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Looking for anniversary gift experiences in London that are a bit more exciting than yet another restaurant reservation? Dinner is great, but if you want something your partner is actually going to talk about for years – something that ends with a laugh, a shared sense of achievement, and maybe a glass of something celebratory – you need a proper anniversary day out idea in London. We've rounded up 11 of the best, from romantic pottery sessions to glassblowing workshops, cooking classes to cocktail masterclasses. Whether you're celebrating a first anniversary or a fiftieth, there's something here that'll make the whole day feel genuinely special.
What makes the best anniversary day out ideas in London?
Not all experiences are created equal – especially when it's for an anniversary. Before you book, here's what to keep in mind:
- Location and transport: London is big. We've noted the nearest tube for each idea so you can plan your day without the stress.
- The togetherness factor: The best anniversary activities are ones where you're doing something side by side, not just watching someone else perform.
- The story you'll tell: A great anniversary isn't just about the day itself – it's the thing you'll still be giggling about five years later.
- The add-ons: A class near a brilliant cocktail bar or a market full of street food? Even better.
11 fun things to do for your anniversary in London
1. Throw some shapes at a pottery class
There's a reason pottery has had such a moment – it's genuinely fun, a little chaotic, and impossible to do without laughing at yourself at some point. A couples' pottery class is one of those fun things to do for your anniversary that feels creative and low-key at the same time. You'll learn to centre clay on the wheel, shape it into something vaguely bowl-like, and decorate it to take home. ClassBento's pottery classes in London run across several locations and most offer instant bookable dates, so you can lock it in without the back-and-forth.
Nearest tube: Varies by venue – most are within walking distance of Central and South London stations.
Make it extra special: Book a morning slot and head to a nearby café for brunch before or after. Borough Market is a brilliant shout if you're in South London.
2. Shake things up at a cocktail making class
A cocktail masterclass is one of those anniversary date ideas in London that works for absolutely everyone. You'll learn a handful of proper recipes, nail your shaking and stirring technique, and finish the class with a very cheerful buzz. Book a cocktail making class through ClassBento – many venues in Shoreditch, Soho and the City offer evening sessions with instant availability.
Nearest tube: Shoreditch High Street (Overground), Oxford Circus, or Bank – depending on the venue.
Make it extra special: Ask the instructor if you can make a signature cocktail together and name it after yourselves. It's a small thing, but it lands every time.
3. Create something beautiful at a glassblowing workshop
Glassblowing is one of those romantic first anniversary ideas that genuinely feels like a bucket list experience. You'll work with molten glass to create a small piece – a vase, a paperweight, a decorative object – that's entirely your own. It's mesmerising to watch and deeply satisfying to do. Look for glassblowing and hot glass workshops on ClassBento – the waiting list fills up fast, so book ahead.
Nearest tube: Varies – most specialist glassblowing studios are based in East and South East London.
Make it extra special: The piece you make together becomes a permanent reminder of the day – far more meaningful than a bunch of flowers that'll be in the bin by Thursday.
4. Blend your own scent at a perfume making class
This one is as romantic as it sounds. You'll work with a perfumer to create a bespoke fragrance, learning about top, heart and base notes as you go. It's personal, it's sensory, and it ends with a bottle of perfume that's genuinely yours. A perfume making class is a standout pick for what to do for an anniversary in London if you want something intimate and a little different.
Nearest tube: Central London locations – typically within easy reach of Covent Garden or Oxford Street.
Make it extra special: Wear your creations on your next date night for an extra layer of sentimentality.
5. Make each other something to keep at a jewellery making class
If you want a creative anniversary gift idea that's also a day out, a jewellery making workshop is hard to beat. You'll hammer, solder and polish your way to a pair of rings, a bracelet or a pendant – made with your own hands. ClassBento's jewellery making classes in London are brilliant for couples, and the finished piece doubles as an anniversary gift.
Nearest tube: Hatton Garden area and East London are home to most of the best workshops – Farringdon is a great bet.
Make it extra special: Make something for each other rather than yourself – a ring or bracelet your partner has to wear becomes a talking point forever.
6. Roll with it at a sushi making class
A sushi making class is one of those ideas for an anniversary in London that's been consistently popular because it ticks every box: it's hands-on, a bit silly, genuinely educational, and ends with a meal you made yourselves. You'll learn to roll maki, shape nigiri and plate it all up like a professional. Most classes include all ingredients and sake to wash it down.
Nearest tube: Sessions run across Central London – look for venues near Covent Garden or London Bridge.
Make it extra special: Dress up for it. Show up in smart clothes, crack open a bottle of sake, and treat it like a restaurant experience you happened to cook yourselves.
7. Try life drawing for a date with a difference
Life drawing classes have become one of the more unexpectedly popular anniversary day trip ideas for couples in London – and it makes total sense. They're a bit daring, genuinely creative, and often end with everyone in fits of laughter over their wildly different interpretations of the same pose. It's not about producing a masterpiece; it's about switching your brain off from the everyday and doing something properly different together.
Nearest tube: Shoreditch and Hackney are the heartland of life drawing in London – Shoreditch High Street Overground is your friend.
Make it extra special: Frame the sketches you make of each other, however terrible they are. Trust us on this one.
8. Get creative at a flower arranging workshop
Flower arranging might sound like a sedate option, but a great workshop is anything but. You'll learn to build a proper arrangement from scratch – structural, seasonal, and genuinely impressive – and walk away with a centrepiece to take home. It's a lovely wedding anniversary in London option, particularly for couples who want something calmer but still hands-on and creative. Search for flower arranging workshops on ClassBento – there are options running most weekends across the city.
Nearest tube: Columbia Road Flower Market area in Bethnal Green is a stunning backdrop – Bethnal Green tube is a short walk.
Make it extra special: Time your visit to coincide with Columbia Road's Sunday flower market for the full experience.
9. Set the mood with a candle making class
Candle making is one of those fun things to do for your anniversary that's also brilliantly practical – you leave with something you can actually use. You'll choose your fragrance, pour your wax and personalise your label, and the result is a candle that smells exactly the way you want your home to smell. It's a surprisingly meditative process, which makes it a great choice if you both want to switch off and do something nice together without a competitive edge.
Nearest tube: Workshops are spread across London – Hackney, Brixton and Notting Hill all have great options.
Make it extra special: Light the candle on your next anniversary. It becomes a ritual.
10. Toast to your love at a paint and sip class
Paint and sip is the social crafter's natural habitat: wine, art, no pressure to be perfect. You'll be guided through a painting step by step while working through a glass or two, and the result is almost always brilliant – both the picture and the mood. It's a relaxed, laugh-filled anniversary day out idea in London that works brilliantly as an evening date. Look for sessions with a licensed bar on-site for the full effect.
Nearest tube: Sessions run in Brixton, Shoreditch, Camden and more – all well-connected.
Make it extra special: Ask the host if you can paint portraits of each other for extra chaos.
11. Do the V&A, then head to sketch
Not every great anniversary day out in London has to be a class. The V&A Museum in South Kensington is one of the world's great free museums and a genuinely spectacular place to spend an afternoon together – wander through the fashion galleries, get lost in the jewellery wing, and grab a coffee in the John Madejski Garden if the weather holds. Then in the evening, book a table at Sketch in Mayfair – one of London's most theatrical restaurants, with rooms designed by David Shrigley and afternoon tea worth every penny. It's an anniversary day trip idea that combines culture, beauty and an unforgettable dinner in one.
Nearest tube: South Kensington (V&A), then Oxford Circus for Sketch.
Make it extra special: Book Sketch's Gallery room in advance – the egg-shaped pods are the Instagram moment, but the food is genuinely excellent.
Tips for making your anniversary day out extra special
Whichever experience you go for, a few small touches can take it from great to genuinely unforgettable:
- Book in advance: London's best workshops fill up fast, especially at weekends. Instant bookable dates are available on ClassBento, but the most popular sessions go weeks in advance.
- Tell them it's an anniversary: Most workshop hosts love an excuse to make a fuss – mentioning it on booking means you might get a little extra something on the day.
- Plan what comes next: A great workshop is even better when it's part of a whole day. Research a cocktail bar, restaurant or rooftop nearby and keep the evening going.
- Dress the part: Some workshops (pottery, in particular) will get messy – but that doesn't mean you can't arrive looking sharp. Aprons are usually provided.
Ready to book your anniversary day out in London?
There are hundreds of brilliant anniversary day out ideas in London to choose from – but the best ones are the experiences you'll still be laughing about long after the day is over. Whether you want to make something together, learn a new skill or simply spend the evening doing something genuinely different, ClassBento has you covered. Browse the full range of anniversary gift experiences in London and find something that's completely, specifically you.
Runs regularly
Nine Elms
1 to 65 guests
£34 - £40
12 years in business
