5 Places to Visit in London as a Solo Traveller
From a Palace, to sky high views, there is so much to do and see in London
London . . . arguably, the greatest city in the world, although most will say their home capital city takes that title. For me, London wins!
The capital is easy to travel around as a solo traveller, with the extensive Underground system taking you pretty much anywhere. Quite a few top attractions are easy walkers from each other.
Here are the first five places in London to visit as a solo - we’ll add some more later.
1. The London Eye - And Why You Should Fly
Is The London Eye Just a Big Ferris Wheel?
Well, yes, sort of.
The London Eye is a cantilevered observation wheel fitted with glass-sided and topped gondolas. Over 3.75 million people visit each year, making the London Eye the most popular visitor attraction in the United Kingdom.
The wheel has a diameter of 120 metres/394 feet and was first opened to the public in 2000. During construction, the wheel was floated up the River Thames in several sections. These were joined together while still over the river and then hauled into place by cables. The wheel weighs 2,100 tonnes and cost over £70 million.
Originally, the wheel was due to be in place for five years and then removed. However, due to its immense popularity, the lease was extended and it now has a permanent status at the edge of the river.
The capsules, or gondolas number 32 in all and are mounted on the outside of the wheel. They are sealed and air-conditioned and offer unparalleled views of London as you ascend and descend during the ‘flight’. Each capsule weighs 10 tonnes, holds up to 25 people and there is seating to take a break from walking around.
One revolution takes about 30 minutes and it doesn’t stop to take on passengers, so you do that at a walking pace. However, the Eye will stop to take on disabled passengers, wheelchairs, and elderly passengers. The wheel moves at a speed of about 26 cm /10 inches a second and is slow enough for you to easily walk on.
The London Eye has been branded over the years by British Airways, Merlin Entertainment, Coca-Cola, and currently by LastMinute.com.
On a clear day, the visibility is some 25 miles as far as Windsor Castle and Wembley Stadium.
The London Eye is used as a platform for fireworks on New Year’s Eve and for other special occasions and provides a spectacular show.
Joint tickets can be bought that also cover other attractions, such as Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon, and the Sea Life London Aquarium and are valid for up to 90 days.
There are limits on what can be carried into the gondolas. Small pack packs, laptops, and drinking water are fine. You won’t be able to take on items such as suitcases, large rucksacks, or camera tripods.
Top Attractions at The London Eye
Breath-taking views of London
Plenty of photo opportunities
32 air-conditioned capsules
A 4D film
Seating in the capsules
The ‘Flight’ takes 30 minutes
2. Buckingham Palace
Is It Just a Rather Big House?
With 775 staterooms, Buckingham Palace is a significant royal palace, home to the British Monarch and the administrative office of the crown. 19 of the staterooms are open to the public during the summer months. And yes, it is a big house!
Buckingham Palace is the location for weekly meetings between the monarch and the prime minister of the day. The Palace is used for ceremonial occasions for visiting heads of state.
The original Buckingham House was converted into a palace by John Nash, for King George IV, although he never resided in the building. Queen Victoria was the first to live at Buckingham Palace and she added an extra wing to include guest bedrooms.
The palace is filled with rare and valuable porcelain, some of which is on public view.
Look at the roof. If there is a flag flying, that means that the King is in residence.
Buckingham Palace is very busy during the season and it is essential to book your tickets in advance. Tickets are timed, so make sure you are there in good time. Guided tours are available on some days, but be aware these sell out very quickly.
Audio tours are available in eight languages.
At the end of the tour, there is a large gift shop, in the Palace gardens.
Top Attractions at Buckingham Palace
The State Rooms
Changing of the Guard
The Gardens
Fine Art
The Grand Staircase
The Throne Room
The Royal Mews
Over 350 Clocks
3. The National Gallery, London
Is It Just a Few Daubs?
Far from it! The collection at the National Gallery is perhaps the best art collection in the world.
The collection is mostly on permanent display, with each picture having a brief printed explanation describing what you are seeing and when it was created. The period covered is from late-medieval times, through to the early 20th century, in the Western European style.
The building itself was started in 1833, with initial completion five years later, in 1838. Since then the National Gallery was enlarged, with a dome built in 1876 and a new Sainsbury wing in the early 1990s.
Divided into many galleries and rooms, each with a theme, there are three recommended routes. Each takes in parts of the building, some short, others longer. You migh wander at leisure, perhaps looking for a specific painting, or just taking random turns.
The galleries are laid out in order, with the earliest works first (1200-1500), through to the most recent (1700-1930). There is also a gallery on the lower floor, which depicts lesser-known paintings.
You can stand very close to most of the paintings, as few are protected by glass or barriers. There are plenty of seats, where you can both rest and take in the beauty of an individual artist’s work.
Many of the most famous artists and paintings are displayed at the National Gallery. Keep an eye out for the giants, Botticelli, van Gogh, Da Vinci, Monet, Velazquez, Constable, and dozens of others. Some visitors to the gallery spend days studying individual pictures and have their favouries. The majority of visitors to London and the National Gallery spend up to three hours, but as a solo traveller with fewer distractions, you may make it around faster.
Entry to the main collection is free and donations are invited. Certain visiting collections attract an entry fee.
There is a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes.
10 Top Paintings at the National Gallery, London
Sunflowers (Vincent van Gogh)
The Stonemason’s Yard (Canaletto)
Mars and Venus (Sandro Botticelli)
Virgin of the Rocks (Leonardo da Vinci)
A Young Woman Standing at a Virginal (Johannes Vermeer)
Self Portrait at the Age of 34 (Rembrandt)
The Hay Wain (John Constable)
Madonna of the Pinks (Raphael)
Whistlejacket (George Stubbs)
Mr. and Mrs. Andrews (Thomas Gainsborough)
4. Sealife London Aquarium
PIC
Is It Just a Few Fish in a Tank?
Far from it. The aquarium is set in central London and will provide you with several hours of entertainment and wonder. The centre is home to one of the largest collections of global marine life in Europe.
Over one million people visit the aquarium in a year and at times it can be really busy. Try to visit during school term times, when the numbers of people are fewer.
The water tanks hold over two million litres of water, that’s 400,000 gallons or 530,000 US gallons. However you measure it, that is a lot of water.
At feeding time, you may be able to participate in passing food to fish and large mammals, although younger children may beat you to the head of the queue. There are several feeding sessions each day and there are plenty of facts coming your way from the Experience Team on what you are seeing and doing. You will need to book a feeding session when you arrive, but be aware that they are extremely popular and are often fully booked early in the day.
Walkthrough glass tunnels mean you will see sharks and stingrays above your head as they slowly and silently glide by.
Conservation is an important part of the work carried out by aquarium staff. They work on many breeding programs, including those for seahorses, Cuban crocodiles, and jellyfish.
Peak time at the London Aquarium is at weekends, during school holidays, and over Bank holiday weekends. At these times, visitors need to book a timed ticket to ensure entry.
Joint tickets can be bought that also cover other attractions, such as Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon, and the London Eye, and are valid for up to 90 days.
Top Attractions at the Sea Life London Aquarium
500+ species of marine life
Take part in feeding time
A close and personal experience
Shrimps to sharks and everything in-between
Educational talks
Glass tunnels
5. Tate Modern, London
Is It Just a Bit of Modern Art Splashed on a Canvas?
In some ways, yes, but Tate Modern is far more than that, it is one of Britain’s top tourist destinations.
Housed in the former Bankside Power Station, the galleries are airy and home to a significant collection of modern art.
You’ll discover work from artists as diverse as Pollock, Dali, and Picasso.
Displays change on a regular basis, so there is always something new to see.
Begin at ‘The Start Display’, which is an introduction to the collection and a guide on what to see, and where to find it in the complex.
There are seven levels in the Natalie Bell Building, with eleven to be found in the Blavatnik Building extension. Check the viewing point on level 11 of Blavatnik.
The Tower of Babel is a curious collection of old and modern radios, tuned to different frequencies and stations, forming part of the Media Network exhibit.
Close to Tate Modern, is the Millennium Bridge, which is a great place to watch passing boats on the Thames.
Top Attractions at Tate Modern
1. Turbine Hall Installations
2. Blavatnik Building
3. The Start Display
4. Tower of Babel
5. Top of the Tower
6. The Fountain
7. Media Networks
8. The Tanks
Look for another set of places to visit as a solo traveller in London, quite soon.