single traveller london
This post contains affiliate links for which I may make a small commission to help keep the site running. Locals tip! From food stalls to vintage wares to clothing, there is plenty to buy (if youre in the market), but you can also just stroll along and sort of blend into the crowd. I usually recommend Greenwich if youre spending a week or more in London, as it does require a trip out of Central London, but here you can strand over the Prime Meridian, standing in two hemispheres at once, and explore some awesome museums like the National Maritime Museum. Be your own photographer. green markers are priced in the middle-of-the-road by London standards. Traveling alone is one of the best ways to make new friends, and with a population of eight million, you're bound to find a buddy in London, especially if you speak English. Check outobbyto find classes that are available around London. Or check out Kew Gardens art installation,The Hive, an immersive sight-&-sound experience triggered by bee activity. The park run in London is a simple concept: turn up every Saturday morning at 9am in the UK's parks and walk, jog or run 5km. Safe, affordable, and easy to navigate, Tanzania makes for the perfect solo trip adventure in Africa. Book yourself a cheap matinee ticket or treat yourself to an evening at the theatre. Whether youre a backpacker planning your ultimate solo trip to London or just a visitor going it alone, these things to do alone in London will make sure that you have an amazing time and see just as much of the sights as you would with a travel buddy. Emily Blunt plays Mary and has an exquisite wardrobe, manners and cut glass English accent. This is a strategy that has worked for me in the past. Its a great place to duck into when you want to get lost for a few hours as well as a fun thing to do in London in the rain. Bridget is an award-winning solo travel blogger whose mission is to empower others to travel alone, especially those in middle age and beyond. . Like New York, London can be a city of (sometimes unexpected) extremes. Alternatively, stop by the well-loved TKTS booth in Leicester Square or visit TKTS London online for theatrical bargains. Try for a matine performance, typically held two or three times a week in the afternoon. Lates at the Museum's. Of all the fun things to do in London at night this is probably the most cultured. If you want the reassurance of a fully refundable ticket, you will need to pay a small premium. Private. to make sure your dates are not affected. A lovely brunch spot if youre in West London. The best thing to do alone in London is this London Bridge secret food tour over 3 hours of guided food tasting and no one cares if youre riding solo! Some people are nervous about eating at a pub by themselves, no matter how many times I try to convince them its okay, so for those people I would suggest finding a pub with outdoor seating! Admission is free, and their opening hours are Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Not only is it completely free, but so many people will be milling about and caring more about the view than who is alone or with a partner, so you can banish those solo traveler nerves. Going to the pub alone is something that puts off many solo travelers, but dont worry! The church also has an inexpensivecafin its crypt plus a terrace cafe, both of which are good lunch options if you are in the Trafalgar Square area. Better still, entry to the permanent exhibitions in most of Londons museums is free. Required fields are marked *. Hostel One Notting Hill - best for backpackers. The food is excellent and its always packed on a weekend. Our single supplements are the lowest. However, armed with a little information, you can do this by yourself. dotted around London; Carnaby St, Shoreditch and Kings Cross. best destinations for women who are travelling alone. The National Theatre sells hundreds of 15 ($19 USD) tickets, check out their website and book before you go. There are a few Dennis Severs House. For English speakers, the locals talk your language and, despite what you might have heard, they are pretty friendly. Museum of Brands for a surprisingly fascinating insight into marketing and brands. On a clear day, the views are sensational, from the Tower of London and Canary Wharf to the east, and St. Pauls Cathedral and the London Eye to the west. Not only is there an actual Churchill museum space, but youll get to see the wartime rooms where Churchill and other top ranking British officials lived, worked, hid, and slept during World War II. For the best free view in town, head to 20 Fenchchurch Street, otherwise known as the Walkie Talkie building, which is home to Londons garden in the clouds. SEE ALSO: Step by step solo travel planner, SEE ALSO: 9 packing tips from the experts, A Girls' Guide to Travelling Alone: Inspiring true tales from solo women travellers. There's over 200 subway stations spread out in various neighborhoods across the city of London. Afternoon tea is served in a large number of venues across London (start by checking here). Oct. 2024. Taste some of the best street food in London at Borough Market Meandering through the busy stalls of Borough Market on a Saturday can be chaotic, but is so much fun - especially when you can pick up some tasty samples. FREE WORLDWIDE LUGGAGE STORAGE FOR 6 MONTHS! Got a sweet tooth, but dont want to sit by yourself eating dessert in a restaurant? If youre a reader like me, youll fall in love with one of Londons best bookstores, Daunt Books. For artistic immersion, head toThe National Galleryon Trafalgar Square. However, these tickets are not refundable if your plans change (although they are exchangeable for a new date or time, albeit subject to a hefty 15 amendment fee). See London's highlights on a self-guided tour Forget about those hop-on-hop-off tourist buses clogging London's streets. When you go by yourself, youre in full control of where you spend your time, including seeing the crown jewels, exploring the medieval side to the Tower, walking the walls, taking a free tour by a Beef Eater, and so much more. The only catch is you cant bring anything with you, including your phone, so this is a good thing to do when you can leave it at the hotel for a bit and take a London printed map with you to explore for the day. >>> None of these places takes your fancy? We offer solo holidays in a range of destinations - UK, Europe, and Worldwide - as well as both short breaks and longer holidays. Also, once popular with smugglers - the spy hole still exists to watch out for the revenue men. The Sunday roasts here are wonderful and you wont want to leave the roaring fire in the Winter. London can be an expensive city for a visitor. As in many cities, petty crime, including pickpocketing, is not unusual. >>> Want to return to this article later? For a mid-range budget, Ive picked out my favourites. This half-day tour includes a return transfer and an audio guide. You can buy tickets on the day, and its only just over 5.00 for adults so not one of the more expensive things to do in London. "Santiago is a modern city and a good starting point," she says. Its still worth arriving early though (the queuing can start as early as 6 as they do not take reservations). . Prices are from 10 for an hours session; advance booking is required. Changing of the Guard usually happens around 10am each morning, but this is dependent on the time of the year so make sure to check the schedule before showing up. You can do a self-guided walking tour of Harry Potter sites, but having a guide who knows the exact spots and who also has extra information for you and brings along visual aids to see how the area was used in the movies is a must-do. Of course, traveling alone has its perils toosuch as safety concerns, loneliness, and the dreaded single supplement. Pick yourself a bench or a spot under a tree and have yourself a picnic in the park, no travel partners needed! Solo Travel Going in a group is a great way for solo travelers to see the world. In an attempt to reproduce the bawdy atmosphere of 16thCentury theatre-going, groundlings stand in the central space in front of the stage. The four 'Tiny Single' rooms at Mimi's Soho follow the same velvety, 19th-century feel of the rest of this hotel . With a gorgeous view across the river and a tantalising history (Lord Nelson used to visit his lover, Lady Emma Hamilton in the room upstairs, via a secret staircase). We put all accommodations on the map, incl. If you take the tube to Westminster tube station, exit, and then walk along the river in the opposite direction to Big Ben, without crossing the bridge, youll find some peaceful benches that are great places to find some shade and some beautiful London views. Stonehenge is one of the most popular day trips from London but is not the easiest place to reach by public transport, requiring a train and bus/taxi journey. Your Solo Trip to London: Getting from the Airport to City Center You'll likely arrive in London by plane so that's where we'll start. Temperatures can sizzle in the mid 30s in Summer and dip to below freezing in Winter. In recent years, there has also been the threat of terrorist attacks. It builds confidence, improves your people skills, and helps you trust in yourself more because you learn how to overcome challenges. Fun fact: The Even if youre as hopeless at skating as I am, youll still have fun! 64 Rue Sedaine, 75011. Be sure to check your weather app *just* before you leave too - weather patterns can be unpredictable. See Elizabethan theatre brought vividly to life in one of Londons most famous buildings,Shakespeares Globe, built a few hundred meters from the original Globe, where many of Shakespeares plays were first performed. Plus what better place to be alone than a book store? Youll pay a premium for staying within the central (transport) Zone 1; prices usually start to drop the further out you venture. London is a pricey city in which to stay, especially if you are travelling alone. Pop into The Docklands Museum too, beforehand. The 2 km Victoria Embankment river walk from the Palace of Westminster to Blackfriars Bridge is a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Another more intimate (and way less gory) way to experience East End life in the 1700s, is a Silent Night tour of This is always the first question a lot of solo travellers ask themselves when travelling to The Big Smoke. Apart from the potential enrichment resulting from the activity, it is a fun way to spend time in a strange city and a fantastic way to meet new people. In all honesty, I'd heard some pretty mixed reviews before taking my solo trip to Barcelona.However, if you're used to going it alone in places such as NYC or Paris, then being solo in Barcelona will surely be a breeze.. Here's your ultimate guide to taking a solo sojourn to the Catalonian capital, as well as solo female travel safety tips . There are so many to choose from:Portobello Market, Brick Lane Market,Old SpitalfieldsandBorough Marketto name but a few. Alternatively, a London Explorer Pass allows you to decide how many attractions you would like to visit in a 60-day period. London has so much going on theatrically, suiting all tastes and budgets. Ive been visiting London for decades, and even I was impressed by your recommendations. The formidable Tower of London has been locking up high profile prisoners, unfortunate Queens and Gunpowder plotters for 1000 years. That was me once too! The answer to this question is yes! Did you know that London has two excellent sightseeing passes? King amongst these isDaunt Booksin Marylebone. According to their site, 70% of their travelers are between 40 and 60 and the large majority do travel solo. Get ready to country-hop through Europe, bask on a beach in the Latin American sun . This British capital has history, sightseeing, tours for all different types of interests and plenty of rooftop bars. Even if you are not a museum person, the buildings that these collections are housed in are works of art andLondon landmarksin their own right. The hubs of Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna and Nosara are particularly solo-traveller friendly places to start, and at friendly hostels such as Tamarindo Backpackers, lone travellers land here and immediately place themselves within a tribe of other yogis or surfers, or simply find their crew while clambering through ), there are also walk-up tickets before and after the timed tickets on Mondays to Fridays. Rain is not an impossibility in London. click here to check prices and availability, Check out my favorite Jack the Ripper tour here, Find my favorite Westminster Abbey tour here, 57 Quirky and Unusual Things to Do in London. Take in the View from the SkyGarden The SkyGarden is one of the best views in London, and it's a great way to see the gorgeous London skyline for solo travelers. Save time - your card is delivered to your home address and ready to use as soon as you arrive in London. There are all sorts of street performers (usually way more lively than the ones in Covent Garden! A few tips for staying safe: 1. As big cities go, London is pretty friendly. Even if its an action-packed pub and theyre too busy to really talk, you may find other solo visitors doing the same and you wont look out of place enjoying your drink and taking in the atmosphere. With its broad shingle beach and cool bohemian air,Brightonis a very popular day trip from London. Travel with your people on your dates. Site By RTW Labs, A Proud Member of the Travel Media Association of Canada, Solo Female Travel Tips: Advice from Women Who Know, Road Trips: Tips & Itineraries for Solo Travelers, Best Places to Stay in London from Budget to Luxury. The Gun, Each pod holds around 25 people, but theres always plenty of room to walk about and take in those lovely views from each side. 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