Where to spend an evening alone in London.

[qwertyasdfgzxcv]

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.

If you're not comfortable using an Oyster then just use your bank card and swipe on and off the tube (or bus) with it!

I think the St Martins crypt cafe closes quite early. I’ve tried to go before and been too late.

Trip was a success so I shall be repeating but won't have an appointment so can explore at leisure!

The Hoxton Hotel in Holborn has a lovely lobby/bar/chill area. When I last went to London we stayed here and visited Coventry garden. Can't remember if we got a black cab or walked it was a while ago but it's not far away

Missed that it was for today 🙈

Forgive me but, your post reads as though you are scared of London! Maybe go and explore rather than reading a book in a lobby? Find a lovely restaurant, have a large glass of wine and a 2 course meal? Then find a nice hotel bar and read your book with a 2nd glass or a hot chocolate if you really want to stay in doors.

Glad to hear it @qwertyasdfgzxcv . How did you spend your time in the end?

Wellcome Collection which has a nice cafe, British Library. Many of the museums have “lates” to see an exhibit.

I went to the National portrait gallery for some supper and had a look around as I've never been there. Amazing to see famous paintings up close and I just love the atmosphere of galleries and museums. Then there wasn't much so I browsed water stones and then went in a few shops in the Victoria shopping centre. I only really had a few hours in the end. Having advice helped me feel more confident through. I'm used to having multiple children with me probably hence why I was nervous but on my own was easy.

Really glad you enjoyed the visit, sounds good!

Sounds lovely. Come back soon!

What a fantastic time you had! Hope you come back and enjoy yourself again!

Glad you had a good time. Don't worry there are thousands of women alone in London doing lots of different activities. Don't be scared next time, enjoy the freedom to explore if you're alone! There's so much to do! I worked in central London for 25 years and still haven't seen half of what I wanted to.

So pleased you had a good time OP!

I would buy a book from WHSmith, go to Market Hall (opposite Victoria station) and order myself a large glass of wine.

I don’t know if it’s helpful, but Victoria train station is a straightforward short walk from the coach station, and it was loads of safe feeling places to kill time. There is a Wetherspoons with upstairs seating, and there is a food court upstairs with lots of seating a few little shops (new look, m&s food etc) as well as a McDonald’s, kfc, subway, tortilla etc

I would choose to go to Covent Garden or shops on Oxford street, but if you want to feel safe and close to the coach station to kill time I would definitely recommend the train station.

*edited as I didn’t see the update that you’d already been op! Apologies- I’m very sleep deprived 🥴😂