Elizabeth

I decided to go to London alone for 6 days next week. I live in a big city (New York) and am used to getting around it on my own, so I don't have "alone in a city" problems--but I'd love suggestions of anything anyone as discovered as a good thing to do alone. <BR> Particularly interested in ideas that will bring me a bit of human contact--like little organized day-trips, tours. Already planning to go to church services. <BR> And places to eat that are "easy" to eat in. Staying in or near Bloomsbury. (Shaw Park Plaza Hotel--big and slick, with a pool!!--no character at all, I imagine.) <BR>

Sal

A friend of mine was in London recently and went on a pub crawl which apparently was a lot of fun.

Escritora

Take it from another New York woman who's been there. You may arrive in London solo, but you needn't be "alone" there! <BR> <BR>Is this your first trip? If so, there's so much to do there it would help to know your interests in order to make recommendations. Since you plan to attend church services, you'd probably really enjoy St. Martin In The Fields (www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/) with its Cafe In The Crypt and numerous concerts, which next week will include a free lunchtime recital and several concerts by candlelight. Day trips within and beyond the city are easy to hook up with, too. You'll find a lot of information on the city's official tourism site, www.londontown.com. <BR> <BR>Oh--and be prepared to run into people from the tristate area at every turn!

Nancy

I spent 2 weeks alone in London about a year and 1/2 ago. I didn't really go out much at night but I did take a trip to Windsor/Eton with a daytrip tour company. Met a lady from my own home town! We stayed later visiting the church in Windsor and having dinner. I really enjoyed that trip and wished I'd signed up for more earlier in my stay. <BR> <BR>Rick Steve's tour book of London offers some very good and "easy" restaurants to go to which I had done on an earlier trip. Hope you have a great time.

janis

And be sure to go to the theatre. Even "sold out" plays often have single seats available. And you can always get good seats at the 1/2 price ticket booth. I have met many folks while going solo to the theatre. <BR> <BR>Also - eat in Tapa bars, sushi bars, etc where they seat people together

david west

Well I'm no woman but here's a few suggestions: <BR> <BR>Go on a few of the guided walks advertised in Time out. These are interesting in their own right and you will meet people on them. <BR> <BR>Use the fact that you are single to your advantage particularly in the theatre. There are often single seats available, when there are no pairs. Also touts ("scalpers") will charge loads less for singles, often less than face value. <BR> <BR>If you really want to "meet" people then there are venues designed for this. A popular one is the Dover St Wine BAr near the Ritz, big crowd of 30s 40s 50s etc all out for a good time and to socialise. NB this is not a "singles" bar, just a popular friendly bar. <BR> <BR>If you are more specific about your interests maybe others could offer their ideas

NANCY

HI, I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ALONE IN LONDON...IN PAST YEARS. I WAS THERE LAST FALL...ALTHOUGH NOT ALONE... <BR> I THINK THE "LONDON WALKS " ARE A GREAT THING FOR A SINGLE WOMAN TO DO AT NIGHT.THEY MEET AT TUBE STOPS AND COVER EVERY IMAGINABLE PART OF LIFE. YOU CAN DO THEM DURING THE DAY AS WELL. THEY COST ABOUT10.00usd.I HAVE DONE"HAUNTED LONDON 'JACK THE RIPPER' THERE ARE PUB CRAWLS...YOUR HOTEL WILL HAVE THE NUMBER TO CALL OR TELL YOU WHERE TO GET THE LIST. <BR> THEATRE IS GREAT..YOU CAN GET HALF PRICE TICKETS&lt;LIKE TKTS/tkts&gt; at leicester square. <BR> THE MARKETS ARE GREAT1PORTOBELLO ROAD,BERMONDSEY MARKET,GET UP EARLY TO BEAT THE DEALERS,be there by 7:30&gt; <BR> Pubs are easy to eat in...have your main meal at noon if you don't like eating alone at night. <BR> Take a tour to Salisbury and Bath...or go by yourself on the train.Have fun!!! <BR> nancy

Beth Anderson

Hi <BR> <BR>Check out <BR> <BR>www.walks.com <BR> <BR>guided walks, tours - some are featured in TimeOut, but not all - better to get a brochure, or, check out the website and print out the daily schedules which may interest you. They also have daytrips to Bath, etc. <BR> <BR>always a highlights of my trip... <BR> <BR>Beth

Betsy

I was in London las summer on my own and did many of the above suggestions which were great. While out on a walk along the Thames, I enocuntered a wine museum called Vinopolis. It may sound kind of weird, but I really liked it. I also work at a winery and have interest in wine. Anyway, for 15 pounds, which isn't cheap, I know, you get an audio tour that highlights all major wine producing regions in the world. You also get tickets for tastings throughout the museum. I really enjoyed it, learned a lot and got to taste many different wines I hadn't had before.Its located near the Globe Theater.

Kavey

I am a Londoner... you can come meet me for lunch up in Camden where I work if you like? <BR> <BR>Kavey

KT

One very easy place to eat alone in Bloomsbury is Wagamama. Japanese noodles, mostly with seafood. Everybody sits at long tables. Bustling, noisy, semi-hip, fun. Can't remember the address, but it's well-known.

Julie

Covent Garden is a good place to wander in the evenings, you will never feel alone, lots of restaurants and shops, nice atmosphere. Lots of tours you could join, I would recommend a day trip to Hever Castle in Kent if you get the chance, it once belonged to Anne Boylyn (who had her head chopped off by Henry 8th) really lovely place, full of history. The weather here at the moment is really hot, but be warned, it could be artic next week, so bring clothes for hot/cold weather. On the whole, Londoners are pretty friendly, and black taxi drivers are usually a good source for information.

Virginia

Thank you all so much for your suggestions!!! I look forward to the walking tours, that sounds just right for me, I'll check the website & Time Our London (already have it), and look for Rick Stevens' book. <BR> It's good to be reminded of the ease sushi & tapas bars--I'm used to (and happy with eating alone with a book, but these settings are great when one wants a little casual chat (depending on the willingness of the next person!). <BR> You asked my interests: art history, literature, old English history, pre-Christian anything--really my interests are anything but music. <BR> More suggestions welcome, expect to chek here again after I get there. Virginia

Elizabeth/Virginia

Both me (Elizabeth/Virginia)--sorry (real email address)

Simone

I go to London alone every year, mostly for the theatre. Since I go to plays or concerts every night dinner is usually a sandwich from a deli or french bakery. Galleries and museums often serve excellent food. London is absolutely wonderful for a person traveling alone, there are many activities, besides smoky pubs, available until late at night. <BR> <BR>Gentle Journeys, Astral Travel and Back Roads Touring all have day trips. Check out their websites. <BR>Enjoy.

betsy

I just returned from a week alone in London and since it was my first solo trip I was a little sceptical about everyone's assurances that "you will make friends". I found that the London Walks were a perfect way to chat with people. There are many different walks scheduled each day for different interests and many of the people on the walks are on their own and seem very willing to have someone to chat with. I met several people who were interested in doing things with someone else, such as going to the theater or dining. London Walks also sponsors "Explorer Walks" which are full day excursions with a good guide at a very reasonable rate. I went on a day out to Stonehenge/Salisbury and one to Oxford and the Cotswolds. Typically, a group tour would not appeal to me and I would never think of a full escorted vacation but these were very pleasant. I also enjoyed going to the National Gallery and British Museum on my own using the audio tours available and being able to take my time as I chose and not worrying about whether my husband was bored or ready to move on to the next area. Try going into the crypt (basement) of the St. Martin's in the FIeld church for lunch early in your trip, not only to enjoy the church and the lunch, but to pick up the London Walks brochure that lists all of the walks and where each will meet. Be sure to spend the extra 1.5 pounds on your first tour to buy a discount card that gives you a 1.5 pound discount on each of your next tours. If you take one more, it pays for itself and after that, each tour is 3.5 instead of 5 pounds. <BR> <BR>If I can answer any other questions, please fee free to e-mail me. Enjoy your trip! <BR> <BR>Betsy

Elizabeth/Virginia

Back from my week in London--thank you again for your suggestions. I was completely fine being alone there, and will go for longer next time. <BR> I loved the Wagamama restaurants. I had several great meals in museums. I went on one London Walk and would like to do all of them. I went to the National Theatre on Friday and Saturday and found myself tickets for things--one that was sold out (Diana Rigg in Humble Boy), one that was half price 2 hours before the curtain (The Relapse, a Restoration comedy, Trevor Nunn dir.). <BR> I found people to talk to easily--waiting for tickets, on the walk, at the next table in the museum cafe, in my hotel. <BR> I noticed the presence of good takeout food--even sandwiches in the train station were nice, with nice French bread, and there are those Pret a Manger sandwiches everywhere--it would be easy to go eat in the parks, I look forward to doing this next time. <BR> My hotel (Shaw Park Plaza, I booked it because I got a wonderful deal on a large air-conditioned room) (which was good, it was super-hot) was right opposite the British Library. I know I would not have gone there otherwise, and I am so glad I did, there were wonderful exhibitions, beautifully presented, things like a First Folio, and the Lindisfarne Gospel. <BR> There are a LOT of nice, smart, interesting women taking solo vacations, or trips with their daughters, and it's very easy to strike up good conversations with them.

carol

Elizabeth, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the feedback. It's really useful, especially the bit about the Shaw Park Plaza--I've seen it in British Airways packages and wondered about it.

Elizabeth

Carol--email me if you want to about Shaw Park Plaza. I was totally satisfied with it, and would stay there again, but would point out that the tube stations it's near don't seem safe enough to be in alone at night. (But fine if you're with one other person.) I took a taxi home from the theatre, which was about $14. I think you could walk from Covent Garden, but not easily from the South Bank. <BR>