With headlines like “cost of living crisis” and “bills rising” across the news, “awful April” seems just the beginning of very uncertain times in the United Kingdom. When money gets tight, it’s only natural to cut on the non-essentials and focus on getting by month after month.
But eating out is how we enjoy the pleasures of multicultural flavours, having a drink at the pub is one of the best ways to socialise, and going to the theatre is what gets our minds off reality. Although this seems distant when the budget is tight, there are ways to survive this “awful April” and the months to come and still enjoy London life.
Eating out in London on a budget
Residents who haven’t been to their local pub in a while should give it a second chance. With the cost of living rising, bars are finding ways to attract customers not only with drinks but also with food specials, particularly during the week.
To try out new restaurants, several food apps are offering discounts of up to 50 percent upon booking:
It’s also worth checking promotions that help prevent food waste. The East Asian-inspired chain Itsu makes some meals available at half price half an hour before closing. Another way to save is via Too Good To Go, an app for deals on local cafés and restaurants.
London markets for a proper meal
While supermarkets’ meal deals make for a budget-friendly lunch, especially if you have a loyalty card, London markets are known by locals and expats as great places for a proper meal. Some famous markets include:
- Camden Market
- Borough Market
- Greenwich Market
- Portobello Road Market
- Brixton Village and Market
- Old Spitalfields Market
- Upmarket Brick Lane Food Hall
Also, several farmers’ markets in different boroughs offer fresh food for lunch and healthier weekly groceries.
Parks and squares for socialising
Having a drink at the pub isn’t the only way to get together with friends and meet new people. As the sun starts to make an appearance, Londoners have a chance to make the most of the city’s parks and squares without spending more than they can afford.
A few budget-friendly ideas include:
- Bringing homemade food to a picnic;
- Joining a parkrun on a Saturday morning;
- Cycling with one of the Santander bikes or another bike app.
Free events at major London venues
Many of the big and renowned venues offer a range of free events to experience London on a budget.
Here are some of them:
- Southbank Centre: From workshops and exhibitions to dance and jazz gigs, there are several things to do for free.
- The Barbican: There are free installations and events at one of the most iconic spots in London for culture and architecture lovers, including a visit to the Conservatory.
- Royal Opera House: Free lunchtime performances featuring Royal Ballet and Opera and guest artists.
Free gigs at London bars
Besides the free events in big venues, some of the best bars in London also have great options for our wallets:
- The Blues Kitchen Camden: Their Sunday Blues jams have been running for 15 years and remain one of the best things to do for free in London.
- Jamboree: Located at King’s Cross, this is a go-to place for those who want to catch Celtic sessions and gigs for free.
Low-cost theatre and cinema tickets
Going to the theatre is one of the best things to do in London, but many Londoners don’t know that the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe offers great deals on standing tickets. The trick is to stay tuned for the £5 Rush tickets made available on Fridays for upcoming performances. If you can’t find any of those, the next best option is to get a standing ticket for £10.
London cinemas also offer deals that help when we’re living on a budget. Of course, some discounts are exclusive for members, but the perks could make up for the commitment. As an example, The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square offers discounted tickets and some screenings for £1 with an annual membership at £15 and a lifetime at £60.
For those who can’t afford the movies now, a budget-friendly thing to do in London is checking the Mediatheque at BFI Southbank, which offers free access to over 70,000 titles of film and TV archives.
Free museums and attractions in London
Many expats get surprised when they find out most museums in London are free to visit, with only a few paid exhibitions.
When looking to learn and see beauty while saving money, a few museums worth a visit are:
- Victoria and Albert (bonus tip: the ground-floor café is stunning, and there’s a gorgeous outdoor area)
- British Museum
- Natural History Museum
- Science Museum
- Imperial War Museums
Although not free, Kew Gardens is also a beautiful spot to enjoy in London, and from 1 May to 26 October, tickets are half-price after 4 p.m.
To get a view of the city, London Sky Garden is one of the best options for free or for £10 with a pastry and a hot drink.
Travel savings
On day-to-day commutes, a way to save on fares is to travel off-peak, outside of hours 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on weekdays. Also, using the same payment method when touching in on any Transport for London (TfL) transport helps to add to a daily cap, which will vary depending on the zones you travel.
Moreover, part of London life is actually leaving town sometimes. To save up to one-third on rail fares, the GroupSave tickets offered by Trainline are made for groups of three to nine people.
Peace of mind to enjoy London on a budget
Although one of the world’s top five most expensive cities, London offers ways to save and enjoy some of its wonders. Still, many Londoners won’t have the peace of mind to explore the city if they’re struggling financially, even for free or at a low cost.
If that’s the case, there are services unknown to many residents that provide guidance, like MoneyHelper, with:
Backed by the government, this website offers free and impartial help.
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Read more about London here in Dispatches’ archives.
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Andrea Juste is a writer and editor covering health, psychology, travel, productivity, thought leadership, and more. Andrea was born and raised in Brazil, where she worked for a decade as a journalist before moving to Italy in search of her roots, then the UK, to connect with different cultures. Based in London, she manages content marketing projects for clients worldwide.
