What cool things are there to do in London on a budget?

Question

A friend of mine is coming down from the north to visit, and we're having a day in London. I'm trying to think of a few cool things we can do during the day. She loves sharks, so I thought the aquarium would be a good start, and we're also going to browse in camden market. We're both 20 and relatively poor (being students).

Answer 1

http://www.london-budget.com/free/

London may not instantly strike you as a city in which there are many things to do for free. Its reputation as an expensive city may add to this notion, yet, as we've already presented many ideas to help cut your budget whilst visiting London, it is now time to show some of the things that are free in London!
See the Sights
There are certainly plenty of free things to see in London. After all, it costs nothing to merely walk around the city and see some of the most famous sights (Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the rest), right?

Definitely also recommended in this category are some of the Museums of London that do not charge admission - the quality and number of exhibits mean that you could spend hours, days even, at them...and you'll probably learn something as well! The same can be said for London's Galleries, particularly the two Tate galleries and the National Gallery.

Free London Events
There are some great events and festivals in London that you can watch for free. The University Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge takes place every April and can be watched from the banks of the River Thames. Also every April is the London Marathon which is run along a route from Greenwich to The Mall - if you're brave (and sporty!) you can take part.

One of the most famous London events is the annual three-day long Notting Hill Carnival which is held over the last weekend in August (with that Monday always being a Bank Holiday - a public holiday). There are street parties, live music and parades, as well as stalls selling food and drink and other items to help in your revelry. Chinese New Year celebrations every January centre around Chinatown in Soho, with parades and other festivities.

Free Entry? (back to top)
How about getting free entry to events that you might otherwise need to pay admission for? Music, film, clubs and similar?

For starters, we strongly recommend that you purchase a copy of the weekly entertainment listings magazine Time Out. (Okay, so this will require some spending of money, but it'll pay off in the long run!) In each of their sections - Art, Comedy, Film, Music, Nightlife and others - they specify which events are free.

Nightclubs (back to top)
In the Nightlife section of Time Out (as mentioned above), a weekly Night Pass is published which offers special reduced or free entry to a number of club nights upon presentation of the pass.

Some nightclubs do not charge entry before a certain time (for example, 11pm) so as long as you're prepared to start partying a little earlier, you won't have to pay entry! It is also worth checking out the website of the club you intend to go to (if they have one) to see if it has any promotional flyers or an email address to add yourself onto the guestlist (for free/reduced entry).

Film (back to top)
Some of London's museums and galleries have free art film screenings - it is best to check websites for full details.

It is also possible to obtain tickets for free screenings of major movies from the press - the Sunday Times Culture section, for one. You'll need to go pick up your tickets beforehand (there's limited availability) and it'll probably mean going to the cinema at an unusual time (say, 10.30am on a Sunday) but at least it's a completely free movie! Weekly gossip magazine Heat also have free ticket promotions on a first come, first served basis at specified cinemas.

Music (back to top)
Again, check Time Out for listings of free concerts (from various music genres) for that week. Alternatively, you may find pop or rock bands and singers playing free mini-concerts (tickets sometimes need to be obtained) at music megastores such as HMV in Oxford Street. And this isn't always limited to teenybopper bands either - Madonna famously held a performance at the HMV store in 2003.

TV (back to top)
You can get free tickets to be in the audience of a variety of BBC television and radio shows. Check the BBC Tickets website for what tickets are available, and how to obtain them.

Hat Trick, which produce comedy and drama shows (such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? in the past), also have free tickets. Take a look at the Hat Trick website for full details

Answer 2

A lot of London museums are free, though I'm not sure about the aquarium. I know you can visit the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum or the Natural History Museum for free. Lots of other ones too. Also, a walk along Embankment or the South Bank is nice. You can see Big Ben and the street performers and from there it's just a short walk to Westminster Abbey, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, etc. You can have a wonderful day in London just wandering around, even if you can't afford to tour the buildings and such. Look for a cheap lunch in a pub that offers 2 for 1 meals. Not all pubs do it, but lots of pubs have a selection of meals where you buy one get one free, or get 2 meals for a set price.

Answer 3

There are plenty of free museums, art galleries etc http://www.enjoyengland.com/ideas/inspirational-ideas/family-fun/great-days-out/priceless-england.aspx for a day out.

The aquarium is OK but doesn't take up that much time - 2 hours max, from, experience. Maybe then walk along the South Bank...good views of Westminster, St Pauls, Charing Cross Station etc then along to London Bridge, Tower Bridge.

A river cruise is good, bit cold this time of year.

This offer may help depending where you commute in from - http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/

Answer 4

You can go to Trafalgar square and see Nelson's Colum and the museum adjacent to it. Then to the British Museum by way of the tube. You can visit the embaaarkadero , but first buy a travel book so you will have a little knowledge before you go. I was stationed 80 miles from london and often travlled.

Answer 5

you can spend half the day just walking around Harrods. Or spend the day at the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand, or just take a walk around Soho (it is not as sleazy as it used to be and Soho market is a real secret place)

Answer 6

lots and lots of free events. for a start many museums are free these days.... there are classical concerts all over town for free..... have a look at the London Free List

Answer 7

Speaking of "cool" you should go to the Absolut Ice Bar.

The famously cool ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON, sits next to belowzero. Kept at minus 5 degrees all year round with everything inside made out of crystal-clear ice from the Torne river in Sweden, this is truly the coolest bar in town!

ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON is the first permanent icebar in the UK located in the heart of Mayfair in London. Experience the extreme - the ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON is kept at minus 5 degrees all year round and everything inside is made out of crystal clear ice transported especially from the Torne River in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden.

Step into an environment where the walls, bar, tables, and even your own personal glass with a vodka cocktail is made out of the purest ice. The ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON is operated in 40 minute time slots and you will be given a designer thermal cape with a hood to keep you warm during your visit.

ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON is permanent and opened all year long. Every six months the complete bar is also reconstructed with a completely new design.

OPENING HOURS
ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON is open year round
Sun - Weds 12:30 pm to 11:45 pm (Below Zero closes at Midnight), Thurs - Sat 12:30 pm to 12:40 am (Below Zero closes at 1am)

LOCATION
31-33 Heddon Street
London W1B 4BN
Heddon Street is a side street off Regent Street and is a 5 minute walk from either Piccadilly Circus or Oxford St tube station.

PRICING
Entrance fee to ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON is 12 GBP
(15 GBP Thu,Fri,Sat evenings), and includes;
- Designer thermal cape to keep you warm on entry
- Personal ice glass
- Choice of Vodka cocktail in your ice glass
(or non-alcoholic drink)
Vodka cocktail refill 6 GBP, Non-alcoholic refill 3 GBP

BOOKING
Booking is not mandatory but highly recommended due to current demand. You can book a 40 min visit to ABSOLUT ICEBAR LONDON on it's own or you can combine it with a booking for lunch, dinner or just drinks in Below Zero the adjacent warm lounge/restaurant - Below Zero.

Answer 8

Whatever you do - watch your wallets and don't leave it in your back pocket - sharks patrol the streets of London.

Take care and enjoy the trip!

Answer 9

Try to make the guards at Buckingham Palace change their fixed expressions.

Answer 10

Check out http://www.londonvacationguide.com as it will give you a few good ideas how you can spend your time. Good Luck