It’s no secret that all things London can be a bit pricy – from rent to a meal at a restaurant. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to have a full, enjoyable day or night without breaking the bank. Here’s a few of my favorite cheap (or free!) ways to make the most of your free time in London.
- Pub Quizzes!
Once I returned to London for graduate school after studying abroad here during my final year at university, I couldn’t wait to sign up for pub quizzes again. Entry into the quiz is usually a pound or two and you can often win a sum of money or a bar tab – I’ve seen winnings ranging from £50 to £200! Most pubs have a quiz night during the week, just check their website and sign up a big group of friends for a really fun night.
- Museums
One of the great things about London is that most of the museums are free. Although there may be instances where you have to pay for certain exhibits, entry into the museums won’t cost you! There are so many great options, and many are just a short walk from LSE. I’d recommend seeing the National Portrait Gallery (just a short walk or bus ride over to Trafalgar Square) because it’s closing in June for a revamp and won’t re-open until 2023.
- Make the most of parks
It may be hard to think about spending a day outside at the park while the weather’s so cold, but once it warms up it makes for a great day. Just grab a blanket, some food, and some friends and head over to any of London’s expansive green spaces for a day in the sun.
- Groupon
If there’s something you really want to do, but it is just a bit too much money, check out Groupon. I’ve recently discovered all of the discounts that Groupon offers, everything from a discounted haircut to half-price meal deals at nice restaurants. Don’t forget to always read the terms and conditions!
- Make the most of your student discount
Depending on whether or not shopping is something you consider enjoyable, a day at Westfields could be a great way to spend a rainy day. The mall is easily accessible from the Hammersmith and City line and is within Zone 2 of the tube map. Although you may not expect to see shopping on a list of things to do to save money, as students we get a lot of discounts to stores through the app Unidays, and it is definitely worth downloading.
