Exploring London and South England in April
Exploring London as a Solo Traveler
Hi! I’m Rachael Facey, the Content Coordinator at Crowd Digital Marketing. Earlier this spring, I had the opportunity to take a solo trip to London. It turned out to be one of my favorite travel experiences yet, and I’m excited to share some highlights with you!
While I had originally planned to hop around to multiple cities during my stay, I decided to make London my home base and take a few day trips from there. Looking back, I’m really glad I did. There was more than enough to explore in London itself, and having one “home” for the week made it easy to settle in and enjoy the city at a comfortable pace.
Day Trips to York, Bath, and Oxford
That said, I still wanted to venture beyond the city and experience more of southern England. I knew England had more to offer than just London and I wanted to take advantage of the incredible public transportation the UK has to offer. I took three day trips: York, Bath, and Oxford. Oxford ended up being my favorite because of its incredible architecture, rich academic history, and a few recognizable Harry Potter filming locations. Walking through centuries-old buildings and seeing where students have studied for generations was incredible and surreal!
London’s Markets and Unexpected Gems
Back in London, I spent a lot of time exploring outdoor markets. One of the best surprises of the trip was stumbling upon a small market in Marylebone, filled with fresh flowers, produce, and pastries. I also visited the Columbia Road Flower Market in Shoreditch (a must-see, but be prepared for huge crowds!) and the well-known Borough Market, where I ate the iconic paella and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Exploring Neighborhoods, Shops, and Hidden Corners
I also explored some of London’s most lively neighborhoods, including SoHo, Chinatown, and Carnaby Street. These areas were full of energy, great food, and colorful storefronts.
As a book lover, I couldn’t resist popping into a few bookshops while I was out and about. The Notting Hill Bookshop was a fun stop, but Daunt Books in Marylebone was a huge highlight. The Edwardian interior alone was incredible, along with the wide selection of old and new books. I did not have enough space to take home a lot of books, so I decided to browse and take some photos instead.
Classic London Sights and Serene Parks
Of course, I made sure to check off some of the classic London experiences like Big Ben, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace. But what really stood out to me were the green spaces. London’s parks are beautifully maintained, especially in the springtime.
I spent time wandering through Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, and the gardens near Buckingham Palace (St. James’s Park), all of which were buzzing with locals enjoying the warm and sunny weather.
Why I Loved Traveling Solo
Traveling solo meant I kept my evenings pretty low-key, but I loved having the freedom to plan each day exactly how I wanted. London felt very safe and walkable, and I never once felt uncomfortable exploring on my own. Navigating train stations for day trips was comfortable and easy, given how thorough their public transportation is. The trip left me feeling excited to visit London again!
