Absolutely, I highly encourage it! Of course, you could spend thousands of pounds enjoying everything the city has to offer. However, to get the true feel for London posh restaurants and hotels are not needed. You can see all the famous sights on a budget if you know how. Read on if you want to know how to visit London cheaply.
Travel Cheaply
WALKING: First up, you need to be able to travel around the city to all the sights and places of interest. The best way to do this is to use your legs. Walking is the absolute best way to get around the city. Just think, when you are on the tube you’re underground and missing all the sights between destinations. London is also smaller than you think and you can get to all the main sights by walking. The one destination that is a little further out is Camden Market, yet still walkable. When it comes to money this is how you do London cheaply.
UNDERGROUND TUBE: If you are to travel by tube then forget buying a ticket at the counter/machines. We found that it is much cheaper to use your contactless bank card on the way through the gate and then again on the way out. This will calculate the price for you. This is perfect if you need to use a few tubes during your stay. If walking is not for you, grab an oyster card or get an all-day ticket, which will save you money if you use the underground often.
UBER: Depending on how many are in your party, sometimes it is cheaper to use the Uber app. We have been known to use Uber a lot in London and have even taken it out to Watford to the Harry Potter Studios from central London. The great thing about Uber is you can see the price before you commit. It is worth looking at for further journeys if there are a few of you. The Uber boat is also great to see the city from the water. You just use your contactless card to get on and off.
Sights
There are so many sights to see in London. We have visited too many times to count and we are still finding new things to see. It’s always worth a google search on the time of year you are going as there are sometimes free outdoor concerts, markets, and art installations you can see. So here we go with the list of what you have to see in your first visit to London. All of the following are free!
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Who wouldn’t want to see where the King lives, it has over 700 rooms and survived the bombings in World War II. It is at the top of anybody’s wish list for London and is worth the visit. Start from the top of the Mall and walk down towards the sparkling, golden statue of the fountain in front of the palace. You’re in luck if you see the Royal Standard flying above the palace! The King is in! The Union Jack flies to communicate the King is elsewhere. A quick search of Changing of the Guard will tell you the time it all kicks off! You will then see the new guards go into the palace and the old coming out. This is a very busy time at the palace but is a must-see attraction.
https://changing-guard.com/dates-buckingham-palace.html
HORSE GUARDS PARADE: Not far from the palace you will see the horse guards parade square. This is where you can watch mounted cavalry troopers ‘The King’s Life Guard’ who are posted outside each day. Make sure you walk by around 11am as this is when changing of the guard happens.
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT & BIG BEN: Yet another huge attraction in the city. Back in 1605, the houses of parliament were nearly destroyed by the gunpowder plot. It was once a royal home. The House of Lords and House of Commons conduct their sittings in this building. It is where laws are debated and passed. The best view is from the opposite side of the river. That way you are not too close and can grab a great photo of the whole building. FUN FACT: The clock tower attached to the houses of the parliament is one of the most famous clocks in the world. However, it is the bell within the tower that is called Big Ben.
TOWER OF LONDON & TOWER BRIDGE: Another huge sight that can be seen without paying a single penny. A must-see when in the city. This huge building is a secure fortress, royal palace and infamous prison. It is most famous for housing the crown jewels and the ravens which are known as the guardians of the tower. We have never been inside the tower and it is on the to-do list. The whole surrounding area and the tower are still spectacular from the outside. The best way to see the tower is from the river so take an Uber boat.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE: Another area to grab a coffee and take in the atmosphere OR as we do grab a pint in the Admiral and sit outside. The main attraction here is Nelson’s Column which was erected to honour Admiral Nelson on his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The famous lions are said to protect Nelson’s Column. There is a huge square in the middle where you can wonder through the fountains and catch the street performers. It can get really busy during peak hours.
ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL: The best view of St Paul’s is from the stairs outside of the Tate Museum. If you line it up correctly you will see the cathedral through the gap in the buildings. It is an iconic dome that is seen in all skylines of London. It is a beautiful place to wander past Just remember that it has survived fires, wars and struggles of power!
COVENT GARDEN: When we come to London we always walk through Covent Garden and grab a tea or cocktail in one of the outside cafes. The street performers are a good watch and gather a crowd quickly. Here is where you will find most theaters and it is very busy throughout the day but in particular at kick out time from the theaters. At night you will also see rickshaw type bikes ready to steal all your money for a 10 min journey. We saw so many parents be caught out with this when the musical Frozen was kicking out. All the rickshaws were playing ‘Let it Go’ and so the kids all wanted a go.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY: Is probably one of the most recognisable churches in the world thanks to The Royal Wedding of William, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles. But, did you know it doesn’t operate like a normal church reporting to the Church of England? The Abbey was given special ‘Royal Peculiar’ meaning it is a church responsible directly to the Sovereign.
HARRODS: If shopping is your thing make sure you check out Harrods. I would say most people are just window shopping at the famous department store. The food hall is epic and you will find everything there. We once bought cheese from there that we had tried in Italy but could not find it anywhere. Harrods had it! As the sun dips you will be greeted by the 12,000 sparkling lights on the outside of the store.
PICCADILLY CIRCUS: Best visited at night when the screens really pop. Piccadilly Circus is always really busy and full of tourists. It is worth visiting and is known for the massive screens that show adverts. Think Times Square but a little smaller. There is a statue in the middle, but good luck getting a photograph there as it is always rammed with people.
NIGHT TIME WALK: When the sun goes down London becomes a beautiful city of lights. Make sure you do all the above attractions at night as well to see how they are lit up.
Museums
Everywhere you look there are Museums in London and many are worth a visit. It can be overwhelming to choose. To make it easier for you I have chosen the following two which have free entry and are fun for the whole family.
TATE MODERN: The Tate holds the nation’s collection of modern art from 1900 to the present day. It has over 5 million visitors making it one of the top visited museums in the world. Remember to take a look at the building as it looks industrial. That is because it used to be a Power Station. It is an interesting stop and a great way to spend a few hours. Make sure you google any special exhibits. When we went they had a swing exhibit where they had loads of swings you could try out.
NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM: A great way to spend a few hours or take the kids. We have been known to spend a whole day here. It is massive. The museum has millions of items within five main collections. The most famous exhibit is Dippy, a 32-meter replica of a diplodocus. If you have someone who loves dinosaurs, this is a must visit museum. Check their website before visiting as sometimes they have cool things going on from night time visits to sleepovers and silent discos.
Parks and Green Spaces
In such a large city filled with concrete and high-rise buildings, it can be hard to find a peaceful green space. There are many parks around the city. We always choose the following to visit as they are close to landmarks and beautiful. London can be done cheaply as you can see.
HYDE PARK: 350 acres of Greenery and is the largest Royal Park in London. It has many monuments and memorials, the most famous at the moment is probably the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. The park is also famous for its Speakers Corner. Here many debates, demonstrations and public speaking are done. The public gather here to express their opinions. The park is probably best explored with a ‘Boris Bike’, these city bikes can be rented for some time. The park is so big grab a bike and explore. It is also home to many concerts, I was lucky enough to be at the Live Aid Concert.
ST JAMES PARK: A lovely spot to take a break from all the city sightseeing. Right next to Buckingham Palace, this place is an oasis in the summer months. With deckchairs and plenty of green space to sit and take a breather or to have a picnic. A lovely walk around the park or through it on the way to see the Palace.
Views of London
There are so many buildings and companies offering the best views of London at a price. Here are the few we recommend!
SKY GARDEN: This is probably one of the best places to go to view the city, plus it is FREE! You just need to book tickets before you go. Make sure you book in time as these go quickly. Look for a building which is known as the ‘walkie-talkie’. When you get there you will go through security and then up an elevator to the viewing deck. At the top, you will be greeted with floor-to-ceiling glass which spans three floors. It is a lush oasis of trees and flowers. You can then go outside onto the balcony to see the views of the city. There is a small cafe at the top to grab a drink and a snack. You can also see the shard! Why go up the shard for a price when you won’t see it in the skyline? Yet another London done cheaply tip.
MONUMENT: Built to commemorate the end of the Great Fire of London and to celebrate the rebuilding of London. It has a small lighthouse-style staircase in the middle which you can climb for 360 views at the top. The 311 steps are worth the views from the top and it only costs a little. As a bonus, you get a certificate to say you have climbed it.
EMBANKMENT WALK: Start at the Tower of London and literally follow the River Thames until you get to the London Eye. You will go past so many amazing buildings and landmarks. It’s the perfect walk if the weather is right. You could even stop for a pint in the many bars along the river. I love doing this walk to see all the different bridges you pass.
Things to Spend Money On
Short on time, get on the City Sightseeing bus.
This is a hop-on-off double-decker bus that takes you past all the main sights of London. At the same time tell you facts and interesting things about the landmarks. This doubles up as transport to and from different points. We love doing this and have done it many times.
Feel free to leave comments on any other suggestions on how to visit London cheaply.