To go for night walks in London?

[ThisFluentBiscuit]

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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!!

I was much more scared after what happened to poor Sarah Everard, but I guess there weren't actually many people around since it was lockdown. (I think.)

@ThisFluentBiscuit I don't consider this a night walk. Many people will be coming back from work at that time. Or coming back from social stuff at that time. it will be absolutely fine.

If you don't normally go out at that time, then you might be surprised how busy it is. I didn't live in Vauxhall when I was in London, but even my far out area was pretty busy if I went for a wander at midnight.

edit - yes it was lockdown but Sarah was targeted by a police officer. My area was absolutely crawling with the police in lockdown and they had megaphones in the park telling us all that we were only allowed to be there for exercise and we had to go home.

So I took to going out around one or 2 am and I saw a few sole joggers who presumably were as pissed off with the daytime situation. (I was suicidal so I was pretty much past caring about safety)

I went for long walks every night when I lived in S London. Made me so happy. I didn't go down alleys or anything. I found that running drew more attention from sleazy men than walking or the gym.

I'm thinking of 3.5 miles from Vauxhall to Paddington (and then probably getting the Tube home, as I'm not that fit, but maybe doing it there and back in the future.) Leaving home at about 8.45 - 9pm.

Wow, that's interesting re. running.

Based on experience, I've had more unpleasant incidents on the tube at that time. I absolutely hate the tube though. do you carry an alarm? Public transport is actually the most useful place for that.

I'm really sorry that your colleague was threatened with a knife. Unfortunately, this has happened to people I know in the rush-hour at busy stations. I'm very aware that London is in a really grim phase at the moment. But honestly, I don't think time of day makes a difference.

I don't know what your route would be like really after you cross the river I suppose you've got lots of options. But take the precautions you take in London any time and enjoy. I always used to try and get a bus home rather than tube because I guess buses feel a bit more open and visible. Most of the incidents have been lone men saying unpleasant things though. I know some women don't find that intimidating, but I do. If you walk fast and with purpose that will help.

sorry if my posts seem disjointed. MN have screwed up my view so I am set to endless scroll. And can't really do anything properly. And they don't seem to want to help out so I do apologise if I've missed anything.

From Vauxhall your 2-3 miles would likely take you through some pretty busy places at that time of night so I'd say fine. Vary the route, enjoy different bits of London.

Yes there's a risk of crime but that's a risk in daylight too, and on public transport etc.

Any chance you could find a companion(s) to join you? That might assuage your worries even if it wasn't every night.

Also agree that running likely to draw more attention than walking as for all anyone knows you're just walking from (eg) Vauxhall to parliament and about to meet friends. Whereas with running it's clear you're out for a bit and likely on own for a while. Or at least that's how I'd see it though obviously I'm not someone thinking about attacking women so perhaps thats not the right way of assessing the risk.

I grew up in the Elephant and Castle from aged 10 till I moved aged 38 and I didn’t just go wandering, I had the common sense to know where not to go and I even went there a few times but I had a mate who lived in the Elephant and you had to go through the Labryinth of tunnels which was underneath the Elephant and I never got in trouble, I used to drink in all black pubs in Brixton when I lived there and do the walk of shame back home along Railton Rd which was considered the front line at the time. I left over 10 years ago and I know it’s got worse cause I stop with family a few times a year but use your commen sense, we’re not living in Jack the Ripper times it’s worse , so be careful.

I love zone 1 walks at night. I love seeing all the buildings

I do it. I live in Bermondsey and I go
for a walk along the river.

Of course at that time. Why not?! I thought you meant at 4am.

I live in a poor area of London but have often come home alone late and never had a problem nor do I know anyone who has. More likely to have issues around areas with bars etc where a lot of drunk idiots are.

I do it all the time as it helps me sleep and I like walking as I like to process the day.

I do a loop through Well street common E9 which is a bit quiet, but so far so good.

I go for night walks all the time in the warmer weather.

I mean this not sarcastically, but with empathy, because I suffer from it as well - being a woman is not a prison. Anxiety is a prison.

It isn’t a prison. The prison is of your own making. Go out.