Where to spend an evening alone in London.

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Tomorrow I have an appointment in London which is done by 4.30pm but my return coach from Victoria isn't until 8.45pmish.

What can I do until then to stay safe? I will be on my own. Maybe someone can suggest a hotel lobby that I can sit and read a book in.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks I was going to check out my best tube journey from the portrait gallery to Victoria

Can I use oyster on that? Thank you sounds a better way to travel than tube

Such a good suggestion but just a little tight for the coach

No 24 bus from across the road

@Bramshott perfect I will try a walk in

Also thank you to EVERYONE! I know for most a day in London is normal but it's different for me and I like to have an idea about what I'm doing. Some awesome ideas for another time too.

Walk to Embankment (left at Trafalgar Square, past St Martins in the Fields, cross the Strand then down the side road to the left of Charing Cross - Villiers Street) and then it's a short journey on the Circle or District. You could have a cup or tea or glass of wine in the Crypt cafe in St Martin's on the way if more time to kill.

Gosh. As I saw your message I was wondering what might be a fun or pleasurable way to past the time, and was ready to suggest a nice walk and restaurant,
and then you say you want a way to stay safe, and frankly I can’t be arsed to share the cool and the cultural with someone who thinks London isn’t a safe place to spend an afternoon.

I would probably walk along the Mall to Victoria from Trafalgar Square.

You had an encounter with a pickpocket last time because you were in the vicinity of a mildly scuzzy coach station, not because you were in London!

You can just use a debit card on buses, tube and overground.

Access the coach station via the train station and you will feel safer. It's well lit and lots of shops will be open. You want the escalators by Lush.

Yes walk from portrait gallery to embankment tube station and it’s a very quick tube ride. Far easier than a bus. Just tap your card or phone to get through barrier easy!

Cinema, coffee, shopping. What would you do to ‘stay safe’ in your home town?

I usually just use a debit card to tap on buses, but I think Oyster works too (you tap on, but don't tap off). Tube is very simple, but I always like the bus if you have time because you can see the sights on the way.

The royal opera house is always open until 10 every night, or later if it’s a performance day, if you need somewhere to sit for a while (and the toilets are lovely too!).

Just wanted to flag up that there are a lot of problems with the Piccadilly line at the moment so I'd recommend getting to and from covent garden on the district and circle lines (you can walk from CHaring cross quite easily)

one stop from victoria on the district line to Sloane square so you could do John Lewis or a bit of window shopping.

But you could be arsed to write a snarky post - good one.

Fair enough - I think it would finish about 2010, so depending on the exact coach departure time and how fast you walk/luggage it could be a bit tight.

Whatever you do, hope you enjoy your visit, loads of good ideas on this thread.

You don't need to book the National Gallery in advance, they just offer that as an option. I'd be amazed if you couldn't get in on a Friday in January - ie very much off peak in terms of London tourists.

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/plan-your-visit/general-admission

In terms of which tube to use - just put in your journey into Google maps and it will tell you all forms of transport and what is the fastest. If you'd prefer not to take a bus, then you can select preferred transport types and it will just show you the tube, for example.

No need to take a black cab - buses, walking and the tube are absolutely fine in central London.

If you already have Oyster, you can use that on all buses (just tap in, no need to tap out) and the whole tube (tap in and out).

I'd definitely also go out for a meal - you can pick any cuisine you like and you'll find an option near Covent Garden. There are absolutely masses of restaurants within a 10 min walk. You're also very close to Chinatown if you fancy chinese. Again, just looking on Google maps and searching "restaurants" works pretty well.

Also a vote for Brasserie Zedel if you like French! Very fancy interior but very affordable prices. Gets very busy but also fairly quick turnover of tables.

Ooo there's an amazing restaurant on the too floor of the portrait gallery op;

https://theportraitrestaurant.com/menu/?gl=11hirw0a0aupMQ...gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAst67BhCEARIsAKKdWOmkUZ0iWWwi6vvqqHfEmBHNYwo1-ZPLg2NyLQThVOo3aUwmzfGZNfUaAmRNEALwwcB&gbraid=0AAAAA-KBnUbmDdRlrZfx4s7GGiznAc-Ae

Some great shouts above.

Foyles Book shop in Charing Cross Road then a wander via Covent Garden to St Martin in the Fields Crypt for something to eat.

Safety is a no more an issue than anywhere else. Just kept your handbag across your chest.

Enjoy!!

Yes Zedel would be a good shout. Close to Piccadilly Circus tube, and good for people watching.

I fancy a trip to Frameless, an immersive art exhibition as a friend's photos look great. I would then go to Marylebone and have a quick browse at Daunt Books and then grab some food there