Solo London trip

[Shallysally]

I’d booked a hotel for trip with DD, she is not now able to come along. I’m in two minds what to do, cancel the hotel or alter the hotel to a more central one and have a couple of days in London on my own.

I’d book a ticket for the new Temptations show, probably see a friend, maybe go to the V and A museum.

I struggle to even take myself for a coffee, so not really sure about the eating out side of things!

Also, I don’t really want to go on the train, how horrendous is driving in central London please?

Driving in Central London: no. Unless just to drive in to a hotel with parking and then leave the car there. It isn’t practical to drive around London for the things you want to do. And for many central places you will need to pay Congestion Charge on any day you use the car, and ULEZ charge if your car is diesel or old.

Eating is easy. Loads of places like Pret where people in their own is normal. Or buying food from stalls at Borough Market, or the S Bank at the weekend, or get a meal deal and sit on a bench in a park or overlooking the river.

So many museums, interesting cultural / historical / fun things to do on your own. River boat trip? Perfectly normal to go to the theatre on your own here.

London is a great place to be on your own. Agree not to drive though, where’s your hotel? Could you drive to a station on the outskirts and leave the car there to save on costs, driving and parking in London is v expensive, especially if you need overnight parking

We drive to London and then park the car in a secure long stay car park for the duration. I love being in London by myself but I have no issue with eating out or attending things solo.

Yes we park by Hyde park sometimes. Various underground car parks.

If you’re really self conscious then just deliveroo some food. Take away in a hotel room is so decadent 😄😍

So envious, enjoy!

NCP Car Parks, for example, are about £45 per day.

When we don't want to get the train all the way, I normally drive to an airport (Luton or Stansted) and park the car there.

God don’t cancel it. A couple of nights in London is lovely.

You can drive in (the traffic is slow) park up at the hotel / nearest NCP and then Uber it after that.

Why do you struggle to take yourself for coffee? Anyway, no one is going to give a woman eating alone a second glance, so book that fancy restaurant.

@continentallentil I’m used to always having someone to chat with I guess.
I haven’t been away on my own for 20+ years, I’ll probably be fine when I get there!

Thanks for the driving/parking advice. Think I’m going to change my hotel, the one I have booked is near Wembley as was planning to drive and get the tube, but wouldn’t really be comfortable with this on my own.

@MyFaceIsAnAONB, takeaway in the room is a good option for one of the nights! Or even room service!

I feel like I’m going to do this, thanks ladies 😊

I love walking round London on my own - it’s one of the best places for a solo traveller. I really wouldn’t worry about the Tube alone either. Most people are on their own on the Tube in my experience! But there are also frequent buses all over the city which are extremely easy to navigate now with apps like Citymapper and Google maps. The buses even tell you what stop they’re at.

I’m not a fan of restaurants alone but there’s plenty of street food places where you could grab food and eat while people watching, or I find a museum cafe a nice unthreatening place to eat alone. Places like Pret with a few tables are also easy eat-alone venues as lots of people are doing the same thing.

Agreed, the buses are great for starting to get a sense of what is actually where in London, as the Tube map bears little resemblance to what's going on at street level. That said, my faves are the Elizabeth Line and Thameslink (and I'm fond of a Thames Clipper if I can find a reason to use one).

What things do you like doing OP?

places I go to in London on my own that you might enjoy

Textile Museum ( Bermondsey)

Chelsea Physic Garden

Garden Museum

Marylebone High Street for shopping/ lunch/ best bookshop in the world

Santa Maria Novella pharmacy , conveniently just down the road from Fortnums for their perfume department and hand made chocolates

Libertys

Foundling Museum ( lookout for the only Tracy Emin sculpture on public view)

John Soane Museum , I always offer up a little prayer to Mrs Sir John S who must have had the patience of a saint “ that’s another nice artefact dear, where shall we put it?”

Postmans Park

Greenwich Observatory

Natural History Museum ( though half term is looming)

Neale Street Cheese Shop

St James Square garden (off Pall Mall)

But check rail strike dates!

OP, the tube is really safe.

But if you can book a more central hotel you will be able to make better use if your time, probably.

@AtomicBlondeRose thanks, good shout for the street food option!

@tribpot I could give the buses a go. I find the tube easier because it’s what I know guess.

@viques, thank you, some lovely suggestions.
Will see what the weather is like and book the Chelsea Physic garden.

@EggInANest I guess I’m worried about using the tube later on an evening, but can get an Uber back if I’m more central.

If you do go to the Chelsea Physic don’t eat there as their current cafe is not as good as it once was. I eat at the Army Museum cafe just along the road , you pass it if you are walking from Sloane Square, very good food, reasonably priced, clean. And they often have interesting exhibitions that you wouldn’t expect.

Just popping back in here to say thank you ladies for encouraging me to go and for all of the advice!

Just home from 3 nights and I really loved it! Driving was fine, I pre booked a parking space for £45 for the 3 nights and just got an Uber to the hotel.

Had a great time, will definitely do it again! Thanks again all 😊

Awesome @Shallysally - what did you do in the end?

Did you use the tube? It's easy right?

@tribpot I went to see Ain’t too Proud, what an amazing show!
Went to the Victoria and Albert museum, spent hours in there. Then walked to Hyde Park and sat for a while and walked a lot!

Yesterday went to Oxford Street, did some shopping, then did another show in the evening.

There’s a summer sale on at the mo for theatre tickets, I got a stalls seat for £25.

Eating was fine, had a meal deal picnic one evening in my room 😂

@ThatFraggle yes it’s so easy! I used google maps and it tells you which station, platform, everything! And it was fine at night so that was really good.

Sounds fantastic - well done you!

I am very tempted to do this myself one weekend my son is with his dad, it sounds heavenly!

@tribpot ah thank you! Can’t wait to go again!

@AuntMarch do it! I had the odd moment when I felt a bit self conscious but it soon passed.