If you’re visiting London on your own, you might be looking for things to do alone in London!
Stick with us as we run through a few unmissable activities and areas you’ll love as a solo traveller.
If you’re visiting London solo, and you’ve been on the hunt for amazing things to do alone in London, then you’ve come to the right place.
This bumper list of things to do alone in London covers everything from cultural places of interest to historic hotspots. And you won’t feel awkward doing any of these things flying solo!
Whether it’s your first trip to England’s capital or you’re a local looking for new things to do alone in London, we’ve got you covered.
Now let’s jump into it!
Here are the best things to do alone in London!
Visit Borough Market
First up on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s visiting Borough Market! This has to be, without a doubt one of the best things to do alone in London.
This bustling food market is open all week long and is home to some of the tastiest food the city has to offer. From grilled cheese sandwiches, to artisan cheeses, brownies and burritos!
It’s a great choice for solo travelers, because it’s busy, bustling, and there are plenty of options and places to try – with no worries about being seated alone.
We really rate this place, and recommend you put it to the top of your list for things to do alone in London! You will love it.
Walk along The Embankment
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s walking along the Embankment.
As you may know, the River Thames runs right through central London, and there are dedicated paths and walkways all the way along.
Walking along the Embankment is one of the best ways to see the city, and many of the skyline’s best features, so we really recommend it for things to do alone in London.
Visit Camden Market
Next up on our list of things to do alone in London is visiting Camden Market. Camden is one of the quirkiest neighborhoods in London, and it’s such a fun place to visit!
Camden Market is home to some delicious food stalls, but also clothing stalls, jewelry, and all kinds of other things!
It’s a great place for souvenir shopping, and a great location for lunch too! It’s an awesome pick for things to do alone in London!
Take a selfie with Big Ben
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s seeing Big Ben. Now, you can’t come to London without seeing Big Ben!
If you get off at Westminster tube station, you’ll find Big Ben waiting right outside in all it’s glory! Take a selfie, and take a look around this wonderful neighborhood!
Visit the Sky Garden
Next on our list of fun things to do alone in London, it’s the Sky Garden. The Sky Garden is a fantastic place to visit for a peaceful hour or two, up in the sky (as the name implies!).
This sky-high garden has some wonderful views over The Shard and the city, and it’s really beautiful.
Another thing we love about The Sky Garden? It’s free!
Read more about London: 20 delicious breakfast places in London
Visit Aire Spa
Aire Spa is next on our list of things to do alone in London. This is an incredible day-spa, located in the heart of Charing Cross.
We can’t really do this place justice with words, it’s simply magical and (in our humble opinion) one of the best things to do alone in London.
The spa is located underground, hidden amongst luxury townhouses, and it truly transports you to another world! We can’t recommend it enough.
Read more about London: Our review of Aire Ancient Baths in London
Browse Carnaby Street
If you fancy a spot of retail therapy, then you’re going to love exploring Carnaby Street in the heart of Soho!
Soho is such a fun neighborhood, and Carnaby Street is one of the main shopping streets. It’s a great choice for things to do alone in London!
It’s especially fun in the Christmas season, because it always looks so festive!
Sip coffee in Trafalgar Square
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s visiting Trafalgar Square. This historic square right in the center of London, is a bustling hotspot of people, both locals and tourists alike.
One of our favorite things to do alone in London is to simply grab a coffee, and sit in the square watching the world go by.
It’s one of those things you can do alone in the city for hours. Take a book too, and enjoy catching up on your reading! It’s a lovely (and low-cost) choice for things to do alone in London.
Go shopping in Covent Garden
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s stopping by Covent Garden!
Covent Garden is one of the most charming parts of Central London, it’s an indoor market, surrounded by lovely shops and restaurants and cobbled streets.
If you haven’t been to this part of London before, you’re bound to adore it.
Oh, and look out for the street performers, artists and installations! There is always something to watch and enjoy whilst in this part of the city! Another reason it’s a great choice for things to do alone in London.
Take a stroll around Seven Dials
Our next suggestion for things to do alone in London, is checking out Seven Dials. This is one of the lesser known areas in the center of town, and it’s considered a little secret.
Seven Dials is a little configuration of seven streets, with each street containing lovely independent stores, coffee shops, and restaurants.
It’s not too far from Covent Garden, so we’d probably explore these two areas in the same morning or afternoon!
Visit the Seven Dials Market
Our next suggestions for things to do alone in London, is the wonderful Seven Dials Market. It’s located right next Covent garden, so a great option to explore at the same time.
Seven Dials Market is an ideal destination for solo travellers in London due to its vibrant atmosphere and diverse range of food offerings.
It’s a spacious and bustling indoor food market, that has numerous dining choices, from delicious NYC style pizza, to bao buns and curry!
It’s great for solo travellers because the seating is super casual and family-style. So you can just rock up and grab a seat anywhere you spot a space!
The open-air seating area provides a perfect spot to relax and people-watch while sipping on a coffee or craft beer, and it really is a great choice for things to do alone in London.
Spend the afternoon in Hyde Park
Hyde Park is an iconic spot in London, so we could write our list of things to do alone in London without mentioning it (of course!).
We’d recommend setting aside a few hours for exploring the park, as it’s much bigger than you’d expect!
Whatever the season, Hyde Park is a beautiful place to be. With gorgeous pathways, towering trees and calming lakes. It’s simply stunning!
Do an open-top bus tour
An open-top bus tour is next on our list of fun things to do alone in London. Now, we know a bus tour might seem a little bit ‘touristy’ for some, but trust us on this!
There’s no better way to see all the main London ‘sights’ in one day. You’ll go through so many key neighborhoods on an open-top bus tour, and there are so many wonderful photo opportunities too!
We really recommend it, and it’s such a great choice for things to do alone in London, as it’s easy to sit alone on the bus, and listen to the narration and tour info!
You can book tickets by clicking here!
Shop at Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields Market is next on our list of things to do alone in London. It’s a great market in the East of London (near ‘the city’).
You’ll find lots of food choices here (the kind that go viral on TikTok!) and lots of restaurants and shops too.
If you love meandering through stores and enjoying laid-back retail therapy, you’re going to love this part of London. It’s a great pick for things to do alone in London!
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Take a tour of London’s pubs
If you’re visiting London from outside the UK, you might be curious about the famous ‘London pub scene’ and want to visit some of the city’s best pubs.
Well, if that sounds like you, then this amazing tour of the best London pubs is going to be perfect for you!
Visiting pubs alone in London can be a bit daunting (they get very busy once working hours finish!) so visiting as part of a tour group, really takes the pressure off.
And also, by going with this tour group, you can ensure you’re visiting the best pubs, and not the crap ones!
Stroll around Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road Flower Market is next on our list of things to do alone in London. This is a beautiful place to head if you fancy enjoying some gorgeous flowers and bustling market culture.
Columbia Road Flower Market is (as you probably guessed) a flower market!
Even if you don’t need any flowers, or have any space for them in your hotel room, it’s still a gorgeous place to wander around. The neighborhood itself is really quaint and pretty – and there are lots of coffee shops to enjoy nearby too!
Visit the Tower of London
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s visiting the Tower of London. This museum is one of the most well-loved in the city, and it’s a great pick for solo travel.
You’ll find out loads about the UK’s history here, and the history of the monarchy and royal family too. Including seeing the famous Crown jewels!
You can book skip-the-line tickets by clicking here.
Stroll around Notting Hill
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s visiting Notting Hill. This London neighborhood is one of the most iconic in London, and it’s weekend market is a favorite with tourists and locals alike.
Notting Hill is one of those neighborhoods that feels ‘truely London’ and it’s a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon walking around.
Admire the colorful houses, grab a local coffee, and pop into some of the little shops. It’s so lovely there!
Read more about London: Our ultimate guide to sightseeing in London!
Take a walk to Buckingham Palace
Our next idea for things to do alone in London, it’s visiting Buckingham Palace.
Now, you can’t go inside the palace without special tickets – but you can go and walk up to the gates and soak in the amazing views!
Green Park is the best underground station for Buckingham Palace, and it’s a lovely walk down through the park to the palace. It’s a lovely choice for things to do alone in London.
Top tip: Visiting in the early morning will give you beautiful crowd-free photo opportunities!
Walk across Tower Bridge
Next up on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s walking across Tower Bridge!
Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world – and it’d be a crime to visit London without walking across it!
The walk won’t take long (about 15 minutes with a couple of photo-stops halfway!). We also recommend walking across London Bridge (it’s less attractive sister, just down the embankment)… Because you can get some great photos of Tower Bridge from a distance!
It’s a fantastic choice for things to do alone in London, and it’s so key to see these iconic landmarks!
Things to do alone in London: Take a River Cruise
Our next suggestion for things to do alone in London is taking a river cruise. Cruising along the River Thames is one of the best ways to see the city’s skyline!
There are plenty of amazing river cruises in London, but we really recommend this one.
It goes all the way from Westminster to Greenwich, so you’ll truly get to see everything the skyline has to offer! It’s a fantastic choice for things to do alone in London!
Visit an independent cinema
The UK is known for its bougie cinemas, and visiting one is up there with the best things to do alone in London.
We recommend independent spots like Everyman where you’ll be able to order full meals to plush seats.
For something even cooler, why not book Electric Cinema where you can catch a movie in an actual BED?
If you’re on a budget, the Peckhamplex is incredibly affordable.
Take a food tour
When it comes to finding things to do alone in London, a food tour needs to be at the top of your list!
Food tours make amazing things to do alone in London, because they’re a great way to meet new people, and spend a little time socializing!
London has so much amazing food on offer, but it can often be hard to know where to start. Joining a food is an ideal way to make sure you’re eating all the best food!
We really recommend this Indian food tour, which is a 3 hour exploration of the curry scene in London’s east end.
Get lost in Little Venice
Little Venice is next on our list of things to do alone in London. Little Venice is a really unique and quirky little neighborhood, and you’ll love it!
With lots of wonderful scenic canals, and canal boats, Little Venice is unlike anywhere else in London, and a perfect pick for things to do alone in London.
If you love exploring the local side of a city, then you’re going to adore Little Venice. It’s a perfect choice for things to do alone in London, especially for outdoorsy types!
We recommend booking this wonderful tour!
Visit Kew gardens
If you fancy visiting somewhere a little further afield from central London, then we really recommend visiting Kew Gardens.
It’s not too far from central London, just a quick tube ride, but it’ll take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Kew Gardens is simply beautiful, and it’s one of the best botanical attractions in the city. We adore it.
A peaceful stroll around Kew Gardens has to be one of the best things to do alone in London, without a doubt!
You can book tickets by clicking here.
See Shoreditch’s street art
There are so many things to do alone in London that are in the Shoreditch area (including the amazing street murals!).
The street murals are covered on the Alternative London Street Art Tour, but you can easily cover them solo.
We recommend prioritizing New Inn Yard, King John Court, and Ebor Street (for the long murals). But you’ll struggle to walk a few steps without spotting a mural or two.
It’s a great pick for artistic things to do alone in London!
Indulge in the world of Harry Potter
Okay, we couldn’t write a list of the best things to do alone in London without mentioning Harry Potter!
The incredible Harry Potter Studios is easily reached from London by bus or train (to Watford Junction where you can get a shuttle).
But if you don’t want to shell out for that experience, you’ll find Potter-related hidden gems dotted around London.
Leadenhall Market (Diagon Alley!) and Lambeth Bridge were both filming spots, and you can also visit the House of Minalima!
Oh, and don’t forget the iconic Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross Station! Talk about amazing things to do alone in London as a Potterhead.
Which leads us onto our next suggestion…
Do a Harry Potter Walking Tour
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then we really recommend taking a Harry Potter walking tour whilst in the Big Smoke! It’s one of the best things to do alone in London!
You’ll go through movie-locations, but also book locations (that many visitors miss). It’s a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!
Do a Jack the Ripper ghost tour
For history-buffs, or those that like a ghost story or scary story, then Jack the Ripper ghost tour is going to be something you want to add to your list of things to do alone in London.
Now, don’t worry! This is a group tour, so you won’t be completely alone in the spooky streets of London! Phew!
But we know you’re going to love this historical tour, as it’s full of gory details and scares.
Read more about solo travel: 15 best places in the USA for solo female travelers
Get lost inside Harrods
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s Harrods! Harrods is a world-famous department store located in the heart of West London that offers a unique glimpse into the more luxurious side of London.
It’s a fantastic shopping experience (if you fancy spending some cash!) but it’s also a wonderful building to walk around explore (even if you don’t spend a penny).
You’ll find everything here. With its extensive range of products and services, Harrods has something for everyone, whether you are looking for designer fashion, luxury home goods, gourmet food, or unique souvenirs.
As a solo traveller, you can easily spend hours exploring the store’s many departments and admiring the stunning architecture and decor.
Additionally, Harrods offers a variety of dining options, from casual cafes to elegant restaurants, making it a great place to grab a bite to eat and recharge during your solo adventures.
Read more about visiting London: Top 15 scenic towns and villages near London
Visit one of the city’s many museums
London isn’t short on museums and art galleries – there are hundreds in the city and plenty to choose from.
If you’re looking for things to do alone in London, then spending the afternoon strolling around one (or two, or three!) of these amazing museums is perfect.
A great hub for museums is South Kensington – you’ll find the V&A Museum there, alongside The Natural History Museum and The Science Museum.
Lose yourself in a bookshop
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s visiting one of the city’s many many bookshops. But, more specifically, one of the second-hand ones.
There’s something magical about a second-hand bookshops in London, because you never know what you might find, and the stories the books might tell!
Here’s a list of 21 of the best second-hand bookshops in the city, to give you a starting point! Our favorite? The second hand book stall on the Southbank (pictured above!).
It’s a great pick for things to do alone in London for book lovers!
Read more about London: The best luxury restaurants in London
Visit The Shard observation deck
Our next suggestion for things to do alone in London is The Shard Observation Deck. This is the highest observation deck in the city, and it’s a must-visit.
The best things about visiting the Shard alone, is that you can completely take your time and enjoy every angle of the city!
It’s such a great choice for things to do alone in London, and soaking in all those wonderful views is the perfect way to spend a day! Don’t forget to take lots of selfies!
You can book tickets by clicking here.
Visit Liberty London
Next up on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s visiting the Liberty London department store. This place is a London icon.
If you want to explore one of London’s most historic shops, and also browse some of the UK’s best designers and brands, then Liberty London is for you!
It’s one of the best things to do alone in London, and we know you’ll love visiting. Everyone always does, it’s such a wonderful place!
Watch a musical!
Next up on our epic list of things to do alone in London, it’s watching a musical. It’s a great solo night out to take yourself on!
The west-end is so much fun, and there are so many amazing musicals and shows to watch. You could see some of the classics, like The Lion King or Les Mis, or go for something a bit newer, like Hamilton or Wicked.
They’re all fantastic, so we know you’ll have a great time. It’s absolutely one of the best things to do alone in London, especially in the evening!
Visit a cat café
Speaking of Shoreditch, we suggest heading to the ever-popular Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium after visiting the murals.
It’s one of the best things to do alone in London as you’ll be surrounded by furry company.
The cats here are super social, and you can sit here for a couple of hours with cocktails, coffee, and cakes!
If you’re closer to Marylebone, Java Whiskers is another excellent café to try out.
Take a thrilling speed boat tour
Next up on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s a thrilling speed boat tour on the Thames!
This is something for those who love a little bit of adrenaline, and seeing the city in a slightly different way!
Sometimes traveling solo can feel a little slow, so if you need a bit of excitement – this is the tour you should book yourself onto!
You can book tickets by clicking here!
Do the Emirates Stadium Tour
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s something for the sports fans!
If you’re into British Football, then you’re going to love visiting and touring the Emirates Stadium, as it’s one of the most iconic and famous stadiums in the UK!
It’s a great choice for things to do alone in London, and you can book tickets by clicking here!
Wander through one of London’s other food markets
Next on our list of the best things to do alone in London, it’s wandering through the many other local food markets in this amazing city!
Whether you’re on the hunt for fresh produce or tasty, filled donuts, several markets have got you covered.
Maltby Street for great street food and unique eats. You can get totally lost there, and it feels so ‘London’ too.
Enjoy traditional English Afternoon Tea
We could write a list of things to do alone in London, without including a sophisticated afternoon tea!
Now, you can get afternoon tea in many places in London, but we want to recommend a particular tour to you!
This afternoon tea is located onboard a boat, so you’ll get to spend your time enjoying the traditional afternoon tea, and the amazing views of the London skyline too!
You can click here to book tickets!
Walk up ‘Monument’
The Monument is a small (ish) London landmark, tucked away in the heart of London City (the business end!). It’s a great little attraction a wonderful choice for things to do alone in London.
This monument is a landmark in memory of the Great Fire of London (which happened in 1666).
The views from up here are really unique, and it’s not something many people do in London, so pretty special too!
Visit Greenwich Market
Our next suggestion for things to do alone in London, is visiting Greenwich Market! Greenwich is a smaller London town located just outside of the center, and it’s a gorgeous place to visit.
As well as beautiful shops, buildings, a huge park, and historical ship – there’s also the famous Greenwich Market to check out here!
It’s an ideal spot for lunch, and it’s such a charming part of London to explore. Greenwich is more of a ‘local’ side of London, so if you want to see how ‘Londoners’ live, this is the place.
We love it, and it’s a great pick for things to do alone in London!
Have a pint in the Sherlock Holmes pub
If you’re looking to visit any pub in London, the Sherlock Holmes pub is a great choice. It’s right by Trafalgar Square, and a wonderful choice for things to do alone in London.
This is a classic British pub, and it’s named after a classic British character! So the best of both worlds!
Visit the Churchill War Rooms
If you’re visiting London to learn more about the history, then we really recommend visiting the Churchill War Rooms.
It’s one of the lesser-known museums in the city, but it’s so fascinating and tells such an important story. You can click here to book tickets!
Grab a bagel in Brick Lane
Our next idea for things to do alone in London, is grabbing a bagel in the famous Brick Lane!
If you didn’t know, Brick Lane is a really quirky and unique part of east London, and it’s known specifically for creating some of the best bagels in the UK.
Head there and grab one for breakfast, we promise it won’t disappoint!
London Zoo
London Zoo is next on our list of things to do alone in London. London Zoo is one of the most charming zoos in the world, and it’s located right in the heart of the city too.
If you happen to be in London on a sunny day, then we can’t think of a more lovely place to spend the afternoon strolling around.
You can book skip-the-line tickets by clicking here.
Check out Regent Street
Next on our list of things to do alone in London, it’s Regent Street. This is mainly known for being a great shopping location, but it’s also a fantastic place to check out some classic London architecture.
The buildings along Regent Street tower above the ground, and are so majestic and beautiful it’s worth visiting to soak it all in.
We recommend visiting in the morning to make the most of the quiet streets!
Catch a free lunchtime concert (or street performing!)
Catching a free lunchtime concert at St. Martin-in-the-Fields is one of the best things to do alone in London on a budget.
The concerts aren’t overly formal, and they usually run for around 45 minutes (though sometimes longer or shorter!).
It’s one of the best things to do alone in London if you appreciate classical music but can’t shell out for the Royal Opera House!
Head to the theatre
Next up on our bumper list of things to do alone in London, we have a trip to the theatre! We know we already mentioned musicals, but London has so much amazing classic theatre too.
We’re all for solo theatre trips here, and you’ll often be able to pick up bargain last-minute seats as a single patron.
You can either head to discount sites like TodayTix to snag single rush seats or hop along to the box office.
Most of the time, groups of 3 or 5 will have left seats that you can pick up for way less than they’re worth.
Stroll through Chinatown
If you’re searching for incredible international food and alternative medicine, add Chinatown to your list of things to do alone in London.
This is the place to grab dumplings, bubble tea, and traditional Asian bakes in London.
And while it can be a bit of a tourist trap, battling the crowds around these parts is worth it for the affordable plates!
Oh, and if you’re looking for the best duck around here – it’s at Café TPT!
Catch a movie in Leicester Square
Next on our list of fun things to do alone in London, it’s watching a movie! We know watching a movie alone might be a bit intimidating to some people – but it’s actually a great way to pass the time as a solo traveler!
There are lots of cinemas in Leicester Square, showing all the new releases (and some historic ones!) so it’s the perfect place to head if you fancy watching a film!
Fun fact: Leicester Square is also where a lot of the London film premieres happen! Maybe you’ll catch one!
Experience Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral
To round off our list of the best things to do alone in London, we have Evensong!
It’s essentially a service with a gorgeous choir, and it allows you to see the dome and interior too!
If you’re not sure when the services run, the cathedral regularly updates its online schedule with information.
