5 Cheap Things to do in London

London is an expensive city, full stop. Whether you live there or just visiting, it can do a number on your purse.  I have written before about surviving visiting an expensive city, but today I thought I'd be a bit more London-centric and suggest a few cheap things to do in London. That's of course after you've done the essentials the city has to offer.


Museums at Night

Sure the national museums are free always, but how much more fun is it to go to a museum at night?! Along with the wonderful exhibits, there will be activities, food, and most importantly drinks. Quick! Get to a Museum!

Markets

Food markets are my absolute favourite thing to do. I especially love if the vendors have thought it through and offer sample selections for a fraction of the regular cost. I can try a ton of different things for relatively little. Everybody wins!

Also, I love posing with the food I'm about to eat. No flat lays found here.

Sky Garden

Newly opened and already a favourite destination (that one time I went) of mine. Free to go up and a cafe at the top! YAY! A little planning might be required here before visiting, but so worth it.


Bike Rides

Those with a keen eye will spot this as an older picture. These bright blue bikes have turned red with their new corporate sponsor, but they are still just as fun and cheap! 30 minutes free to ride.

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

Let's get social

Best Views of London

Opened in 2014, the Sky Garden located on the 32nd floor of the Walkie Talkie building, has been welcoming tourists and Londoners alike to a superb view of the great city. Boasting 360 degree views from observation decks and an open air terrace, one can spend much time up there playing 'Spot the Landmark'.

I pre-booked my free visit a few weeks prior but since we were there midday, during the week, it wasn't all that busy and people were showing up off the street and getting up.

We wandered slowly around the unobstructed views, taking photos and enjoying the gorgeous, sunny sky.

I think one day I'd like to go back for a cocktail at sunset. To watch the sun descend over west London and the twinkling lights of the city spring on. I bet it's something special.

What is it about being able to experience a place from a new perspective that really makes you appreciate it? There's only so much you can see from street level. In fact, while we were here looking down, we could see an interesting facade, but didn't know what it was. Back down on ground level we hunted for the building we had seen and discovered St. Dunstan-in-the-East, a WWII bombed out church made into a beautiful city garden.

  

PS. re-read this post and count how many landmarks you can see from the 20 Fenchurch Street window views.

Don't miss a post! 

Sign up for email posts (found on the sidebar), like my facebook page, or follow me on bloglovin'. You can also keep up with my instagram feed and I occasionally tweet.

Let's get social

How to Survive Visiting an Expensive City

Right before we left for Denmark, someone offhandedly mentioned that Scandinavian countries are uber expensive. I took note of this but honestly thought, I'm sure it's not that bad. I was wrong. London is an expensive city to live in, but imagine all the low end, cheap restaurants disappeared and all you were left with was the special occasion, fancy restaurants for 3 meals a day. That was what I found Copenhagen to be like. Not extortionate, but high enough to make a dent in the budget fast.  We quickly regrouped and found ways for some cost cutting corners. 

1. Look up free things to do

One of my favourite things about London is that many of the popular museums are free to visit, this usually isn't the case on the continent. However, I was pleased to discover there were several free things to see and do. Meaning we weren't forced to hand over our precious fortunes to visit or to just stand at the gate peering in. 

In Copenhagen we visited the Postal and Tele Museum (trust me, it was fantastic!), the Christianborg Palace Tower, Frilandsmuseet (historic village museum, again it was good, trust me), and one of the many beautiful parks.

Being a DJ at the Postal and Tele Museum

View from Christianborg Palace Tower

Clog maker at the Frilandsmuseet

2. Picnic alfresco when possible

This is harder to do with big meals or if you have to prepare too much, but making a visit to the local grocery store means a relatively cheap and healthy meal while enjoying the sun and fresh air. We were lucky enough to have a grocery store and beautiful park close to our hostel.

3. Head off the beaten track (walk vs. public transportation)

While traveling there is nothing more satisfying than mastering the local public transportation system. That said, however, you just can't see as much than when on foot. I love exploring my local neighbourhood when I arrive some place new. You are guaranteed to be tired after a full day of walking, but that probably means sleeping well no matter what kind of condition your bed for the night is.

4. Choose what to spend money on

It's impossible to not spend any money while traveling no matter how frugal, but seriously, where is the fun in that? If you consider the things you are spending your precious pounds on it will make them seem that much more special and valuable. Sacrifices might have to be made, but if it's something you've been dreaming about then it would not be a waste. 

Taking a canal boat tour was a great way to see the city

The Round Tower was expensive and I preferred it to the Christianborg Tower

5. Sharing is caring

We could not afford to stay anyway nice or private in this very pricey city. Even the hostel was more than I'd usually like to pay. We eventually found a 6 person shared room in a hostel close to the centre. The Generator Copenhagen was the best hostel I've ever been in with a shared room. I would definitely recommend it and stay there again. (Not a sponsored post!)

Fun travels!