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8 Cheap Days Out in London
Sabrina Collier
Updated May 14, 2019Save
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Have you been living in London for a while and done pretty much every touristy thing you can think of, from visiting Buckingham Palace to taking a cruise on the Thames? Luckily there’s no end of possible things to do in London, and for your convenience we’ve rounded up the following list of possible cheap days out in London, letting you discover new things without breaking the bank.
1. Explore some of London’s hidden green spaces
Of course, this one may depend largely on the weather, but if it’s good weather and you fancy heading somewhere different to your usual park, why not start off by exploring hidden gems such as The Hill Garden and Pergola (pictured above), a beautiful Edwardian garden hidden away in the western side of Hampstead Heath, North London, between Hampstead and Golders Green? Even long-time Hampstead residents might not be aware of this tranquil spot, which is perfect for a stroll on a sunny day. To get here, you can take either the 268 or 210 bus and get off at the stop called Inverforth House. Once you’ve finished at the gardens, you could then head to nearby Camden Town – of course you’ll be familiar with Camden Market, but have you ever considered getting a canal boat ride from there? Boat trips are available for just £9 to take you down to Little Venice – London’s answer to the Italian city. You’ll now be fairly close to the usual suspects such as Hyde Park and Regent’s Park – but if you’re a bit bored of these, why not try out Holland Park? If you don’t feel like walking the two miles to get there, catch the 27 bus from Westbourne Terrace and get off at Notting Hill Gate. Holland Park, Kensington has a hidden gem within it: the exotic and stunning Kyoto Gardens, which features a pond, colorful plants and shrubs, and is ideal for taking a break from the hustle and bustle of London life.
2. Try a Murder Mile walking tour
If you already tried and enjoyed the Jack the Ripper tour and you’re a fan of the macabre, you could try walking the Murder Mile tour in Soho, hailed as "one of the best quirky, curious & unusual things to do in London" by Time Out Magazine. The tour consists of a guided walk through the most notorious murder cases in Soho, featuring 12 murderers over 15 locations in two hours. The tour starts off at Tottenham Court Road and finishes on Dean Street, completing a circle. Tickets cost £15 and it’s recommended that you book your tickets early. Also, at the end of the tour, you can get a very unique souvenir with the rest of your tour group. If you’re still in the mood for something morbid, you could head for a tour of Highgate Cemetery, the atmospheric and historic resting place for many notable people such as Karl Marx and George Eliot, which boasts beautiful funerary architecture. Admission is £4 at the East Cemetery and £12 (guided tour only) for the West Cemetery, and the nearest tube station is Archway.
3. Explore one of London’s city farms
You may be in a huge city, but there are still farms, within which you can see rare breeds, adorable new-born animals, petting zoos, ponds and gardens – all for free. Many city farms also have their own little cafes or great spots to have a picnic. For example, Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs is one of London’s largest city farms and boasts its own riding school with an all-weather arena and show jumps. Events at Mudchute include agility classes for dogs and the Mudchute Agricultural Show.
4. Take a tour with a difference
Hailed as ‘not the bog standard’ London experience, there are actual London Loo Tours – that’s right, public lavatory-themed walking tours are available. You may be wondering why you’d want to go on a Loo Tour – but your hard-earned £12 (or £10 if you have a student card) will actually provide you with an interesting look at the ‘potty politics’ of public lavatories, allowing you to find out how the loo came to be what it is today, or alternatively learn about the life of the unfortunately named plumber Thomas Crapper. The tour has been rated five stars on TripAdvisor, with reviewers calling it ‘Surprisingly interesting’ and ‘Not crap at all’.
5. Take a trip to Forty Hall Estate
All the way up in Enfield, North London, you’ll find the beautiful Forty Hall, a 17th century Grade 1 Listed manor house set upon a tranquil landscape. It’s free to enter and you can step inside to view all the stunning period rooms and architecture and learn about the history of the hall and its original owner Sir Nicholas Rainton. There are also a range of guided tours available, as well as a range of events such as play performances, exhibitions and music shows. The estate also has its own organic farm, farm shop and vineyard. The nearest stations to Forty Hall are Turkey Street and Gordon Hill.
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6. Get spectacular views of London from the Sky Garden
If you want to get amazing views of London and beyond without having to pay a penny, the Sky Garden is where you should head – but advanced booking is recommended. At the top (155 meters up) you’ll find three stories of fantastically landscaped gardens, observation decks and great restaurants. The nearest tube stations are Monument and Tower Hill.
7. Explore Maltby Street Market
You’ve probably already explored the much more well-known Borough Market, but just a 20-minute walk away is a smaller and lesser known alternative. Ideal for foodies, Maltby Street market is home to a huge selection of delicious food and drink options for all tastes - you may want to walk down the whole length of the market before making your mind up. It will probably be busy, but hopefully less packed than Borough Market! The nearest tube station is Bermondsey.
8. Have a day out at Alexandra Palace
The final of our cheap days out in London is ideal for outdoorsy types – with a great range of activities at the iconic Alexandra Palace in North London, from tree climbing to ice skating or pitch & putt. There’s also currently a free Summer Festival at the palace with a giant waterslide, silent disco, outdoor cinema, theater shows and more. Alexandra Palace is located between Wood Green and Muswell Hill, and the nearest stations are Alexandra Palace and Wood Green.
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The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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