Daytrip to London - Done most of the Museums, What Else to Do for Free/Cheap?

nachtvlinders

I'm going next Saturday for the day via Flix so will be there from 11am to 7pm. Usually visit two sites like the British Museum, V&A, a Tate; Wellcome Trust and then to Portabello/Brick Lane/Shoreditch for a browse in the markets/shops, then finding somewhere nice to eat for dinner. Most times, I found it to be overwhelmingly busy and don't enjoy going to such busy, overcrowded places anymore. Last time I went to the Museum of the Home, which was okay. Nothing exciting. I might go to the Museum of Gardening if that is worth going. (Went to Kew some years ago, and wasn't wowed by it. Felt like a bit souped-up botanical garden that I've seen elsewhere in the country.) 

I've not had a decent cheap meal there either, so I've either chosen badly or just bad luck. (Chinatown. Insta burger joints, Borough Market). Budget is £20 max. 

strawb_shortcake

I quite liked Spitalfields for a wander round, there was a market and lots of good value food options - The real Greek and if there is a Leon nearby they are good value and tasty. The Paul chain was always reasonable too. 

Spitalfields was done in support of my Son's history GCSE so there's a lot of history there, but might need to look online before you go for references.

I also quite like going from Little Venice to Camden on the boat, can't remember the price but lots of food options on Camden. Not sure what the walk would be like? As Madness fans we usually pop into the Dublin Castle for a pint too.

onashoestring

Sky garden is free a great views of London - probably too late to book a ticket but you they will try and fit in walk-ins 
https://skygarden.london/booking/

okane_ga_nai

As an alternative to Sky Garden which you have to book in advance I recommend  https://londonist.com/london/free-and-cheap/visit-this-free-roof-garden-on-holborn-s-post-building
I visited in April and was really impressed with the views across London. I much prefer it to Sky Garden as it far less busy. You need ID to enter such as a Credit Card. It a little hard to find. It's to the left of Nationwide on New Oxford Street. 

I also visited Westminster Cathedral the same day. This is also free to enter but they ask for a donation. The mosaic work is lovely. They do charge entry to the tower but haven't visited so don't know what it's like. 

As for food I don't often eat out in central London apart from lunch takeaways via the Too Good To Go App. But if I had to choose a cheapish evening menu in central London it would Misato (Japanese cuisine)  in Wardour Street. I think they take cash only. I did have to queue a little on a Friday night last year. 

The city of London isn't busy at weekends. How about exploring London's Roman wall. I recently visited part of the wall inside London Wall carpark(bay 52). https://youtu.be/tdh7h28fKGc

RAS

Have you tried the British Library near St Pancras? They have a treasure exhibition and one temporary exhibition at any time. Free lockers for bags. I lost a couple of hours there quite happily.

There is a nice but sometimes busy courtyard. 

Also nearby there is the Camley Street Nature Park next to Regent's Canal and Coal Drop Yard area. Don't know the food situation there but looked pricey. Good for a wander though.

nachtvlinders

okane_ga_nai said:

As an alternative to Sky Garden which you have to book in advance I recommend  https://londonist.com/london/free-and-cheap/visit-this-free-roof-garden-on-holborn-s-post-building
I visited in April and was really impressed with the views across London. I much prefer it to Sky Garden as it far less busy. You need ID to enter such as a Credit Card. It a little hard to find. It's to the left of Nationwide on New Oxford Street. 

I also visited Westminster Cathedral the same day. This is also free to enter but they ask for a donation. The mosaic work is lovely. They do charge entry to the tower but haven't visited so don't know what it's like. 

As for food I don't often eat out in central London apart from lunch takeaways via the Too Good To Go App. But if I had to choose a cheapish evening menu in central London it would Misato (Japanese cuisine)  in Wardour Street. I think they take cash only. I did have to queue a little on a Friday night last year. 

The city of London isn't busy at weekends. How about exploring London's Roman wall. I recently visited part of the wall inside London Wall carpark(bay 52). https://youtu.be/tdh7h28fKGc

I thought at Westminster Cathedral you'd have to pay. 

I've been to the Roman Wall at the Barbican - went to the Barbican for the art and chanced upon the wall on the grounds. 

Read that the Sky Garden is overcrowded, and that there are better places to see views on some buildings with roof terraces. 

nachtvlinders

RAS said:

Have you tried the British Library near St Pancras? They have a treasure exhibition and one temporary exhibition at any time. Free lockers for bags. I lost a couple of hours there quite happily.

There is a nice but sometimes busy courtyard. 

Also nearby there is the Camley Street Nature Park next to Regent's Canal and Coal Drop Yard area. Don't know the food situation there but looked pricey. Good for a wander though.

I've been to the British Library - it's great there; like the stamp collection and the digital maps of old London. I've been to Musuem of London. 

I've not been to the Camley St. Nature Park - I'll check that out, thanks. I've been to some community gardens too (I like gardening - also, been to Columbus Road Flower Market and Covent Garden Flower Market).  

nachtvlinders

annabanana82 said:

I quite liked Spitalfields for a wander round, there was a market and lots of good value food options - The real Greek and if there is a Leon nearby they are good value and tasty. The Paul chain was always reasonable too. 

Spitalfields was done in support of my Son's history GCSE so there's a lot of history there, but might need to look online before you go for references.

I also quite like going from Little Venice to Camden on the boat, can't remember the price but lots of food options on Camden. Not sure what the walk would be like? As Madness fans we usually pop into the Dublin Castle for a pint too.

I've done Shoreditch a lot esp. Spitalfields Market. Thanks. 

joho

If you are on Instagram you could follow accounts like wondersoflondon. loulouexplores and thecuriouspixie who do short videos of things and places to see.

Like the last remaining gas lamp run on sewer gas. I know! Amazing, eh?!

onomatopoeia99

National gallery and the Wallace collection are both free and both house superb collections.  You kind of need to like paintings though.

Misslayed

There's a new art trail featuring Morph, each one decorated by a celebrated artist/designer/illustrator. (Maybe more directed at young folk)