London for the Solo Traveller

[Lynda2475]

I'll be in London for 7 full days in mid June and am looking for some suggestions to do a solo traveller that are a bit different.

Some background:

This will be my 3rd stay in London. I'll be staying in an airbnb close to both Covent Garden and Temple tube stations and as have friends who are living in London (some expats, some locals) so there will be quite a few lunch/dinner catch-ups.

My first visit was 2002 and only really 3 full days. I did the main tourist sites: Hop on Hop off bus & thames cruise so saw Buckingham Palace, Parliament, Big Ben, London Eye, Tower Bridge, Harrods, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square. Visited the Tower of London; day trip to Bath and Stonehenge, British Museum and West End Shows (We will Rock You, Les Miserables).

Last visit was last July/August, 4 days. I did coughtail & food walking tour in SoHo, another food & street art walking tour in the East End (including Shoreditch), West End Show (Hamilton) , some shopping and catching up with friends.

I'm a bit of a foodie and would love to do some michelin dining (recommendations please) , am a lover of theatre (plays and musicals), partial to a good museum/gallery, happy to take tube/bus and walk. Note: zero interest in churches or the Royals (so no Windsor Castle etc), nor tacky tourist traps like Madam Tussauds.

I'm thinking it might be interesting to visit Greenwich, any other day trip ideas? Any cool exhibitions on? Or something you can only do in London?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Hvr]

I've been to Greenwich and loved it, can easily spend a day there.

 

[cvmceg]

For me, solo time is when I go to museums and galleries. I prefer to go to them alone so I can take my time. If I go with others then they find it agonising.

Therefore the obvious answer, to me, is to go see all the priceless art/wonders that London offers - for free!!

- Tate Modern and Tate Britain should be walkable (~40min) from Temple/covent garden. You can see priceless art for free and there are no lines (unlike the Paris museums)

- V&A museum. Possibly too far to walk from airbnb but an easy tube from Temple.
A really fascinating and at times quirky museum/gallery. Im no foodie so cant comment, but the cafe in the V&A looks incredible and well worth a stop for coffee/slice whilst you are there.

National portrait gallery and National Gallery are very close to you. Portrait is not my style, national gallery is good, but not as good as the others Ive suggested.

But it all depends on what styles you like!

Lived in London for 4 years and never went but have never heard a bad review of the Churchill War Rooms.

 

[cove]

War Rooms are excellent. Matinee shows can allow you to get more into your 7 days.
I enjoyed the Emirates flight simulator for the A380 and it is an easy walk from the station.
Bletchley Park was a good way of seeing the World War 2 code break information.

 

[Lynda2475]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, keep em coming.

 

[kelvedon]

Can thourghly recommend a free walking tour with this guy (Jonny). He’s a mine of information and facinating stories behind London’s landmarks and people. The walks are free on the weekend ( pay what you think). I’ve done five with him so far.

Bowl Of Chalk - London Walking Tours

Fun, informal and informative London walking tours ... or at least, that's the plan.

www.bowlofchalk.net

 

[Aus ATC]

It's been many years since I was there, but recalled the Museum of London was a good place to visit for a history of London itself. Located in/near the Barbican Centre. Current reviews (Google/Trip Advisor) are also positive. And it's free - like many of the museums in London.

 

[VPS]

V&A is a must, Natural History Museum and the Science Museum and the Wallace Collection - also the Courtald Institute

Tate Modern was not my cup of tea but the view from the top is fantastic.

Tate Britain is OK but I prefer the others

Loved Churchill War Rooms and also enjoyed Imperial War Museum

Get an Oyster card or use your MasterCard or Visa for tap and go

Unlike someone earlier I love the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery.

Greenwich well worth a trip and walk under the Thames.

A couple of places I really liked Eltham Palace and Leighton House

Sky Garden - free but you have to book

Enjoy

 

[Julesmac]

It's been many years since I was there, but recalled the Museum of London was a good place to visit for a history of London itself. Located in/near the Barbican Centre. Current reviews (Google/Trip Advisor) are also positive. And it's free - like many of the museums in London.

I concur - we found it fascinating,

 

[kelvedon]

Tate Modern was not my cup of tea but the view from the top is fantastic.

Agree with that. One of the best (free) views in London

 

[Lynda2475]

I have an oyster card from last years visit so am good to grab tube wherever needed.

 

[peanutz]

Have you been to Sir John Soane's Museum? I found it interesting.

 

[Julesmac]

A pootle along the Thames and down to the barriers is interesting, a different viewpoint from the water. I'm not sure how far up boats go. Early morning walks round the parks - Hampstead Heath is nice.Anything on at the Globe is fantastic whether or not you are a fan of Shakespeare. A tour of Parliament if you can fit it in. It'd be pretty interesting at the moment! I'm very jealous. Some fascinating gardens if that's your go, close or actually in the city; The Physic and Tradescant gardens come to mind, or if you feel like venturing further the RHS at Wisley, ditto Kew

 

[codash1099]

I have an oyster card from last years visit so am good to grab tube wherever needed.

You don't need an Oyster card. I used my chipped 28 degrees Mastercard on my last visit. Much more convenient and avoids the problem of topping up.