Feel wary

That would be my worst nightmare, but that's just me...I like to be among familiar things,lots of people love to go travelling by themselves, you might enjoy it..

If you really want to do it, use those nice big black cabs. It will cost more and take longer, but if you can bear this then I say go for it!

Depending on where you are going, buses can be more convenient and you avoid escalators and stairs. Check out your journey on TFL Plan your journey website.
Have a small back pack to keep everything in with a bottle of water.

Wouldnt it be nice if there were volunteers to meet and greet and accompany people to their destination. I would like to have done that when in my 60s. Like Univeral Aunts but in reverse. Younger people helping older people. It is a case of confidence and an oh well attitude. And having every thing you may need thought out and close to hand.
Planning is crucial. Start small.

HelterSkelter1

Depending on where you are going, buses can be more convenient and you avoid escalators and stairs. Check out your journey on TFL Plan your journey website.
Have a small back pack to keep everything in with a bottle of water.

Wouldnt it be nice if there were volunteers to meet and greet and accompany people to their destination. I would like to have done that when in my 60s. Like Univeral Aunts but in reverse. Younger people helping older people. It is a case of confidence and an oh well attitude. And having every thing you may need thought out and close to hand.
Planning is crucial. Start small.

I love that idea!

I think with a lack of mobility the scrum of the tube would be too much, because people who are rushing can be very inconsiderate, and lifts often don’t work which leaves the only way to get around by escalator. I wouldn’t worry about getting off the train so much, because it has stopped. For a while so you can take your time, but an onward journey by cab would be sensible.

Underground journeys can be deceptive the distances between points can seem greater than they are in reality, when seen on an underground map. Often a cab or bus can actually be quicker.

Also changing underground lines can cause quite a lot of walking which can include escalators, long corridors, stairs and lifts. More delay and hassle than travelling overground in a cab or on a bus.

London has changed so much over recent years with mugging for phones, watches, stabbing, machetes etc. I’d think twice now about going there. I used to love going to the V&A but wouldn’t go now. You have to think about personal safety.

I prefer the National Trust, RHS and similar places nowadays. Safer.

Cossy

If you really want to do it, use those nice big black cabs. It will cost more and take longer, but if you can bear this then I say go for it!

Couldn't agree more. Since DH devloped a heart condtion that limits what he can do, that is exactly what we do. Get to London, grab a cab.

It is expensive, no denying that, but so commfortable

Silvershadow I think you exagerate the danger of London. When I go upto London alone, including the V&A, I use public transport, I have never felt, even slightly unsafe. I do not own a Rolex, or wear obvious jewellryand I keep my phone and purse securely in a zipped cross body handbag.

Sadly the stabbings and machetes attacks are between youths gangs and usually in the neighbourhoods they live in. They do not happen in tourist areas and places you or I might go, nor do they attack people outside their own gang social groups

In recent years I have been up to the V&A Docklands Museum, Wallace Collection, British Museum, and Fashion and Textiles Museum in Bermondsey, with out once feeling remotely unsafe.

I would also suggest taking a taxi or maybe the bus.
As others have said the underground is a bit of a free for all. If you want to use the tube check out the stations that have lifts I wouldn't want to use the escalators if I was unsteady on my feet you have to to keep to the right because commuters in a hurry will pass you.

I don’t think I am exaggerating things Monica. Many have been mugged for phones, watches etc. stabbings are rife, there is something on the news every single day! For a vulnerable person with a rollator they present an easy target for muggers. I’ve not long moved away from an outer London borough which has changed beyond belief in the past ten years. I know what I’m talking about. But, each to their own.

Maybe the OP could consider a day trip on a coach. I know plenty of companies offer this type of thing. They’d be in a group, safe, usually with a guide and transport laid on.

I found it extremely exhausting two years ago. On crutches, which I had kicked from under me by rather rude people. No apologies.
No I won’t be rushing back anytime soon.

London is exhausting even if you are fully mobile.
I recommend Edinburgh, though might be a longer journey depending on where you live. Though it can be hilly, public transport is very efficient and not expensive, and the city is fairly compact.The museums and galleries are fabulous, especially the National Portrait Gallery. The jump on, jump off tourist buses are great too. Just one tip, avoid Waverly station if you can. The place is just too busy, is badly designed with lots of steps, and the seating area is always crowded. Haymarket, at the West End is easier.
You can tell I am biased. I used to live there and it has my heart.

I was recently on the train to London and, as I do, started chatting to the woman opposite me. She was on her way to the National Gallery and I was astonished when she said she was 10 years older than me- 88!
She goes to London regularly but treats herself to a taxi once she gets to Euston. Yes it’s expensive but if the alternative is not going at all, presumably worth it.
BTW often uses buses instead of the Tube as I find them more “forgiving”

I take the M11 to Epping or Ongar.

Train or bus into city. Easy, convientient.

So far my experience of London has been good. Last week I visited the V&A and the National Gallery. I never felt unsafe. A few years ago after a knee operation I hobbled round central London on crutches. I was offered seats on buses and the tube. Once or twice I hailed a black cab. I rather think the right wing press enjoy exaggerating the state of London!

The right wing press has nothing to do with it. It’s on itv and bbc and local news every day. If you live in other counties it’s very easy to wear rose coloured spectacles.

We recently travelled to London by train from the Midlands to go to the theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue and we felt quite safe. We don't wear expensive jewellery or walk around with our mobile phones even when we're at home so as long as you're aware of your surroundings, you should be fine. We usually take the underground but I've got a bad ankle at the moment so we took a taxi from Euston to the theatre which saved a lot of time and bother going up and downstairs at tube stations.

Flippinheck the problem is I live close to London, on the far edge of the commuter belt, one hour from Kings Cross. And, while, live on the Edinburgh line out of Kings Cross, it will take 4.5 hours to get there and reuire one ot two changes. A bit too far for a day trip; 2 museums and a leisurely lunch.

Silvershadow TV and radio report things because they are the exceptions that make the news. How many of these attacks you read about involve elderly people, not wearing expensive jewellery or Rolex watches and not clutching their phones, walking busy streets in central London,

My daughter, in her 50s, works in London, has done for the last 25 years, she stays in for evenings to go to the theatre or to meet friends and goes up at weekends as well. Not only has she never felt in danger of attack, she has never reported that any of her friends have been attacked either. Her main complaint is the train service back after a night out; which is unreliable and often runs late.

My DDs family live in London. I visit every fortnight and more often when needed. I travel by train, underground, overground, trams and buses. I don't feel unsafe on the transport unless it's late at night and there are drunks on the train back, it only happened once. I agree that a black cab from the station would be easier than all the walking involved on the underground. Maybe contact the station ahead of time if you're going to need assistance.

My mother-in-law was going alone to London in her 90s. She took taxis when she arrived or if she wanted to cross between "difficult" points but did mainly take a bus.

She always stayed at least overnight as she found the travel exhausting.

HelterSkelter1

Depending on where you are going, buses can be more convenient and you avoid escalators and stairs. Check out your journey on TFL Plan your journey website.
Have a small back pack to keep everything in with a bottle of water.

Wouldnt it be nice if there were volunteers to meet and greet and accompany people to their destination. I would like to have done that when in my 60s. Like Univeral Aunts but in reverse. Younger people helping older people. It is a case of confidence and an oh well attitude. And having every thing you may need thought out and close to hand.
Planning is crucial. Start small.

I love that idea too.

Or just go with a friend or neighbor?

travelsafar

I'd like to travel up to London alone to go to art galleries but feel a bit scared as my mobility is not good and I use a rollator for safety when outside. I know as we age we need to stretch ourselves otherwise our world becomes smaller.
But the thought of Kings Cross, getting around on the underground,all those people and maybe appearing a bit vulnerable puts me off. Would you take a chance??🤔🤔

No, I would not. But you are different than me. Have you considered buying a personal alarm from Amazon?

My daughter lives in London and when I go to see her, I make sure that the journey is easy. Train to King's Cross and then a black cab to her house.

The black cab cost me more than the train fare, but I wanted ease more than economy..

As others have said, the tube would be a definite no with a mobility aid. You could research buses, but they can be crowded. A taxi would be your best option. Have a good trip.

Lots of good advice, and action plans.
If you do go, please let us know how it went.