20 Things To Do Alone In London – London Solo Travel Guide

Travelling solo can always seem a bit daunting, but if your destination is London, then you have nothing to worry about! With its cosmopolitan atmosphere and huge variety of things to do, London is the perfect destination for solo travellers.

From museums to street markets, or from street art to comedy nights, there are plenty of fun things to do alone in London. Just because you’re by yourself, doesn’t mean it should be any less fun.

This guide is perfect also for Londoners looking for exciting things to do and places to go alone in London. Sometimes none of your friends will be available to visit that new exhibition with you, well, don’t let that stop you!

So without further ado, let’s dive in and discover all the most awesome things to do in London by yourself!

20 awesome things to do in London by yourself

Visit a museum

One of the best things to do in London by yourself is visiting one of the many museums in London. Whether you’re interested in natural science, ancient Greece artefacts or the history of London transport, there’s a museum for that.

Entrance to museums in London is usually free; you will only have to pay a ticket if you want to see the special exhibition that is on at the moment. If you’re visiting London in winter it can also be a fun activity to get out of the rain.

The first time I visited London I was 12, and I made my parents spend our two days in London in the Natural Science Museum. In hindsight, I’m surprised they let me.

One of the beauties of visiting a museum by yourself is that you don’t have to worry about others. You can take as much or as little time as you want, while leisurely exploring everything said museum has to offer.

Explore the vintage markets

The markets in London are simply incredible. From Portobello to Bricklane, you can find quirky markets selling all sorts of interesting things.

Street markets always have a lively and bustling atmosphere. So even if you’re alone, you definitely won’t feel lonely. You can wander around the stalls, examining the different items and maybe learning about them from the stall sellers.

Whether you’re searching for a vintage leather jacket, an antique clock or a hipster dress, there is definitely a market stall somewhere in London selling it.

Taste some delicious street food

One of my favourite things about London is how varied the food scene is. It goes from high end Michelin star meals to mouth watering street food stalls, and everything in between.

The street food markets especially are some of my favourite places to eat. Some of the most famous are Camden Market and Borough Market, where you can find stalls from every cuisine.

Especially if you’re travelling to London solo you can spend as much time as you want browsing the markets, tasting all the delicious food that tickles your fancy.

If you go to Camden make sure to visit the halloumi fries, it’s one of the best Camden eateries!

Go for a walk

This might seem like a bit of a basic one, but walking really is one of the best things to do in London solo. There are many beautiful walks in London, and I always say it’s also one of the best ways to get around the city.

I love putting on my headphones and wandering around the streets of London, taking in the beautiful architecture and cosmopolitan vibe. Some of my favourite walking routes are along Regent’s Canal and Notting Hill.

Especially if you’re visiting London in summer, it’s a fun activity that will allow you to see many different sides of this gorgeous city.

Ride the London Eye

The London Eye is probably one of the most iconic attractions in London, and one that you can easily visit by yourself. It offers one of the best views of the London skyline, high above Westminster and the Thames River.

It’s a very touristy activity, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. I only visited it on my fourth year of living in London, and I kept wondering why I hadn’t done so before!

The London Eye turns very slowly, giving you plenty of time to thoroughly enjoy the view from every angle. It’s considered one of the most Instagrammable places in London, and it’s easy to see why.

See London’s most iconic landmarks

As a Londoner I always suggest visiting some more unique hidden gems, but no London guide would be complete without a mention of London’s most famous landmarks. After all, there’s a reason they’re so famous.

Landmarks like the London Eye, Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral and Tower Bridge are famous all over the world, and receive countless numbers of visitors every day.

Many of those are solo adventurers just like yourself! So whether you choose to join a guided group tour or simply admire them from outside, make sure to visit all the most important attractions in London!

Check out the street art in Shoreditch

London is full of incredible street art, but Shoreditch especially is home to some incredible pieces. This hipster London neighbourhood is famous for its trendy bars, quirky eateries and tasty brunch spots, as well as its iconic street art.

You can find many organised tours, but by following my post you can easily do your own self-guided Shoreditch street art tour. This will take you to all the most famous graffiti and street art in Shoreditch.

The street art in Shoreditch is bold, colourful and often conveys deeper messages. Discovering it all is one of the coolest things to do in London solo.

Admire the view from Sky Garden

I will never tire of saying this, but Sky Garden is one of my favourite places in London, and a must on any London itinerary. This epic London rooftop bar has sweeping views of the city skyline, paired with delicious cocktails and a beautiful indoor garden.

Entrance is free; you just have to reserve a spot online if you’re visiting before 6PM. I suggest going just before sunset, so that you can enjoy the view during the day, as the light turns golden and then once the city lights up for the night.

You can easily spend a few hours wandering around Sky Garden, soaking in the 360 views that include St Paul’s, the Shard and go all the way to Canary Wharf, while sipping a refreshing cocktail.

It’s often considered one of the most picture perfect restaurants in London, and it’s easy to see why!

Visit all the Harry Potter movie locations

Even if you’re not a big Potterhead, this is still a must on any London bucket list. Many scenes of the world famous movie series were shot in London, and you can easily visit them doing your own Harry Potter self guided walking tour!

In Kings Cross Station you will find a luggage trolley stuck to a wall, so that you can take that iconic photo of yourself going through platform 9 and 3/4 and off to Hogwarts.

The other movie spots are subtler, without big Harry Potter signs and queues of other fans waiting for their photo moment. One of my favourites is Millennium Bridge.

Watch a movie at the cinema

I know most people see going to the movies as something you do with friends, but when you think about it, sitting in a dark room in total silence is really not the most sociable activity.

I often go to the cinema alone, and I enjoy it just as much as when I go with friends. It’s one of the many fun things to do alone in London.

London is also home to some pretty awesome cinema venues, such as Electric Cinema. Here you can treat yourself with comfy couches, tasty nibbles and cocktails, the perfect combo for a solo movie night.

Enjoy a West End show

Similarly to the cinema, watching a musical is another social activity that you can actually do alone and thoroughly enjoy. Especially when the shows are as good as the ones you find in London.

The West End of London is home to countless theatres and incredible productions. My personal favourites are The Lion King, Aladdin and Wicked.

Depending on the show and day you will usually have to book well in advance, but you can sometimes find also last minute tickets at discounted prices. You can pair your musical night with visiting Covent Garden, and exploring this beautiful part of London.

Do a Notting Hill self-guided walking tour

With its gorgeous Victorian architecture and white terraced houses, Notting Hill is one of the most beautiful places in London. Here you will find some of the prettiest streets in London, as well as the famous Portobello Market.

It’s one of those places that you can simply walk around, admiring the beautiful architecture and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere. Follow my Notting Hill walking guide to make sure you visit all the must-see spots in the neighbourhood.

In Notting Hill you will find also some famous movie spots, such as the pink house from Love Actually. It’s a London neighbourhood that you can easily walk around and explore alone.

Go window-shopping at Harrods

Located in South Kensington, Harrods is possibly the most famous department store in the UK. It’s fairly expensive so it probably won’t be your regular shopping destination, but it’s still a must-see on any London itinerary.

I personally love the food hall at Harrods, since it offers products at slightly more affordable prices compared to the other floors of the department store. The classic Harrods tea and biscuit boxes make for cute London souvenirs.

Actually shop on Oxford Street

After spending some time window-shopping at Harrods, admiring products that are most likely out of your budget range (for me anyway), it’s time to do some actual shopping!

It ultimately depends on what you’re looking to purchase, but Oxford Street is home to pretty much every shop you can think of. Whether you’re searching for unique London gifts, stylish clothes, new camera gear or beauty products, you will probably find it.

I prefer to shop solo, especially somewhere as busy as Oxford Street, so that I don’t have to wait for others to try on hundreds of different outfits or who will take me to shops I’m not interested in.

Go to a free stand up comedy night

There are many fun free things to do in London, but comedy nights are without a doubt one of my favourites. My friends always tease me for being easily amused, but I can assure you the comedians at these shows are genuinely hilarious.

When I first moved to London I often went to Angel Comedy Club. Located over the Camden Head pub, this comedy club is completely free to attend, just make sure to queue up early so you can get a good seat.

You can order drinks from the pub to sip while you’re queuing, and maybe befriend other spectators.

Explore the parks in London

One of my favourite London fun facts is that due to the high number of green spaces, London is actually classified as a park. That gives you an idea of just how many gorgeous parks there are in London.

One of the beauties of London parks is that they often have more to offer than a simple green space. In Hyde Park you can find a pet cemetery, in Regents Park you can find a gorgeous viewpoint, and in Richmond you can even find wild deers!

You can comfortably walk around the parks in London alone, taking in the relaxing atmosphere, away from the chaos of the city. On sunny days you can even enjoy a peaceful picnic in the sun!

Pop by some of London’s picture perfect coffee shops

London has an unreal café scene. There are loads of cute Instagrammable cafes, as well as many trendy coffee shops that you can work from, obviously all serving delicious coffee and pastries.

From Notting Hill to South Kensington, or from Mayfair to Camden, you’re guaranteed to find adorable coffee shops for your daily coffee fix and beautiful interior décor.

I know eating eat out alone can be a bit boring. Despite all my solo adventures in London and abroad, I’m also a bit hesitant to do it regularly. However sitting in a café feels a bit different, as it has a more informal setting than a restaurant.

So regardless of whether you’re a Londoner or a tourist, don’t feel hesitant to enjoy a warm cup of coffee by yourself!

Go out for brunch

Brunch is my favourite meal of the day. I love combining breakfast and lunch in one big hearty meal, while maybe sipping a fresh mimosa at a quirky bottomless brunch venue.

There are many awesome brunch venues in Mayfair, Camden, Notting Hill and in general all over London. Brunch has just become an extremely popular activity in London.

Just because you’re travelling to London solo doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to enjoy it! Just head out to one of London’s many restaurants, order some pancakes or avocado toast and own your solo adventure.

Wander around Chinatown

If you’re looking for one of the liveliest parts of London, Chinatown is the place to go. Located in the heart of London, Chinatown has plenty to offer to all types of travellers.

From delicious Chinese restaurants to quirky bars, it’s one of the most fun parts of London explore, both with others and by yourself. It’s especially pretty under Chinese New Year, when all the lanterns and decorations are up.

Enjoy the view from Monument

I’ve already listed a few viewpoints in this London solo travel guide, but I couldn’t help but include also the Monument to the Great Fire of London, commonly known simply as Monument.

This 62-metre Doric column is located a short 5-minute walk away from Bank tube station, and offers spectacular views over the City of London. I love it because it’s not so high that you would lose the details of the London skyline.

You need to climb 311 steps on a tight spiral staircase to reach the top. The brief climb is well worth the view! It’s a view that you can enjoy just as much alone as if you were travelling with others.

Final thoughts on the best things to do solo in London

There you have it, the ultimate compilation of things to do alone in London! Are there other fun activities that you can in London by yourself? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to include them!

London is an incredibly varied city, which offers a huge variety of things to do. Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to enjoy them.

Whether you’re a solo traveller coming to London for the first time, or a Londoner looking for something new to do, this guide has something for you! I hope you find it useful in planning your solo time in London!

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