It’s hard to have a conversation about London without someone mentioning the prices, there is simply no escaping the fact that as wonderful a city as it is, it’s also very expensive. With that being said, London does tend to have an offering like no other in the UK. Whether it’s shopping, culture, art galleries or museums you’re after, you’re usually only a stone’s throw (or short tube ride) away.
CNM Online; a leading provider of washroom equipment to the tourism and hospitality industry, have provided their top tips for enjoying a few days in the big smoke without punishing your bank balance too much. Once you’ve got yourself a tube pass and a picnic, the city is your oyster (excuse the pun) and there are loads of things you can do without spending a penny. Here are our top recommendations on spending a few days in the big city –
- Get your greens! After a few days of being surrounded by huge buildings or going underground to get the tube, you may be missing the sight of grass. London has a huge green offering with some fantastic parks, ideal for an afternoon stroll or sharing a picnic. Wherever you are, there will be something close by. Take a look at Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill or St James Park just to name a few, or if you fancy something a little different the Sky Garden gives breathtaking views of the city whilst still housing plenty of plants. This is free, but you’ll need to book tickets in advance.
- Learn something new! Another great draw to a few days in London is the amount of free museums to choose from. You could spend the morning or afternoon learning something new, exploring the earth’s history or just enjoying the experience. Another bonus of museums is they’re fun for both adults and children. With the Science Museum, The Natural History Museum, the British Museum and the Imperial War Museum, plus many others to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 7
- Art, Darling! As it’s the capital city, London hosts a ton of great art, and more often than not it’s free to go and see. The best thing to do is have a look on websites like TimeOut to see what galleries are currently showing what exhibitions, they also have a ‘free’ section to save you the leg work. Another option is to view some of the amazing street art, from paintings of David Bowie in Brixton to various Banksy works.
- And Finally, Architecture! London has some world renowned buildings, some new, some old, but all worth a look. Start with the newer buildings like the Gurkin and the Shard and any other you may fancy, then get yourself over to St Paul’s and Somerset House (where there are often also exhibitions) to take a look at some of the stuff that survived the war. Let’s not forget Buckingham palace of course.
Does your family have a favourite place to visit in London? Please do share it with us!
