How to Explore London on a Budget
London is a fantastic place to live or visit. As you’re surely aware, it’s the capital city of England, which means that it’s a snapshot of the whole country. All of that rich history and culture can be found in London, as well as a brilliant nightlife and a bustling shopping scene to appreciate.
However, London is not known for being affordable to live or stay.
You can find pleasant and relatively affordable accommodation by shopping around with businesses like the Inn Collection Group, but what then? Here are some tips for staying in London on a budget.
Cheap Eats
A girl’s gotta eat, and the food in London is simply amazing. You can find food from all around the world, all delicious and perfect for a hungry traveller on the move. So, how can you find food that you can afford for your whole trip?
The simplest answer is street food trucks. There is a great food truck scene in London, and the food is so good for the price. Even better, this food is designed to eat on the move, so you don’t have to waste any time. Or visit Borough Market in the London Bridge area and browse the stalls.
However, there are also opportunities for a good sit-down meal for an affordable price. If you like Chinese food, for example, then you can’t go wrong with visiting Chinatown for an authentic and inexpensive meal.
Incredible Parks
You don’t need to pay to witness some incredible views across London. Check out some of London’s finest parks with fantastic views.
1. Sky Garden
The views from London’s highest public garden – Sky Garden, Central London are just amazing. You will need to book in advance, bring some photographic ID, and book via the website. It really is worth a visit, and what can I say? It’s absolutely free!
2. Primrose Hill
Primrose Hill is found north of The Regent’s Park, in North London. It is one of the Royal Parks, one of the six protected viewpoints in London. It is near Camden and King’s Cross / Euston, so if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Take some time to enjoy the park – you can always stop off at the Primrose Hill Café for a cup of tea.
3. Parliament Hill Viewpoint
Parliament Hill offers panoramic views of the city. You will be able to view iconic landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, the Gherkin, and the Palace of Westminster from the hill, part of Hampstead Heath. It’s not too far from Primrose Hill, North London and worth a visit.
4. Greenwich Park
Another royal park, Greenwich Park boasts incredible views of London from the top of its hill. The park is also home to the world-famous Royal Observatory, where the Greenwich Prime Meridian begins. It is truly magnificent and captures a different side of London’s skyline.
Theatre Lotteries
Take Advantage of London’s Theatre Lotteries for cheap tickets to some of the West End’s famous shows.
1. TodayTix- West End Rush Tickets & Lottery London
Secure affordable Rush tickets for world-famous shows with the swift click of a button. Great deals and a chance to win Lottery tickets are at your fingertips!
2. National Theatre – Friday Rush Tickets
Between 12.30 pm and 1 pm on a Friday, the link to book Friday Rush tickets will appear on this page.
If you click on a link to a Friday Rush performance before 1 pm, you will be added to a waiting room. At 1 pm, everyone in the waiting room will be assigned a random queue number. People who join later will be placed at the back of the queue. If the random queue number you are assigned at 1 pm in the next Friday Rush is above 160, it will take longer to reach the front of the queue, and there will be less chance of you being successful this week.
Family Fun
The good news is that there are plenty of family-friendly activities to find in London, some for under £5. Some of these activities are enjoyable for adult travellers as well, so don’t be afraid to check them out.
Why not explore London via the Routemaster double-decker buses and embark on a quick trip around the highlights of the city? There are different routes, so you can enjoy a variety of trips around the city.
You should also pop into some of the many amazing museums in London. The British Museum, Central London (near Tottenham Court Road), is well known for its huge collection of historical and cultural artefacts from around the world, but families and adults alike will also appreciate the Horniman Museum, Forest Hill, south of the river. The museum itself is free, and the aquarium downstairs only costs £2-£4 quid per visitor.
What to Do at Night
Many people who visit London also want to spend their evenings exploring what London has to offer. You can easily find a place that offers two-for-one cocktails during happy hour, to save money on your night out. Or in summer, why not have a picnic in one of the great London parks?
If you’re looking for entertainment, then London is packed with fun things to do. You could pop into a theatre with discounted tickets and watch a great play, or spend the night at a stand-up comedy show. You can find some free gigs in the run-up to the Edinburgh Fringe, when comedians tend to practice their new material. Or comedians navigating the London circuit. You can also find cheap gigs in London if you know where to look – my tips are to go to Camden and Shoreditch.
💜 Top Tips
London doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, some of my favourite memories have come from the simplest days – a coffee from a local café, a long walk through a neighbourhood I love, and stumbling across somewhere I’d never noticed before. That’s one of the reasons I never get bored of this city – there’s always something new waiting to be discovered.
I personally love going to the number of incredible parks in London. As well as enjoying the great views at night. You can always visit Sky Garden to see the famous night-time cityscape of London for yourself. Just book ahead to avoid disappointment.
If you’re spending the day in North London, I’d recommend combining Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill and Primrose Hill. They’re all close together and offer some of the best views across the capital.
Camden is just down the road. I used to live and work there, so I’ll always have a soft spot for the area. From the famous market and canal walks to live music and independent food stalls, there’s always something happening. It is close to King’s Cross, St. Pancras and Euston rail stations, so a great location for travel.
If you’re heading to the City of London, book a free visit to Sky Garden, then wander through the beautiful Leadenhall Market before climbing The Monument’s 311 steps for another fantastic view across the capital. If you have time, continue your walk along the Thames towards Tower Bridge or visit the peaceful ruins of St Dunstan in the East, one of my favourite hidden spots in the City.
South London has a special place in my heart. Having lived in Herne Hill, Brixton and Crystal Palace, I’ll always recommend exploring this side of the river. Wander through the beautifully restored Crystal Palace Park, relax in Brockwell Park or spend an afternoon discovering Brixton’s markets and independent food scene. It’s a part of the city that’s full of character and, in my opinion, often overlooked by first-time visitors.
Bring a reusable water bottle – there are lots of free water stations in London.
Let us know your favourite place in London below in the comments.
