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5 Date-Worthy London Exhibitions That'll Make You Look Cultured And Stuff

They'll be so impressed

Headshot of Nick PopeBy Nick Pope
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So you've gone and sent her a flirty message (legend), she's responded (double legend), and now you're ready to ask this lucky collection of suspiciously angled Tinder pictures out on a real life date.

But the question is: where? Needless to say, you'll want to pick a date spot that communicates how extremely cultured you are.

A subtitled foreign film at the local art-house cinema? No chance - she'll still see you as a cash-strapped teenager. A fancy-schmancy restaurant? If they start offering 2-4-1 pity discounts, maybe.

A light-and-breezy exhibition? Bingo…

Astronomy Photographer of the Year

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Where: Greenwich Royal Observatory


There's nothing more romantic than laying down on the grass under a panorama of stars - but you live in London, where pollution chokes the sky and parks close at 7pm to ward off doggers. It's just not a viable option.


Your next best bet? Checking out the 'Astronomy Photographer of the Year' exhibition at Greenwich's Royal Observatory. It's packed full of awe-inspiring, award-winning snaps of the night sky and galaxies far away.


Once you're done with that, check out the trippy Neil deGrasse Tyson-soundtracked planetarium next door, and then venture out to the top of Greenwich park and gaze out at the beautiful landscape of London at night from a distance.


Talk the talk: "Does the scale of the universe make you feel small and insignificant? Not me. I'm big and strong. Feel my glutes."

Colour and Vision

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Where: Natural History Museum


Offering an in-depth exploration of colour, vision and their roles in the wild, the Natural History Museum newest exhibition is a bloody lovely (and educational!) way to spend an off-key rendezvous.


We get that gawping at a bunch of stuffed insects doesn't sound like the most romantic dating activity, but it's truly one of the most fascinating and beautiful exhibitions to hit the capital in ages.


Talk the talk: "I wonder if any of these animals can see how pretty you look today? I mean, obviously they're dead, but you get my point."



Björk Digital

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Where: Somerset House


Everybody likes Bjork, don't they? It's impossible not too. If she doesn't like Bjork, then she's not the girl for you.


The Icelandic legend's new exhibition is a boundary pushing exploration of how music can be experienced in the digital age.


There's full-360 virtual reality sections, as well as short films and fully immersive soundscapes, alongside predictably stunning artwork and design.


Just, a word to the wise: avoid the bit where Bjork sticks a camera in her mouth if you're trying to keep things romantic.


Talk the talk: "Remember when Bjork went out with Goldie? That was proper weird, wasn't it?"


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God's Own Junkyard

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Where: Shernhall St, London E17 9HQ


Alright, yeah, fine: it's not technically an exhibition. But it's still one of the most visually captivating and oddly romantic spots in London. Consider it a glow-in-the-dark art gallery.


Artist Chris Bracey has managed to stock the largest collection of vintage neon signs in Europe. It's immensely Instagram-able, and as they say: a gram-worthy date is a successful date.


Talk the talk: "The only thing that burns brighter than this vintage toilet sign are my feelings for you".

William Eggleston: Portraits

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Where: National Portrait Gallery


American photographer William Eggleston is the patron saint of any three-figure worthy Instagram snap you've ever seen.


Long considered the pioneer of modern colour photography, this particular collection takes a trip though sixties deep-south Americana in some of the most experimental work of his career.


He was great at capturing moments that leave you having a bit of a moment, too. Go on mate. Have a little cry. Sob it out. She'll like it. Cry.


Talk the talk: "It's like this guy had Instagram filters for eyes."

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