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

I have family in the Midlands who hate public transport and worry about London crime. They hate coming down.

I live and work in London. In 25 years, I work on the Tube, so I've seen all sorts, but generally it's safe. CCTV is everywhere. People can be aloof but will talk if you find a common theme. Generally if a woman is being hassled, others will step in. Terrorism is a concern but there are plenty of police around at the moment so if you see anything dodgy get them to check it out.

Just a few tips. Look like you know where you are going. Plan your journey. Put everything in a bag with a zip. Don't use EarPods whilst travelling around. Stay in well-lit areas. And if you're lost, just ask in a shop or tube station, someone will know the answer.

Your DM and DP are hysterical and spouting nonsense OP, it's just ridiculous.

I'd not be overly impressed if my DP (or mum tbh) were trying to put me off some very inane and common travel plans on any basis that men might 'sense' I am alone and cart me off. It just all seems a bit sexist and pathetic in that respect.

I'll be going to London alone, and overnight for some hospital appointments this week, as I often do and did also often leave the house when I lived there without the protection of a bodyguard/my DP and it was unsurprisingly, a total non event. I imagine in this instance there will be more police presence than there usually is and there is usually plenty.

I wouldn't even entertain long phone calls on this from my mum, and would worry about her mindset if anything. Just go and stay as long as you like OP. London is brilliant in the evening and there will be tons of people around at all hours in those areas.

Yes, it’s perfectly safe. London is a great city. Everything in the media is magnified as negative. It will be busy, but it’s perfectly safe.

I'm sorry to be rude but do your partner and mum not get out much?! I mean, really! I've been travelling to London on my own since I was about 14. Never thought anything of it.

For God’s sake. Millions of people, including single women, live in London and go about their business perfectly happily every day without being mugged, raped or blown up.

My only reservation is your expectation that you'll breeze into the lying in state and leave at a stated time. For the Queen Mother they were miles long and it'll be worse for HM.

Prepare yourself though - they have electricity, gas and running water in that London - that could take some getting used to as you're coming down from the godforsaken north 😐

Oh no, you know that you don't have to sit through hours of lectures on any subject, if you don't want to?

I think your main issue to think about is the potential queuing time. I heard a story on the radio saying the queue to the Queen Mother was over 12hrs long at one point and expected to be more people turning out this time. So might be sensible to get an open return train ticket or book a hotel.

This has to be bullshit. There are crowds, muggers and men in York.

Of course it's fine. All those things you've mentioned happen in all cities.

My friend lives in Bath and has been mugged twice there.

Your only issue will be that you don't stand a cats chance in hell of arriving in on the first train and making it round the coffin in time to be on the 8pm train that day!

This is a joke thread, right? 😂. I live in Yorkshire and work in London, so go down by myself every three weeks or so for a few days. Never had an issue. It’s a city. Not the Wild West 🤣🤣🤣

Jeez grow up

Have you ever left your house??

Of course there aren't! Everyone knows York is the only British city that is both crime free and entirely female. That's why they've kept the city walls, to keep men out.

OP in the nicest possible way your mum and partner are bonkers 🤣

I started going for nights out in London (eg gig in Camden with friends) getting the train back at midnight to my home town in a nearby county, when I was 15. And my mum was more protective than some of my friends' parents!

Mums gotta mum - some parents will worry (unnecessarily) forever. However, I'd be more concerned about your DP getting on board with the fuckwittery. You'll be absolutely fine.

Yes but do it during the day, I would not do it at night. X

Oh lord they are mental. It's fine OP but don't travel about alone in London at night. If you avoid that obvious mistake you'll have a great time (I wouldn't wander round York at night alone either, for the same reason).

Actually, to be fair, I think it’s mean of you all not to tell the OP about the dragons here in London and the fact she needs to bring three pieces of silver to pacify them or they will eat her.

For context, my 16 year old travelled from the South East to the peak district - on their own - navigated thru London en route

And did the same journey in reverse a few days later.

All good.

No issues.

It staggers me that some people outside of London have this view. Completely bonkers and I think shows what a small world they must live in.

Making us Londoners feel like the cast of Oliver reading that OP.