{"id":97376,"date":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-10-09T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/cheap-london-fun-things-to-do\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:52:59","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:52:59","slug":"cheap-london-fun-things-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/cheap-london-fun-things-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheap and Cheerful London"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wait, are those words even allowed in the same sentence? Most people approach with the attitude that the place is dismal and grey; and that everything has an\u00a0ahem<\/em>\u00a0“royal” price tag. At Travelstart, we’re offering some low fares to London<\/a>.
\n\"Chris<\/p>\n

Berkeley 1970s or London 2010s? by Chris JL on Flickr<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

But if you stop to look around, you\u2019ll realise that you\u2019re surrounded by working professionals trying to make their way in the world just like you. There’s this crazy, kinetic energy that buzzes from youthful, ambitious minds that can\u2019t help but be transmitted. London is corporate and arty, commercial but hip, dull and vibrant. A land of contradictions and a list of things-to-do longer than a hipster\u2019s beard, London is a place that will rock your holey socks if you know where to catch the show.<\/p>\n

So you\u2019re guilty of spending money on flights rather than new socks, that\u2019s why you\u2019re here! You pick destinations that\u2019ll give you the most bang for your buck, and guess what\u2026 it can be done in \u2018Lundun’! Here\u2019s where, when, why and how to do it, without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/p>\n

Where<\/h2>\n

Camden’s not all about the market, although this is a must-see for any first-timer in London. The streets writhe with a camp fusion of leather, studs and colourful spiked mohawks. Pick up a precious stone ring from the market, grab a South American style chicken and avo stuffed corn tortilla or a typically English cone of Fish & Chips from one of the multi-national food stalls\u2026 and find an outfit for the evening\u2019s fun ahead. You can easily budget \u00a320 for this day trip, but bring extra if you\u2019re looking for gifts. The tiny paths lead you through mini villages bursting with unusual goods like \u201950\u2019s style pouf dresses; handmade jewellery in exotic designs and even UV clubbing accessories that are displayed in a warehouse illuminated with black light. Ints ints ints\u2026 Your mate will be helluva relieved for not another key ring!
\n\"Fancy
\nUseful Tip:<\/em><\/p>\n

Before you even get on the airplane, get onto TimeOut.com\/London. Self-titled as \u201cyour ultimate guide to London\u201d, this online magazine will tell you everything you need to know about what\u2019s hot right now, from music, art and theatre to restaurants, bars and shopping.<\/em><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve shopped up a storm and rubbed up against every other tourist and their uncle in the busy streets of Camden, head over to South Bank for a stroll around those iconic sights that pop into the mind at the mere mention of the word, \u2019London\u2019. Hop off the tube or train at Waterloo, follow the masses to cross the Thames river, then turn left to walk along the river and take in the looming London Eye, quaint ol\u2019 Big Ben and finally the majestic Westminster Abbey. Buckingham palace is in the area too. You will most certainly see red double-decker buses, telephone booths and sentries along the way. Although these images feel overplayed because of mass media, stationary, screen-savers\u2026 it\u2019s amusing to watch them come together and form a coherent experience of the vibrating metropolis.
\n\"People
\nIn certain areas you can feel the tube rumbling by and even hear it if you place an ear to the ground\u2026 but if the grumblin\u2019s comin’ from your tum, you\u2019re in luck! You won\u2019t have to venture too far because pop-up restaurants and bars are blossoming everywhere. Not only do they offer unconventional options but the setup is always super trendy and the servers so cool they make you want to be sick. Not before dinner though! They\u2019re fast, convenient, and usually set up in perfect people-watching places, which is really all you\u2019re going to be doing during your stay. Although with winter fast approaching, there are restaurants that sport trendy interiors while still feeling exterior, so you won\u2019t have to give up your voyeuristic fun! Ping Pong on Southbank has glass walls downstairs so you can dine on dim sum while watching the crowd shuffle and strut between Waterloo station and the Golden Jubilee bridge. They have a set menu for around \u00a312 that works out cheaper than ordering plates. Look, it would simply be unfair to compare London\u2019s food with South African standards\u2026 but there\u2019s a lot to be said for the sheer variety and affordability of restaurants in London.<\/p>\n

\"A
\nNext on the to-do list: an Alternative London Tour<\/a>. Among other options, the Bike Tour runs every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 14:00 for 3.5 hours, \u00a322 all inclusive; and the Walking Tour from Monday to Saturday for 2 hours, on a pay-what-you-like basis. They\u2019re led by street artists who are incredibly stoked by their city and so excited to share it with you. Focusing on the history, street art and people of London, a tour whirls you through a 3D story-scape that is told with contagious enthusiasm. The vibrating visual stimuli of tagged bomb-sites; shop-fronts embellished in graphic design; and archaic architecture juxtaposed with modern monstrosities tell so much about the city. It transmits an energy that is interpreted for you by the guide, and its a participatory, tangible and memorable experience. Walking tours can be perceived as boring events for socks-nd-sandalled tourists who don\u2019t know any better, but this tour throws that idea out the window, acting instead as a portal that channels interesting information to you, so you can form a coherent concept of what can be an overwhelming city.<\/p>\n

\"Music<\/p>\n

Most folks pay between \u00a310 and \u00a315 for this informative and energising walking tour. Now, there are actual free things to do in London<\/strong>! The Natural History museum is spectacular, it\u2019s humongous and filled with interactive activities that will keep you, the kids, aunty, grandpa and moaning aunt Mavis happy. The National Gallery is also free, housing contemporary and classic artworks. It\u2019s quite something seeing 2D, fuzzy photocopied artworks from Art History class pop to life! There are loads more art and photography exhibitions dotted around the city, and they\u2019re either free or around \u00a310 pounds entry.<\/p>\n

When<\/h2>\n

\u2026 people are complaining that it\u2019s 30\u00b0C in Summer, you know you\u2019re in England. English Summers simmer around a pleasant 20\u2019C that feels like 26\u2019C – you\u2019ll only need a cardi for the shade and cloudy days. It\u2019s the perfect temperature for city-slicking because London is best experienced on foot or by bicycle. It\u2019s been classified as the most popular city in the world, based on visitor numbers, http:\/\/www.telegraph.co.uk\/travel\/destinations\/europe\/uk\/london\/11648925\/London-is-the-worlds-most-popular-capital-again.html and with such close-proximity with strangers of all shapes and sizes, you don\u2019t want to be rubbing sweaty shoulders on the tube! Rather make the most of the sun when it does shine, soaking it up in one of the many, very green, spaces like Hyde Park. Pick up a Santander bicycle from one of the docking stations around the city and off you go! \u00a32 gets you access for 24H and the first 30 minutes of every trip is free, so just remember to change bikes before your time is up or you\u2019ll have to pay \u00a32 for every 30 minutes over. Stop by Sainsbury\u2019s on the way, it\u2019s super affordable and stocks picnic-friendly treats like roasted red pepper humus, pre-packed salads and sarmies, pastries and cakes, cookies, crisps\u2026 to fill your picnic basket. Special diet products are abundant and humbly priced. Try Mrs Crymble\u2019s gluten-free coconut Macaroons\u2026 angels harmonise with each bite!<\/p>\n

\"Summertime<\/p>\n

Okay downtime is majorly important when on holiday – but – you are in one of the party capitals of the world, and probably the best thing about Summer in London is the selection of parties. DJs and musicians from all over the world alight on the city and it\u2019s surrounds, transforming it into a playground for fans of indie, house, rock\u2026 you name it! Check resident advisor<\/a> for festival and gig guides. If you don\u2019t have enough time for three days of reckless abandon at a festival, you can satisfy your inner hooligan at a rooftop party in the city. Venues bloom all over the city, luring hard-working professionals from their corporate caves out for an afternoon of fun in the sun that lingers on dreamily until the sun sets at 22:00. Netil360 is one of the best rooftop venues with free entry. It boasts lush green astro turf decked with low tables, cushions and bean bags for ultimate chilling. On Fridays they have a DJ that coaxes you into the warm evening with groovy and funky house, as you watch the city put on its sparkling evening gown below.<\/p>\n

\"Hardworking<\/p>\n

\"With
\nLuckily this place vibes right on through Winter, only closing to revamp as the seasons change. But what could one possibly do on a rooftop in 7\u00baC weather, besides confirm that the cold has made us all a little looney? Christmas festivities, of course! Strolling through markets laden with trinkets, sipping on mulled spiced wine, warming your frozen nose at a fire\u2026 now that\u2019s a more heart-warming cup of tea than earl grey. Londoners love Winter Wonderland for precisely these reasons. http:\/\/www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com For six weeks Hyde Park becomes a sprawling Christmas village, with an ice-rink, funfair rides and an ice palace. As if that\u2019s not enough to keep you busy, shop the unique stalls in the Christmas market, grab a beer from the Bavarian beer chalets, and warm your belly with hearty international snacks. Now that\u2019ll put some colour in your cheeks. With the sheer size and variety of this event, you\u2019ll leave feeling like a kid again\u2026 and probably asking when you\u2019ll be back!<\/p>\n

\"Markets<\/p>\n

During Winter London city itself becomes a wonderland, bedazzled with Christmas lights on Regent and Oxford streets. The cold isn\u2019t so bad when you\u2019re bundled up well, dashing through the streets\u2026 with a one horse open sleigh\u2026 plenty to get you carried away with your imagination as you do that last minute Christmas shopping. And when you\u2019re all shopped out, get comfortable in a toasty pub, sipping on a full-bodied beer as you watch the chilly evening twinkle outside. Some pubs stock board games so ask inside or check out these suggestions<\/a>. If you\u2019re up for more of a hoorah, there\u2019s a Santa Clause pub crawl that\u2019ll definitely get you feeling festive. Oh, and whether you\u2019re planning to dress up or not, be sure to have (and wear) a Christmas jumper. According to Nicol, a born and bred South African living in London for the past four years, \u201cDon\u2019t be in the UK over Christmas without a jumper, it\u2019s like a mortal sin!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Why<\/h2>\n

Because it\u2019s ugly and beautiful, frustrating and exciting, serious and just so much fun! There is never a dull moment in London, whether you\u2019re chasing Alice through an underground Wonderland at an interactive show, doing a photo-shoot in the tangle of humans bustling by on Golden Jubilee Bridge, or just gaping in awe at the futuristic skyscrapers in the financial district that disintegrate into the archaic buildings of Hackney. There is so much history in this city and in some areas it feels tangible, like the bomb site on Hambrei street off Brick Lane. This is London- a constantly evolving nest of innovative synapses firing, connecting and creating.<\/p>\n

\"Target<\/p>\n

Best<\/h2>\n

Place to have Coffee and support local is at Nude Espresso, http:\/\/www.nudeespresso.com a micro-roastery that hand sources it\u2019s coffee beans and serves up coffee \u2018worth waking up next to\u2019 at branches in Brick Lane and Soho Square. Cuppas cost \u00a32.70. Costa\u2019s coffee is a chain but it\u2019s consistently delicious and they are everywhere. Also, If you\u2019re up for buzzing about the best coffee shops in London check out these suggestions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Costa<\/p>\n

Cheap meals are always falafel or schwarma from the Eastern takeout places. Just walk a block and you should find one. Best pre-packed sandwiches from Pret a\u00a0Manger, a few more P than the other places but they make their sarmies fresh and unique (the cheddar and chutney is outta this world!). There are often lunch time specials at Mexican and other restaurants, if you have the time to shop around a bit. These and pop-up or market food stalls are your best bet for something a little different at a reasonable price (All \u00a35 – \u00a38). It\u2019s always cheapest cooking at home though, which is why staying in an Airbnb with a kitchen is a great money-saver.<\/p>\n

\"Saucy<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Twisted Cooksister<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Street Art is all over London but especially the East, and around Brick Lane. Alternative London tours will tell you all you need to know. They show you how to recognise specific artists by their style, like Roa\u2019s sketched animals, and Space Invader\u2019s pixelated images. Because of the copy cats out there he’s developed an APP called Flash Invader, that enables you to tell whether the image you\u2019ve found is original.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Places to Jo: Clapham for commercial music and Shoreditch for more alternative music. Try Dragon Bar, although there are heaps of pubs and clubs around these areas, and you won\u2019t be looking around feeling like the oldest person there! Beware of pubs closing early. Head out with enough time to meet and chat to the friendly folk out\u2026 after that it\u2019s to the club, whichever you can find that suits your taste in music. For a little more guidance and a ton of fun, join a pub crawl! Try http:\/\/londonpartypubcrawl.com<\/p>\n

Ready to buy your ticket?<\/h2>\n

A return flight from Johannesburg costs around R10 000. Once you are there buy an Oyster card for a refundable deposit of \u00a35, which you can top up at any metro station. It\u2019s much cheaper than buying individual tickets.<\/p>\n

Find great flights here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Read:<\/p>\n