Things to Do on Your Own in London

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There are a number of reasons why you might have travelled on your own to London. You may be a regular solo traveller, enjoying the sense of freedom that travelling by yourself affords you; you may be heading to the city for a business meeting and know that you’ll have some time to spare, or you might just enough time to meet someone and have a few hours to spend in London before taking off for your final destination.

Whatever the reason, London is a fantastic place to explore. Although it might seem strange to venture out on your own, there are plenty of opportunities that enable you to see some of the city’s best attractions, all the while not feeling too awkward about being alone. In fact, many places are simply worth experiencing when it’s just you.

Go to a museum

Imagine having the ability to wander around one of the best museums in the world at your own pace, without having to worry about where anybody else was or whether they were interested in seeing the same exhibits as you. Well, that’s entirely possible in London. Visiting a museum is one of the best activities you can experience on your own. Though you’re usually surrounded by other people, the attention is on the artifacts and objects, not those around you.

London is home to some of the best museums in the world, including the Natural History Museum, the British Museum, and the Horniman Museum. Any one of these make an excellent place to explore. You can discover some real hidden treasures at these museums, unearth some long-forgotten gems, or learn something new to take back home with you. If you’re staying somewhere central, such as the Park Grand Hotel in Lancaster Gate London, then one of these ‘big three’ museums in the Kensington area is the perfect choice.

Ride a bicycle

Bike riding isn’t a particularly sociable activity, as you can’t really speak to anyone else. So why not take the chance to explore the city on one of the thousands of Boris Bikes which are dotted at stations all over London? Cycling is a great way to see parts of London that you might otherwise have missed. The great thing about the Boris Bikes is that you can simply return them to the nearest docking station when you’ve had enough. There are some truly stunning open spaces and parks in London that are the ideal place to escape from the hustle and bustle for a few hours, taking in the scenery and enjoying the pleasant feeling of being out in the fresh air on your own.

Take a walk

If cycling isn’t for you, then you can still make the most of London’s parks and gardens by heading out for a walk instead. London is home to a surprising number of secret gardens that allow you to escape from the flurry of the urban jungle for an hour or two, surrounding yourself with beauty and tranquility. You can take a book and head up to the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park, find a spot with a view on Primrose Hill, or try the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park.

Enjoy the theatre

When you’re just going to be sitting in the dark for a couple of hours, it really makes no difference whether you’re on your own or as part of a group. Enjoying a performance at the theatre is a great activity to do when you’re in London. The city has one of the best theatre districts in the world, and you should really experience it at least once in life. You can book your ticket ahead of time, or simply see what takes your fancy on the day by heading to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for discounted tickets for same-day performances. You can also try to get a ticket directly at theatre box offices to see whether there are any tickets that have been returned. There are some really stunning productions that run regularly, including Les Miserables, Mamma Mia, and The Lion King.

For budget-conscience travelers, there’s accommodation around this area; so, don’t worry about being too far from the West End to make the most of a theatre experience in London.

Stay safe

London is a very safe city to visit, but it always pays to take some precautions, especially when you’re travelling on your own. Stay alert and keep your belongings close to you. Pickpockets operate on London’s public transport network, notably on the tube where it tends to be a little more crowded. Therefore, keep your wits about you.

If you’re walking back to your hotel once dusk has fallen, then make sure you stick to well-lit streets, or call a taxi to take you back and only get into a black cab taxi, not an unmarked vehicle. While enjoying a drink at a pub, don’t leave your drink unattended. Make sure that any bottled drink you buy is sealed, taken from behind the bar, and that you witness this happen.

These are, of course, every-day habits most people do naturally, but it always pays to stay a little more alert when you’re visiting a city you may not be 100% familiar with and when you’re travelling on your own. We also recommend knowing the numbers you can call if you do get into difficulty. If you need to speak to the police for a non-emergency situation, the numbers to dial are 112 or 101. Use 999 for all emergencies.