Solo in London: 25+ Amazing Things to Do (Alone) in London (2026)
Wondering what to do alone in London? Whether you’re solo travelling to London or looking for some inspiration for a solo day, here’s my personalised guide for how to spend a day in the city. Enjoy!
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When I first moved to London, I was a clinger. And by that I mean I didn’t opt to do anything in the city without someone by my side.
Whether it was desperately texting group chats for a brunch buddy to dragging my past boyfriend to every new spot in London that caught my eye, I never took the time to venture London on my own.
Well, that relationship ended. And within a few short weeks I realized how micariously beautiful it’s to discover London on your own.
So whether you’re prepping for solo travel in London, finding yourself alone in the city for the first time, or simply looking for things to do in London by yourself, here’s 25 splendid things to do alone in London!
Solo in London: Amazing Things to Do (Alone) in London
1. Read a Book
In my opinion, there’s no better place to be a bookworm than London. Grab your favorite read and head to the likes of Chelsea Embankment, Primrose Hill, or Westminster Pier!
An activity built for solitude, it’s one of the best things to do alone in London. And you’d be surprised how many hours can simply go by with a good book!
2. Browse a London Museum
Although London museums can be a touristic hotspot, it’s still my go-to for solo dates in London. In all honesty, whenever I go with someone else, the conversation usually distracts me from the art. But if you’re on your own, you can truly appreciate all they have to offer at your own pace!
My personal favorites to venture alone in London are the Tate Modern in Bankside and the Wallace Collection near Baker Street.
But honestly, you’ll never finish the British Museum and the National Gallery is nothing short of breathtaking. So whichever you pick, you’ll have a blast!
4. Try a New Coffee Shop
One thing I’m forever grateful for is London’s coffee culture.
With amazing cafes on nearly every corner, coffee shops are a great place to go alone and get some work done, get a cuppa, do some people watching, or… engage in some flirtatious barista eye contact.
You’ll also find many of the coffee shops here are insanely aesthetic, making it an equally beautiful pit stop for your solo day in London.
Make sure you check my London Coffee Guides for inspo on where to go, anywhere you’re in the city!
3. Find a Lovely Park to Journal
One of the best things about being alone in London is having some headspace to gather your thoughts. In such a busy city, it’s not always easy to get some time to just…think. And write!
If the pen moves ya, mix a stroll in Regent’s Park, Holland Park, St. James Park or even the popular Hyde Park for a healthy journal sesh.
Want more options? London’s got over 50 parks and gardens for you to discover. Lucky you!
5. Visit a Bookshop
From quirky and quaint to grand and magical, London is full of independent bookshops just waiting to be explored.
Add some book browsing to your solo day repertoire with some of London’s most brilliant bookstores and waste the day away over stacks of classics and fresh literary finds.
Or why not head to the world-famous bookshop from Notting Hill?
In such a digital world, there’s something insatiably cosy and comforting about physically looking for books, not to mention London bookshops are beautiful!
For budget-friendly options check my 25 Best Second-Hand Bookshops in London: A Local Book Lover’s Guide.
6. Find London Film Locations
If you’re anything like me, you may have a slight obsession with British movies. If London rom-coms like Bridget Jones, Notting Hill, and Love Actually stole your heart, bring the films to life with a film day tour!
Check the film locations for your favorite London flick and make a day out of discovering the city from a new perspective.
You might be surprised to know that a small franchise of a wizard boy have a lot of film locations in and near London as well!
This is genuinely one of the best things to do alone in London, as you won’t have to worry about dragging along friends that don’t exactly get your Harry Potter obsession (Just me? Okay…).
7. Take up some People Watching
London is built for people watching.
Hundreds of different cultures and nationalities under one city roof means you’re never bored looking at all the faces that make up London!
So grab a coffee (or tea) and sit along Leicester or Trafalgar Square for a healthy dose of London gazing.
9 . Get an English Breakfast
There’s nothing quite more English than an English Brekkie. But who says you have to wait on someone to try it!
Treat yourself to a classic British find with the best traditional English breakfasts in the city. The Tea House Theatre in Vauxhall claims to have the best in London! Fancy being the judge of that?
If you want more options in different neighbourhoods, check my London Brunch and Breakfast Guides.
10 . Go Vintage Shopping
I’m a sucker for a good vintage find. And when it comes to what to do solo in London — it doesn’t get better than vintage shopping!
With no one telling you it’s time to go, you can easily spend hours in Shoreditch popping into all the shops and finding some new gems for your closet. Just remember to bring something to carry it all home!
Charity shops are also great spots to find your hidden treasures, and there are lots of options anywhere in the city! Check my East London, West London, North London and South London guides to discover the best ones.
11. Browse the Markets
From picking up flowers on Columbia Road Market to finding antiques at Portobello Road Market there’s nothing more fun than browsing London markets — on your own!
The picturesque cobblestones, local finds, and iconic city buzz are enough to make a day simply market browsing.
If you’re in the mood for views, I definitely suggest picking up a bite at Borough Market and sitting along the grass at Tower Bridge.
12. Take Out Your Camera
There’s no denying London is one of most aesthetic places in the world. And there’s nothing quite as whimsical as roaming the streets alone with a camera in hand.
Use your alone time to see the city from a new perspective and get some brilliant London shots while you’re at it!
Check out my London Neighbourhood Guides to grab some inspiration.
14. Do a Self-Guided Walk
If you’re up for a lazy stroll, take a self-guided walk through a neighborhood you’d never been!
London is so big you’d be surprised how it easy it can be to leave entire boroughs undiscovered. And lucky for you, I have a bunch of London Walk Series for you to try to do on your own!
I personally recommend a Self-Guided Walk through Central London and a walk through Covent Garden to begin with.
13. Take a Self-Guided Tour
One of my favorite things about London is there’s always something new to discover. So join a tour or create your own!
From day trips to river cruises, here’s a long list of tours and experiences you can do in London. Perfect to meet fellow travellers like you!
Travelling to London solo? Check out my E-book!
15. Borrow a Dog
Okay, I’ll admit I haven’t done this one yet (mostly because I’m afraid I wouldn’t want to give it back) but if you’re out for a day in London, why not bring along a furry friend?
I’ve got friends that absolutely adore the idea of being a one-day godparent to a four-legged friend. So fill the dog void in your life and sign up for Borrow my Doggy to spend a not so solo day in London.
16. Go on Groupon and Treat Yourself
If you’re not on Groupon in London yet — what are you doing!
Stuffed with daily deals, this website has everything from spa days to city breaks for ridiculously amazing prices. Have some fun and treat yourself to a solo day in London, without breaking the bank!
Read More: 27 Effortless Ways to Save Money in London
17. Go to an Exercise Class
Okay, maybe this one is cheating. Because exercise classes in London mean you’re never really alone!
Every Hot Yoga class I’ve been to in the city is full of welcoming women that make me wonder why I didn’t start doing this ages ago.
So head to your nearest fitness class to get your sweat on and meet some friendly faces.
18. Eventbrite Talks
Who says you can’t learn a thing or two in your free time? Check out Eventbrite and find a cool talk on anything from entrepreneurship to personal finance at one of hundreds of talks and free lectures throughout London.
As you’re not catering to anyone’s interests but your own (hello, solo day!), it’s the perfect place to finally dig into a topic you’ve been curious about.
19. Go Window Shopping
Nothing wrong with some light browsing! Take yourself on a little date through Oxford Street, Harrods or Selfridges (especially during Christmas time!) for some light window shopping.
Or why not head to the cute high streets of neighbourhoods like Muswell Hill, Hampstead and Bermondsey to do some window shopping on independent boutiques? If you end up doing some purchases, at least you’ll be helping local businesses!
20. Cycle
Out of all the things to do alone in London, this is probably my favorite!
With thousands of Santandar bikes scattered throughout the city, you can spend a day alone cycling through London and all the places you’ve yet to discover.
I personally recommend Hammersmith, Kingston-Upon-Thames and Shoreditch to do so!
21. Go to a Poetry or Comedy Night
Unsurprisingly so, London has one of the best poetry scenes in the world.
From T.S Elliot to William Blake, you can get your poetic fix on a solo trip to one of London’s many poetry and spoken word events. I personally love going to the poetry night at the Chocolate Poetry Club in Camden.
But if you’re up for a fun, laugh-out-loud experience, then London’s Comedy Clubs are a good shout.
I promise, the offer is so diverse, up-to-date, and insanely good, you might bump into the next big comedian in the world without even knowing!
22. Chill Out at the Cinema
Before I moved to London, I always had a (silly) taboo about seeing films alone. But when I heard about the Electric Cinema I had to take myself out for a movie date!
An alternative movie theater with comfy reclining chairs and restaurant-style service, you can spend a solo day in London cosying up to all your favorite films.
Best part is, this is not the only artsy cinema in London! The Rio Cinema in Dalston, The Ritzy at Brixton, and the homey Genesis in Mile End are some (but definitely not all) of the ones you can find.
Perfect for a different flick experience!
23. Check Out Street Art
Being alone is the perfect opportunity to fully take in all the street art on offer in this eclectic city. So it’s time to find the top streets to see and get your art fix on, London style!
We all know Shoreditch for its cool vibes and hipster facades. The nearby Brick Lane is perfect to continue the adventure. But why stop there?
Neighbourhoods like Hackney Wick, Camden, Clapham, Brixton and Dulwich are all popular for its street art, so you should think about expanding your horizons with what these communities have to say.
I told you! This is one of the most fun (and free!) things to do alone in London.
24. Visit the Skygarden
As one of the most picturesque views in London, it’d be a shame to not visit the Skygarden. So book your free tickets and spend a solo day roaming the gardens and taking in the city views.
Although to be fair, this one’s not the only spot where you can catch jaw-dropping views of London. So check the long list to enjoy the city from different high spots!
25. Try an Airbnb Experience
If you’re stuck on ideas for what to do solo in London, let Airbnb decide!
If you go to the browse, you’ll find dozens of interactive experiences to turn a boring day in (and out of) London into a random and exciting experience for the books.
26. Take a Lifestyle Class at Petersham Nurseries
Learn the art of pasta making, mindful meditation, and explore wines and teas from around the world – yes, it’s as beautiful and random as it sounds!
So please feel more than free to check Petersham Nurseries Masterclasses for something different!
26. Have a Pint
Nothing wrong with a pint for one! If the pub culture moves ya, take your solo day pub side and pop in for a drink or two.
And why not opt for the most instagrammable pubs in London? You can multitask the day by ticking all those fabulous spots that are a must-visit!
Or you can join a pub crawl and, believe me, end the night with more than one good friend.
27. Wander London Mews
Because of all of the London movies, I’ve always had a thing for London Mews. And if I’m ever wandering the city solo, there’s nothing I love more than stumbling on a cobbled house or two.
Make a day out of finding the best mews in the city and taking some pics!
Things to Do Alone in London FAQs
Q: How can I enjoy London alone?
A: Enjoying London alone is like having the world’s most fascinating playground to yourself — lap up the culture in its world-class museums, get lost in a cracking novel at the many cosy coffee shops, or simply wander through the cheeky streets. You’ll feel like that kid in the biggest candy store, promise!
Q: What can you do on your birthday alone in London?
A: Well, celebrating your birthday in London means being the star in your own movie, especially if you’re alone! Start with brekkie at a fabulous spot, swan around at the Tate Modern (or your museum of preference), and finish with a toast atop the Shard – London’s serving you up a royal birthday treat!
Q: Is London fun for solo travel?
A: London for solo travel is like going to a party where you don’t know anyone but end up making friends for life — it’s all laughter, lessons, and lashings of adventure!
Q: How can I spend my Saturday alone in London?
A: A solo Saturday in London? Easy peasy — park yourself at a farmer’s market in the morning, wander through a museum in the afternoon, and treat yourself to some theatre in the evening. It’s just you, London, and a whole lot of “good day” vibes!
Q: Where can I meet solo travellers in London?
A: There’s nothing like a good pint to connect with others, London style. So join one of the many pub crawls in London — go solo but never alone, that’s the spirit!
Thanks for reading my Things to Do Alone in London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram! CHECK OUT MORE LONDON GUIDES:
- 19 Important Things to Do Before Moving to London
- 10 Must-Know Tips for Living in London as an American
- What to do Your First Month in London (from a London Expat)
- Is London Safe? 10 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers
- 10 Best Tips + Advice For Black Female Solo Travel
- 20+ Best Day Trips from London — from a London Travel Blogger
- How to Use Your Phone When Visiting London From Abroad
- 50 Empowering Solo Female Travel Quotes to Inspire Your Next Trip
- The Best London Hostels — from a London Travel Blogger
Happy Londoning,
Going to London next week and this popped up just in time! I love waking into E Pelicci every time I go to London, they ALWAYS remember me. Love love love….
Ah so happy to hear that! You’re going to have the best time 🙂