Whether you prefer your own company or simply need a break from the crowds of London, the city has a plethora of activities to offer for all you solo explorers. Some of the best days I have spent in London have been when I’ve taken myself out traversing the lanes of London. Along the way I’ve found that music hits differently at various times of the day, picked up some unbeatable food recommendations and learnt the hard way that heeled shoes will give me blisters. However, I think the best habit I have picked up from all these solo dates though, has been the ability to enjoy my own company. Now, I wish to impart this wisdom to you.
1. Ambling about Russell Square
As someone who lived an eight-minute walk away from Russell Square during first year, it’s one of the areas of London I became the most well-acquainted with. Start at Square Bubbles (I highly recommend their matcha milk tea or hazelnut milk tea) and take your drink to the gardens themselves. Feel free to people-watch, indulge in a podcast or jam to some great music while you finish your drink then head to the British museum. Stick to a few rooms in the museum since it’s impossible to cover them all in a day. I recommend the Japan rooms if you’re looking to get away from the crowd and take your time at each exhibit. Alternatively, the Egyptology Rooms and the Near East section lie parallel to each other and can easily take more than an hour or two to browse. Feeling hungry by now? Me too. A ten-minute walk from the museum will lead you back towards Russell Square and to Valencia Cafe. Do not be fooled by the interiors, they have the cheapest fish and chips I have found so far in London at £7 and serve generous portions which makes it the perfect way to end your excursion!
2. Sunset Walks around Soho
A solo date is best experienced during the summer months, but if you can beat seasonal depression and the winter weather, you have my admiration. Start at Charlotte Street, and with your trusty pal Google Maps, make your way through Oxford Street towards Creme Cookies Soho. Here, you will find the best (yes, the best) cookies in all of London, and for £4, they are on the pricier side but provide ample fuel for the rest of your day out. Put on your favourite music, and lose yourself in the magic that is Soho during the sunset. My usual route is to take the bylanes of Soho to Oxford Circus tube station. This is one of my favourite ways to experience London in summer. Walking through the colourful lanes of Soho, you’ll see so many interesting things and people and for a moment, you feel like a part of something special in this big city. When you’re done exploring make your way down Oxford street and turn onto Tottenham Court Road. Finish at one of the many eateries in the area. Seoul Plaza and Icco Pizza are some great budget-friendly options!
3. Thrifting along Holloway Road
I recently discovered the joy that is thrifting, and Holloway Road has an abundance of these. Starting at the Lidl on Holloway Road, you’ll find two charity shops right next to each other. Shelter Charity Shop is easy to navigate thanks to the clothes being arranged according to colour and having a great collection of accessories. British Heart Foundation has some lovely (and very fashionable!) staff who’ll be happy to help you and dole out compliments when you emerge with that perfect thrift find. Make your way down Holloway Road toward Archway and you will find the Bluebell Bistro. As much as I want to gatekeep this gem, it is a small business and deserves the support. Bluebell bistro’s interiors feel like you’ve stepped into a cottage-core themed Pinterest page with wooden furniture, quirky signs and knick-knacks strewn everywhere. I tried their most expensive drink at £4: the Nutella coffee, but a latte will only set you back £2.80 and their brunch menu is to die for. When you are done with your meal keep walking down Holloway Road till you reach Archway station and right opposite the entrance you will find the Marie Curie charity shop. This shop has been the site of some of my best thrift finds including a silk wedding suit and the staff are always happy to help. End the day by grabbing another drink or pastry from Phyllo Bakehouse just around the corner on Holloway Road.
4. Notting Hill & Portobello Road Market
I have a ritual of visiting Notting Hill once a year during the summer and each time has been better than the last. Starting at Notting Hill Gate tube station, make your way down Portobello Road and explore the market. The stalls on Portobello Road will sell everything from vintage books to second-hand jewellery. The stalls are a treasure trove for fashion lovers and you can easily spend a few hours browsing them all. Along the way, you’ll also find some amazing vintage shops, NADI antiques and Red Lion vintage are my personal favourites. Then, be extremely touristy and browse The Travel Bookshop where the film ‘Notting Hill’ was filmed. As the film states, some of the books are disappointing, but there is a massive cutout of Hugh Grant to take photos with. Once finished, keep following Portobello Road till you eventually see a row of colourful tents. This is the food market. The cuisines available range from Caribbean to Korean and they are all wonderful and relatively budget-friendly due to the massive portions. Finally, to experience the famous colourful houses of Notting Hill without the bustle of too many people, seek Tavistock Road and enjoy the numerous photo opportunities it offers!
5. Chinatown!
This excursion is one for food lovers. No Chinatown excursion is complete without bubble tea and while the area has an abundance of these shops I like to think I know the best ones to go to. If you enjoy the classics, pay Xing Fu Tang a visit. Their drinks are definitely on the pricier side, but their brown sugar boba milk is the best I have had so far. For cream cheese foam lovers, Kova Patisserie is the place to be. Kova’s drinks are beautiful to look at and they serve a range of delicious vegan options too. Fruit tea lovers, I have not forgotten you. Whale Tea has an extensive range of fruit tea and I have only heard good things about their menu. Moving onto food, your first duty is to pay a visit to Chinatown Bakery. The baked goods are restocked very often and have never failed to deliver on taste. Try their pandan sponge cakes or BBQ pork buns! Nestled right next to Chinatown Bakery is Linlin Crepes. Make sure to keep cash handy for this spot as they do not accept card. Linlin Crepes is quite budget friendly and specialises in Chinese street food, ranging from their delicious Chinese crepes to steamed buns. They also serve Japanese octopus balls or Takoyaki which is my go to every time. For a final drink choose between Mamason’s gorgeous ube hot chocolate or a matcha-flavoured drink at Tsujiri. Take your pick, they’re both excellent drinks to wash your meal down with!
These trips are merely starting points for all you explorers. The city has endless bylanes, and each corner reveals something new. Life in London can be isolating at times, and I hope these excursions will help you find little pieces of the city you can call your own and come to love.
All original photos by Aarohini Ghosh