It’s no secret that this time of the year is often considered the tightest when it comes to money, but if London’s on your wish list, a post-Christmas city break in the capital doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are 5 top insider tips we’d like to share with you to help you really make the most of your visit.

1. Utilise Public Transport or Simply Use Your Feet

If you’re planning on spending a lot of time on the underground and London buses (which we’d highly recommend if covering long distances), investing in a Visitor Oyster Card before you arrive could prove a fruitful endeavour. With a daily fee cap, using this card works out cheaper than purchasing a day ticket, and it can even be used for discounts in selected restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. More information can be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card

Not for you? Then at least consider purchasing a day travel card rather than paying for individual rides, as this can become very expensive if you’re planning on taking two or three journeys or more. Alternatively, with central London being so compact, you might even opt to walk between destinations instead. Not only could this actually be quicker, but you also won’t pay a penny and you’ll get to see far more of daily London life.

2. Bag a Last-Minute Theatre Ticket

For savings on tickets for London’s many large theatres, pre-booking is always advised, but if you’re not particular about which show you see, visit Leicester Square on the day to see what leftover tickets they have for that night’s performances. These will often be offered at a reduced rate, and even if they’re not the best seats in the house, this won’t take away from the experience and atmosphere in the slightest.

3. Research Free Attractions

Did you know the majority of London’s best museums and art galleries are completely free to visit, with additional charges only for specific, optional exhibitions? Whittle away the hours browsing the treasures of the British Museum or contemporary masterpieces of the Tate Modern at your leisure without forking out a fortune.

Museums not your thing? Weather permitting, London is also home to numerous fantastic parks, and, of course, iconic landmarks such as the Trafalgar Square stone lions and Buckingham Palace. You could always take a guided walking tour too. The London Graffiti & Street Art Tour of the East End is a particularly interesting pick.

While there are plenty of free things to do around the whole city, sometimes the one thing you really want to do is ticketed. In this instance, it might be worth seeing what else is on and paying in advance for the lot with a single London Pass. https://londonpass.com/en-us

4. Skip the Expensive Restaurants

London is home to some excellent restaurants and you’ve probably seen hundreds of great Instagram photos showcasing the very best the city has to offer. But, while quality can mean cost, if you’re on a tight budget, you still have nothing to fear. Popular cheap and cheerful chain restaurants such as Wetherspoons can be found all over London, and the city also has a perhaps surprisingly prominent street food and pop-up presence as well for those in search of something a little different!

5. Venture Further Afield

When you think about visiting London, sights such as The Houses of Parliament or the West End likely spring straight to mind, but that’s not to say the rest of London outside of The City of Westminster isn’t also worth seeing. East London is a great spot for entertainment no matter your interests, from one of the country’s largest shopping centres, Westfield Stratford, to the independent and vintage offerings of the ultra-hip district of Shoreditch. And best of all, all of this is easily accessible from your home at The Lansbury.

So, call us on 020 3489 5050 to book a room and finally make your London dreams a reality for less.