Every year more than 30 million tourists flock to the most popular tourist destination in the world: London. The capital of England is a world-class city that is undoubtedly at the top of many bucket lists. Unfortunately for many ardent travelers, it is also one of the most expensive destinations in the world to visit, especially considering just how strong the pound is against other currencies. Luckily there is plenty to do in and around the city, that is either free or won’t cost you more than a few pounds at the most.
Save money any way you can
Airfares and accommodation are generally two of the biggest expenses when visiting London. Before parting with any money, take the time to shop around, checking out the offerings of various airlines flying in to London. You may get lucky and score a great discount with a voucher or online promo code. As far as accommodation is concerned, there really is no need to want to stay in the Connaught or Lanesborough. Instead, browse the various Airbnb offerings in the area you are visiting for comfortable and affordable accommodation. Once you have booked your flights and your accommodation it is important to add the following attractions to your itinerary.
The Changing of the Guards
If you visit London from April to July you can watch the shift change between the guards at Buckingham Palace free of charge. The Changing of the Guard ceremony begins at 11am sharp after a march by a group of the Old Guard from St. James’s Palace with musical accompaniment, and the New Guard led by a Regimental Band from Wellington Barracks. The entire affair takes approximately 45 minutes and it is recommended you get there early to get a good spot to view the proceedings from.
The British Library
Paying a visit to the British Library is an absolute must when in London. Not only is the library considered to be one of the most important in the world but it is also the second largest in the world, boasting an impressive collection of more than 150 million books, magazines, manuscripts, music recordings and scores, data bases, patents, and more. Admission to the library is free so you may have some extra cash available to grab a bite to eat from one of the many on-site eateries including Origin Coffee and The Terrace Restaurant. Even if you aren’t the biggest bookworm on the planet you are bound to be intrigued by the sheer vastness of the library as well as one of the countless exhibitions held throughout the course of the year.
The epic street art
The streets of London are littered with some of the most striking street art which can be viewed and enjoyed completely free of charge. Although you will more than likely come across some impressive graffiti and sculptures regardless of where you are in the city, there are a few areas that are particularly worth a visit. Shoreditch in East London is famous for its graffiti while Sclater and Middlesex have also been known to house some decent artwork. Brick Lane is, however, undoubtedly the best place to be if you are looking for an authentic multicultural, hip street art scene. Apart from nearly every wall being clad in stunning art, there are also a number of very affordable eateries in the area where you can indulge in some authentic Asian cuisine.
London is a beautiful city filled with exciting things to do. Luckily, contrary to popular belief, and as the above guidelines indicate, you don’t need thousands of pounds to stay well-entertained in one of the most popular cities in the world,
