I will be traveling with DH to London this summer! I’m excited but there will be 24 hours where he is attending work events and I get to explore by myself. I am not very adventurous and am thinking a guided tour might be nice? Any suggestions for a mid-30’s woman traveling alone? |
London is one place where you definitely don’t need to be adventurous in order to find great things to do on your own. Where will you be staying? And what sorts of things are you interested in? |
By myself I really like audio walking tours. Plenty of options for London, one example.
https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/london Also included are audio tours of the British Museum and St Pauls. I am sure you can find similar ones for other spots also. |
We are staying near the business district- Canopy by Hilton. I guess I’m interested in anything DH wouldn’t be interested in doing with me! In other words, I have no idea, but would love suggestions! |
Thank you! I will check them out. |
I'd also look for a fun market on your day.
https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/travel/the-best-markets-in-london |
We loved this tour. It was led by a Shakespearan actor.
https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/borough-market/ Also Tea at Claridges and seeing the Tate Modern. BTW, we were also across town. Allow 1 1/2 hours of car time during rush hour. |
London walks are one of my favourite activities when I have a few hours to myself to explore and learn something new. They have all sorts of topics and cover many parts of London.
If you want to do something a bit farther afield take a day trip to Bath and live out your day as if you were in a Jane Austen novel. |
Art, museums, food, historical sites?
You’re staying in East London which is the older part and a bit less ‘fancy’. The Tower of London is a 10 minute walk from your hotel. You could then walk 17 mins to Borough market. It’s a huge food market but check its hours/days work. Then wander along the South Bank and pop into Tate Modern. Cross the river on the pedestrian bridge to see St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s a 25 minute walk walk back to your hotel. Or walk up to Spitalfields Market which has lots of independent stalls and shops and good food. Then do a Jack the Ripper walking tour which is surprisingly interesting and covers quite a lot of history of the area. They start about a 7 minute walk from your hotel. Spitalfields Market has small shops and good food. |
Most people get around London using the Citymapper app which covers buses and the tube. It’s pretty easy. You can tap your credit card so no need to buy a bus or train pass. |
London is super easy to get around. As noted above you just tap your credit card on busses and trains. Google maps honestly works fine for bus and train schedules.
I like to do the South Bank walk myself, see Borough market then walk up to St. Paul's. Great sightseeing day for a London newbie. I've walked around London solo with a kid and never had issues. |
I really like the city sightseeing cruise along the Thames. You can catch it from the dock by the Tower of London. |
I'd do some shopping that your husband isn't interested in. Liberty has a whole floor of fabrics and needlecraft stuff, Harvey Nichols is super fun. You might save Harrods for going with him, but this would be a good day to do something he's not into. |
The V and A museum, you can have lunch there, or the Silver Vaults. |
So much easier to just take the Tube everywhere! So easy and clean and wonderful. |