Solo Travel: Your Guide To Exploring London Alone

Lone wanderers gearing up to explore the Big Smoke have a lot of ground to cover. But the good news is that the U.K.'s capital city is very walkable, and staying in a convenient area will make your city exploration go much more smoothly. Here, visitors can opt for the solo travel tried-and-true hostel, feel at home with an apartment rental, or kick it up a notch with a boutique hotel stay. But, regardless of your solo lodging preference, it is the location that matters most, and checking all the sights and experiences off your itinerary is much easier when you stay in the center of it all.

Neighborhoods like Marylebone, Bloomsbury, Kensington, and Covent Garden then should be atop the list when figuring out your vacation stay. Here, solo visitors will find diverse accommodations within walking distance of many of this city's major attractions. So, hostel enthusiasts can opt for YHA London Central, YHA London Oxford Street, or YHA London St. Paul's. While solo explorers on a budget who prefer a hotel stay can consider The Z Hotels, with several prime London locations. Alternatively, The Marylebone Hotel or any of the boutique Residents Hotels (in Covent Garden, Kensington, or Soho) are excellent high-end stays recommended for parties of one. And reasonably-priced apartment rentals are also available in Greenwich, not too far away from the action, via apps or sites like VRBO and Staycity Aparthotels.

Speaking of city excursions, there are countless tours available in London. From historical, paranormal, and royal to "Harry Potter," Shakespeare, and Jack the Ripper, solo explorers can enjoy this metropolis from all types of different perspectives. You can also book many incredible sightseeing tours in the Big Smoke. And, if you do opt for more than just a London walkabout, you can learn some interesting tidbits about your favorite topics.

Besides a good old-fashioned walking tour, this city also offers bus, taxi, bike, and even boat tours. So solo travelers can delight in all that London has to offer in more than a few ways. With a small group, private, and standard guided tours, immersing yourself in this fantastic destination is just a scheduled meeting point away. Even if you prefer self-guided excursions, it is recommended that you take at least one guided tour. Doing so will ensure that if you have any questions or would like any recommendations along the way, you have a local who can assist you with all of that and then some.

Yet another entertaining way to explore London is by embarking on a museum day. London is home to a diverse selection of museums with over 17 options to choose from. So, if you are an avid lover of the arts or a history buff, expect to have a grand old time in this culture-rich city. Here, solo wanderers can delight in as many museums as possible simply because they are in town or in the event of less-than-pleasant London weather.

As a party of one, perusing your destination's many museums is always a great way to get a better sense of the place. Many of the popular museums in the city, like the British and the Natural History Museums, are quite large and full of fascinating finds. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise — t is perfectly okay to spend an entire day in either of these most-visited spots! Other notable museums to check out in London include the Design Museum, The V&A, the Museum of London, Tate Modern, and Sir John Soane's Museum. Of course, visiting them all in a single day is virtually impossible. But you can start at the British and The National History Museums before eventually making your way to smaller and more eclectic points of interest if you have the time.

Solo explorers looking to take a load off in the Big Smoke can do so in the lush oasis that is the Sky Garden. Here, visitors can enjoy amazing views of the city's breathtaking skyline, the River Thames, St. Paul's, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London in this vibrant and flourishing garden in the sky. But that's not all — the Sky Garden also has two incredible restaurants, live music, three cocktail lounges, and offers garden-goers a touch of greenery in an otherwise urban space, no matter the season.

So, unsurprisingly, this is the perfect little spot in the city for solo visitors to kick back and relax. This is especially true for anyone who wants to join in on yoga mornings also held at the Sky Garden. Solo explorers should make it a point to schedule some downtime here, and maybe even grab a light bite to eat with a glass of wine. If you do plan to have dinner or a drink here, however, it is highly recommended that you make reservations in advance.

First-time solo visitors may have heard that pub culture is alive and well in the Big Smoke — and it definitely is. In fact, there is a pub practically on every corner in this great city. So, if all that walking around you have got planned starts to wear you out, then take a break and stop in for a pint in any one of London's many pubs.

Even if you are not a big beer drinker, London pubs have a variety of strong ciders on tap, the famous pitchers of Pimms, and then some. What's more, many of the pubs in the Big Smoke date back to the 1800s (some even further back) and have played an important role in more than a few notorious London characters' stories. Intrigued solo wanderers can book a guided pub crawl or be pleasantly surprised on other legendary London tours. That said, whether you decide to stop for a while on your own or via a tour — don't be shy, grab a drink, mingle with others, appreciate the establishment's history, and enjoy.

After spending as much time in the city as you desire, solo wanderers should not let the fun stop there. One of the best things about visiting London is its proximity to other fantastic points of interest. And although you will likely have ample activities and experiences you can book while in the Big Smoke, you should definitely not miss this opportunity to see more of the U.K. or its neighboring destinations. 

Of course, travelers do not have to plan something as extravagant as a few days in Paris or a weekend in the Scottish Highlands if they happen to run out of things to do in London. Instead, consider something small if there is room in your schedule. There are numerous day and half-day trips that are only a few hours out that will take you to renowned castles, ancient ruins, gorgeous beaches, must-see attractions such as Stonehedge, and so much more just beyond the city.

Last but not least, solo explorers who are not exactly keen on being overly booked can opt to play a few, if not several, things by ear. Remember, this is your London getaway, and you can book day trips, see theater performances, join in on the fun of a pub crawl, or chill in a one-of-a-kind garden in the sky if you so desire or not. Some lone wanderers are perfectly content to roam the city streets and simply see where the day takes them — and that is perfectly fine. 

London is filled with happenings, incredible districts, stunning city parks, lively pubs, markets, hidden gems, quaint shops, and more. And, if you are the type of traveler who enjoys a little spontaneity versus a well-thought-out or action-packed vacation schedule, then you should definitely carve out more time on your solo adventure for the unknown so you can get out there and wander or roam this great destination every chance you get.