It can be daunting to be alone on Valentine’s Day, but taking in a solo date are perfect for pushing you out of your comfort zone.
I had a long list of fun activities in London I wanted to do, but my friends were not always interested, so I decided to go on my own.
Although no one likes to look like they are out on their own at this time of year, once you have done it you will find it is amazing to be in your own company and everything can be taken at your own pace.
Solo dates I tried come in various price ranges and lengths, but they all involve interests and fun activities you can enjoy on your own.
A football match
I am a massive women’s football fan but do not always have friends I can persuade or drag along to games, so last year I went to England versus Germany at Wembley.
While the result was not what I wanted, the experience and atmosphere were terrific.
With the light show and the attendance, you would believe you were a major competition, not just a friendly meeting between two old foes.
London has many opportunities to watch top-level football, with multiple Women’s Super League teams who now play a large chunk of the games at the city’s main venues, such as the Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge.
These are perfect to go as a solo dates, as you will never look alone.
Seven Dials food market
Seven Dials is an indoor food market near Covent Garden and is perfectly located near the theatres for a solo date food break.
Like Wagamama, it has benches and a long table, so it’s a more informal eating experience and you will not feel uncomfortable asking for a table for one.
There is a range of food, sweet and savoury, and a fully licensed bar.
The atmosphere is lively, and there is music, so it will not feel quiet or intimidating at all.
Battersea Power Station and Lift 109
In 2011, Battersea Power Station was granted permission to convert its 42 acres to homes, shops, cafes, offices, and public space.
The redeveloped site was opened in 2022 in conjunction with the Northern Line extension.
The building initially provided electricity to places such as Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, and its public opening took place 14,228 days after it stopped generating electricity.
There is a free light walk around the area until 23 February, which perfect for brightening those drabby winter days.
Lift 109 goes up the north west chimney, offering a 360-degree view of the London skyline and a glimpse into the building’s history.
This was a perfect balance of history and a stunning view, and while you wait for the lift, you are in an area which shows the history of the building.
The experience is immersive, but my only quarrel is you do not get much time to see the sights before you go back down the chimney.
There is a food hall too and while it feels more strict than Seven Dials, you can order cuisine from Italian to curry through a barcode to your table, though the price can add up.
I went on a Friday and did not find getting around very busy or stressful.
I loved the curated maker’s shop, a shop front selling small independent business products.
The station itself is rather elegant at night, with its upward lighting on the chimneys and their winter light trail.
I was also mesmerised by its beauty and architecture.
This is a perfect place to go on a solo date, with shopping and a cinema. You could spend the whole day there.
A theatre trip
I was invited to see Mean Girls: The Musical, which is based on the book by Tina Fey with music by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin and directed and choreographed by Casey Micholaw.
At the same time, the storyline is very much the same as the 2000s classic film starring Lindsay Lohan but with a musical twist.
I did, however, make a rookie error and did not come dressed in pink, even if it wasn’t Wednesday.
This is perfect if you love the film or watched it at a sleepover in the 2010s like every girl in the world did.
Classic lines were added to it, along with adult humour, and the music element helped to break up the storytelling.
If you’re concerned that the character’s characteristics would not match the original film, do not worry. Karen was as good or even better than the original movie.
The set and costume were excellent in bringing the story to life, and yes, the pink polo neck top made an appearance.
A theatre trip is perfect. There’s no obligation to have a conversation because it is frowned upon to speak during the show.
There are many theatre etiquette rules that have to be followed, but those are all made aware of ahead of time for those not familiar with them.
The msuical element to the performance perfectly helped to move the story along rather than break up the storyline.
It is also the perfect excuse to get all dolled up, put on your favourite frock, and be glamorous. You’ll also be home by Midnight.
Minigolf
Minigolf at PuttShack, in White City, combines modern tech and crazy courses.
The balls track your gameplay, and you can earn or lose points based on your play.
On Thursday 13 February, from 6pm-10 pm, they are running a golf, games, and cocktail evening for £35 per person called The FriendZone x PuttShack, an alternative Valentine’s designed to bring strangers together with icebreakers and challenges.
You can win two-for-one cocktails, free games and extra points.
It was immersive and efficient without writing down the score, and I did much better than I have in the past even with the chance of losing points for poor play.
The food was not necessarily budget-friendly, but it was not expensive either. I had small plates so I could try a range of foods.
Exercise classes
ClassPass is an app which allows you to find classes and fitness experiences around your city.
It offers a range of classes, from HIIT to massage and yoga, to prioritise your health and well-being.
You receive credit every month. Each class costs a certain amount of credits, and you can explore different types of exercises.
I went to Barry Bootcamp, and it fulfils its name. You are unlikely to leave the building without working up a sweat.
The staff at the St Paul’s branch were welcoming and encouraging, and the changing facilities can only be compared to those of a fancy spa.
They have thought of everything you need post-workout with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion, hair products, and spray deodorant available.
They also have hairdryers and straighteners, and the changing rooms are clean and stylish.
Overall, it was a calming experience, minus the actual class. I went to 3Tribes Borough and completed a barre with Chloe. I have ballet experience, so it was nice to use that knowledge.
I also went to a reformer pilates class at 1rebel, and the instructor provided multiple ways to exercise depending on your abilities and fitness levels.
This ClassPass subscription is fantastic if you want to try different fitness classes, but you only get 52 monthly credits, and adding more can become expensive.
Therefore, if you wish to take multiple classes a week, this form of subscription is not the most cost-effective.
Van Gogh immersive experience
Van Gogh’s immersive experience uses digital projections, sound and light to immerse visitors in the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh with a 360-degree projection which brings his paintings to life.
This includes one of his most well-known pieces, The Starry Night.
If you love art but don’t have the attention span for a museum, this is perfect, though it is not the place to go if you want to see the actual close-up in real life.
It’s much more of a gimmick and social media picture place rather than being for art enthusiasts.
But if you want to go somewhere calming, it is excellent with the 360-degree projection and the tranquil music.
Picture credits: Elizabeth Payne
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