6 Things To Do In London That Won't Cost You A Bean
6 Things To Do In London That Won't Cost You A Bean By Lisa
Mills
London is probably the most expensive city in the world (least
it seems that way). Now we all know there is no such thing as a
free lunch, so make your sandwiches, pack your rucksack and
check out our suggestion of free things to do in London.
Whilst we can list a variety of events and attractions that
won't cost you a bean, we can't promise that you won't have to
part with a penny or two for travel or refreshments. If you
can't face paying for refreshments, don't and get free travel to
the local police station.
1. If you fancy living dangerously then why not view a trial in
session at the Old Bailey? The Old Bailey is the most famous
criminal court in the world, hearing cases from London and all
over England and Wales. The original Old Bailey courthouse dates
back to 1539. Famous trials held there include; Oscar Wilde, Dr
Crippen, William Joyce ('Lord Haw Haw'), the Krays and the
Yorkshire Ripper.
The public galleries are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm
and 2pm to 5pm. You may have to queue to gain entry as the Old
Bailey has become a popular tourist attraction. You can get a
list of the cases to be heard by visiting:
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/courthearings.htm. The
nearest tube is St Paul's.
2. If you've had a hard day at work or have shopped til you
dropped and fancy putting your feet up and relaxing, then where
better than at the Theatre Royal Stratford East? Very rarely do
you find entertainment that is completely free of charge in
comfortable surroundings. Monday nights are comedy night. Now
you may not have heard of most of the comedians brave enough to
stand up and entertain you but everyone has to start somewhere.
Imagine being able to tell your friends you saw (insert an
unknown comedians name) before he was famous? 'Five Guys Named
Moe' started here and look what happened to them!
They usually have free entertainment on every night of the week,
ranging from comedy to a variety of musical artists. Visit their
website to view the line up:
http://www.stratfordeast.com/frameset.htm . The nearest tube is
Stratford Station.
3. Go on a wildlife adventure. Bet you never thought you could
do that in London eh? London's public parks are a major bonus to
the city. We love one in particular - Bushy Park. Bushy Park
lies to the North of Hampton Court Palace. Not only will you
find wildlife and amazing scenery but there is also a fantastic
history contained within the park. To set you up for a day in
the crowded smelly city, take a stroll round Bushy Park and spot
the red and fallow deer, herons, woodpeckers and many other rare
sights. Check out their website for events to incorporate in
your trip:
http://www.royalparks.gov.uk/parks/bushy_park/about.cfm
4. Dig out your dancing shoes and shimmy on down to Bar Salsa.
If you are keen to have your body crushed up against some fit
dancing instructor then Salsa is for you. Meet new people and
keep fit, what more could you ask for? Get a beginners lesson
free of charge on Wednesdays at around 7pm. We should warn you
that this is a popular event for newbies, hence we recommend you
do not wear open toed sandals. After the event go for drinks in
the bar and if you haven't impressed Mr or Mrs Right with your
dancing skills, try again after a few drinks. Bar Salsa is in
Charing Cross Road and the nearest tube is Tottenham Court
Road.
5. Watch a politician in action! See history in the making by
watching a debate as it happens in the Houses Of Parliament. Not
only would this be a thrilling way to spend your morning or
afternoon but you also get to spend time in the historic Palace
of Westminster. The Palace was built in 1042 as a royal
residence. Some years later the Westminster Hall was built which
housed stalls selling many legal accessories. Following a fire
in 1834 the Palace was rebuilt and now includes the famous clock
tower (Big Ben). If you want to view Prime Minister's question
time you will need to book in advance. See their website for
further details - http://www.parliament.uk/index.cfm. The
nearest tube is Westminster.
6. Visit the Tower of London, after it has closed to tourists.
The Tower of London has performed many roles over the years,
namely a royal palace, a prison, a place of execution and a
jewel house. It is definitely a must see for tourists, however
the guided tours can often be crowded and noisy. What about your
own personal tour minus the crowds? Few people know of an
ancient ceremony that has been performed at the Tower every
evening in one way or another for the last 700 years. At
precisely 9.30pm the Yeoman Warders and the military guard lock
the outer gates to the Tower and deliver the keys to the
Resident Governor of the Tower. This ceremony is open to the
public by tickets booked in advance. You can watch this ancient
ceremony with a small group of people and feel privileged to
have gained access to this beautiful piece of history without
the crowds. Visit their website for further information -
http://www.hrp.org.uk/webcode/timeline.asp?ID=52. The nearest
tube is Tower Hill.
We at 24:7 London have tried out all of the above and can
honestly say we really enjoyed ourselves. Our pleasure was
obviously heightened by the fact that our entertainment was
free. It just goes to show you that there are plenty of things
to do in London for free if you know where to look. Visit our
website for further suggestions, http://www.24-7london.co.uk.
24-7 London is an online entertainment guide to London,
detailing free entertainment for families and individuals. Check
out our website for further suggestions www.24-7london.co.uk