Me and my boyfriend are really poor, what can we do for cheap dates? (we live in London)?

Question

We are getting bored of staying in watching TV and going for walks, any other ideas?

Answer 1

Being broke in London is depressing, but after a few years experience I've found a few good things to do when broke!

You can go out to the west end for dates, if you're after the london vibe, and just eat in Pizza Hut (there's one on Shaftesbury Ave with big windows, great for people watching! They have an amazing deal at Pizza hut right now, £6 for an individual 3 courses- sooo cheap.

Or go to a Wetherspoons- cheap and cheerful, albiet lacking atmosphere. Lloyds bars tend to be better, I rather like the one in Angel (the N1 centre).

There's also the BRB bars. On Tuesday night the one in Angel (BRB The Arc) has 2 for one pizzas and a happy hour- so if you get there before 7 you can get 2 pizzas for £6, and a bottle of wine for £7. So cheap!

Become a member of the Prince Charles cinema- http://www.princecharlescinema.com/
£9 for the year, and you tickets are £3! They show older films that aren't in the cinema anymore, but still cheaper than renting them and it's a night out!

Youc an get theatre tickets for as cheap as £10 if you go to the theatre on the night and see if they have any left. The seats are terrible, but it's a good laugh!!

Best of luck!

Answer 2

There are dozens of freebie events held in London every year. You can find out more about these at the Mayor of London's website. You've just missed one big event, the Free for everyone, Chinese New Year [18th February], Trafalgar Square and China Town in Soho. This is the biggest Chinese New Year outside of China.

There's lots more coming up, parades etc.

If you are totally bored with all of the above, how about a day out in Harrods? You do not need any money, just go there smartly dressed and you'll get in. It's massive. Failing that, how about a day out at Selfridges in Oxford Street? Again, you don't need to spend, just drool around the store like the rest of us. It's free ain't it?

If you're really smart both in the head and your attire you might sneak your way into some really big upmarket events for free. Just be a member of the Press or something. Please look and sound posh!

Answer 3

Other people have already mentioned some good ideas such as museums and parks - most of which are free. So I won't repeat that, but also try the following:

- Keep an eye on www.viewlondon.co.uk - there are often many free events going on in London such as free short concerts, etc. in museums, art galleries, parks.
- St. Martin's church at Trafalgar Square often has a free classical or jazz or world music artist do a free half hour concert at lunchtimes.
- The southbank (Waterloo to London Bridge) always has street performers and is a picturesque walk in Summer or Winter.
- Covent Garden Market is the same.
- The London Eye is under 20 pounds each if you queue - their website lists sunrise and sunset times if you want to make it more romantic.
- The London Aquarium is also under 20 quid.
- Just wandering round Borough Market at London Bridge, if you're both foodie types, can be a fun Saturday afternoon (closed Sundays) & you can pick up some amazing fresh food & some good value too if you hunt around.
- Obviously the free fireworks displays all over London on 5th November every year.
- The Greenwich and Docklands Jazz festival for a few weeks each year.
- The Notting Hill Carnival.
- The London Film Festival does screenings of films at often less than normal cinema prices, depending on the film, and of course in a more buzzy and fun atmosphere round town than just going to see one at your local cinema.
- The East London culture festival starts on 1st March and has over 400 events over a week, many of which are free - do a google search for their website.
- The Taste East London Food Festival (maybe part of the above) is on 2nd & 3rd March and is free - restaurants and farms will be showcasing their "stuff" and probably giving away free tasters, there will be live music in some areas, etc.
- Take a class together - lots of local council health clubs do a variety weekly dance classes for a couple of pounds a go.
- Go see small up and coming bands at local pubs/clubs round London... the beer isn't always expensive at all of them, and if you mainly go to see the band you don't have to drink that much.

etc.....

Answer 4

Go to Borough Market near London Bridge on the weekend - it has a really good vibe, and there is a lot of nice food for lunch that is reasonably priced (well, for London!).

Have you done a Jack the Ripper guided walk? If you get a cold dark evening, especially with a bit of fog, the atmosphere is great!

But the best thing to do is just do something you would never normally do - it can sometimes turn out to be really rewarding!
eg. "Why would I want to go to the British Library - sounds boring" --> just do it....if you don't like it, don't go back!

Answer 5

The best way to get back your ex is https://tr.im/Jotgr

Here's the hard part: Pretend she never existed, like it was all a dream, don't call her, that will make you the smaller person, be the bigger person since you deserve better, what she did to you on Valentines Day was immature, especially after dating for four years. This person wasted allot of your time and through it out the window. Go out tonight, even it it is only yourself, don't drink and call or feel sorry for yourself, this will only cause you embarrassment! I know your hurting..This will eventually will go away in time. Today is not a good day for you and your emotions are spinning all over the place.

Please, whatever you do, don't answer her calls and don't call her. If she keeps calling, which she pro bally won't, don't return her call for 5 days. Make her sweat and DO Not get back together right away if you discuss this in 5 days. Tell her since she Broke up with you, you have done allot of thinking, and had the taste of "being single again" and you would like more time being "friends" for now, so you are sure you are making the right decision. Remember "She decided she didn't want to be with you" so the door is open for you to get out and see what you have been missing for four years. You honestly need to do this for yourself.

She doesn't know, but what she did was give you the best valentines day present you will ever get! A new start and a new beginning, use it to your advantage. You will look back on this and Thank God this happened now instead of 4 more wasted years of YOUR life. Today does suck, stay Strong and I promise you your life is going to be so much more exciting and you are going to be happy. If you continue to call and call her, she will think of you as needy and won't want you. She is going to rethink what she did to you today and will be hurt, if you act like you could care less. Girls always want the ones they can't have. That is who you are now to her. Let her suffer,realizing what a mistake she made. This will drive her crazy. Right now she is on cloud 9 thinking you will take her back, OH, is she stupid!

Your life isn't ruined, hers is..She lost someone special, and gave you a gift to let to live life and find someone you deserve. You are not getting back at her, your teaching her what an idiot she is and what she lost and what you gained without her. SO when You eventually talk to her, tell her thank you for what she did...
She will be hurt and you will be happy!

Answer 6

Go to Lee Hurst's Backyard comedy club in Bethnal Green for about £5 entry or find some other budget comedy nights... that will provide a suitably entertaining diversion so you don't have to spend your money on food or booze.

Go to the £2.95 veg curry buffet in Chapel Market (nearest tube is Angel) it's really nice.

Go to the Prince Charles cinema near Leicester Square where tickets start at £3.50 (or £1.50 if you sign up for membership).

Get into playing poker - maybe you can win money instead of losing it.

Or like somebody else said, all the free museums including Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, V&A.

Answer 7

go and watch the street performers in covent garden

if you're on the tube use oyster pre-pay or get a travel card rather than paying for individual journeys

The photographers gallery in Leicester Square is usually worth a look.

Go to the big Waterstones bookshop in Gower Street - find yourself a comfy corner seat by a window and read the books you cant afford to buy

All you can eat Chinese buffet is not far away in percy street -
also on Sundays the veggie indian restaurants in Drummond St (Euston) have all you can eat buffet lunches.

Volunteer to help out at a charity event

Answer 8

The museums are almost all free, and wonderful (they often do free lectures) the parks are great...go up to Hampstead Heath and walk to Kenwood House to see the Rembrandt and the Vermeer...or visit some of the graveyards- Highgate, Kensal Rise, or take clalsses at City Lit (quite cheap) in Holbourn; or visit some of the streeetmarkets (Columbia Road, Portobello).

Answer 9

Visit theatre land and watch the rich arrive or perhaps Charing Cross Station and the boat train then walk over Hungerford Bridge?
Check the safety for the latter?

Answer 10

there are no cheap places in london to live. House prices are still rising and £500,000 can only get you a 3 bedroomed house. It looks like east london and south london may be your only option. I live on the north side of the thames and i prefer it to the south.