Guide to things to do alone in London

There's something ever-so wholesome about going to a gallery on your own, and there are heaps of them you can check out in London. Whether you're keen to see classics by old masters or cutting-edge contemporary art by emerging artists, there's likely to be a gallery suited to your preference in the city. From renowned institutions like Tate Modern and The National Portrait Gallery to intimate spaces like Whitechapel Gallery, there are plenty of galleries perfect for enjoying some solitary moments immersed in creativity.

It's fair to sometimes wonder why anyone would even bother going to a museum with another person in tow when there's so much to see and soak up, right? That's why hitting up a museum is an excellent solo activity, to take a moment to enjoy some peace and reflect on whatever it is you're looking at. London is chock full of awesome museums, from the Natural History Museum and The V&A to Sir John Soane's house and the weird and wonderful Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities, Fine Art & UnNatural History.

If you head to a food market by yourself, at least you won't have to wait for anyone else to decide what they want to eat, you can simply wander around every stall trying a bit of everything. There are loads of food markets dotted all around the city, from Greenwich Market and the renowned Borough Market to Spitalfields and South Bank.

In recent years, London has been ranked the greenest city in the UK, and we're not entirely surprised since the city has a whopping 3000 green spaces, which is the most out of all major European cities. So, it's only fitting to include walking in this guide, and this is definitely something you can enjoy solo. Whether you want to stroll through one of London's magnificent cemeteries, like Abney Park, a Victorian cemetery which is home to 200 incredible old trees, or you'd rather follow a canal walking trail, you're spoilt for choices with walking in this city.

Seeing someone enjoying a cup of coffee and reading their book by themselves in a cute, cosy café is always a sight to behold, and one that makes you think, 'I should do that sometime'. Nothing beats taking yourself to your favourite coffee shop, ordering a large cappuccino and opening your book, forgetting about anything else that might be on your to-do list for half an hour. There are many places you can enjoy a cuppa, but we like Mare Street Market  in London Fields for its cosy corner sofa or Root25 in Bow for its chilled-out vibes.

We often wonder what the point of going to the cinema with someone else is; you spend the majority of the time silent, unable to speak (well if you're a decent cinema go-er), and focusing on watching the movie, as you should. So, really, we're in favour of solo cinema dates over cinema dates with anyone else. Genesis Cinema gets our vote, it's intimate and cosy and you can melt into one of their comfy armchairs.

Perhaps you haven't mustered up the courage to hop on a flight and visit a different country totally alone just yet, but that's ok; London is super close to a plethora of incredible UK cities and towns, many of which can be reached easily from any of the city's main train stations. You could be in Brighton in around an hour or in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds in under two, or, if you want to head a little further afield, Scotland is around five hours away while the lush beaches of Cornwall are also around five - take your pick. 

There are plenty of restaurants in London that are perfect for taking yourself on a little solo dinner date. It can be a little daunting dining out alone, so knowing where to go is key. We have a few favourites: Burro e Salvia, My Old Place, Esters, Mr Falafel - the list goes on. But we have an entire guide dedicated to solo dining in London, so take a look at that for more recommendations. 

If you're a bit of a bibliophile, then check out BookBar in Highbury, a bookshop and wine bar hybrid that strives to bring people together through literature. If you're flying solo, this is an excellent way to meet like-minded literature lovers in a cool, laid-back space in a buzzy part of the city.

Going wine tasting can be an excellent way to meet new people or just a lovely way to spend some quality time with yourself. Learn all about different wines, and how to slosh, swill, sip and spit alongside like-minded wine lovers at any of the establishments around London that specialise in wine. From Humble Grape's monthly gatherings to more in-depth classes at any of the Local Wine Schools around the city. Check out our guide to wine tasting to see all the spots we picked. 

Why not hop on a Santander bike and explore the side streets of London? If you go by yourself, you don't have to wait for someone else to keep up, and you can go at a leisurely pace if you prefer. Around 800 docking stations are dotted around the city, so you're never too far from a bike, some of which are also close to many of London's lush green parks. Head to Victoria Park for a few laps, or hit up Battersea Park in the south for all the pretty views.

Supper clubs are a sort of cross between a restaurant and a dinner party, so if heading to a restaurant alone seems a little daunting, this is a great middle ground. You can enjoy fine, high-quality food, without too much formality, in a relaxed, laid-back setting, sometimes even at the host's house. Usually, there will be other people like you who are there to enjoy the food - a great way to spark conversation. It's not unusual to see people going alone to supper clubs; they're designed for the purpose of enjoying good food in a casual environment. 

Heading to a comedy club solo is a great way to de-stress and have a few laughs at the end of the day. See it as similar to going to the cinema alone; most of the time is spent watching the acts on stage, with little time for socialising anyway. If you make it a regular occurrence, you might end up getting to know the comics. Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green is a nice spot, plus it's pretty cheap. We also like Top Secret Comedy Club; you're likely to see a few big names here practising their content. Take a look at our guide to comedy clubs in London for all our recommendations.