Exploring London: Cost-effective exceptional experiences

Heading into the city with a plan of action and knowing that you want good value for money, means you can find those hidden gems within a sprawling tourist centre. London is bustling with so many different cultures that you can feel like you’ve been all over the world, whilst remaining a short distance away from The Belgrave Hotel. Looking at free trips, deals for theatre tickets and how to spend smart when using public transport will help you enjoy your trip to London even more.

Free royal experiences

Head down to Buckingham Palace for one of the best experiences there is when it comes to ceremony and old traditions. Watch the Changing of the Guard on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:45am. It is a good idea to get there from as early as 10am to give you time to find a good view. The ceremony lasts around 45 minutes and allows for the King’s Guards to swap over from the old shift to the new. It is exciting to watch and entirely free. Once you’ve watched the changing of the guards, walk over to the Horse Guards Parade and you may see them doing some training with the cavalry or preparing for an important event. They also have a dismounting ceremony at 4pm when the Household Cavalry are relieved of their duties for the day. 

Both the Horse Guards Parade and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace are spectacles that are worth seeing. These represent hundreds of years of tradition and history that is still important to many British people today.

Wander around London’s iconic markets and courtyards

If shopping is more your style, why not take in some of London’s incredible markets, with stalls for food, clothes and homeware; there is bound to be something that catches your eye.

Portobello Road Market: A vibrant market that is one of the most famous and historical cultural markets. Wander around for free or head to one of the stalls and grab yourself a great slice of London history. There are the usual branded shops, plenty of cafes and restaurants in the area, but you’re never far from something that will catch your eye. 

Camden Market: One of the best places to go in London if you’re looking for something that makes your money go a little further. There is always something going on, whether it’s an art installation or music from the street buskers; you won’t be disappointed when you walk around this amazing market. With 1000 independent traders, it’s one of the largest markets with different areas to explore. Camden Market also has exhibitions and workshops that don’t cost too much, so if you want a full day out; this is the place to be. 

Borough Market: The main market if you are a foodie; this is the iconic domed structure that you’ll have seen in multiple films set in London. It has a huge range of food traders, from all over the world and every single one has something that will make you want more. It’s a celebration of food and drink, and one well worth visiting. 

Brick Lane Market: For the fashion-lovers, this vintage market has everything from the 1920s up to the 1990s (which we’re sure cannot be classed as vintage!). Whether you want something for a fancy dress party or you want to give your wardrobe a makeover that makes you stand out from the crowd, head to Brick Lane Market, which is in the Truman Brewery. 

Neal’s Yard: The most vibrant courtyard in London is tucked away near Covent Garden and Seven Dials. With cute independent cafes and wine bars to the iconic Neal’s Yard skincare shop; this is a lovely respite from the bright lights of the West End. 

Carnaby Street: Located in Soho, this is where London comes to evolve through an array of boutique shops, restaurants and flagship stores. It is constantly changing to keep up with cultural trends, challenge the status quo and give London a splash of vibrancy and rebelliousness. 

The markets of London are diverse, vibrant and a cultural mix of everything that makes London great.

Take advantage of free tours and walking routes

To see London from a different perspective, why not get on a walking tour? Self-guided tours are normally good value for money and you can take as long as you want to complete them, you can get a little information pack that helps you get to know the area and understand its cultural and historical significance of the area. 

Free guided walking tours: There are plenty of sites offering free guided walking tours, but guruwalk.com is our favourite. They have tours that take in legal history, true crime, history and art and food and drink. You can book in advance and check out who your guide will be. 

To get the view of London from someone who lives there – book a tour through London with a Local, designed for small groups and guided by someone passionate about the city they live in, you get a more personalised experience. 

Self-guided walking tours: If you want to go it alone and do a self-guided tour, then look at Living London History – Jack has a whole host of different tours and you can download them directly to your maps app. Perfect for those who want to do a tour but want to do it in their own time.

Affordable theatre

London is home to the West End, the biggest theatre district in the UK. It is an array of theatres, musicals, plays and shows. However, sometimes it can be difficult to find tickets for a good price, but we have you covered. 

TKTS booth in Leicester Square: If you have a free couple of hours and know your show is playing later that day; you may be able to get discounted tickets for same-day showings. The seats may have a restricted view, so be warned but it’s a great way to see a show and not pay the usual prices. 

Day seats: Some shows often release tickets that haven’t been sold at significantly reduced prices. You can often find them at the show’s box office website or by heading to the theatre box office. 

Online discounts: Keep an eye out for discounted tickets online, TodayTix often has different ticket availability for musicals, plays and comedy shows. Some shows have different offers such as no booking fee, or restricted seat discounts. 

Matinee performances: Head to a show on a weekday afternoon and this will often give you tickets that cost less than weekend evening tickets. Not every show has matinee performances so make sure you check before you plan. It’s also a lot quieter and you have the evening free.

Explore free museums and art galleries

London is the home of museums and art galleries with hundreds of them dotted around the city and surrounding areas. 
Some of the favourites are below, but also check out our ‘rainy day’ guide for more information.

• Outernet
• The British Museum
• Tate Modern & Tate Britain
• National Gallery
• Victoria & Albert Museum
• Science Museum & Natural History Museum
• Sky Garden (advance booking required)
• Barbican Conservatory (advance booking required)

Public transport savings

Oyster card or contactless payment: Transport for London’s Oyster card is the cheapest way to travel around on the Tube and the buses. Using contactless payments in a tap-and-go scheme can also help keep costs down as there is a cap on daily fares. Children under 11 travel free on buses and on the Tube with a free Oyster photocard. 

Consider a Travelcard: If you’re staying in the area for a few days, getting a multi-day pass can be cheaper than daily fares. It allows you to travel between certain zones with one ticket and not have to worry about remembering to tap your card or top up your Oyster card. 

Walking: London has a vast network of paths, streets and walking routes. Most places you can walk to easily and as many landmarks are in close proximity to Pimlico and the Belgrave Hotel, you can do a door-to-door tour and not worry about finding transport.

Bike hire: Santander Cycles are an affordable way to explore London at your own pace. Download the app for quick and easy payment. They are available in most areas so you’re never far away from one when you need it.