A day out in the Capital can be a fantastic way to spend time with family and friends, offering a great atmosphere and countless things to do. But with some of the main attractions charging extortionate entry fees, the cost of your day out can quickly creep up depressingly high.
This doesn’t need to be the case though. Here are a few ideas of how to have fun in London, without breaking the bank.
1) Visit the Southbank Centre
There are a selection of free events taking place at the Southbank Centre over the Summer, ranging from art exhibitions to gigs.
2) Take a trip The Natural History Museum
With hundreds of exciting exhibits to see, including the popular dinosaur gallery, a trip to the Natural History Museum makes a great day out. Admission is free, so what’s stopping you?
3) Have a wander around Borough Market
As one of one of the largest and oldest markets in London, Borough Market is full of energy and character. It sells a large variety of food from around the world, from hog roasts to souvlaki. The full market is open Thursday- Saturday, but it is also open for lunch from Monday-Wednesday.
4) Pop along to the Portobello Road Market
Every Saturday, Portobello Road becomes the home to the world’s largest antiques market. There are hundreds of antique and specialist stalls to explore, as well as a fruit & veg and fashion market.
5) Watch the changing of the guard
Watching the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular London attractions for tourists. However even if you live nearby, surely you’ve got to see it at least once in your life.
The changing of the guard takes place at 11.30am every day from May-July and on odd days (1, 3, 5 etc) throughout the rest of the year.
6) Walk the Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park
Walk, run or cycle the 7 mile trail around Richmond Park and see if you can spot the resident heard of red fallow deer. Don’t fred, there are plenty of cafes along the way if you fancy a tea break.
7) Discover another side of London with an Alternative London Tour
There are a number of different tours available on foot and on bike. Some of these have a set fee; however the original walking tour is run on a pay what you like basis. The tour gives you an insight into the creative side of East London, taking a look at some of the best street art in the city.
8) Pop in on Spitalfields City Farm
Hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of Brick Lane, lies an urban oasis in the form of Spitalfields City Farm. Stop by to visit the animals, including the farm’s favourite characters, Bayleaf the donkey and Bentley the goat; pick your own veg or take part in one of the free cookery classes on offer.
9) Take a look around the National Gallery
Trafalgar Square is a nice spot to visit as it is, but why not make your trip more interesting by popping in to the National Gallery while you’re there? The gallery was opened for the benefit of all and prides itself on offering free admission. It houses one of the finest collections of Western European artwork in the world and is well worth a visit.
10) Watch a trial at the Old Bailey
The Old Bailey is the oldest criminal courts in the world and is open for the public (Over 14’s) to watch from the gallery Monday- Friday from 10 am.
Daily case listings can be obtained from http://www.justice.gov.uk