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[title]I might be a lifelong Londoner (and write about my city for a living), but if you ask me where to go for self care, I’m embarrassingly ill-equipped. This city is a loud, bustling, frenzied place – and my, do we love her for it. But that does mean finding moments of genuine calm is pretty rare, and it's easy to feel like what is out there is inaccessible to most, or costs a very pretty penny.
So where can a Londoner go for solo fun that’s actually relaxing, actually unique and actually affordable? I knew I had to put an evening ride on TfL’s London Cable Car to the test. After all, what’s more relaxing than watching the sun go down?
On a clear summer’s evening after work, I headed out to see London’s sunset in a completely new way. I hopped on the Jubilee line, stepped out at North Greenwich, walked five minutes up the road and found myself at the London Cable Car. The entry points are positioned on the south and north side of the River, at the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. You can jump on from either end of the route and ride from one to the other, or do a full round trip. Obviously, I was after the round trip – especially if I was going to try to find my most zen self up there.
The sunset wasn’t the only reason I’d chosen to spend the evening here. By booking in advance on TfL’s website, I got 30% off* – and I even managed to get a cable car all to myself!
Within a few minutes of arriving, I’d shown my ticket and was heading up the little stairs, where the cable cars pass in front of you and staff say, ‘Yep, just walk on!’. I entered my car, settled in and slowly snaked up the ramp as the doors closed automatically. I began to glide right into the sky in front of me, and then? Just complete, immediate calm – and nothing else.
Here, I had 360-degree views out over the River Thames. As I ascended, the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, illuminating the skyline with a glorious warm orange glow. On one side, there was the O2 Arena and the Royal Docks, as well as Damien Hirst’s striking Demon with Bowl which I’d never pondered on for long enough to really appreciate before. On the other, there was the vast, imposing Canary Wharf, and beyond it, teeny-tiny views of The Shard, the Gherkin and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
After 10 minutes, I had reached the Royal Docks, and snaked round the bend for round two. Grateful to get a whole new view on the city’s skyline, the sunset deepened in colour as I glided back towards Greenwich. As a solo activity, what I enjoyed most of all was that perfect combination of being on my own, and surrounded by people at the same time. Trust me, there is plenty of time for introspection in the cars, but absolutely no chance of eeriness when groups of families and friends glide right past you, laughing, waving and snapping photos as they go.
Of course, a bit of me-time isn’t all the London Cable Cars are worth visiting for. Now that I’ve done it alone, I can’t wait to do it with friends – you can bring your own picnic and soft drinks, but if you opt for the Champagne Experience, you’ll each get fast-track entry and a glass of champs to take on board with you for the perfect sunset snaps. For thrill-seekers, there’s also the Glass-floor Experience, where you get a special cabin with a glass floor for optimum views (gulp). The experience I’m going to have to book immediately, though, is Cable Car-aoke, which is exactly what it sounds like: pick your own songs and do full-on karaoke in the sky! That one’s only available for a limited time, so don’t miss out – take it from me, there can’t be anywhere in the city better suited to belting out Adele songs.
*Selected tickets only. Peak and off-peak discounts vary. Maximum 30% discount only available for off-peak round trips, fast track and Glass-floor Experience tickets when you book online seven days in advance. Excludes event tickets. See TfL website for full terms and conditions.