Heading to London and UK for 4 weeks - any recommendations: must see's, free stuff to do, cheap food, markets!

Question

Hi guys

Heading to London and UK for 4 weeks in March and April.

Can anyone suggest free things to do (or cheap things), the must-see things, great places to eat that are also cheap.

and of course, bargain shopping and markets!


Thanks!!

Answer 1

There's lots to see.and visit. Here's a brief list of the main attractions.

Palaces - Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace. All of these are open to visitors.

Museums and Galleries - Natural History Museum, Science Museum, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, The Tate and Tate Modern, British Museum, Imperial War Museum.

Famous Buildings and Monuments etc - The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Whitehall and Downing Street, Clarence House, St James Palace, Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Marble Arch, Monument, Tower Bridge, London Eye.

Churches - Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, St Clement Dane, Temple Church, Saint Martin in the field.

There's such a lot to see I can't possibly list them all here. I'd recommend an Eyewitness Travel Guide as they're very comprehensive and include attractions, opening times, photos and maps.

Try the website for The Original London Walks as they do loads of guided tours around the city, They're very cheap and you can take Jack the Ripper, Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, Charles Dickens, Museum and Ghost walks. They are very good indeed and you get to see the places lots of tourists don't eve know about.

Travel by tube or bus, It's cheaper than by taxi and very convenient. You can get travel cards from your nearest tube station.

The main shopping streets are Oxford and Regent Street. You can try New Bond Street for Designer labels. Camden for alternative clothing. There's a big mall in Brent Cross also. Fortnum and Mason of Picadilly, known as the Queen's grocers s a fantastic store as is Harrods of Knightsbridge. Leadenhall Market is lovely also and its been in one of the Harry Potter movies.

As for food, there are places to eat everywhere. China Town in Soho is good and Brick Lane for Indian Food in particular.

There are lots of public parks and green areas in London. I'd recommend lunch al fresco if it's fine.
Have fun.

For really cheap and good food there's a place called The Stock Pot, just off Leicester Square.

Answer 2

Well all the museums and art galleries with free admission listed in your guide book are definitely worth visiting. Another place I'd suggest is Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath (free admission) a beautiful stately home and grounds. Get there on a 210 bus from Highgate or Golders Green Underground stations. What I do to relax and have fun is to walk in London's numerous and beautiful parks and open spaces. Aside from Hampstead Heath, Richmond Park and Regents Park are well worth a visit. When travelling around London do not pay cash fares on the transport system; they are very high; buy a 'One Day Travelcard' (after 09-30am weekdays, anytime Sundays); zone 1 to 2 is sufficient for central London, zone 1-4 for places such as Kenwood House and Richmond Park. Eating out is expensive in London; for an inexpensive sandwich or salad lunch go to 'Pret a Manger' which are everywhere. For a full meal ethnic restaurants - Indian (actually usually Bangladeshi), Chinese, Turkish, Vietnamese etc usually represent the best value. The Pizza chain 'Pizza Express' (thin cut European pizzas rather than the massive American sort), are good I think; the chain 'Giraffe' found in the South Bank Arts centre and a few other places are good but generally I'd avoid the chains offering pseudo American diner food. You can buy a 'Time Out' guide called 'Cheap Eats in London', which would probably be useful.

Answer 3

A few links below, to help you out!

Virtually all of the major London museums and art galleries are now free, although they will also usually have a major exhibition running which will NOT be free. My particular favourites are the National Portrait Gallery (just off Trafalgar Square), the Victoria and Albert (South Kensington, nexy door to the Natural History and Science Museums and just down the road from Harrods) and Tate Modern.

Tate Modern is on the Thames South Bank which will also give you Borough Market (Fridays and Saturdays) and a great walk right down the river past any number of pubs, restaurants, galleries and theatres, including the replica of Shakespeare's Globe.

Covent Garden is good for shopping and eating; Cafe Pacifico, just off the main drag, does the best Mexican food in London.

The major tourist attractions will all be busy and, frankly, many of them are very disappointing. The Tower of London is worth a visit, give Madame Tussauds a miss! The Royal Parks are great, a lovely walk in decent weather - London is actually a very green city, you can get all the way from Trafalgar Square to Kensington via the parks!

Have fun during your stay!

Answer 4

Okay. There's tons to do in London on the cheap - believe it or not! First buy a multi day transit pass. Check the London Underground website for more info.

Several museums have done away with entry fees in favor of "suggested donation" of 2 pounds. Victoria & Albert, Tate, Tate Modern, National Portrait Gallery.

Check out the VisitLondon.com website for more info.

Also, invest the 10 bucks in a copy of Top 10 London (DK Eyewitness Guides). It's small and easy to carry with you. It has GREAT tips, easy maps, and it's cheap!

I've always had a good time just walking around in different neighborhoods when I visit. I usually choose some site (church, park, famous store) as a focal point and then just explore the area.

As for eating on the cheap, there are lots of inexpensive restaurants. Nottingham and Bayswater are teeming with decent cheap places to grab a bite. When I'm on the run I like to hit a supermarket or a Marks & Spencer dept store or even Boots (sort of like CVS). Most have a section of convenience foods that are very good - sandwiches, salads, pasta - and can be eaten cold! A great way to go if you're on a budget.

Check out the Craigslist.com and Meetin.com for London for more ideas. Most of the Meetin groups will send you tips and advice if you explain that you'll be visiting their area. Give the London group a shout.

Enjoy your trip!

Answer 5

Firstly, I am extremely jealous that you are going! But, I lived in London for six months, and I must tell you nothing in London is cheap!! They probably have the worst exchange rate there is. If you spend, let's say 10 pounds in London, it's really $20 in American money, you have to keep that in mind!

But if you are willing to shell out some money and live it up, you can have an absolutely amazing time!

I am not big into sightseeing, I would rather go out and meet people and go to a Bar - but I would absolutely recommend getting onto the London Eye (on a clear day if possible!) It has the most amazing view. Of course you have to see Parliment, and Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral...all those things.

But I would absolutely say go to Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden (tons of cute shops and places to eat), Picadilly Circus is just madness, but there is so much people watching!

Some great bars/clubs: The Gardening Club, O'Neils, Waxy's Little Sister (those were my favorites.)

YOU MUST EAT AT WAGAMAMAS WHILE THERE!!! It's pretty cheap and an amazing meal. Look it up. Good luck and have a great time!

Answer 6

If you go to Edinburgh, go to the Vaults (they're haunted and scary!) and near that, the Real Mary King's Close. The city of York (England) is also haunted.

My favorite place in London was St. Paul's Cathedral. To walk the same path Princess Di travelled on her wedding day (and funeral day) was very moving.

Cheapeats? Tos save $$, my son and I ate at McDonald's a couple times!

Answer 7

If you're up in Scotland, many of the art galleries are free entry (actually i think this might apply UK wide!). You should definatly visit the Scottish Highlands.

Answer 8

Take the train to Oxford and go to Jericho (a pub!) great place..have french fries form the street vendor after you drink all night.

Answer 9

Get yourself a London Pass in advance. It's a great deal and will get you into many, many sites, discounts at restaurants, stores, etc.. enjoy!!

Answer 10

Madame Tussaud's was awesome..