Bargain hunter, serial budget-er, financially challenged... this is all me. I've got a lifetime membership to the budget lifestyle. I think that even if I became rich (🙏) I'd still be trying to get the most value for my money... it's woven into my very being.
So, living in London is not the obvious choice for someone who wants to get the most value for their money (hello, extortionate rent prices) but I'm here, and have been for the last 5 years. The good thing about London is that there's so much to do and so many places to visit that cost next to nothing, which will help you stretch that almost non-existent disposable income - after the rent is cruelly snatched from your bank account - for as long as possible.
So whether like me, you're living a double life and cheating on your inner skint gal with life in London, or you're just visiting - this list should hopefully give you a few places to check out.
1. Lates at the Tate Modern
I love the Tate Modern - it's a modern art gallery perched in front of the Thames, opposite St Paul's Cathedral. It's free to enter and wander around most of it, unless you want to pay to see one of their visiting exhibitions, but the best time to visit is after dark. You can't do this all the time but they host Tate Lates on the last Friday of every month (except December), which blends art with live music from cool local DJ's, live talks, workshops and cocktails. I'll never forget my first Tate Late, where I found myself making pottery, tipsy, at 9:30 on a Friday night.
2. Columbia Road Flower Market
One of my favourite things about London is their assortment of markets, and I love them all. But I think my winner has to be Columbia Road Flower Market in Bethnal Green. It's always a pain in the arse for me to get to because I live in SW London - but it's worth it. Buskers playing tunes to people sipping coffee and nipping in and out of antique shops, and all of the house plants and flowers you could dream of to take home with you. Such a lovely Sunday activity.
This is the perfect place to get your comedy fix without breaking the bank - above the Camden Head pub in Angel, this intimate little venue hosts comedy every night at 8pm. Technically, it's a free evening so you've got to get there early and get your name down before it fills up - so go and get a few bevvies in first. I say it's technically free because you're not required to pay anything, but there is the option to pay a donation on the way out... and you always do, because it's a fun night out.
4. Primrose Hill
Grab a picnic basket (or just a backpack of food) and head to the gorgeous Primrose Hill. You'll not only find a lovely atmosphere as lots of people will be doing the same thing, but you'll also get amazing views of the skyline. Whether you're there in the crisp and frosty winter months with a hot chocolate, or basking in the late summer afternoons with prosecco, it's an idyllic little spot.
5. Pop Brixton
Whenever a London newbie comes to visit me I make sure to take them to Pop Brixton. I absolutely love this place - it's a creative community project with independent shops, bars and eateries, housed within a group of shipping containers which was pulled together to make use of some disused land. The initiative was started - and continues - to make a positive difference in the community, hosting community events, workshops and all sorts of fun stuff. It comes alive at night with all its lights and live music, but it's even great to visit during the day. When I lived in Streatham I used to spend some Sunday morning's wandering around with a coffee, perusing the old record shop or the vintage market. It was only meant to be temporary, running initially til 2020 - but it's still there, so I'm crossing my fingers it remains!
6. Go Boat in Paddington
This probably doesn't belong on a list of places to visit, but I wanted to throw it in there. It's a really nice way to see London from a different perspective - cruising along Regent's canal through Little Venice to Camden. The eco boats fit up to 8 people, and they're self-driving - you can bring a picnic on board, as well as prosecco/wine/beer (there's a limit to how much you can bring on board, obviously - imagine the carnage if there wasn't!). You can have the boat for up to 3 hours, with 2 hours only costing £119 - and between 8 people, it's great value.
7. Charity shop shopping in Streatham
So, this is a bit of a wildcard as I can't imagine many people making their way to Streatham to do this. But I used to live here, and as much as it gets a lot of stick, I really loved it. Especially when I used to spend a lazy afternoon hopping between the charity shops on Streatham High Road. My favourite being Trinity Hospice on Streatham Hill - I got some great bargains on top-notch brands (some clothes hadn't even been worn!).
8. Kyoto Japanese Garden
Again, there's so many gardens and parks around London that wherever you are you've got a pretty (and cheap/free) day out. I used to work in Kensington so this Japanese garden was only down the road, and it's such a tranquil little oasis tucked away in Holland Park. I sometimes used to go there for lunch away from the office. The garden was gifted to London by the city of Kyoto as a way to commemorate the friendship between Japan and Great Britain, and it's such a vibrant haven.
9. East London street art trail
If like me, you're a fan of street art then look no further than the urban streetscape of East London. The streets in this part of London are adorned with striking pieces, stretching from the quirky Brick Lane to Old Street. A Lady in London actually pulled together a pretty cool self-guided tour if you're not a fan of aimlessly wandering.
And last on my list of places to visit in London for free/on a budget is this unusual little Soho shop. Fans of Harry Potter, this one's for you: home to all the HP memorabilia you could dream of, the owner of this shop has recreated a kind of wizarding wonderland in the upper floors of her shop, and it's an experience just looking around. And, just as a sneaky little extra - since you're in Soho, drop into Sophie Tea's art gallery in Carnaby Street: it's the perfectly pink place on the corner (so Insta-worthy!).
There we have it - my top 10 fave places to visit in London if you're on a budget. Hopefully this has given you some extras to put in your itinerary, or given you places to add to your list when you can go and explore your proverbial doorstep again. I've also got a page, dedicated to all things UK travel.
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