We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

2 days in London

Hi all,

On Tuesday I'm going to London with my mate for 2 nights. She wants to go to a specific exhibition, and I wanted the break. So I have all day Weds, and most of Thursday for us to do some fun stuff.

I've got a pretty good location for us - Haymarket, and i'd like us to be able to mostly walk about so we can take in the sights (hoping the weather stays fab!).

Does anyone have any cool money saving tips of things to see / places to go. (I have been before by the way, I'm just after expert opinions - quirky pub / good food places etc on the night). We both like the arts, though I don't want to spend hours and hours in exhibitions, I want to soak up the atmosphere.

Thanks in advance!
:j:beer:
"The future needs a big kiss"

Comments

  • susancs
    susancs Posts: 3,888 Forumite
    edited 27 July 2014 am31 8:14AM
    You would be 5 mins walk away from the National Art Gallery at Trafalgar Square (use googlemaps to plan you walks). There is a reasonably priced cafe in the crypt of the Old St Martins in the Field church by there. Then do a 5 minute walk down to Whitehall to see the Queens Guards on horseback (some good close up photo opportunites). From near Trafalgar Square you can get the old routemaster no 15 bus to The Tower Of London and sit on the top deck of it as it goes past a lot of London attractions and you can use Travelcard or Oyster on it. You can get a clipper boat from near there to Westminster for the Houses Of Parliament, Big Ben etc.
    http://www.insightguides.com/destinations/europe/england/london/cultural-features/old-london-bus-tour-routemaster-bus-no15

    You could spend almost a day in South Kensington (5-10 min tube journey from Piccadily Circus tube station to South Kensington) as you have the Natural History, Science and Victoria and Albert museums all beside each other. 10-15 minute walk from there to Kensington Gardens to see The Elfin Oak and then walk along the Gardens to Hyde Park to see horse riders on Rotten Row, boating on the Serpentine etc. If you like riding a bkie you can hire a Boris Bike and ride around the park.

    You could look at queuing up at a theatre box office for cheap day. seats as most fairly near where you are staying. Info on the link below.
    http://www.theatremonkey.com/dayseatfinder.htm

    Covent Garden market is full of street entertainers and 10 minutes walk from your hotel.

    You have the changing of the Guards if you fancy seeing that.
    http://www.changing-the-guard.com/dates-times.html

    Just a range of ideas for you choose from. On arrival either buy a daily travelcard for unlimited use on that date on London buses, tubes and overground train or get an Oyster card and top it up as required (£5 refundable deposit).

    For eating out, have a look at the group buying sites such as Groupon, Wowcher, keynoir etc as they often have good voucher deals for eating out.
  • Hi Susancs - thank you very much! Some great little tips there. I like the sound of them. I think we'll end up at the Natural History / V&A museum at some point. I've been before - a wee while ago. I don't know my way around London, though I've had a quick look at google maps and I'm chuffed with our location. I want to do the usual Big Ben, parliament etc. I'll check groupon for the food deals etc.

    Whats the cost for a daily travelcard? Anybody know off hand?
    "The future needs a big kiss"
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    My OH and I went on a tour inside the houses of parliament and it was so interesting I am really glad I didn't miss it out of our itinery.


    The guide was so passionate about it all and we were able to go through both the rooms where parliament sits.


    Great value for money and a brilliant experience. Even going through the security checks with the police before we went in was a treat ha ha.
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.