any day..... As the chap isn't local, I was merely pointing out that an evening in Hades would at least be memorable over time spent in Penge.
At least we agree on Chapter 2,,,if the OP was on a promise, the Michelin starred Chapter 1 in Farnborough (10 mins from 'nam) wouldn't be a bad call,, usually results in back of the net!
'twas said in jest.......I've only ever been to Edwards (twice) or Cafe Rouge in 12 years here and never venture out to the pubs at all. Bromley should have one decent restaurant closer than Chapter 1 but sadly it doesn't. I've not eaten in Beckenham for years but the places there look a lot more interesting but still you have the pissed-up element spoiling it for everyone else.At least we agree on Chapter 2,,,if the OP was on a promise, the Michelin starred Chapter 1 in Farnborough (10 mins from 'nam) wouldn't be a bad call,, usually results in back of the net!
At least no-one has suggested a pub in Lewisham or Catford though!
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