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London on a Budget
With Christmas fast approaching and the festive season in full swing, there's no better time to visit London. The capital of Great Britain, with its wealth of shopping opportunities, unrivalled history, and melting pot of culture, is the jewel in the crown of the UK, and with streets lined with spectacular Christmas lights, and shop windows filled to the brim with festive scenes, it doesn't often look as amazing as it does in the lead up to December 25.
With hard financial times putting the pinch on all our wallets, however, it might be tempting to let a lack of money cast a shadow over all this Christmas cheer, but don't. Whatever your budget, London still has a world of excitement to offer, you just have to look for it. To help you get the most out of one of the greatest cities on earth this season, we've put together some tips to help you on your way to a happy holiday.
First up, before you go any further, and definitely before you hit the streets of London, make sure you have a think about what you want to get out of the city, and plan ahead. The fact is, serious planning not only means less messing around on the day, but also some serious savings, from your travel to the city, to hotel accommodation for longer trips, and also finding the best deals in London for the attractions you might want to enjoy. The best place to find serious savings is online, with loads of businesses offering further discounts for booking through their websites too.
Beyond simply booking in advance, you'll also find a wealth of discount vouchers on offer for a variety of activities and destinations. In just a quick internet search we found vouchers for activities to suit the whole family, from evening's at the world famous London Zoo, to discount cinema tickets for kids, and spa, restaurant and hotel discounts for couples looking for some romance. Do a little research and you never know what vouchers you might find on offer.
When you get into London, don't waste your time, and money, messing about underground on the tube - with Christmas fast approaching and more tourists than ever in the city, it's going to be more overcrowded than ever. Instead, get yourself a map and walk the city, or if you've got further to go, try out the cheap and green Boris Bike scheme - where you can hire a bike in one place and leave it at a stand near your destination. Getting off crowded public transport will not only be less stressful but save you money, and being outdoors allows you to see and discover those hidden bits of the city that you might otherwise miss.
It's amazing how much of London there is to discover, and much of it for free. From the beautiful, sprawling parklands, to the amazing multicultural markets at Brick Lane, Camden or Notting Hill. It's in these places that you'll start to catch a glimpse of the real London, without putting your hand in your pocket. You'll be surprised at how many of the city's world famous museums and galleries are free as well, from the British Museum to The National Gallery. Just be aware, they'll be busy, so think carefully about when you want to go.
Once you've got all you can out of London of course, don't forget how easy it is to get out of the city centre and visit the surrounding areas of England for the day. With everything from days by the seaside in Brighton, to an afternoon among the spires of Oxford or even amazing paintballing deals in Essex, there's a whole load more entertainment within your reach from the capital. So there's no excuse, you're going to have to have a very merry Christmas.
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