8 Unusual Ideas for a Solo Weekend Getaway in London

Solo Traveller in London Solo Traveller in London

8 Unusual Ideas for a Solo Weekend Getaway in London

Planning a solo getaway in London? 

If this is your first time travelling without company, you can rest assured that the UK’s capital city checks all the boxes for a solo adventure. To get around easily, choose a city centre hotel such as Pan Pacific London to be where the action is—culture and architecture will vie for your attention, as will top-notch restaurants and cafes. 


Before your trip, make a to-do list so that you can avoid being pulled in too many directions, although that could be part of the thrill! To get you started, the Pan Pacific London team have recommended the following unique experiences, to make your trip to London a memorable one.

8 Unique London Activities for Solo Travellers

As a solo traveller, you have all the flexibility in the world. Check out lesser-known London attractions, join a tour to discover hidden gems, or splash out on a night out for one—you decide.

 

Visit London’s Most Interesting Home

 

Curious about what life might have been like for a Spitalfields family—several hundred years ago? Visit the Dennis Severs’ House, where you will enter an immersive art installation, with vintage objects carefully arranged to ignite imaginations and evoke nostalgia. 

A mysterious American who arrived in London’s Spitalfields in 1979, Dennis Severs bought the once-derelict house, and lovingly transformed it into a cosy home for an imaginary Huguenot family. Severs passed away two decades ago but his time capsule creation lives on, along with the open invitation to explore connections between past and present, as well as fact and fiction.

 

Get directions to Dennis Severs’ House (8-minute walk from Pan Pacific London)

 

Uncover Britain’s Postal Heritage

The Postal Museum celebrates the world’s first social network—the mail service—with 500 years of postal artifacts. And no, it is not all about postage stamps here, as you are just as likely to stumble upon other gems, including cryptic Victorian Valentine cards and a gold Olympic post box. 

Something else that may surprise you is that postal service stories are anything but dull. For instance, did you know that being a postman was once a high-risk occupation? Emerge from your visit with newfound respect for the heroic post boys of the past, who braved blistering storms while fending off attacks from robbers—all in the name of delivering mail to their rightful recipients.

 

Get directions to The Postal Museum (20-minute tube ride from Pan Pacific London)

 

Pay Tribute to a Great British Novelist

After your visit to The Postal Museum, take a four-minute walk to reach the Charles Dickens Museum. Initially a London journalist, Charles Dickens later found acclaim with his stories such as Nicholas Nickleby and Oliver Twist—and he moved into his home at this very location in 1837.

Today, the Charles Dickens Museum has amassed a vast collection of about 100,000 pieces—including letters, clothes, and furniture—to give visitors a glimpse into the illustrious author’s life. The museum is definitely worth a visit if you are a fan of classic literature, or are simply curious about middle-class life in Victorian London.

 

Get directions to Charles Dickens Museum (20-minute tube ride from Pan Pacific London)

 

Take a Shoreditch Street Art Tour

 

If you want to go on the hunt for some of the best street art in the world, head to Shoreditch, which is filled with creativity, and features distinctive artwork that you will not find anywhere else. This well-known street art neighbourhood features work by contemporary British artists that you have probably heard of, such as Banksy, along with other notables that you could get to know, like Camille Walala and Mr Cenz

You can use a Shoreditch street art guide to track down the artworks on your own, or join a tour to enjoy rich insights from a local expert. Have more time to spare? Visit nearby neighbourhoods Brick Lane and Hackney Wick to admire the artworks there too.

 

Book Shoreditch Street Art Tour

 

Discover a Hidden Gem Art Museum

Guildhall Art Gallery Guildhall Art Gallery

 

Home to the City of London Corporation’s art collection, the Guildhall Art Gallery features a modest collection of about 4,500 works—perfect for a short visit. Here, you will find art dating back to the late 1600s, but art enthusiasts recommend devoting your attention to the pieces from the Victorian era (the mid-1800s to 1901).

A bonus for history buffs: While at the Guildhall Art Gallery, you can also view the remains of an amphitheatre, constructed when London was under Roman rule. Many visitors consider this the museum’s main draw, so be sure not to miss it.

 

Get directions to Guildhall Art Gallery (12-minute walk from Pan Pacific London)

 

Go on a London Street Walk and Meet People

Contrary to the beloved English story of Dick Whittington and his cat, the streets of London are not paved with gold. With the right company, however, London streets can be filled with merriment. 

The London Walks are a fun way to meet new acquaintances, especially if you join the popular themed walks dedicated to The Beatles or Jack the Ripper. Alternatively, you can register for the Street Art Walk, which takes place every Sunday at 11.00am—the tour begins just outside Liverpool Street station’s Bishopsgate West Exit. (If you are a guest at Pan Pacific London, this location is a short walk away.)

 

Book London Walks

 

Visit London’s Oldest Street Food Market

Borough Market Seafood Paella Borough Market Seafood Paella

 

It would appear that all the food you could ever hope to try—from all over the world—is available at the well-loved Borough Market. The market is best explored at your own pace, but if you prefer to be shown around, you can join a food tasting tour to sample British cheese and chutney, traditional fish ‘n’ chips, Lincolnshire sausage, and more. To cater for specific dietary needs, book a private tour instead.

 

Get directions to Borough Market (16-minute tube ride from Pan Pacific London)

Book Secret Food Tour: London Bridge & Borough Market

 

Dine at London’s Best Restaurants

Pan Pacific London Straits Kitchen Pan Pacific London Straits Kitchen

Sign up for Pan Pacific DISCOVERY

Join Pan Pacific DISCOVERY and unlock a wealth of benefits, with or without a stay. Enjoy exclusive member rates, specially curated Local Offers and Experiences, and access to our rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$).

SIGN UP NOW

 

For guests at Pan Pacific London, some of London’s top restaurants are just minutes away—get a taste of Japanese fusion at Sushi Samba or discover Portuguese cuisine at Bar Duoro. And if you plan to be up all night, Duck & Waffle (British and European cuisine) is open around the clock. 

Need to wind down after a day of sightseeing? Pan Pacific London guests can enjoy authentic Singaporean dishes, such as Lobster Laksa, at our in-house restaurant Straits Kitchen. Post-dinner, chill out at our luxe bar Ginger Lily, which has an extensive champagne list, a plethora of some of the finest rums in the world, and a cocktail menu featuring Singapore-inspired concoctions.

 

Get directions to Sushi Samba (1-minute walk from Pan Pacific London)

Get directions to Bar Duoro (6-minute walk from Pan Pacific London)

Get directions to Duck & Waffle (1-minute walk from Pan Pacific London)

 

Need more help to plan your London getaway? Get in touch with the Pan Pacific London team today!

 

Discover More Destination Insights

5 Unusual Tours for Your Weekend Getaway in London

Find Out More

Plan a London Staycation for Your Self-Care Needs

Find Out More

The Beginner’s Travel Guide to London

Find Out More

View Our Offers