London on a Budget 🇬🇧

London

Can we talk about how *expensive* it is to travel to London?! Especially for those of us who earn Rondella's, it can seem out of reach. Here are a few things I found that were free or a least a little cheaper while I was living in the city.

August 2023
User Avatar Louise

A View from the Sky Garden

London

Description

A free excursion to a "garden in the sky" at the top of a commercial skyscraper. Situated 155 meters up from the ground floor on 20 Fenchurch Street, the Sky Garden offers 360-degree views of London. You have to book online in advance, and you have an hour in the venue from the time your slot starts. There are restaurants and coffee shops up there if you’d like to spend a little moola, but you could spend the full hour up there just marveling at the view.

Tips on Safety
Advanced Booking Advised
BIPOC Friendly
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
ATM's Nearby
Great for Solo Travelers
Safe for Walking
Wifi Available
Kids Friendly
Safe Public Transport
Wheelchair Accessible
Safe for Solo Missions

West End Live

Trafalgar Square

Description

Experience West End theatre shows FOR FREE(!) Okay, I previously had never heard of West End Live, so please imagine the JOY when this self-confessed theatre nerd stumbled upon this gem. It is a free concert set up annually in Trafalgar Square, which showcases about three songs from each of the productions that are showing on West End at the moment. We got to see performances from Kinky Boots, Dreamgirls, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and many more! No booking required.

Tips on Safety
BIPOC Friendly
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Great for Solo Travelers
Don't Carry Valuables
Safe for Walking
Safe Public Transport
Safe for Solo Missions

Additional Safety Information
Can get busy and in a main tourist area, so just be aware of potential pick-pocketers

Museums and Art Galleries

London

Description

If you’re interested in learning more about the world, where we came from, where we are going, and everything in between, there are so many museums and art galleries in London, most of which are free! Here are some of the ones I know of The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The Tate Britain and The Tate Modern, The National Gallery and The Museum Of London.

Tips on Safety
BIPOC Friendly
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
ATM's Nearby
Great for Solo Travelers
Safe for Walking
Wifi Available
Kids Friendly
Safe Public Transport
Wheelchair Accessible
Safe for Solo Missions

Relax in a Park

London

Description

Relax in one of many parks to choose from – Hyde Park, St. James Park, and Green Park, to name a few. You could really go to any park or common in London, they are everywhere and they are beautiful! Most of them have coffee shops and delis that you can buy some snacks from, or, if you want to do things on the cheap, pack a sandwich from home or buy a snack from the supermarket before heading down there.

Tips on Safety
BIPOC Friendly
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
ATM's Nearby
Visit Before Dark
Great for Solo Travelers
Don't Carry Valuables
Safe for Walking
Kids Friendly
Safe Public Transport
Safe for Solo Missions

Additional Safety Information
No real safety warnings but the pigeons are fearless and lose their minds at the sight of food; they don’t flinch if you swat your hand in the air to ward them off.

Getting Theatre Tickets

West End

Description

Go to the theatre on the day (about half an hour before doors open) and find out what tickets they've got left and what deal they can offer; you can often get single tickets at a cheaper rate as people make block bookings and leave a seat between. Many theatres offer student discounts – but if you don't ask, you shall not receive! There are great deals on TodayTix, which is a super, user-friendly app that gives you a calendar view of what tickets are available and how the price varies per day.

Tips on Safety
BIPOC Friendly
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Safe at Night
ATM's Nearby
Safe Public Transport