Where to in London for a solo trip?

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I've got the opportunity to go for a solo trip for 2-3 nights child and DH free and I'd like to go and have a mosey around London. I'm not massively familiar with it and have only been 6-7 times in my 42 years but I'd really enjoy some time to visit some historic places / palaces without anyone whinging at me!

Does anyone have any recommendations in terms of where to stay? Where to visit? Where to eat so I don't look odd being on my own?!

Budget isn't huge so can't stretch to Michelin starred restaurants or 5* hotels but would prefer something better than a Travelodge.

I'm not into loud, trendy, city type places so if there is anywhere that's quieter or quaint (if there is such a thing in the capital) then that would suit me nicely. Anything with a bit of history attached. I'm prepared to bob around on the underground so quite happy travelling about to visit places. I want to fit in as much as possible!

TIA

Lucky you, where are you travelling from and which station will you arrive at. What time of year and your total budget. There are loads of cheap or free things to do, it might be easier if you have special interests, art, history, music.

I live in London but if I was coming for a weekend then I think I would want to stay in Marylebone - very central but it’s also a residential area. Great transport links. Lots of places to eat.

Travelling from Manchester Piccadilly, in around April / May, budget between 500-750 midweek for everything hotel, food etc.

If you haven't got a big budget then accommodation is ££££

Until recently I needed accommodation in London every week, even Premier Inn is no longer cheap.

Your best options would be Travelodge (sorry) and travel in, or look at AirBnB. Shared occupancy if you are really wanting to cut down on budget. I quite like a Travelodge now

Having done a London holiday where everything we wanted to see was all over the place, I'd say this gets boring very quickly. If I did it again I'd pick a borough eg Kensington and Chelsea, and just see everything there.

If you want quieter or quaint then what about going to Greenwich for a few days?

You are looking at 100/150 a night for a premier inn in London these days, I have juts paid for 3 nights in July and the breakdown gives one of the nights as £236!!

Yes Greenwich would be nice, plenty to see, more suburban but easy to get in to central should you wish, and can go on boat on the river too. You will never turn a head in London eating alone. Unless it's 14th Feb maybe.

Budget won't include travel and could be stretched a bit above 750

Borough market is cool...wander around grab different street foods.

I also like Somerset House they always have something on.

Go to a show....a show or play YOU quite fancy for you.

£500-750 is tight for everything. For example Marylebone Premier Inn Hub is over £400 for 3 nights in April and is a room the size of a shoe box. DH nearly cried last week when we ate at a museum cafe and it was £7 for a bagel.

You'll need to think of what you are most prepared to compromise on - food?travel?accommodation?only picking free museums?

You can eat anywhere in London on your own without looking weird. If in doubt take a book with you.

How about an airbnb in Hampstead- can do Highgate Cemetery, Keats’ House etc on foot from there easily. Lots of nice places to eat nearby. Then get the northern line into town to see the sights.

Dennis Severs house is great if you like quirky history.

That is a very, very tight budget. You might have to look at somewhere like a Premier Inn, but stay a bit out of town. I stayed at the Hampstead one last year, and it was good VFM. Easy journey on the Northern Line from Euston to Belsize Park, then a 5 minute walk.
As you'll be using the dreaded Avanti, book ASAP to keep the price down and avoid travelling at the weekend, when they have loads of cancellations.

If you want a fabulous feelgood show, I recommend "Guys and Dolls" at The Bridge theatre (direct Tube from Belsize Park to London Bridge).

Wallace Collection is near to Marylebone. Many museums have a free permanent collection.

If you don't mind a bit of travel out of the centre of London, the oldest art gallery is Dulwich Picture Gallery, Hampton Court Palace is accessible by train, and you could go cold water swimming in Hampstead Ladies Pond.

I go for YHA youth hostels because they're clean and affordable. I'm way too old for dorms but they have private rooms now.

Dd and I like the Oxford Circus one because it's so central but if you want an en suite bathroom, you'll need a hotel instead.

I’ve stayed at the Earls Court Olympia premier inn a few times and it’s perfectly acceptable. I’ve done exactly what you’re planning a few times now OP and it’s wonderful! I went to Westminster Abbey and went to the gallery upstairs which was great. Also saw a film at the Prince Charles cinema off Leicester Square, they have a great programme of oldies. I also had a great massage at the Porchester Spa which was really affordable.

Have a look around Bankside, south of the river but close to Waterloo and Tate Modern, lots of new development alongside history. The river is always a good starting point for exploring and v easy to get into the west end. Hotels? There's a decent Premier Inn, a Citizen Q (which would suit a single person) and a fancy Hilton.

Wallace Collection is a good call.

Stay at Richmond Premier Inn, it feel lik a safe area large Sainsbury's nearby and lots of eateries, tends to be cheaper than more central London ones.

Day 1 get the bus from outside the hotel to Hampton Court Palace
Day 2 Walk across to Kew Gardens
Look whats on at Richmond Theatre it's lovely
Day 3 Go into London proper - Jump on the overground and head into London coming into Waterloo. You'll be near London Eye, Westminster Palace and Houses of Parliament in one direction or if you fancy some military history then Imperial War museum is in the other direction - go via the graffiti alleyway for street art. or walk/ tube to Tate Galleries and Tower of London

Thanks for all the recommendations, I know the budget is a bit tight and I'm working on DH considering this is my payback for dealing with the kids alone when he buggers off to Las Vegas with work for 5 days next month 🤣

My SIL stayed here when she was last up - https://www.noxhotels.co.uk/en/hotel-west-hampstead-in-west-hampstead/

It's in West Hampstead which is lovely (& safe) and really easy to get into central London on Jubilee line or on the bus. You can also easily go West on the overground and get to Kew Gardens or Richmond.

I'm liking this plan.

I like the idea of Richmond, Greenwich, Tower of London, Hampton Court etc. I'm going through a bit of a Tudor phase at the moment..........

I’d look at travel lodge we use them and always clean and functional

Kew Gardens is really lovely and has so much to do and see, you can easily spend a whole day there. Also, Hampton Court is good if you like a palace. There are quite a few nice things to look at and visit around Richmond and the local area is definitely quieter and quainter than most of London. Easy to get into London on either the train to Waterloo or the District line. If you go to Waterloo, you can have a lovely walk along the river on the South Bank with lots of interesting food stalls, bars and shops on the way, plus the BFI, Royal Festival Hall etc (lots of free or cheap events). You could then get a £5 standing ticket for the Globe or wander round Tate Modern for free. Short walk from Waterloo and the South Bank to Covent Garden and the West End including the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery (both free). The District line from Richmond takes you very easily to some of the well-known museums in South Kensington including the V&A which is really lovely (fantastic shop).

Greenwich is also a great idea and again has lots of things to look at within a small area.

In your shoes I'd look at an AirBnB rather than a hotel as out of school holidays you can often find a bargain.

I don't think you will be out of place eating alone anywhere within reason.

The Premier Inn in Hampstead is really lovely and well linked for the Northern Line. It's a quiet area and you can also walk to Camden in 30 mins.

I live quite near the Richmond Premier Inn. It is a very safe area.

Look at Hiltons- they are often as cheap as budget hotels

The Trafalgar (pricey)
Curio Westminster (safe quite area next to Tate Britain- get tube to Pimlico 15 mins from Euston- can walk to Covent Garden in less than 30 mins)
Hilton Bankside- near Tate Modern- nice hotel

Kimpton Fitzroy is quite nice- can walk to Chinatown and near museums etc