I had been putting it off for years. The idea of a solo trip always felt like something I would get around to eventually once work calmed down; once the timing was right. Then I stopped waiting and just booked it.
The split came to me fairly quickly: three nights in Cumbria, two nights in London. Nature first, city last. I wanted the quiet before I was ready for pavements and noise, and I wanted something to look forward to at the end if the solitude got to me. As it turned out, I did not need a back-up plan.
Why Cumbria First, and Why Three Nights
I chose Cumbria because I had never given it the attention it deserved. I had driven through it once on the way to Scotland and spent the whole time glancing at the hills from the motorway. That was not enough.
Three nights felt right because two would have been rushed and four might have tipped me into restlessness. You need a night to settle, a full day to properly roam, and a final morning to sit with it before you leave.
The honest fear, going solo, was the evenings. Dinner alone with nothing to fill the silence. I got over that on night one when I ate at a pub near Ullswater with a book and a bowl of something warm, and realised nobody was watching. It was just me, and that was fine.
Days One to Three: Cumbria
I stayed at Townhouse B&B in Penrith, which put me in a solid central spot without spending half the day in the car. I wanted somewhere with a good breakfast and a host who knew the area. That matters more than people give it credit for when you are solo; someone who can point you to the right road or café saves a lot of aimless scrolling.
Penrith is an underrated base; a proper high street, independent cafés, and Penrith Castle ruins to walk around for free.
The first full day I drove to Ullswater with no plan beyond walking until I felt like stopping. The water was very still that morning, with a low mist over the far shore that made the whole place feel slightly unreal. I sat near Glencoyne Bay for twenty minutes and did not look at my phone once.
The second day I pushed west to Buttermere via Honister Pass; steep, narrow, with views that keep opening up on every bend. It is the kind of road you would plan a whole trip around if you knew about it beforehand. I walked the full lake circuit, which takes just over two hours at an easy pace, and arrived back at the car genuinely tired in the best way.
The unexpected highlight of Cumbria was the final morning. I woke early and went for a walk before breakfast. Penrith at seven in the morning in autumn is very quiet. The sky was pink and the streets nearly empty. A bakery was just opening; I bought a pastry and ate it on a bench outside. It was nothing extraordinary, the serene sky, the cool breeze and the warm pastry was just perfect.
@huyenjamin_hailwood Chasing peace in the Lake District!🌳🐑 🎞️ Huyen Hailwood 📌 Save for your visit to England 🏴 📍 Slater Bridge is located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. Specifically, it can be found near the village of Little Langdale, crossing the River Brathay. It’s known for its picturesque setting and historical significance, being a popular spot for visitors exploring the area’s natural beauty. #uk #visitengland #lovegreatbritain #travelblogger #lakedistrict #lakedistrictlife #thelakedistrict #englishvillage #villagelife #cottages #cottagelife #escapetothecountry #englishcountryside #britishcountryside #littlelangdale #ofwhimsicalmoments #nature #naturelovers #naturelover #magicalmoments #mothernature #visitengland #visitengland #lovegreatbritain #visitbritain #photosofbritain #magickingdom #travelguide #countrylife #countrysidewalks #simpleliving ♬ original sound – Huyen Hailwood
Getting from Cumbria to London
The train from Penrith to London Euston takes just over three hours and is straightforward when booked in advance. Arriving mid-afternoon left me with just enough energy for the first evening. I only had two nights and wanted to use them both properly.
I kept my accommodation simple and central to London. Mentone Hotel in Bloomsbury worked well as a calm base; a Georgian building on Cartwright Gardens, five minutes from King’s Cross, which made everything reachable on foot or by tube without any fuss. If you are curious about the building and its background, you can learn more about Mentone Hotel’s history here: www.mentonehotel.com
Bloomsbury suited the pace I was after. Quieter than Soho or Covent Garden but not remote. After three days of open fells, landing in a neighbourhood that still feels human-scaled was exactly right.
Days Four and Five: London
As I only had two nights in London, I wanted the first one light and easy. The first evening I walked south through Holborn and ended up at the South Bank without planning to. I crossed Waterloo Bridge as the lights were coming on across the river. That view, free and unrepeatable, reminded me why London still catches you off guard even when you think you know it.
Day four I spent at the British Museum, a five-minute walk from the hotel and free to enter. Rather than rushing through everything, I picked a couple of rooms and stayed with them properly; the Sutton Hoo helmet, the Rosetta Stone. That made the visit feel less like a duty and more like something I actually chose to do.
The unexpected highlight in London came on the last morning. I had nowhere to be, so I walked through Russell Square and into Fitzrovia. A small Italian café was playing classic rock music too loud and serving a very good cornetto. I sat by the window and felt, briefly, like a local. That is the thing about solo travel; you notice those moments more when there is no conversation filling the space.
@gioacchinorusso_ 9 free museums to visit in London 🏛️🇬🇧 1. Natural History Museum 🦕 Famous for its dinosaurs and stunning Hintze Hall. 2. The National Gallery 🎨 Masterpieces from Van Gogh to Da Vinci in Trafalgar Square. 3. Sir John Soane’s Museum 🏠 A treasure trove of art, antiquities, and curiosities. 4. V&A East Storehouse 🪡 Behind-the-scenes look at the V&A’s vast collection in East London. 5. Tate Modern 🖼 Cutting-edge modern art inside a former power station. 6. The British Museum 🏺 Home to the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, and more. 7. Bank of England Museum 💰 Learn about money, gold, and the UK’s central bank. 8. The Wallace Collection 🖌 18th-century art, furniture, and the iconic pink room. 9. Victoria and Albert Museum 👗 Decorative arts, fashion, and design from around the world. Which one’s your favourite ✨ #londonmuseum #freethingstodoinlondon #placestovisitinlondon ♬ original sound – gioacchinorusso_
What I Would Do Differently Next Time
I would stay one more night in London. Two was enough to relax but not quite enough to experience the city. On the second night, just as I was finding the rhythm of the place, it was time to pack.
I would also stop worrying about solo dinners from the start. The first Cumbria evening I was self-conscious about eating alone, which was a waste of good headspace. I got there only on the last night in London, ordering slowly, reading at the table, and I would reach that point faster next time.
Here’s The Itinerary If You Want to Steal It
Day 1: Travel to Penrith, check in, explore the town, and have an easy dinner.
Day 2: Full day at Ullswater and Glencoyne Bay. Stop at Pooley Bridge on the way back.
Day 3: Drive to Buttermere via Honister Pass. Walk the lake circuit.
Day 4: Morning walk in Penrith before checkout. Train to London Euston. Check-in at the Mentone. Walk the South Bank in the evening.
Day 5: British Museum in the morning. Afternoon free for wandering. Dinner somewhere local.
Day 6: Slow morning in Bloomsbury or Fitzrovia. Travel home.
Coming to London after Cumbria meant I was rested enough to actually enjoy it. That order matters more than you might think.
If you have been sitting on the idea of a solo break for a while, this is probably your sign to book it.
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