With the news full of stories of the cost-of-living increases and energy prices it may feel like now is not the time to visit the capital, but coming to London needn't break the bank.
Here are a few of my hints and tips of how to do London on a ‘shoe string.’

Museums & Galleries

It’s well known that many of London’s world-class museums and galleries are free to visit.
A lot of museums also do late-night openings on certain days of the week too, with free special events, talks, films and performances after normal closing time.
 
In addition the National Art Pass gains you free entry to over 250 further museums across the UK – including 30 arty places in London and 50% off major exhibitions. You’ll also receive Art Quarterly magazine. They are currently offering 25% of membership
https://www.artfund.org/national-art-pass
 
Walking Tours

One of the easiest and best things you can do on a budget is wander around and see the sights. Admittedly London is a huge city but its centre is pretty walkable and you can see a lot within a fairly small area. Always remember to look up, more architectural masterpieces can be found. For guided walks I would recommend using the specialist company ‘Walks.’ They have a range of walking tours at the set price of £15.00 (£10 Concessions, £5 children)
https://www.walks.com/
 
The Arts
 
Concerts at St Martins in the Field
Home to the Clubs annual Harvest Festival service, St Martin's has outstanding acoustics and stunning architecture and hosts over 350 concerts per year. The Candlelit concerts sell from £10 a ticket and they also have the wonderful (& well priced) Café in the Crypt.
 
The Southbank Centre
Just the other side of the river from the Club the Southbank Centre offers a mix of free performances from jazz to dance.
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/while-you-are-here?
 
The National Theatre
On select Fridays you can buy £10 tickets for each production as part of the Rush Friday promotion.
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/fridayrush
 
The Royal Opera House
Offering last-minute tickets for the Royal Opera House at a range of prices – even for sold-out shows.
Friday Rush tickets are released every Friday at 1pm for the week ahead.
https://www.roh.org.uk/events/friday-rush
 
Shakespeare’s Globe / Sam Wannamaker Playhouse
Offering £5 standing tickets to both of these iconic venues. The Bard’s goriest, bawdiest moments were designed to whip ‘groundlings’ into a frenzy. That’s World-famous theatre for a fiver.
 
BFI Mediatheque
Reopening in October after a refurbishment one of the world’s most important and diverse collections of film and television, grab a booth in the BFI Mediatheque and discover the best, rarest and most extraordinary films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive. More than 2,500 titles are available to view—all for free and street performers can be found in Covent Garden.

London Life
 
Changing of the Guard
Buckingham Palace
Accompanied by a full military band playing a selection of music ranging from traditional marches to songs from musicals and familiar pop songs, the ceremony is both a colourful military tradition and an important reminder of the close relationship between the Armed Forces and their Head: The King
https://www.householddivision.org.uk/changing-the-guard-calendar
 
The Public Galleries in the Houses of Parliament
Whatever you say about today’s politics (don’t get me started) there’s no denying that it’s anything but boring.
You can watch the action first hand at the public galleries in the Houses of Parliament,
Tickets are not required for general debates.
 
Family
 
London Coliseum
Under 21s go free: to all ENO performances at the London Coliseum and can sit anywhere in the theatre.
 
The Royal Albert Hall
Family events take place in the Door 3 Porch; one of the many intimate spaces beyond the main stage of London’s most iconic venue Offering Story telling & Music for Families and children from £5.
 
The Thames Clippers River Taxi
The Thames Clippers River taxi are a great reasonably priced alternative to a Thames cruise. Running between Putney in the west and Woolwich in the east and stops off at the 22 piers along the way.
It’s free for children under 5 and between 5 and 15 years a half-price child fare applies.
 
My Top Tip
 
If you traveling to the Club via Rail, UK train companies run a promotion called ‘Days Out’.
This is a 2 for the price of 1 admission deal for attractions in London and the UK.
From St Pauls Cathedral to walking tours
https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london


Craig x
memexpmanager@thefarmersclub.com