18 Year Old - Alone in England!!
 

I was just wondering, how safe is London for an 18yr old female on her own? I'm going to be in London in September for a week, and I'm staying at a hotel near Regent's Park. Is london safe? Where are some good hang out spots where I can meet some people (male or female)? (pubs, clubs, etc.)

London is very safe. A solo female is completely OK as long as they keep their wits about them. Basically learn about London - the not so safe places, and avoid them on your own at night. Tubing is safe alone at night, although you may get a bit of unwanted attention from a drunk. Firmly say No if required, and look to an older person for help. The biggest threat will probably be pickpockets. Be aware, and read the tips in this forum regarding avoid them. To meet like minded people, I'd recommend doing a short tour or similar - possibly a backpackers one. They are more likely to have people of a similar age. To be honest, and the risk of sounding sexist, women in pubs and clubs on their own will be look at as "easy" and may attract the wrong type of attention. <BR>I currently stay in London - if you need specific info or any assistance while you're here feel free to e-mail.

Sarah, London is a big city, and should be respected as such. Though safer than some American cities, it's not Disneyworld. If you're not used to big cities, then there are basic caveats we all can share with you. If you know big cities, just rely on your experience. <BR>I'm not familiar with those places where your age group go; I'm sure there are Fodorites who have that info. <BR>

<BR>where the boys are! (and girls) <BR> <BR>Dear Sarah, <BR> <BR>Definitely take a day trip once to Cambridge(take the train from King's Cross Station) and then to Oxford (train from Paddington Station) and come back to London late in the evening. [Be sure to get a 7-day bus and tube pass in London (zone1&2). Take the tour bus in both cities more as a convenience to go around.] <BR> <BR>Aside from Cambridge and Oxford being so lovely and historic with so many things to see; these cities are where you will definitely bump into college boys. Among 18,000? (in Cambridge) and more in Oxford, you should be able to have luck to be "conversational" with one or more. If you happen to meet one boy in Cambridge, persuade him to take one of the boat cruise at the River Cam. If he is a good "punter", maybe he would even do the punting for you. <BR> <BR>In Cambridge, if you have the Fitziwilliams Museum has a very good collection plus it is free. But, definitely, be sure to visit the King's College Chapel and the grounds of the College. I believe, when classes start, there is daily Chapel service for the college boys. I am unsure whether you are allowed to attend church at that time with them (it won't hurt to call ahead of time). But, when I was in Windsor Castle on a Sunday, I was allowed to attend the mass services in the afternoon (starts at 5 pm) at St. Georges Chapel -- one of the most beautiful Chapels in England even if it is small -- inside the Castle grounds. <BR> <BR>John Milton, Samuel Coleridge, Byron, William Wordsworth are just a few of the great literary figures that walked the streets of Cambridge. While daydreaming, an apple once fell (supposedly) on the head of Isaac Newton in Cambridge - an incident that revolutionized our understanding of the world. And were it not because of his formative years in Cambridge, Charles Darwin, may not have evolved his "theory" -- that required the Christians in Kansas to go to court, forcing the state to repeal the teaching of evolution. Imagine that perhaps one of the boys (or girls) you meet in Cambridge might be like one of those (above) who we now talk with reverence and awe. Or, perhaps, these boys will reminisce with fond memories of meeting you because you have become the "future Jane Austen". If you make believe, Cambridge will be magic -- but then, again the future may deem to make these dreams reality. <BR> <BR> <BR>The layout of Cambridge is more lovely than Oxford, but there is something about the history of Oxford that gives it more charm -- foremost, many of the colleges in Oxford are older than the ones in Cambridge. The Ashmolean Museum has a very extensive collection and is also free. It has a number of Michelangelo and Raphael sketches, among its priced treasures (and more). Also, if you ever read Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak, his father was a painter who lived in Oxford near the end of his life. Thus, you will get a chance to see paintings of the young man Boris (before he got even more famous than his father) and his brother -- plus many other famous portraits of historically famous people in Russia and Europe painted by his famous father. [He also did the illustrations for Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace"]. <BR> <BR>Think of poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley (an Oxford "dropped-out", he was expelled), Sir Thomas More, Sir Walter Raleigh or the great minds of John Locke, Adam Smith, Robert Hooke, and many more; think of them as young students like you -- then Oxford will become alive in your mind and heart. <BR>

<BR> <BR>Initially, I planned to skip Westminster Abbey (because of the long lines to get in). But I was so awed with the beauty of King's College Chapel, that I decided I had to see Westminster Abbey when I went back to London. The Abbey is grand and beautiful (but not as beautiful as King's College Chapel). On the whole, I planned on visiting the Abbey for an hour or two, but I ended up spending the rest of the day there. <BR> <BR>I was lucky to visit Westminster Abbey when the cloister garden was open. There is nothing especial about the garden but it is just like an oasis in the heart of London -- with the high garden walls blocking the view of the maddening crowd in the Westminster area affording a very nice uncluttered view of the Queen Victoria Tower of the British Parliament and (if you also shift spot and direction) also a unique vantage (cropped) view of Big Ben. [However, Big Ben is best viewed near sunset at the other side of River Thames.] Imagine having a quiet lunch with your new boy (or girl) friend in such a setting. It will become an "enchanted garden" in your mind. <BR> <BR>I was so moved by my experience at the St. George's Chapel in Windsor that I attended the afternoon services (also at 5 pm and there is no line) at Westminster Abbey. It is no Vienna Boys Choir (first there are girls) but it is so moving to hear the clear voice of the young boys and girls at Westminster Abbey. <BR> <BR>[When you have a chance to go Paris, be sure to visit Notre Dame. I believe it has the same architectural style as King's College Chapel and Westminster Abbey.] <BR> <BR>

<BR> <BR>In London, Imperial College (a very big university complex) is near the museum complex (Victoria and Albert, Natural History, Science Museum) in the Kensington Area. You can have lunch also in the "gardens" (there are several) of the college where many students take a respite (especially before dusk). Another chance to meet boys (and girls). <BR> <BR>University of London occupies a sizable block at Gower St./Euston area. The British Museum is near there too but at the other end down the road towards Bloomsbury/Russell St. area. <BR> <BR>The Covent Garden area, while very touristy, is a place where many young people (including many tourists) would go -- restaurants, pubs, theatre, museums, shopping, etc. (many American Brand name chains)-- rather safe even at night. Walking distance from Covent Garden is Trafalgar Square -- if you want crowd, this is the place (mostly tourist though). In the Trafalgar and adjacent areas would be the National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Courtauld Gallery (part of a university in the area -- so another possibility of meeting boys and girls), etc. <BR> <BR> <BR>The Soho area is more bohemian and offers many attractions similar to those found at Covent Garden and more: restaurants, pubs, theatre, red district, Chinatown, Haymarket & Fannueil Hall (Boston kind) -- all rolled into one. If you had been and felt at home in New Orleans French Quarter, you should have no problem in Soho. However, go there at night (when it comes most alive) only if you are part of a group (of girls and guys) you already know and trust. It is not exactly the safest area, since it is the "sin city" area of London. <BR> <BR>St. James Park, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are all very lovely and frequented by tourists and locals alike to spend a lazy day. However, there are so many "squares" or small gardens all over London, so that if you have your lunch in these small squares and gardens (as many Londoners do), you are more likely to meet the locals. <BR> <BR>Having fun is a state of mind. <BR> <BR>CGC -- 990824

I have been living in London for the past 3 months and have not had any problems. Everything in Jo's message sounded very accurate! I would say definitely stay out of the Brixton area, it is quite dodgy, esp. at night. I have found King's Cross to be kind of scary at night as well! You should meet a lot of fun people in the hostels where you stay (I did). Except for the occasion drunk guy who falls out of bed, wanders around the room naked, and urinates on the carpet, most of the people in the hostels are basically kind and considerate. I have (so far) never had anything stolen from my bags. Beware of rude people at phone booths! People in this city have a habit of barging into the phone booth if they want to use the phone and think you have been on it too long! Try (if you can) to keep your cool and not smack them, because you may be tempted!

brixton at night is great - some of the best clubs in europe with the latest djs - also stays open much later - most clubs in brixton start at 11 pm and close at 6 or 7 am on weekends - try Mass (name of club) in an old church in the centre of brixton - young trendy crowd - beware through brixton can be uncomfortable in the wrong places <BR>another good area is shoreditch area where there are loads of new bars and clubs - soho is mostly now for subrubanites and tourists - can be a boring night out - another good place is camden - good market during the day -saturdays and some good live music. <BR> <BR>beware london is huge and it is slow to get from one place to next <BR> <BR>kings road is good for shopping <BR> <BR>