Exploring a new city solo can be one of the most empowering and rewarding experiences. While travelling with others is fantastic, there’s something unique about exploring a place on your own – setting your own pace, following your curiosity, and making memories that are truly yours. It turns out London is perfect for solo travellers!
Not just because it’s safe and easy to navigate, but because of its famous museums, green parks, historic landmarks, and hidden gems just waiting to be ticked off your bucket list.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning with fresh eyes, here are 10 expert-recommended things to do in London on your own—each perfect for creating your own unforgettable adventure.
At a glance:
- Watch the Changing of the Guard
- Take a guided walking tour
- Admire art at an art gallery
- Visit a (free) museum
- Go book shopping
- Go vintage shopping
- Relax with panoramic views
- Take a walk in a park
- Follow your heroes’ footsteps in real-life movie locations
- Indulge with a (proper) coffee
Watch the Changing of the Guard
Watch a brilliant display of British military pomp and pageantry at the Changing of the Guard Ceremony, which takes every day at 11:00 am outside Buckingham Palace (although we recommend arriving earlier to beat the crowds).
Being on your own means that you can squeeze through to the front to get the best pictures!
Take a Guided Walking Tour
What better way can there be to explore than in the company of an expert local guide with an encyclopedic knowledge of the city?
A guided walking tour is a great way to meet other like-minded travellers and learn some interesting historical facts along the way that you’ll use to impress everyone back home to an eye-rollingly brilliant effect.
Admire Works of Art
London is a veritable treasure trove of world-class art galleries, from contemporary sculpture, Impressionist paintings, to priceless works of art by some of history’s greatest painters.
If you’re interested in the work of artists such as Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso, head to the Tate Modern. More of a Van Gogh or Michelangelo fan? Pay a visit to the National Gallery.
Visit the Museums
If you have more of a soft spot for artefacts than art, then London’s entirely free-to-enter museums won’t disappoint.
See the original command pod of the Apollo 10 astronauts in the Science Museum, explore the world’s largest natural history collection at the Natural History Museum, or get up close to the priceless collections of the British Museum, which include artefacts such as the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Marbles.
Stock up on Books
If you’re an avid bookworm, we highly recommend perusing the collections that fill the shelves of London’s many bookstores. Check out the rows and rows of classics at Daunt Books, which occupies a beautiful Edwardian building in Marylebone.
Go Vintage Shopping
If you’re an antique aficionado or just a simple lover of everything vintage, while away the hours browsing the eclectic stalls on Portobello Road – the world’s largest antique market.
The market opens daily; however, to experience the market at its atmospheric best, head down on Saturdays. If you get a tad peckish, you can fill up on treats from pop-up eateries.
Admire the Views
London boasts one of Europe’s most impressive skylines. So, while you’re travelling with just you and your camera, head to one of the city’s many vantage points to capture some stunning snaps. The hill in Greenwich Park, in particular, offers one of the best views of the city.
Walk around the Parks
Greenwich Park isn’t the only beautiful green space in London. The city’s Royal Parks are postcard-perfect, and there’s a string of them to explore: St James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park, and Regent’s Park.
At Kensington Gardens, you’ll find treasures like the Serpentine Gallery, Round Pond, and Albert Memorial.
Visit Famous Filming Locations
Spend your time visiting some of London’s most famous filming locations. The list of movies is endless, with iconic scenes from Harry Potter, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Love Actually and the James Bond franchise all being shot in and around the British capital.
Embrace the Coffee Culture
Coffee houses first appeared in London in 1652 and were hubs of conversation, debate, and fantastic tales of voyages across the seas. While the modern-day incarnation of the traditional coffee house may not be quite as boisterous, they’re the perfect refuge on a rainy day – and we know how unpredictable London’s weather can be.
So before visiting London, grab a latte or an espresso, settle in and enjoy some ‘me time’, or catch up on some work or the latest book you’ve been reading.
