If you're looking for affordable things to do in London, you're in luck. There are plenty of inexpensive and cost-free activities that will keep you entertained for quite some time. Whether you are visiting for a week or just a long weekend, work in some of the following ideas to balance your budget while still having a great time.
Photos: If vacation selfies are your jam, then you'll find lots to love in London. Posing with the lion statues in front of the National Gallery, peeking out from one of the many red phone booths with your travel companions and grabbing a photo of the costumed guards on horses outside of the Household Calvary Museum are just a few of the many options available to you.
As a former elementary school teacher, I couldn't resist a stop at Paddington Station on London's tube system. With the classic children's book being set at this location and several scenes from the companion movie being filmed here as well, there are multiple spots worth stopping for a selfie or grabbing images for a photo collage. The bronze statue of Paddington himself, the plaque commemorating the movie scenes, another painted sculpture of the famous bear and the shop selling book-themed souvenirs are all worth a camera click or two. There's even a commemorative bench decorated with imagery from the story.
Museums: Many travelers are already aware of some of London's more famous museum freebies such as the National Portrait Gallery, the British National Museum and the Museum of Natural History. However, there are a number of other world-class venues on the free-museum circuit as well. For example, the Imperial War Museum is a must-see for any military history buffs and the Tate Modern is a great stop for contemporary art enthusiasts. Also of note is London's Science Museum, featuring galleries on space, medicine, flight and more. If time permits, head out of the central part of the city to Greenwich and check out the National Maritime Museum.
Plaques: History buffs will love the free Blue Plaques of London app available courtesy of The English Heritage Trust. Available for both Apple and Android products, the app helps visitors interested in enhancing their walking-tour experiences find historically significant markers placed throughout the city. Homes of famous artists, archaeological sites and many other interesting locations are categorized for tourists wishing to access the information from their mobile phones.
This fits in perfectly with pub crawling and other activities. For example, I found the plaque at the former home of famed illustrator Randolph Caldecott just a few doors down from a fun tavern and across the street from the British National Museum. I grabbed my photographic souvenir with a click on my phone, saw some world-class art and finished off my day with a tasty hard cider.
