Whether you’re a solo traveler exploring London for the first time or just looking to take some time out for yourself, there’s plenty to do in our beloved capital when traveling solo. Here’s our rundown of 14 of the biggest Things to do alone in London:
1. Take a stroll through the British Museum
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Culture lovers – this is for you. Despite the name, this sprawling building in the London academic district of Bloomsbury deals only fleetingly with British history. Instead, it aims to represent the full range of human endeavors from prehistoric man through ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Absolutely marbled! Because of its size, it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Better still, participation is free!
You can find the British Museum on Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG. The nearest stations are Holborn and Russell Square. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Feast your way through some of London’s food markets
Photo: @boroughmarket
What could be nicer than eating right alone in London? If you’re anything like us, you won’t have a hard time getting hungry almost any time of the day or night. But instead of going for a sit down meal – which might have the potential to get a little awkward on your own – why not go there one of many street food markets what is london so famous for?
The obvious choice here is Borough Market, the one Place of nourishment and trade for over 1000 years, But on the weekends there are also Maltby Street and Broadway Markets, Mercato Metrapolitano and Seven Dials.
3. Get your story at the Tower of London
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This notorious city was founded way back in 1066 UNESCO protected building has been used as a historic palace, fortress and prison over the years a extensive insight into the fascinating history of London, then this is it the a place to be
Get up close to the crown jewels Meet the legendary Yeoman Warders – also known as the “Beefeaters” – and be treated to stories from the Tudors, the Stuarts and beyond. Who knows, you might even spot one of the resident spooks – after all, this is where Anne Boleyn and company got their heads chopped off! Alternatively, you can simply join a ghost tour that starts at Tower Hill – buy tickets here.
You will find the Tower of London in London, EC3N 4AB. The nearest station is Tower Hill. The tower is open Sundays and Mondays from 10am to 5:30pm and every other day from 9am to 5:30pm.
4. Take a scenic walk along the Southbank
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A rather fantastic addition to this round-up of the best things to do in London alone, if we say so ourselves, sometimes there’s nothing like taking a leisurely stroll along the Southbank. One of the best people-watching spots in London, Lots to see and do along the way, including Stroll through a cute little book market, watch the skaters do their thing in the Undercroft, or grab some food at the pop-up food stalls along the riverbank.
Of course, being the Southbank means you’re only a stone’s throw from some of the capital’s top attractions, including the Globe Theatre, the London Eye – get your tickets for them here – and their associated Jubilee Gardens and Tate Modern. Speaking of Tate…
5. Discover eclectic modern art at Tate Modern
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Exploring the Tate Modern is a must for anyone spending time alone in London Town. London’s most visited attraction is in a prime location on Bankside – opposite St Paul’s Cathedral – and is home to a collection of important and influential modern art that won’t cost you a penny to enter. Win, win!
All you will find in the gallery is modern art, dating back only to the 1900’s. The collections are divided between the Boiler House, the Central Turbine Hall and the Blavatnik Building (formerly known as the Switch House). As well as all the free stuff, them too hold regularly paid art exhibitionsand you can also enjoy private tours – Here you can sign up.
You will find the Tate Modern at Bankside, London, SE1 9TG. The nearest train station is Blackfriars. The Tate Modern is open daily from 10am to 6pm.
6. Enjoy some relaxing time in some of London’s many green spaces
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If you’re looking for things to do on your own in London, then this is a pretty good choice. Out of picturesque views and flower-filled gardens to Instagrammable wonders, we’ve been pretty lucky with our green spaces in London, it has to be said. And if you have over 100 scattered across the citythen you are spoiled for choice!
From Victoria Park in the east to Kew Gardens in, well, Kew (buy your tickets for it here), there’s more than enough to keep you busy, especially considering it’s summer. So what are you waiting for? Apply sunscreen, grab an ice cream and hot foot on it!
7. Shop ’til you drop and pick up the goods in a solo adventure
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There is no one to judge you by how much you spend when you are traveling alone. So what better time to go shopping? We may be biased, but London is one of them the best places to shop on the planet and we have them everything here from high-end boutiques to hipster havens.
Oxford Street is the obvious choice, although there are plenty of other places in the city to get the goods, it has to be said. Westfield in Stratford and Shepherd’s Bush are both worth a visit if you’re looking for high street shopping – and you can head to these fabulous vintage shops if you’re looking for retro clothing. Make your way to the Coal Drops Yard for Carhartt WIP, COS, Fred Perry and more.
8. Settle into a cute coffee shop or deli and while away the time
Photo: @forkdeli
After all that shopping, you probably need to recharge your batteries – and where better to do that than at a shot of caffeine and a sweet treat? London Town is packed with cute cafes and delicious delis, Selling everything from gourmet coffee to gluten-free chocolate cake. Settle in with a good book and a pair of headphones and you’ll have more than sorted for a couple of hours.
9. Treat yourself to a pint or two at a riverside pub
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When the sun is shining – or even when it’s not, for that matter – Londoners flock to a wide range of Thames-side pubs for al fresco drinking and eating. And although East and North London boast their own pretty canalside pubs, our city has always been built around the riverbank Some of these charming places are *um* steeped in history and can be considered as such the oldest pubs in London.
Top picks along the Thames include the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich, The Mayflower in Rotherhithe, The Anchor in Bankside and The Dove in Hammersmith – we’re looking forward to it!
10. Catch the latest blockbuster or indie movie at the cinema
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Next up in this round-up of the best things to do in London on your own is to catch a movie at the cinema – and what better place to be if the weather isn’t cooperating, hey? Would you like to see that next? multi-million dollar blockbuster in the ODEON IMAXor you prefer to catch an independent gem in a tiny spot in Hackney, There is something for everyone in our beloved capital. Plus, you can now snag cheaper tickets at both Odeon and VUE, so a trip to Hollywood doesn’t have to break the old bank.
11. Stroll through the city on an alternative walking tour
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If you want to discover some of London’s hidden gems and secrets, you shouldn’t miss an alternative city tour. We’ve got everything from the Secret Old London Walking Tour here – where to see it memorial to Braveheart himself, Mel Gibson (ok actually William Wallace) and will Discover where the Great Fire of London, well, burned out.
Other walking tours include the Gangster London Walking Tour, a magical Harry Potter walking tour, and The London Cheese Crawl, which ends with an artisanal cheese board in Covent Garden. Try saying no! Get your tickets here.
12. Get your live music at a gig or two
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We know we may be biased here, but London could be just the ticket Live Music Capital of the World. Our beloved city has hundreds of great gigs and concerts planned for the rest of the year, from sCream rock gigs to proud pop extravaganzas and everything in between. A live performance is also the perfect way to make new friends, so grab a beer, grab your lighters and see you in the front row!
13. Cook up a storm with a group cooking class
Photo: @avenuecookery
We’re at the penultimate entry in this roundup of the best things to do alone in London, and what’s better than going from zero to hero in the kitchen?! Cook up a storm and meet some new friends, and join bottomless mexican street food (with added wine) and pasta too. Get your tickets for the Mexican Foodie Class here and the Pasta Cooking Class here.
14. Walk through Chinatown
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Rounding out this list of top things to do in London is a visit to Chinatown, the largest Chinatown in all of Britain. It offers plenty of tasty food options, all the sassy dumplings and dim sum you could want and some Chinese supermarkets to inspire you back home brimming with gourmet delicacies and is a fantastic thing to do alone in London.
