Make peace with the fact that you are on a shoestring budget and yet you can’t turn your back on London.
Why does London seem so inviting during fall? The fire in the leaves, the luster in the sky, and the wild west wind set the autumnal tone just after summer had a jolly good time. Now that the Christmas is upon us, you have to save enough for the coming holidays. Make peace with the fact that you are on a shoestring budget and yet you can’t turn your back on London. The magnanimity of this city is such that it allows you to explore its majestic parks, do a jig at the music festivals, spend hours in the museums, and enjoy the nature’s bounty: all for free. On that note, let’s find out some of the best things to do in London.
#1. Enjoy Open-air Entertainment
You don’t have to shell out a dime to watch the live screening of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to be played at the Royal Opera House on September 22. Mark the day if you want to watch this ballet on a giant screen in Trafalgar Square. This October, the same Trafalgar Square will be dolled up for the street party on the occasion of Diwali – Festival of Lights. A couple of blocks north of Trafalgar Square lies the Covent Garden where the street entertainers would keep you amused. If you head to the Leicester Square for celebrity spotting outside the Odeon Theater, you will be in for surprise.
#2. Attend Festivals
The city grows even more charming when it hosts the Totally Thames Festival (Sep 1- Sep 30). Be a sport and take part in the free cultural events aimed at celebrating London’s lifeline – River Thames. The free Bermondsey Street Festival returns to south London on September 19. This is the time when artists, musicians, actors and fashion experts take to streets to showcase their work. This year, it’s going to be a potpourri of jazz, salsa, children’s theater, and Dog Show.
#3. Explore Museums
The Victoria and Albert Museum has a collection of portrait miniatures and sculptures from the time of Henry VIII to Queen Victoria.
It won’t be a hyperbole to say that London is a city of museums. That’s why museums cover a mandatory space in a traveler’s itinerary. Much to your delight, the entry to the Victoria and Albert Museum is free. It has a collection of portrait miniatures, sculptures, and photography from the time of Henry VIII to as recent as Queen Victoria. British Museum, which is just 4 km from here, is renowned for its mummies and the Rosetta Stone. Museum of London, Science Museum, and Natural History Museum are also worth your time.
#4. Admire Art Galleries
The 19th-century National Gallery in Trafalgar Square houses only masterpieces. From Italian paintings to the creations of Dutch, Spanish, and Flemish artists, the place reeks of artistic triumph.
National Portrait Gallery, which also allows free admission, is the place to see portraits of The Beatles, Sir Richard Branson, and even Henry VIII under one roof. Saatchi Gallery is one of the best places in London to see a comprehensive collection of contemporary art.
#5. Go for Nature Walks and Birdwatching
London is known for scenic city walks and that becomes evident when you take the route from the London Eye to Putney.
If you literally want to ‘go with the flow’, amble along the Thames river. London is known for scenic city walks and that becomes evident when you take the route from the London Eye to Putney. On the way, you come across Lambeth Palace, Vauxhall Bridge, Battersea Park, and the Peace Pagoda. If you are ready to explore the fringes of London, come to the Epping Forest or take a walk at the Hampstead Heath. Bird lovers make it a point to visit the Regent’s Park and catch sight of the pelicans in St Jame’s Park. Give a twist to your walking tour and come to the Richmond Park to watch the stags and bucks clashing antlers and fighting off rivals to attract females.
#6. Discover Famous Destinations
Piccadilly Circus, the Times Square of London, looks best after sundown. Walk past the iconic advertisements and sit by the famous Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain before heading to Big Ben in Westminster and wait for the big clock to chime. Walk across the Westminster Bridge to get an unhindered view of the London Eye – a huge Ferris wheel. You don’t need deep pockets to visit the Regent Street or indulge in window shopping. This elegant district in London hosts the famous motor show every October when car lovers can drool over the vintage, classic, and futuristic cars. It is perhaps the largest free show on cars in the UK.
Also Read : London
Image Credits: Stephen Craven, Kiev.Vector