Make your money go further in London
Due to the fall in business travel and short breaks, hotels across the UK are reducing their rates in an attempt to woo new business. Hotels in London appear to be the hardest hit and average room rates have fallen to their lowest levels in 4 years - around £100 – not bad for a city with a reputation for some of the most expensive hotels in Europe!
And, if a trip to London appeals, you can save even more money with our holiday tips:
- Apart from special exhibitions, many of the museums in London offer free admission. This includes the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the British Museum and the National Maritime Museum – all of which offer fantastic (and educational) days out for the whole family. Throughout the summer months, many of these museums also hold free children’s activities and workshops.
- With no admission charges (again apart from special exhibitions), art lovers can discover the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery or the Tate Modern. There’s late night opening at the Royal Academy of Arts when visitors can also enjoy free jazz in the restaurant.
- London has a multitude of famous gardens which are open to the public and free to explore – take a gentle stroll through Hyde Park to the Diana Memorial Fountain or visit the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens. If you are travelling with children, head for the Diana Memorial Playground in the Kensington Garden or the play areas in Greenwich Park.
- Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (11h30 daily from May to end of July and alternate days for the rest of the year) or make for the Mall to witness the Trooping of the Colour (taking place on Saurday 13th June 2009 to celebrate the Queen’s official birthday). There are also commemorative gun salutes in Hyde Park on the 2nd and 10th June 2009.
- Open year-round the Camden Lock Market, offers a wide range of goods including designer clothes ,works of art, food and furnishings. The stalls are open seven days a week, although there tend to be more open at the weekend. And, every Saturday, the stalls open at Portobello Road Market – the world’s largest antique market.
- Become a part of history in Trafalgar Square this summer (6 July – 14 October 2009) when the famous sculptor, Antony Gormley, invites the public to create a living monument. People from around the country will be invited to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals. For 100 days without a break, this ever changing piece of art aims to represent the face of humanity.
- From the 1st April, the London Eye costs £17 per adult and £8.50 per child but you can save 10% by booking on line ahead of your visit. Fast Track tickets cost slightly more but will save you queuing at busy times (and again, there are savings to be made by booking online)
- It currently costs £44 for a family of 4 to visit the State Rooms in Buckingham Palace but you can you might get better value for money by booking a family Royal Day Out ticket for £78 which gives you access to the State Rooms, the Royal Mews and The Queen's Gallery. It’s slightly cheaper to visit Windsor Castle (£41 for a family ticket) or Clarence House, the residence of the Prince of Wales (£8 per adult). Or, if sumptuous stately homes are your thing, make your way to Kenwood House, close to Hampstead Heath – admission is free and it boasts an impressive art collection and prized library.
- Visit Westminster Cathedral
- Spend the evening in Convent Garden and watch the colourful street performers (including mime artists and acrobats
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