Things to do in London on Your Own

Taking time to explore the wonders that London has to offer is a real treat. But doing it at our own pace is even better! Without the restrictions of someone else’s timetable, we’re able to take it as slow or as fast as we like and make the most of every last minute available.

The streets of Mayfair and beyond hold the key to some of the most exciting and interesting opportunities available anywhere in the world. From royal parks to parkour and historical dungeons to 5-star dining, there’s nothing to hold us back—except our own imaginations.

But where do we start with our voyage when going solo in London? Planning is crucial if we’re to create the most amazing memories. And it all starts right here with our guide to activities and things to do alone in London.

Location: 50 Davies Street, Mayfair, London
Price: £20+
Website: https://www.therunninghorsemayfair.co.uk/

Established in 1738, The Running Horse is said to be the oldest pub and kitchen in Mayfair. Retaining its historical charm and an eye for subtle details that instantly make you feel at home, The Running Horse serves up traditional ales, wines and home-cooked food in an unbeatable atmosphere. The cosy bar area is the perfect place to take a pew and get chatting with the locals. The friendly staff are always on hand to welcome visitors with a smile. And if you fancy a little ‘me time’, then slope off to the open fireplace and settle in for a relaxing moment to read a book or watch the world go by.

There’s no pressure here; just honest, traditional fare ranging from small bites to platters and pub classics. All meals are cooked to order with love and attention by the award-winning team. And throughout the year, the menu changes with the seasons as the availability of fresh produce peaks at various times.

Location: Carlos Place, Mayfair, London
Price: £10+
Website: https://www.the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/the-connaught-patisserie/

The Connaught Patisserie sits nestled into the edge of The Connaught Hotel and has a delicious treat in store for anyone going solo in London. Morning pastries are available to offer a welcome energy boost to our day with a Pecan Paris-Brest or perhaps a St. Honoré. Each of the delicacies is hand-crafted with the sort of detail one would expect from The Connaught.

Large cakes are made to order for anyone looking to create a special occasion with a touch of class. And there is also a range of bubbly to accompany the sugary slices of pure heaven. Executive Pastry Chef Nicolas Rouzaud and his team of patissiers will accommodate our every butter-ladened desire—pay them a visit and put them to the test!

Location: Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair, London
Price: £75
Website: https://www.claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea/

In much the same way that brunch is the perfect opportunity to stave off morning hunger, afternoon tea is its p.m. counterpart. This tradition dating back over 150 years is accredited to a close friend of Queen Victoria who was looking for the perfect snack to fill the afternoon hunger gap. It has become one of Britain’s finest traditions with fans of good food and a little ceremony coming from all over the world to experience its splendour.

If there is one place that stands out head and shoulders above the rest as we search for the perfect afternoon tea as a Solo traveller in London, then that is Claridge’s. They offer a traditional menu of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and a fantastic selection of tea lovingly prepared by the devoted staff each and every day. Naturally, our afternoon tea is served in the very finest bone china and using exquisite silverware made to the unique Claridges design. Everything follows the art deco theme that flows throughout this iconic location.

One of the best things to do alone in London is to take a stroll along Mount Street. This beautiful road is a shopper’s paradise and presents some of the most incredible retail opportunities in Central London. It is perfectly possible to spend an entire day meandering the length and breadth of this traditional shopping haven. Moreover, there’s an incredible range of opportunities with all types of fashion items on display. Here are a few of our favourite places to visit on Mount Street.

Location: 12 Mount Street, London W1K 2RD
Website: https://www.balenciaga.com/en-gb

Balenciaga‘s Mayfair branch was the company’s first UK store to launch. It’s now part of the Gucci brand and is one elegant link in a large chain of popular fashion outlets. Balenciaga offers men’s and women’s couture straight from the catwalk to Mount St and is ready for us to browse. The small and intimate store gives 100% attention to detail with the most knowledgeable staff there to tend to their valued customers.

Location: 9 Mount Street, London,
Website: https://roksanda.com/

The Roksanda store was created in collaboration with Sir David Adjaye OBE and sits proudly at number 9 Mount Street. The brand boasts the unmistakable and vivacious Roksanda flair. And along with it comes bold colours and an unwavering dedication to textures, luxury materials and the very latest fashion choices. The collections are seasonal and provide limited runs of artists and items that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Location: 95 Mount Street, London
Website: https://www.marni.com/en-gb/

One of the finest purveyors of Italian accessories is waiting patiently for our arrival! For one of the best things to do alone in London, it’s simply imperative that we immerse ourselves in Marni’s quirky elegance with an avant-garde spirit that has been flowing since 1994. Alternative luxury fashions are created in Italy and land in Mayfair with love. We certainly won’t be in a rush as we browse the rails and chat with the attentive staff who will see our every whim. It is a boutique shopping experience unlike any other.

And it isn’t only retail therapy offered by this iconic street in the heart of Mayfair. There is also a great range of restaurants, cafes and bars to help lighten the load and unwind at the end of a hard day’s shopping. And for the evening, the Sapling gallery showcases a range of emerging and established artists to offer a little culture before making our way home to one of Mayfair’s famous hotels.