Do you have a bucket list for London, but struggle to align the time and dates with your friends or family? It’s never too late to savour the joy of quiet, unhurried moments in a city you love on your own. If you find yourself with a free morning or afternoon, consider this your soft launch into solo dates. These low-pressure and budget-friendly ideas are perfect for the girlies who love a little art, a little beauty, and a little wandering.

It’s time to leave the group chat and explore a new part of town or rediscover your own neighbourhood, all while enjoying your own lovely company. 

1. Museum-Hopping by Day (or Night)

Be a tourist for the day and take advantage of the incredible museums and galleries right on our doorstep! Start with a lazy morning and then float through South Kensington icons: the V&A, Science Museum, and Natural History Museum. Or head further afield to the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, East London, or the P21 Gallery near King’s Cross, which spotlights contemporary Arab art and culture. Most are free, and even better when you go alone so that you can soak in the art quietly. Many of these also offer late-night openings, perfect for quiet, reflective browsing.

And who says museums have to be serious? Make your visit playful by creating your own bingo card (dramatic poses, fruit bowls, a single chair, a desolate window), bring a sketchpad, and see where your curiosity takes you. End with a coffee and a few thoughts jotted in your Notes app.

2. Movie Nights Under the Stars

Summer in London is a dream come true for all the movie buffs, with outdoor cinemas and rooftop screenings popping up all over the city every year. Whether you’re into classics or the latest releases, just bring a blanket, some snacks, and settle in for a movie night with the city skyline as your ceiling.

Here are some of the best spots to catch an open-air screening in the summer:

• Rooftop Film Club
• Summer Screens at Canary Wharf Summer by the River
• Everyman on the Canal
• Barbican Outdoor Cinema

3. For the Love of Drama 

London has one of the best theatre scenes in the world, so why not treat yourself to a spontaneous night out? Open the TodayTix app, scroll till something catches your eye, and grab a solo ticket (you can often find them for £15–£25). Some of our favourite smaller theatres with strong lineups, regularly featuring POC writers and actors, include:

• Bush Theatre
• Young Vic
• Kiln Theatre
• Royal Court Theatre

No group chat negotiations, no waiting on anyone. Just you, a seat in the dark, and a story unfolding live in front of you. And if you’re lucky, solo seats sometimes get bumped to the good spots.

4. Read a Book around the City (Bonus: It’s Set in London)

Pack a novel set in the city (Brick Lane, The Lonely Londoners, Open Water, Girl, Woman, Other, or even the quintessential Sherlock Holmes, through which the world knows London), and head to your favourite park. Grab goodies from a local market or cafe, and make it a picnic. Lay out a blanket, and read the words where they were written to unfold: no agenda, no deadlines, just vibes.

When the sun isn’t out, you can swap the picnic for a cosy indoor corner. Check out The Wellcome Collection’s Reading Room, or find a quiet spot in one of London’s many museums, which often have peaceful reading areas and cafes. Lose track of time browsing Foyles on Charing Cross Road or the beautifully curated Libreria in East London.

If you prefer a coffee alongside your pages, try cafes like Qima, Frothee, Grounded, or chains like WatchHouse or Arabica. For a mix of work and leisure, enjoy the comfy seating at co-working spaces such as Bermonds Locke in Bermondsey or Ember Locke in Kensington.

5. Take in the Best Views of the City

Did you know some of the best views in London, both from above and across the skyline, are completely free? You can book a slot at Sky Garden or The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate to float above the rooftops and soak in panoramic views of the city. 

If you prefer something more spontaneous, there are plenty of spots that don’t require booking at all. Stroll up to Primrose Hill, enjoy the vast horizons from Parliament Hill, or take in the Thames and city skyline from Greenwich Park. Perfect for savouring slow moments and breathing above the noise.

6. Explore a Neighbourhood through a New Lens

Why not pick somewhere you haven’t explored before, but always wanted to see and bring a film camera or even just your phone. Photograph whatever catches your eye, a door, a coffee shop sign, a shop window, and turn it into a little visual diary of the day.

7. Street Art Scavenger Hunt

Yes, Shoreditch and Brick Lane are classics, but don’t stop there. Wander through Hackney Wick, Camden, Dulwich, Clapham or Brixton — each one bursting with colour, politics, and creativity. Free, easy, and full of unexpected beauty around every corner.

8. Cruise the River

Ditch the tube and hop on the Thames Clipper for a breezy boat ride. Sail from Westminster to Greenwich, take in the city views, and if you have time, get off and explore, all for around £7.

9. Bookshop Browsing 

For all the bibliophiles and introvert girlies! Spend an hour (or three) wandering through London’s many bookshops, from secondhand gems like Kirkdale Bookshop and Any Amount of Books to aesthetic spots like Libreria and The Second Shelf.

There’s also Brick Lane Books, Waterstones Gower Street, the London Review Bookshop, and tucked-away favourites like Hackney Books, Review Bookshop in Peckham, and Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace. If you’ve explored the indie booksellers and want to lose yourself in a large bookstore, check out Hatchards or Foyles. Or simply turn up at Cecil Court for a street full of bookshops!

Bring a tote, pick up something unexpected, and maybe start reading it in a café you find on the way home. There’s no wrong way to browse. Just follow the shelves.

10. Walk it Off Solo

When you want to move but the gym isn’t calling, head out on a solo walk. The Capital Ring and London Loop are long-distance trails that circle the city in manageable sections, offering greenery, views, and random hidden gems you’d never find otherwise. Or keep it central with a twilight riverside stroll. Start at Westminster and wander east to Tower Bridge on the self-guided Jubilee Walk. The city glows differently at night, and walking alone is sometimes the best way to clear your head (and rack up your step count).

If you’re looking for a challenge, head to Epping Forest and hike one of their beautiful trails. With over 284km of paths and trails across its 8,000 acres, there are countless routes to choose from!

11. Lunchtime concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields

A free concert in a beautiful old church? Yes please. Most weekdays, you’ll find lunchtime performances that can serve the midday breather you need. You can be in and out in under an hour, or linger with a hot drink after. A pocket of calm, right in the middle of central London.

12. For the Gamer Girlie

You can grab a £15 annual pass to the Power Up exhibit at the London Science Museum, which is a room filled with consoles from the ‘80s to today. From Pong to Pac-Man and Minecraft to Mario, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a retro games fan or a serious gamer, you can spend the whole day playing single-player classics and reliving childhood nostalgia.

13. For the Love of Coffee

London’s coffee scene has always been buzzing, but it is positively blooming with the rise of Muslim-owned coffee shops, and we’re here for it. Try Frothee, Qima, or Guillam Coffee House for speciality drinks and beautiful spaces rooted in community and heritage.

14. Vintage + Charity Shop Wandering

There’s something about slow, unrushed vintage shopping that just feels like peak treasure-hunting energy. Spend an afternoon wandering around Shoreditch, Notting Hill, or Dalston, popping into charity shops and vintage stores packed with forgotten gems. Some of the favourites around town? Brick Lane Vintage Market, Portobello Road, Retromania in Pimlico, and Hackney Flea Market. Bring a tote and just potter about.

15. Kew Gardens

Sometimes you just need beauty and stillness. Kew Gardens are perfect for wandering, meditating in quiet corners, or soaking it all in. Bring your camera, a book, a journal, your sketchpad or just your heart.

Life doesn’t need a big, flashy itinerary to be meaningful, nor is there ever a deadline for joy. Sometimes, all it takes is showing up for yourself — some curiosity, sunlight, and the decision to do something just because you want to. Whether you’ve got a full free day or just a spare hour between errands, these solo date ideas are your invitation to be spontaneous, playful, and let the city be as dreamy and delicious as you want it to be.