LIST: Free or Cheap things to do in London

I'm planning on doing at least one of the London walks - probably the Jack the Ripper tour first.  I believe it's only 5.50 pounds for the hour long tour...and it sounds like fun!

http://london.walks.com/

I'd do that with you!!!!  I love that stuff!

so would i!!!!!  wait till i come in september.

My Mum did the Ripper tour and said it was fantastic!  It's definitely on my list of stuff to do.

just to confirm it IS really good! especially if it's dark when you do it!

Okay...we'll have to plan a J the R tour in perhaps October?  Might be a bit more dark then & all will be around! (Plus they do it every night of the week at 7:30pm...Stac you can stay over if you'd like!)

Go to Kensington Gardens with a bag of nuts and feed the squirrels. They are so tame and come right up to take them out of your hand. While you're there, go and see the Diana memorial fountain.

Watching the Changing of the Guard is free too!

This is a lovely list!

I would also like to reccomend that everyone break out of the touristy shell and visit some unconventional places too.

I really enjoy and feel at home in various "ethnic enclaves."

Brixton: On Saturday in the afternoon go visit the bustling outdoor markets. Be prepared to deal with the not so sweet smells of shellfish/seafood and something else But the atmosphere and reality of it all is awesome. Beware of your surroundings and hang on to your belongings, I don't suggest going there at night.

Southall/Ealing Road: hehe anyone who knows me, knows this is most definately my favourite part of London!  Very South Asian (Southall Somali and Punjabi-Sikh) neighbourhoods the shopping and people are delightful. I loved going to worship at the brand new and beautiful Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara and the opportunity for finding economical Indian clothing and food.

To get to Southall: take the proper national rail train from Paddington Station, it is in Zone four but to be a bit dishonest I wouldn't get a day pass for zone four as nobody checks your ticket--not even a machine.

To get to get to Ealing Road: I took the Bakerloo line to Harlesden where I worked and then the 224 bus. There are probably several other ways to get there.

Brick Lane: Mostly Bangladeshi these days I just love how gritty and real it is. Barter like mad for cheap, quality Bangladeshi food---this works even better if you can speak Bangla or Hindi

Camden Town: Good times. The whole punk idea is a bit lame to me to be honest, as when a man with a mohawk is holding a five pound buffet sign...authenticity comes into question The markets offer plenty of cheeky and interesting things (including Mushrooms if that is your thing ) to buy and see. I also suggest the nearby Jewish Museum.

For a quick holiday outside of London:

Brighton: I just loved the atmosphere and rocky beach! It didn't cost over 15 quid to go there and was about an hour National rail ride from Victoria tube Station.

Bath: How beautiful and enchanting is this place! About two hours out of London.

Cheers,

Samantha***

In 2001 there was a tax scheme that gave museums a VAT refund if they let people in for free. Here's a complete list:

http://www.visitlondon.com/inspiration/value_london/free_london/e0201.html

I'm off to the Imperial War Museum soon. Their holocaust exhibition is supposed to be one of the world's best.

What we do for fun, as we don't have all that much for cash, is walk.

Kew to Richmond is gorgeous:
- cross Kew bridge fr station
- pass Kew Gardens which you can even see some of
- Syon House and Park, also free, is on the Brentford side
- along Old Deer Park
- past the Richmond loch
- spend a few quid on a pint at the White Cross, a lovely spot where you can sit on the river's edge with your drink

I just recommed everyone to walk. Last week we went from Clerkenwell -- where there is a free Architecture Museum I've been told about -- to the Borough via Holborn, St Paul's Cathedral and crossing the London Bridge. Very pretty.