Things To Do Alone in London: 21 Activities To Try on Your Own
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Clueless about what are the best things to do alone in London? Well, you’ll find many fun solo activities to try in this guide. From visiting secret graffiti street tunnels and vintage cinemas to exploring the best food markets, there are plenty of epic things to do in London by yourself!
Looking for things to do alone in London? London is an exciting place to visit and explore in the company of friends and loved ones, but it is equally wonderful for solo travel.
Whether you’re a lover of good cuisines, cultural diversity, history, picturesque locations, or you simply want to explore the city you live in, London has lots in store for you.
Even if you won’t be making the trip with a travel buddy, a great outing alone is guaranteed. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best things to do alone London has to offer.
Tip: If it’s your first time visiting the Big Smoke, then read my London travel tips guide.
Solo Things To Do in London: Items You’ll Need While Exploring
- A camera to capture the spots you’ll be visiting around London; all my photos are taken with my Fujifilm X-T 4.
- A GoPro HERO 9 for cinematic videos of your travels.
- A power bank to keep your devices juiced up; I use this one to charge my phone, GoPro, and cameras while travelling.
- A backpack to carry your snacks and a bottle of water.
- A stylish pair of walking shoes to explore in comfort.
Best Things To Do in London Alone
If you’re wondering how to spend a day by yourself, here are some of the best things to do in London on your own.
Visit Columbia Road Flower Market
There’s nowhere as unique and atmospheric to go shopping for flowers, house plants, and seeds as Columbia Road Flower Market.
It has been in the East End of London since the 19th century and is a Sunday-only market in London.
The sight of hundreds of flower varieties, the scent of lavender, mint, or jasmine as you stroll past the gauntlet of blossoms — nothing feels as great.
Its unique vibe is aided by the distinctive shouts of stallholders and the buskers playing music at different ends of the narrow street leading to the flower market, creating an upbeat, cheerful feeling all around.
READ MORE | BEST DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON
Visiting the Columbia Road Flower Market is one of the many delightful things to do in London by yourself on a Sunday. It is open from 8:00 to about 15:00. If you want to know more about it, check out my guide on the Columbia Road Flower Market.
Catch a Lecture at the School of Life
I love the School of Life in London. I’ve been to a few of their classes and can honestly say that they will stimulate and expand your mind and thought process.
The venue hosts different speakers who discuss a variety of subjects, including culture, work, modern dating, relationships, stress, and so much more.
The lectures and creative workshops here are sure to cultivate and increase your emotional intelligence.
Their youtube channel is also great to watch, and their animated videos exploring Eastern and Western philosophy will not only teach you new things but also help guide you on how you can see things differently.
Visiting the School of Life won’t make you feel alone in London as the staff there is so lovely, and you’ll be too engrossed in what you are learning to even worry about being by yourself.
READ MORE | SOLO TRAVEL IN LONDON
Fun Things To Do by Yourself in London: Self-Guided Walking Tours
If you have wondered what to do in London alone, then look no further than a self-guided walking tour. It’s one of the best ways to see several landmarks and must-visit sites when exploring London alone.
There are plenty of exciting things to see, and if you only have 24 hours in London, a walking tour is a great way to make the most of your time.
You can go for a wander along the River Thames. Here you’ll have a chance to admire famous London attractions such as the Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower as well as catch a glimpse of the iconic dome of St Paul’s Cathedral.
You can wander around Notting Hill and admire the rainbow-coloured houses and filming locations of British rom coms. And there are plenty more fun activities in Notting Hill to try.
If you are a die-hard shopaholic, then wander along Carnaby Street, Covent Garden, and down Bond Street, Regent Street, and Oxford Street. There are so many things to see, making a walking tour one of the best solo activities London has to offer.
Take a Walking Tour of the City of London
You do not need a travel buddy to enjoy a walking tour, as you could quickly get plenty of them on an exciting walking tour of the City of London.
When you book a spot on a London walking tour, you’ll not only explore London in all of its glory, but you’ll also have an expert guide and can interact with others.
But there’s no need to make friends. A guided walking tour is great if you have a day in London and want to make the most of it. As these tours usually take around 3 – 4 hours.
Check here for ticket prices to one of the best walking tours in London.
So, if you’re wondering what to do in London by yourself, why not take a walking tour and admire the stunning surroundings.
READ MORE | 5 DAYS IN LONDON ITINERARY
Take a London Street Art Tour
London’s rich cultural history is much more than just the galleries and theatres that celebrate its treasures. Street art is one of the most unique offerings in the city as it offers visitors an opportunity to connect with the city’s creative heartbeat and the great minds of the locals.
So, if you are ever wondering what to do alone in London? Then book one of the amazing street art tours in London.
Admiring the street art in Shoreditch or Camden street on tour is one of the most delightful activities.
I have done two street art tours in London and loved them both. I learnt so much about street art in East London and even got to find about street art that was in plain sight.
Tip: If you’re looking for more fun adventures in the East End, check out my guide on the best activities in East London.
I mean stuff I walked past daily (my gym is in Shoreditch, so I practically live in the area). Seriously, guys, there was valuable street art on poles in Shoreditch that I didn’t even know existed until I did a street art tour.
Whether you’re budget conscious or you’re a lover of unique photography, exploring London’s street art is a great way to learn more and connect with the city’s history.
Check here for ticket prices to some of the best street art tours in London.
READ MORE | NON-TOURISTY THINGS TO DO IN LONDON
Visit London Museums and Galleries
If you’re a history buff or art lover wondering what to do by yourself in London, take a trip to one of the remarkable museums or galleries in the area.
Create your own London museum bucket list for exhibitions you want to see. So you can plan a strategic route that takes you through some of the world’s most stunning museums in London, including the V&A (for fashion lovers), British Museum (for architecture lovers), and Natural History Museum (for budding zoologists) and Tate Britain.
Even if you’re not a Museum person, the beautiful architecture and artefacts held in these prestigious institutions will definitely appeal to you.
The museums are a great place to wander around if you ever visit London alone.
Going Out Alone in London | Catch a Movie at the Cinema
A trip to the cinema is one of my favourite things to do solo in London.
With interesting services and the unique designs of some of the cinemas, going to the cinema in London is an indulgent experience you’ll be dying to do on your own.
You can take a trip to the luxurious 100-year-old Electric Cinema in Shoreditch. Or visit Somerset House for their Film4 Summer Screen series for the ultimate cinematic experience under the starry skies.
Other amazing cinema venues and open-air cinemas include Shoreditch’s Queen of Hoxton, the Bussey Building Peckham, Backyard Cinema in Camden, and the retro-style Prince Charles Cinema.
Take in a Matinee Show at the Theatre
A matinee is an afternoon performance at the theatre, and they are typically available two or three times weekly.
Matinee tickets are also cheaper than usual theatre tickets and a great way of enjoying a play or music that you’ve been wanting to see without being distracted by your chatterbox friends.
I visit the Matinee alone when I am stressed and just want to give my mind a break, and I swear it’s one of the best things to do alone. You get a chance to escape from reality. So next time you’re thinking about what to do on your own in London during the day, try a matinee show.
If you’re aged between 16 and 25, you can often pick up theatre tickets at a discount.
Go on a Photo Walk in London
A travel buddy is great, but you won’t need one to admire the city’s incredible views.
Throughout the City of London, you’ll find lots of astonishing rooftop views which can be best enjoyed under the golden skies. If you’re a fan of history, visit the Monument to the Great Fire of London.
If you’re looking to give yourself a special treat, then head to the top of the Shard, which was once Europe’s tallest building, for incredible views. This is one of the most fun things to do alone in London.
If you want to learn some tips about capturing London from fellow Londoners (London Instagrammers and street photographers), then check out meetup.com or IGersLondon to see when they are holding their next London meet-up and photo walk.
Join a Saturday Morning Parkrun
The park run in London is a simple concept: turn up every Saturday morning at 9am in the UK’s parks and walk, jog or run 5km.
The idea behind this concept came to fruition in Bushy Park, London in 2004. It grew really fast and with 47 different Parkruns throughout London today.
There is no better way to kickstart your weekend than with a run.
READ MORE | THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING LONDON
Visit Daunt Books and Liberia
A book store is one of the places to go alone in London to get absorbed in a good book But don’t make it any old book shop, make it Daunt’s Books or Liberia.
You will find many amazing bookstores in London that would definitely sweep you away with the pages of their books. Daunt Books and Liberia are among the top two bookstores in the city to visit.
Though Daunt Books has stores in many locations across London, the shop at Marylebone is particularly impressive as it boasts an extensive collection of travel-related publications and has an Instagrammable staircase leading to the second floor.
Located in Spitalfields, Liberia is another massively impressive bookstore that deserves a place in your bucket list of must-visits in London.
The bookstore is home to books of all types with plenty of seating areas which allows visitors to blend reading with healthy conversations if they choose. Liberia also has a section dedicated to “enchantment for the disenchanted”.
So, if you feel let down in any way, you can rest assured you’ve found the right place.
READ MORE | 30 TOP THINGS TO DO IN LONDON
Visit Famous Streets in London
Visiting many of the iconic streets in London is one of the coolest things to do in London solo.
London is rife with lots of historic streets where iconic events have taken place. While some are known for political reasons, others are famous shopping destinations.
These streets are steeped in history and remain relevant even today. Some of the streets that will take you down the history lane include Downing Street, Abbey Road, Oxford Street, Brick Lane, Carnaby Street, Bond Street, Portobello Road, and Piccadilly.
Whether you’d like to treat yourself to some luxury or you could do with some relaxing and calming session, London’s famous streets are worth exploring.
Tip: For more popular roads to visit, read my guide about the most famous streets in London.
Visit London Mews
London has a small number of village-like secret alleyways, tiny streets, and cobbled passages carefully hidden in plain sight.
These hidden locations are known as London mews. Tucked away and unique, these mews are some of London’s prettiest streets, so you won’t want to pass up a chance to check them out on a solo trip to the capital.
Some of the city’s best mews include Kynance Mews, Bathurst Mews, and Holland Park Mews.
Once a place for stabling horses, London Mews properties have now been converted into highly coveted, multi-million-dollar homes as they are well steeped in history and provide a quiet atmosphere, away from London’s typical busy atmosphere.
Tip: Read my guide on the best mews streets in London.
Wandering around the beautiful London mews is one of the many fun things to do in London alone.
You can stop and take as many photos as you like of the mews streets and visit as many of them as you like without someone asking you if you are done or can you go somewhere else.
READ MORE | THINGS TO DO IN SHOREDITCH
Visit Portobello Road
Portobello Road is located in the heart of the chic Notting Hill and is known for its unique vintage offerings and collectables as it is home to the largest antique market in London.
Though Portobello Road is great for a wander at any time of the day, Saturdays are the busiest. Portobello Road is one of those great places to visit alone in London.
Visit the South Bank
If you’re ever wondering where to go alone in London? Look no further than the South Bank.
The south side of the Thames is buzzing with activity and has loads of amazing things to do in London.
The top attractions here include the Southbank Centre, the SEA LIFE London, The London Dungeon, and the Coca-Cola London Eye. The South Bank is one of the best places to go by yourself, and it has a fantastic range of dining venues, arts, and entertainment.
Tour the Best Markets in London
London has some of the best markets and specifically some of the best food markets in the world. Only a few cities around the world can rival London’s unique cuisine scene.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, homemade treats or delicious cakes and sweets, a solo trip to some of the best food markets in London should be top of your list of things to do on your own in London.
Though the city has many well-known food markets, Borough Market is the most famous, thanks to its over 1,000 years of rich history.
Other places to go on your own include the Brick Lane Market (a Sunday market in London), Greenwich Market and South Bank Food Market (one of the best street food markets in London).
Turning up to any of these markets with an empty stomach is always a great idea, as you’d definitely go home happy, satisfied and fulfilled!
Spending the day roaming through a market is one of the coolest solo London activities.
Take a Food Tour
Still wondering what to do in London on your own? Take a food tour!
What better way to discover London and all of its glory than to eat your way through it? You’ll be introduced to the city’s tucked away spots and unique attractions and hear tales of its rich heritage, sampling its local specialities along the way.
This is a great way to explore new places you never knew existed.
Taking a food tour is one of the most fun solo activities in London. I’ve done a few food tours on my own in other countries and to this day, they are some of my best travel memories.
Check here for ticket prices to some of the best food tours in London.
See the Best Views of London
Want to really appreciate London’s panoramic views and unique skyline? Well, you do not need to shell out big bucks to do that, making it an affordable and often free solo London activity.
Get your camera ready; from outdoor viewpoints to scenic observation spots, many spots will help you appreciate the UK capital.
Greenwich Park (climb to the top of the hill in Greenwich Park), for instance, is a lovely spot with stunning city views, especially enjoyed in warmer months. For a unique view of London, head to North Greenwich and take a ride on the Emirates Cable Car for around £5 (one-way) or £10 (round trip) for adults.
Here you’ll be able to see the reflections of the O2, the awe-inspiring lights of Canary Wharf, along with the Shard, St Paul’s, and the Sky Garden. Riding the Emirates Cable car is an amazing thing to do in London alone.
London Eye, Parliament Hill, and Duck and Waffle are also among the variety of options available to you.
READ MORE | LONDON DAY TRIPS BY TRAIN
Take a Cruise Along the Thames to Greenwich
Baffled by what to do in London today alone? Take a cruise along the Thames to Greenwich. It’s something you can do in London no matter the weather or season.
A cruise along the Thames gives you a whole new perspective on the city of London.
Taking a cruise along the Thames to Greenwich gives you the best vantage point of this unique river and some of the historical and top sights in London.
You’ll see past spectacular sights, including loads of scientific discovery, naval innovation, and the regular life in London experienced by its residents throughout the ages.
Cruising along the Thames River to Greenwich or racing down the Thames on a speed boat are just a few of the entertaining activities to do in London, especially on a lovely summer’s day.
Check ticket prices here for Westminster to Greenwich cruise, speed boat tours through the city of London and a sparkling sunset cruise on the Thames or London Eye river cruise on the Thames.
Visit Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel
Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel (also known as Graffiti Tunnel) is one of London’s dopest street art locations after Banksy hosted the Cans Festival in 2008.
Tucked away underneath Waterloo station, this 300-metre tunnel has been London’s largest graffiti tunnel and street art scenery since then.
The sheer number of free-for-all pieces offers excellent viewing for anyone that wants to see some of the most unique artworks. This is one of the coolest places to go to in London by yourself.
Take a Day Trip From London
London remains one of the world’s most diverse cultural hubs and has loads of amazing things to do. However, you could rightly want a change of environment, and the surrounding coast, villages, and cities in the UK are the ideal remedy.
A visit to Stonehenge, for instance, allows you to explore its gorgeous English scenery and prehistoric Monument.
Windsor is about an hour’s travel journey from London. It boasts the title of the oldest and largest occupied castle on earth, is an emblem in British history, and the spectacular getaway residence of the Royal Family.
Oxford is known for its fairytale-like towers, spires, and many Harry Potter filming locations.
Bath is famous for perfectly preserved Roman baths, and Brighton is best known for its charm and unique attractions.
A solo trip to London doesn’t have to be spent only in London after all!
A Footnote on Things To Do in London on Your Own
In London, things to do alone are plentiful, so all you need to do is pick your favourites and add them to your solo itinerary. From marvelling at street art to thrilling cruises across the River Thames, there is a variety of fun activities to try.
Whether you’re looking for scenic adventures or solo date ideas, London has something for everyone. And if you’re looking for more exciting experiences, check out these free activities in London for a budget-friendly adventure.
Now you know what to do in London alone!
If you liked this guide and want real-time London/UK travel information, make sure you follow me on Instagram @huesofdelahaye and subscribe to my Youtube channel for weekly travel videos.
