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I am definitely an extrovert and social gal, which means I’m terrible at solo adventuring. Going to a movie by myself? Couldn’t be me. An Eat, Pray, Love trip? Not happening. But recently I’ve branched out into some solo travel days, and honestly, I left feeling empowered and thrilled that I executed a day exactly how I wanted. I ate when I was hungry, rested when I was tired, and spent time doing only the things that interested me. Cue a perfect solo day in London.
I know plenty of travelers who carve out solo time during trips with a spouse, or people who never hesitate to travel completely alone. But for me, I’ve always loved having a co-pilot to share the fun (and navigate foreign metros). So solo days are rare for this slightly co-dependent girlie.
Since moving to France, my husband’s work trips have taken us all over Europe, London, Paris, Rome, and I get the sidekick wife perk of free accommodation and a free day to myself. On a recent trip, I had a wonderful solo day in London that I want to share with you. Whether you use this itinerary for your own London solo day or just as inspiration to sneak away from your travel buddy, I hope it sparks some ideas.
Fair warning: I love to eat, so this day has a heavy food focus. In fact, my food adventures are almost as important as my sight-seeing ones, so I created an entire section of this site dedicated to eating and drinking while traveling.
Morning: Coffee + Cream
I started at Fortitude Bakehouse, a London bakery you’ve probably seen all over TikTok for its viral beignets. The flavor that day was Black Forest (chocolate, cherry, a mountain of cream) and it lived up to the hype. But honestly, my favorite bites were the coffee and other baked goods. Fortitude is more than just a viral stop, and it’s worth a visit.
Fueled by sugar, I took the Tube to Hyde Park with the goal of visiting Kensington Gardens and Palace. Unfortunately, the palace was closed for construction (solo adventuring means rolling with the punches), but the park itself was gorgeous. Don’t miss: the Rose Garden, the Serpentine Lake with its swans, the Princess Diana Memorial, Peter Pan Statue and my favorite, the Italian Gardens.
Quick Tips for Navigating the Tube
If you’re new to London, the Tube and bus system are easy once you get the hang of it. A few tips:
- Avoid 8–9 am and 5–6 pm if you can. Rush hour is packed. My version of hell is waiting for the tube in July and hoping a train will rush past you, just you can feel a little air on your face.
- Google Maps is your best friend for planning routes.
- Pay attention at platform splits (north/south or east/west). Step aside to double check which direction you are going.
- Don’t be afraid of the bus! It’s often easier than the Tube, and the views from the top deck are worth it.
- You can pay a number of ways, such as the TfL application, preordering or purchasing at the station a refillable oyster card. I find the easiest thing to do is to simply tap using the card stored on your phone. You will be charged based on time of day and zones you travel through.
Solo Day in London Continued
I grabbed a train from Queensway (the other side of Hyde Park) and headed to The Ivy in the West End. A clue to my next destination! I decided to take myself to the Ivy in hopes of running into Harry Styles.
It is a longstanding celebrity haunt and a great stop before a show. The food was great and service was honestly impeccable. I sat at the bar (love) and had the lunch formula (starter and main for £29). While I didn’t run into Kate Middleton or Benedict Cumberbatch I did enjoy a visit to a classic British establishment.
Next, I went to see a matinee in the West End. The play was My Master Builder, starring Ewan McGregor and Elizabeth Debicki. It was engaging, not too long, and a great way to enjoy London’s theater scene solo. (Bonus: no need to compromise on what show to see when it’s just you.)
Once the play was over, it was time to grab a little aperitif. I headed to Antidote, a little natural wine bar tucked away near Carnaby Street. I helped myself to a couple glasses of wine and took in some excellent people watching near their big windows. The servers there were knowledgeable and lovely, and I would definitely return.
I spent a little time following drinks for walking around the hustle and bustle of Carnaby. Of course I popped into a couple shops, did some window shopping and snapped a couple photos of the neighborhood.
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Evening: Indian Food Heaven
With my next meal in mind (duh), I started heading on my journey to the Southbank. I am a big fan of Indian food and make a stop at Dishoom every single time I’m in London. And outside of India, I do think London is the best destination for Indian food.
So when I found out the famous Gymkhana (2 Michelin stars with the great Sid Ahuja at the helm) had opened up Brigadiers – an Indian BBQ sports bar, I had to go. Its low barrier to entry while maintaining the vibes and high quality Indian.
On my way I strolled past the great St. Paul’s Cathedral and admired the Millennium Bridge. Which amazingly remains intact, even after Voldemort destroyed it during his reign (hehe). Brigadiers was as expected, completely excellent. I had their wings (essential) and cheese and onion Bahjias, absolutely drool worthy.
My biggest complaint about solo traveling is eating. Only being able to try 1-2 things from a menu full of deliciousness is just downright sad!
The Bottom Line
After dinner, I headed back to my hotel near King’s Cross (my favorite, underrated place to stay in London). And if you decide to stay in King’s Cross, check out The Standard, I loved it.
My solo day was empowering, delicious, and full of classic London experiences. Whether you’re an experienced solo traveler or someone who rarely goes it alone, I highly recommend carving out a day just for yourself in London. I’ll definitely be planning more.
