Ideas for a solo day out in London

[wheresmyledmask]

I've got an upcoming day in London to spend entirely on my own. It's been ages since I've spent any free time in London (usually I'm there for a meeting or some where very specific and then head home straight after).

Can anyone suggest a few nice things I can do on my own? Preferably not too expensive.

The weather is looking like it'll be hot like it is today.

On my list so far:

• Tate Britain
• V&A museum
• Browse Liberty's
• Browse Fortnum & Mason and then wander down to Green Park
• Last min tickets to a matinee show (doesn't look like much is on)
• Borough Market

I don't mind taking the tube to a few different areas, but would rather not be shoulder to shoulder at really touristy spots for the whole day. I'd really like a relaxing day on my own, so sitting in a cute little coffee shop or lunch spot and reading a book would be good too. I'm just not sure where.

Definitely check out the AID's quilt at the Tate. Highgate Cemetery guided tour. Theatre matinee. Afternoon tea. Camden Market. Covent Garden. Soames museum. Sever's House.

Check out Time Out London for ideas.

I’d honestly swerve Borough Market if there’s even a hint of good weather - it will be rammed.

London isn’t relaxing in the heat. Half the Tube will be being dug up; everyone sweaty, or sneezing from hayfever. Just take your book to the lake at the Barbican!

National Gallery is always worth a visit. And a walk along the covid wall, before finding water, with a book . . .

Find a rooftop bar and grab a drink.
Thames cruise
Ice cream waffle wrap from Bubble Wrap in China Town
Salt Beef sandwich from Tongue and Brisket near Oxford street.
Sky Garden
Saint Martins in the Fields often have really good concerts/entertainment stuff going on in their crypt cafe.

Founders arms for views across the Thames (ridiculously popular though)

The last time I was in London I spent some quiet time at the Covid wall, discovered Hatchards and had a walk from Buckingham Palace through St. James's to Piccadilly.

If you want something a bit further out - V&A East Storehouse and the Olympic Park

I'd recommend choosing just one or two areas, rather than trying to dash around cramming loads in.

You could do National Gallery, Liberty, F&M, lunch or tea in the Wolsley and then take a slow walk from Green Park to Hyde Park, for example, making sure to find an ice cream on the way.

Or a mooch around Bloomsbury is always lovely.

Or the Wallace Collection and Marylebone.

Or go out to Richmond or Hampstead to get away from the crowds a bit.

Borough Market is hell imo. I'd stay well away.

If it's hot, then stick to the river. St Katharine Docks, Dickens Inn, mooch along the south side. Otherwise I love the old and new architecture of the City. Sky Gardens has brilliant views and is free. Although book in advance. Have a lovely day!

I love the display at the British library

last year we did a guided tour of the royal Albert hall. That was fantastic and only about £11

I’d love to visit East Storehouse. Is it free to get in? I think I read that but it seemed too good to be true.

Then I’d take a picnic to the park with a book.

Ditto, don't bother with Borough market it's busy and expensive.

Hunterian museum is really interesting
Sky garden is nice
Clipper or boat ride

(Sky garden needs booking 3 weeks in advance and hunterian recommend booking - both free!)

Look Up London walking tour

Your schedule is a bit knackering especially if the weather is half decent. The shorter itinerary recommended by @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie is much more manageable.

Plenty of good stuff on at the theatre right now. What suits and maybe people can recommend something? Eg have a wander in Shoreditch lanes, walk via Tower across Tower Bridge, lunch in the Ivy (or even better jump on a bike and one of the pre reserved resto’s in Borough) catch Midsummer Night’s Dream (great production) at the Bridge?

A boat trip wins - brilliant idea. Boat to Greenwich and then read your book in the park.

Thats what Id do @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie - you really don’t want to be anywhere concrete-y when it’s hot, or crowded and it’s busy now. Greenwich is lovely and open, have a look at what’s there and takes your fancy. I love the market and it’s got a Picturehouse I think.

Otherwise Tate Britain is a much calmer space than the National Gallery

Not a destination, but a suggestion. For the first time ever, in years of going to London, I caught a bus - what a revelation! The TfL app is brilliant and plans routes for you. It tells you which letter bus stop to get on at and the buses have boards inside telling you the stops. The TfL app lists the stops so you can look out for the stop before the one you need. It’s so interesting seeing the different areas - I wish I’d started using buses years ago! The travel cap includes bus travel.
Enjoy your day 😊

wheresmyledmask
thank you for this post and all who replied, it's just what I need. Some great ideas and I'll definitely give Borough Market a miss.

N.B The AIDS quilt at Tate Modern was only there for 5 days, now gone.

If you did v&a you could walk up to Harrods, threat yourself to some picnic food from the food hall and sit in the park.

I quite often walk from green park station through green park - grab a coffee/ice cream in at James’ park, wander up to fortnums’ then on to trafalgar sq. Check out something at the national/national portrait.

You could also add on berry bros or there’s a nice roof top bar on top of trafalgar st James hotel if it’s your thing.

Easy then from Charing Cross to borough market - I actually don’t think it’s that bad on a week day not in school holidays.

I really want to visit both of these.

Try Coal Drops Yard up behind Kings Cross and by Regents Canal. Lots of cafes and restaurants and food markets and lovely shops including vintage. Great people watching opportunities too! It’s pretty chill with a pop up art gallery.

Bermondsey Fashion Museum, Design Museum, Hornimans, Guildhall, National Portrait Gallery, British Library and Coal Drops, City of London walk - maps free on line