Charing Cross is one of the easiest places in London to spend a day on your own. Everything is close together: the river, the big galleries, Covent Garden and the theatres are all a short walk apart, and there is always somewhere to stop, sit and watch the city go by. Whether you have a few hours or a whole day, here is a relaxed route with no need to rush.
Why Charing Cross works for a solo day
Charing Cross sits right at the centre of the West End, so it is simple to reach from almost anywhere. Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and the Embankment are all within a few minutes on foot. It is busy and lively, but there are plenty of quiet corners when you want a moment to yourself.
Morning: the Embankment and the river
From the station, head down towards Victoria Embankment Gardens. The leafy paths and benches are ideal for a slow start with a coffee from one of the nearby cafés, a book, or some people-watching.
A few minutes along the river you will find Cleopatra's Needle, an ancient Egyptian obelisk that is roughly 3,500 years old and one of the oldest objects on public display in London. It makes a good photo stop.
Late morning: the National Gallery at your own pace
Walk up to Trafalgar Square and into the National Gallery. Entry to the main collection is free, so there is no pressure to see everything. Exploring alone means you can pause where you like, skip what doesn't interest you, and find your own favourites. Check the gallery's programme on the day, as it often runs short talks that are easy to drop into without committing to a full tour.
Afternoon: Covent Garden, Cecil Court and a quiet pause
From the gallery it is a short walk to Covent Garden, with its market halls, street performers and small shops. Nearby Seven Dials Market is a relaxed food hall where eating on your own feels completely natural if you want a light lunch.
On the way back, turn into Cecil Court, just off Charing Cross Road. This narrow Victorian lane is lined with antiquarian bookshops and print dealers. It is easy to miss, which is exactly why it is such a calm place to browse.
For a moment of stillness, St Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square is open to visitors, with a café in the crypt below. The church also hosts concerts, which are worth checking if you plan to stay into the evening.
Late afternoon: more art, then the bridges
If you still have energy for art, walk east to Somerset House and the Courtauld Gallery. It is smaller and usually quieter than the National Gallery, with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by painters including Manet, Van Gogh and Cézanne.
As the light fades, cross one of the Golden Jubilee Bridges beside Hungerford Bridge. The views over the river to the London Eye and the South Bank are some of the best in the city, especially at sunset.
Evening: dinner for one
End the day with a proper meal. Our Charing Cross restaurant is at 19A Charing Cross Road, a minute from Leicester Square tube, and open from midday to midnight every day. A table for one is always welcome. If you would like plenty of variety without over-ordering, our Deluxe Dining for one brings a mixed starter, tandoori chicken, lamb and chicken tikka, tandoori king prawn, onion bhajee, a vegetable samosa, a vegetable dish, naan and pilau rice. Have a look at the full menu or read more about the Charing Cross restaurant.
Heading to a matinee or an early show? Our Pre-Theatre menu runs from 12pm to 5.30pm daily and is ideal before a performance at the Coliseum, the Palace or the Prince Edward. Book a table and tell us your curtain time.
