Great Britain

London on a budget

This travel guide is full or hints and tips of enjoying your trip to London on a budget. London is the cosmopolitan capital of Great Britain. It is just a short train ride away from Dover, making ferry travel a great option.

There is something quite magical about wandering around the streets of London whatever the season. From wintery walks to see the Oxford Street Christmas lights or Carnaby Streets, to brisk walks along the River Thames in the summer. You will never be short of things to see when you visit London on a budget.

We’ve put together a mixture of our favourite things to do in London on a budget.

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London on a budget
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Walking

About the city

Things to do in London for free

London is one of the greenest capital cities in the world with over 3,000 parks and open spaces to discover. Go deer spotting in Richmond Park, feed the ducks in St James Park, or wander through the stunning Japanese garden in Notting Hill Park. See the best London has to offer by getting a ferry to England with P&O.

Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. Housing over 2 million objects, you won’t be stuck for things to do and see when you visit here. It is free to enter and in the summer there’s a lovely outside area for you to enjoy.

The Imperial War Museum is free to enter and is located near Lambeth North. The displays are arranged in a way that allows you to gain real insight into what it’s like to live through a war. They also have a range of events you can attend throughout the year.

If you’re looking for something different to do, why not head to the Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday morning? This little part of East London takes a complete floral transformation every Sunday and it’s great to walk around and soak up the atmosphere. There are also plenty of quaint Victorian shops you can visit.

Activities to do in London on a budget

There are loads of things you can do for free if you are visiting London on a budget. The number of museums available for you to visit for free is countless. Our top picks include the V&A, National History Museum and National Science Museum. Our top tip is to plan to visit the V&A and National History Museum on the same day, as they are next door to one another. Plus, save even more money by staying at BP House in South Kensington, a hostel with Scouting roots.

There are loads of art galleries open to the public for free as well, such as the Tate Britain, Tate Modern and National Portrait Gallery. All of which have engaging activities for children if you are travelling as a family.

Parks and outdoor spaces

Perhaps, you want your London on a budget visit to be more of an outdoor experience. In which case you will not be disappointed with the huge amount of parks and outdoor spaces in London. Richmond Park is a great place to go walking, especially if you want a chance to see deer and many other species of wildlife. We would hugely recommend that you take a picnic with you, so you can have a relaxed day out at the park.

Green Park is another outdoor space enjoyed by tourists, probably due to its close proximity to Buckingham Palace. Also, it is across the road from the horse guards and the change of guards is a unique experience that you can enjoy for free.

Or perhaps the large park and expansive views of Greenwich Park, will be more your thing. Plus, while you are there you can go around the Maritime Museum for free! With stunning architecture and chilled out vibe it is the perfect place for a day out in the sun.

Avoid the tube and go for a walk

Another good hack for doing London on a budget, is to walk to more places. You would be surprised how quickly you can walk around parts of London, but also how much more you see as a result.

For example, a great walk is to get off the tube at St Paul station and go over the Millennium Bridge, from here you will be able to see Tower Bridge. It is only a short 60 minute walk from the Millennium Bridge, taking you past many stunning pieces of architecture, attractions and points of history.

Another short but interesting walk is the 30 minute walk from London Victoria Station to Buckingham Palace – which also puts you in close proximity to Leicester Square, Covent Garden and many other sites worth visiting.