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AIBU?

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Original poster

To go for night walks in London?

60 replies

ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:05

Dickens did this, and I'd like to do it too. Drives me utterly mad how restricted we are as women.

I wouldn't go in the dead of night, more like an hour or a bit more of fast walking before bed, to tire myself out, around 8.30-10pm. I wouldn't cut through dark parks or anything. I'm thinking 2-3 miles - easily doable in an hour or so.

So, dare I? Or should I stick to walking on the treadmill like I do currently? I want to feel the fresh air and be out in the world seeing things.

Being a woman is a prison and I'm sick of it.

OP posts:
Fagli · 19/03/2025 18:48

I’ve always walked around in London this time of night. A lot of people are finishing work at this time, or walking to go for a drink or dinner, or even shopping! It’s never crossed my mind not to go for a walk in the evening, 8-10 is very early for most people!!

Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:47

HundredMilesAnHour · 19/03/2025 18:44

Have you led a particularly sheltered life or something?

I’m a single woman. I’ve lived in London for over 30 years. I walk everywhere. Day or night. And I live in Tower Hamlets which is considered pretty rough. It’s the same as anywhere. Stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings. I’ve never had any problems. The only places I avoid walking late at night are along the canals (because the water scares me) and a couple of side streets which are notorious for drug-taking/dealing.

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I've always been a bit of a scaredy-cat, and the amount of crime you read about doesn't help.

OP posts:
Nottodaythankyou123 · 19/03/2025 18:46

ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:29

I'm in the Vauxhall area.

It's good to know that so many do!!!

I used to live around there and would walk along the Thames or up past Downing Street and to Covent Garden etc. Was always my favourite time of the day to go for a wander!

roundaboutthehillsareshining · 19/03/2025 18:46

ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:37

But there's been rising crime in the capital in the last few years. Nothing to do with the century - bad people have always existed.

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Actually there isn't. Crime is trending downward in the capital and has done since before the pandemic.

RedRosie · 19/03/2025 18:46

I would think (in general) that young men are the most in danger, from each other. I live in a fairly sketchy part of zone 2 South London, and walk everywhere at all hours. But I'm middle aged and totally invisible.

HundredMilesAnHour · 19/03/2025 18:44

ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:37

But there's been rising crime in the capital in the last few years. Nothing to do with the century - bad people have always existed.

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Have you led a particularly sheltered life or something?

I’m a single woman. I’ve lived in London for over 30 years. I walk everywhere. Day or night. And I live in Tower Hamlets which is considered pretty rough. It’s the same as anywhere. Stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings. I’ve never had any problems. The only places I avoid walking late at night are along the canals (because the water scares me) and a couple of side streets which are notorious for drug-taking/dealing.

Southwestten · 19/03/2025 18:44

Please be careful op. Phone snatching is endemic in London - every day on the ‘Nextdoor’ app there are reports of bags and phones being grabbed and even if you report the crime nothing is done about it.
Even if you’re not hurt in such an incident, the shock would affect you for a long time.

Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:40

Plus, both me and my friends have had our share of weirdos glomming on to us, sometimes in broad daylight too.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:39

Also a female colleague of mine was threatened with a huge knife a while ago. (Blackheath area.)

OP posts:
NonComm · 19/03/2025 18:39

I love it - have done it for over 40 years but I’m always sensible - not in early hours, not with headphones on etc. I always think that I’m safer in London as there are so many people around.

Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:37

HundredMilesAnHour · 19/03/2025 18:35

8.30-10pm is hardly late, especially not by London standards. Lots of people still around at that time. I’m concerned by you thinking women aren’t able to be out walking 24/7 in London? It’s the 21st century.

But there's been rising crime in the capital in the last few years. Nothing to do with the century - bad people have always existed.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:36

Annascaul · 19/03/2025 18:35

I often take my dog for his last wee at midnight. Never thought not to.

I'd feel safer if I had a dog, but I'm not in a position to have one.

OP posts:
FlowerFlowerFlower · 19/03/2025 18:36

I live in a rougher part of London and have never been worried walking alone at night so can’t relate to this and I see loads of women doing the same

Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:36

PlanetOtter · 19/03/2025 18:34

I probably wouldn’t ‘go for a walk’ late, just because it’s not my idea of fun. But I do happily walk home late, through bits of South London that have a certain rep.

What makes you feel restricted?

Incidents in the news. Knife crime. Sarah Everard. The rise of hate crimes.

OP posts:
Annascaul · 19/03/2025 18:35

I often take my dog for his last wee at midnight. Never thought not to.

Sofiewoo · 19/03/2025 18:35

ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:33

Exactly - especially Sarah Everard.

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This is media paranoia, that sort of crime is astoundingly rare. You take a bigger risk crossing the road at 2pm than walking down a street in London between 8:30 and 10pm.

HundredMilesAnHour · 19/03/2025 18:35

8.30-10pm is hardly late, especially not by London standards. Lots of people still around at that time. I’m concerned by you thinking women aren’t able to be out walking 24/7 in London? It’s the 21st century.

Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:35

Sofiewoo · 19/03/2025 18:32

Do you seriously think women in London stay home after 8:30pm?

Not stay home, but I'm not sure how many roam. (Hey, that rhymes!) I want to roam for 2-3 miles to get my fitness up while getting fresh air, not just trot down the road.

OP posts:
PlanetOtter · 19/03/2025 18:34

I probably wouldn’t ‘go for a walk’ late, just because it’s not my idea of fun. But I do happily walk home late, through bits of South London that have a certain rep.

What makes you feel restricted?

Original poster
ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:33

Throwitback · 19/03/2025 18:33

I used to do this all the time in my early twenties, admittedly going home from post-work drinks etc as opposed to a random walk, but still. Often a lot later than this!

I no longer live in London but I to be honest, I’d probably think twice about it now. Pre 9pm yes, but not after I don’t think. Some of the events over the last few years have really shaken me.

edited to say - I wouldn’t deliberately go home earlier or anything, but I’d probably get the bus closer to home; rather than walk long distances at midnight like I used to!

Edited

Exactly - especially Sarah Everard.

OP posts:
karmakameleon · 19/03/2025 18:33

ThisFluentBiscuit · 19/03/2025 18:29

I'm in the Vauxhall area.

It's good to know that so many do!!!

Vauxhall is quite built up and not always many pedestrians around. I’d probably prefer to walk somewhere where there are more other people also walking.

MidnightMillie · 19/03/2025 18:33

I voted YABU because

"Being a woman is a prison and I'm sick of it."

You don't speak for all of us. The area of London I live in is as rough as fuck and yet I walk my tiny dog about 10pm every night.

Throwitback · 19/03/2025 18:33

I used to do this all the time in my early twenties, admittedly going home from post-work drinks etc as opposed to a random walk, but still. Often a lot later than this!

I no longer live in London but I to be honest, I’d probably think twice about it now. Pre 9pm yes, but not after I don’t think. Some of the events over the last few years have really shaken me.

edited to say - I wouldn’t deliberately go home earlier or anything, but I’d probably get the bus closer to home; rather than walk long distances at midnight like I used to!

TheChosenTwo · 19/03/2025 18:32

Drives me utterly mad how restricted we are as women.

You don’t speak for me, I’m a woman and am not restricted. If I want to go for a walk in the dark at night I go. And I do, almost every night.
Stop restricting yourself!

Sofiewoo · 19/03/2025 18:32

Do you seriously think women in London stay home after 8:30pm?

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