A Cheap Day Out in London
For such a big and bustling city, I’m actually a big fan of London, but my golly is it expensive. In the blink of an eye a week there can chomp up a month of your travel expenses. I’ve ended up spending about two months there on and off on this trip, and really had to get creative about how I spent my time and money.
Free Activities and Attractions in London
Hyde Park
Borough Market
Natural History Museum
V&A Museum
Portobello Road
National Gallery
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Below you will find the main ways I managed to have a super fun but affordable time in a little one day itinerary.
What you need: Runners (you’ll be doing a lot of walking), an umbrella (London’s weather is very unpredictable), a book or kindle
Morning
Food: Ideally you’ll be staying somewhere you can whip up a quick brekky and even a pre-packed lunch at home - this is a BIG way to save some cash, but I’m going to assume you are not, SO breakfast at Pret will get your day started off pretty cheap and cheerful. No matter how cautious I’m being with my spending, I can’t say no to a morning coffee or three. There is a Pret at Marble Arch, so you can tube it to there and then make your way into and across Hyde Park towards the museums.
Activity: Once you’ve got yourself some sustenance, you can then have a beautiful morning stroll around Hyde Park, keeping an eye out for the adorable little squirrels!
Afternoon
Food: I’ve hopped around all the lunch meal deals and can confirm the Sainsbury’s deal is the cheapest (at 3 pound 50). This gets you a main (sandwich, salad, sushi etc), a snack (chips, choccy and such), AND a drink! BARGAIN if I do say so myself.
Activity: Not far from Hyde Park you will find the V&A and Natural History Museum! Both have free exhibition sections that you can check out. I’m more of a one museum a day kinda gal, but you can definitely fit both in. On your way from these towards Chinatown, you should walk via Brampton Road for a bit of window shopping, and a visit to the iconic Harrods. If you’re a bookstore fan like myself, South Kensington Books is not far off either.
Evening
Food: London has the most incredible array of cuisines, China Town being the centre of some of the best Asian food I have eaten… outside of Asia of course (and Australia, because lets be real - we have phenomenal Asian and Asian fusion cuisine in Aus!).
Activity: It’s not a visit to London without a pub pint! Just off the main street of China Town you’ll find The Porcupine, a classic Victorian pub that was established in 1725! Even better, I just had a look on their website and if you sign up to their mailing list you’ll receive a complimentary drink on your visit. Cheap and cheerful indeed!
