Without a doubt, London is one of the busiest and most contemporary cities in the world, and has a rich history and culture that gives you nearly endless options of things to do when visiting. As a solo traveler, having plenty of options is a good thing, you never know what you might feel like doing! You can take any number of tours, from beer-tasting in historic London to seeing the most impressive exhibits at the museum. You’ll want to book a hotel room ahead of time and get in on some travel tips as well. This guide can help you with all of the above, so be sure to read on for the best advice on planning your solo trip to London, England.
1. Take a food tour through London (from USD 107.35)
Give your taste buds a treat by taking this three-hour food tour through London, where you’ll get to sample some of the best foods the city has to offer. The tour starts at the Borough Market where you can sample some English fudges and Cumberland sausages, made from a 150-year-old recipe! It would be an incomplete tour if you didn’t get to sample the best fish and chips in London, as well as a cup of tea and a sample of the best ale, beer or cider at the pub (non-alcoholic beverages are available at this stop as well). The tour ends with a serving of dessert, likely a cheesecake or toffee pudding.
London: 3-Hour Secret British Food Tour
Duration: 3.0 hour
2. Take a tour of the British Museum in London (from USD 115.0)
When visiting the British Museum in London, you may quickly notice that they have a lot of exhibits, around 8 million artifacts if you are to be precise. If you don’t have all day to spend at the museum and want to see the best of the best the museum has to offer, consider taking this museum tour. The guided tour lasts between 2-2.5 hours and will walk you through the most important pieces on display, with exhibits including the Mummy of Katebet and the Rosetta Stone. You’ll see approximately 6,000 years of history during your tour, and with the tour, you’ll get free admission to the museum.
The British Museum London Guided Museum Tour - Semi-Private 8ppl Max
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
3. Take a bike tour of London's parks (from USD 25.0)
If you love getting out and seeing the sights in unique ways, consider taking this bike tour through some of London’s most famous parks. You’ll cycle through Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and St. James’s Park on this four-hour guided tour while learning about the history of each place you pass through. Other notable landmarks that you will see on the ride include Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the Princess Diana Memorial. Tours are available in the morning and afternoon, allowing you the flexibility of fitting it into your sightseeing schedule.
London Royal Parks Bike Tour with Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace
Duration: 4 hours
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4. Andaz London Liverpool Street - a Concept by Hyatt (from USD 408)
There is certainly plenty to love about this boutique hotel, including the seven on-site restaurants and convenient location within the city. Rooms are modern and spacious, and feature flat-screen TVs and a free non-alcoholic minibar. The restaurants within the hotel cover just about any craving you may encounter, from traditional English fare to casual dining and Japanese cuisine. Drinks are also available to guests at the Catch Champagne Bar & Lounge. When staying here, you’ll be within a mile (1.6 km) of the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral, as well as Shoreditch, which offers visitors numerous shopping and nightlife opportunities.
Andaz London Liverpool Street - a Concept by Hyatt
Address: 40 Liverpool Street
525 meters (0.4 ft) from Leadenhall Market
London Tour Guide
Robert Woolf
I am a London tour guide and my tours include talking about people who have shaped the city plus the many connected places such as Hampton Court Palace, The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the commercial centre of the city: the City of London, and London’s world class museums and galleries. I have been guiding for 12 years. I am a licenced London Blue Badge Tour Guide, a City of London Guide, and a Westminster Guide. The reviews I receive from clients speak of their enjoyment from the local knowledge and the humour I bring to my tours. Born within sight of Hampton Court Palace, I am a Londoner and apart from 2 years in the Middle East, I have worked in this capital city all my business and tour guiding careers. I have travelled widely and I appreciate what appeals to visitors coming to London. I can tailor my tours to interest children. I guide couples, families and larger tour groups. I particularly enjoy visits to Westminster Abbey, where I also volunteer guiding students and children through its wonderful interior – on my tours you will hear about monarchs, why scientists and poets are remembered, the architecture and religious history. The Abbey is the story of England. Come on an engaging and fun tour with me. There is so much to show you !
Tours by Robert
5. Montcalm Royal London House-City of London (from USD 378)
Feel like royalty yourself when you stay at the Montcalm Royal London House. All guest rooms here feature a 55" smart TV, Nespresso Machine as well as access to the hotel’s two restaurants and bars. One of the bars is on the rooftop and offers stellar views to enjoy over your glass of wine or ale. The hotel also has an on-site spa for its guests.
Montcalm Royal London House-City of London
Address: 22-25 Finsbury Square, City
990 meters (0.7 ft) from Leadenhall Market
6. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (from USD 472)
Treat yourself to a stay at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, where you will have a spacious, modernly-appointed room and access to a number of on-site amenities. The hotel features a 24-hour gym, a swimming pool with accompanying sauna and steam room facilities, as well as Mandara Spa, where you can indulge yourself with one (or several!) luxury treatments. Nearby attractions include the London Eye, the Aquarium and Big Ben. You’re also only a short walk from numerous dining and shopping opportunities, though the hotel does have an on-site restaurant if you are interested in award-winning sushi and sashimi for your dinner.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
Address: Westminster Bridge Road
2.7 km (1.7 mi) from Leadenhall Market
7. citizenM Tower of London (from USD 245)
With a location directly above the nearest underground train station, you couldn’t ask for a more convenient locale. Rooms features a large, comfortable bed, a flat-screen TV and a mini fridge filled with free water. Head to the rooftop bar to enjoy the view of the Thames and the Tower of London while having a cold drink in hand.
citizenM Tower of London
Address: 40 trinity square
550 meters (0.4 ft) from Leadenhall Market
8. Be sure to get yourself an Oyster card
The London Visitor Oyster card is simply a must-have if you plan on using any form of public transportation during your visit - and you should, you’ll save a fortune on taxi fares. You can use this card on the London Tube, city buses and railway services while knowing you are getting the best price available for the day; the Oyster card will automatically capture the best price of the day. Another perk the card offers are discounts available through select merchants including Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Cafe.
London Visitor Oyster Card (1 or 7 Days) - Klook
9. Be weather ready
No one wants it to rain on their vacation, but it is best to be prepared for such a possibility, especially when traveling in England. Weather systems coming in from the Atlantic are to blame for the region’s unpredictable rainy weather, and it isn’t confined to a single season, it happens year round. While packing for your trip, be sure to throw your umbrella and raincoat in the suitcase, just to be on the safe side.
10. Tour some of the historic pubs of London (from USD 31.0)
This 2.5-hour tour will take you to three of the oldest pubs in London, located in the historic Bankside district. You’ll start the tour by sampling three amazing beers at The Centre Page, the oldest alehouse in the city, notably mentioned by Charles Dickens in the Pickwick Papers. Continue on the tour to Anchor Bankside, where you’ll pass by Shakespeare’s Globe and drink ale as Shakespeare did in centuries past. The final stop of the tour is The Old Thameside Inn, where a wide assortment of ales are available and you’ll have a great view of the river from the terrace.
London: Historic Pubs Walking Tour with Beer Tasting
Enjoy a solo trip to London
Traveling solo can be a great way to explore a new city and lets you see only what you are interested in seeing, allowing you to make the most of the time you have. With the tips provided above, you are sure to have a successful solo excursion when you visit London, England!
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