Is it safe to travel to London on my own?

[namethisbird]

what is everyone’s opinion on a lone female travelling from York to London on their own to see the Queen lying in state?

my partner and mum don’t think it’s safe which has me wondering

It's very safe. I took my 14 year old yesterday to Buckingham Palace. The place is mostly swarming with tourists who I presume pose no threat to anyone. I got talking to the young lads directing the flower queue and they was lovely. Also a lady got chatting to us who was a Londoner who was also absolutely lovely on the Queen Victoria memorial. Just don't take valuables and lots of money. Pick pockets are everywhere although I've never had a direct issue ( I went to uni in London). Take your phone and card in a small cross body bag in front of you

Are you my sister OP? My mum hasn't left her home (very small) city for years and gets extremely worried if I plan a trip to somewhere really risky like, say, Manchester. Despite me having lived on my own in London for some years!

It's hard isn't it to make sensible decisions when you get this kind of stuff in your ear all the time.

So you say 'don't be ridiculous' to those people then. Why post if she's not worried herself?

It's very safe. I took my daughter around Covent Garden in the evening over the summer. You need to cut the apron strings.

I'm a Londoner with family in York

I have travelled alone, both routes, on very early and late trains

in terms of crowds - i'm not likely to go to the Palace as I can't cope with crowds

but worrying about being alone seems mad. You'll probably have lots of nice chats, just as you would in a group or couple.

Interesting first post OP

Jesus stay at home.

Londoner here! You'll be absolutely fine, their list of concerns are absolutely ridiculous to be honest and highly unlikely.. However if you're worried about crowds specifically, going anywhere near Westminster is probably the worst place to be..

I live in semi-rurality. If I need to walk anywhere (and especially in the dark) there'll be no-one else around. So if I do hear someone walking behind me I feel uncomfortable.

I go to London at least once a fortnight (an hour's train journey) and feel MUCH safer there, because there are always people around. I imagine that there are also many, many cameras about too. I've walked back to the St Pancras on my own after midnight many a time, and not felt remotely unsafe - because there are still loads of people about. Getting from my home station back to my house (a ten minute walk) feels a hundred times more uncomfortable.

Just don't step on any pavement cracks or the bears will get you at the corner!!

You'll be fine, I promise! I'm a londoner born and bread (but now in the sticks) - have walked around London at all times of day and night and never had anything bad happen.

Well done to your mother. She’s just made my overprotective mother seem reasonable.

Tell her the muggers will get in the way of the terrorists.

Presumably because she needs ammunition to tell them that they're being stupid.

My daughter first travelled down to London on her own when she was 18 (to go to the theatre). Aged 19 she got on a train from the north west and moved into a shared house to study down there).

it’s fine.

I’ve travelled to London many times on my own and I’ve travelled with just me and my young DD many times too.
I’m from a tiny hamlet in Cornwall and my family used to be like yours.

Obviously like everywhere you need to keep safe.
But London is pretty safe especially during the daytime as there’s always people around.

There are pickpockets in most cities so don’t take loads of valuable stuff and have it in your pocket or bag that you can see/feel rather than a backpack on your back.

Terrorists are an issue everywhere and it wasn’t too long ago I went to my small city which had no crime and 5 people were shot dead.

Do you have a friend you can go with?

Honestly I’ve never had any issues going to London and I beg that you go just to see how nice it is and how it’s not that scary!!

Please go!!!!

crowds

Yes, like a fooitbasll match or busy saturday in york ??? Do you go out alone ever?

muggers

Keep your bag closed msybe a cross boildy bag fir your phone

Terrorist attacks

Security levels super high lots of plain clothes security and police snipers to shoot down anyone

men sensing I’m on my own

What ???
Just have some lines
My husband is just arriving
etc

Last time I went into central London I got covid, that’s prob more scary than anything else that can happen 🤦‍♀️

Or look at them, break your stride, or show any fear.

Of course it's safe!

Thanks All, it’s my mum more than anyone else she has been like this since I was a child.

I’m only going to queue to see the Queen lying in state then will be coming home on an 8pm train so I don’t get why she is making such a fuss.

Did you never go anywhere before you were with your DH? I'm boggled that there are women who would see a normal outing like this as unusual / something they needed reassuring over.

Women travel to London on their own for e.g. work every single day

I would say that walking through central London near Buckingham Place would be no worse than walking through York in high Tourist season in the sense be vigilant with phone, bag etc pick pockets.
There will be so many police about so as safe as it could be in that sense.
From Kings Cross to BP a reasonable tube journey or get a cab if worried about that.

My Granny when I was at University in the early 80s always told me not to go near BP in case the IRA got me.

You will be fine assuming you heed @SianNotAMan 's advice.

I do not dismiss people's fears about London but in the areas you are talking about , statistically you are probably as safe as anywhere else.

I once went to York years ago and found the streets later in the evening a bit rowdy. But I would not assume York cannot be safe.

Of course it's safe. I used to travel from Norfolk to London regularly as a young teen.
It sounds like you'll be going places that are super busy, so it's not like your wandering around residential streets at 3am alone.

???

Be aware that London is very busy and of course is going to be even worse now, so you may feel overwhelmed but you will be just as safe in London as you are in your home town.

OP please go to London it's a great city. You will be in the centre, there will be loads of people and you will be fine. Like any city, York included, don't leave your wallet hanging out of your pocket. I feel sorry for the your mum and DP missing out on such a great visit.