London is one of the world's most expensive cities and a traveler's budget can seem pitifully small. Here are 3 great things to do for free on a weekend visit.
Watch street performers in Covent Garden
Covent Garden is full of tourists and Londoners on a weekend. Catering to them is a large number of restaurants and bars, but also street performers. Watch from the balcony of the bars facing the west side of the square as jugglers, clowns or comedians perform in front of St Paul's Church (not to be confused with St Paul's Cathedral in the City).
A second spot to view street performers is in the east end of the Covent Garden Piazza, the covered market area. Here you'll find a smaller crowd and more intimate shows.
Some days, there'll be musicians, singers or other performers in the lower ground section of the Piazza. Lean over the railings or have a meal and enjoy. I've heard high quality music ranging from jazz to opera here.
Visit a museum on a rainy day
Truth is, some times it rains in London. But every cloud comes with a silver lining as a rainy day is perfect for visiting any of London's many free museums. My three favorites are:
The National History Museum in South Kensington. A huge structure filled with exhibits on our world's animal, floral and geological past. Fantastic for kids or the child within. Take the Tube to South Kensington and follow the signs. The Victoria and Albert Museum of art and design is just around the corner.
Tate Modern on the South Bank is one of the world's premier modern art museums. Free entry and excellent, if sometimes random, exhibits. I particularly like the surrealist wing.
The British Museum is a huge rambling museum filled with artifacts from Britain's former empire. You can easily spend a full day here; marvelling at oddities, beautiful art and learning more about both Britain and the world.
Watch the deer in Bushy Park
On the sunny days, there's nothing better than to visit a park with a breakfast picnic basket. Bushy Park in Southwest London is perfect and gives you the opportunity to watch the many deer roaming this green London oasis. Go early in the morning when the deer are most active and make sure to leave the park at least as clean as when you got there.
Share your free London tips
Share some ideas on free things to do in London during a weekend by leaving a comment below.
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