Why not stay an extra week?

London is a great place with many free activities available - so with our great rates on accommodation why not stay for an extra week and take advantage of them!

Below, we've put together a week's itinerary activities, most of them are free or very cheap but there some things that cost a little more but really should not be missed.

Monday

During the day - Theatreland walking tour

Follow the link from your confirmation e-mail to download the Free Audio Tour and Map and spend a day exploring London's famous "Theatreland". Also why not pop into the Royal Opera House and attend one of the many free lunchtime concerts or foyer music performances.

For more information visit www.roh.org.uk

Downloadable walking tours are delivered with booking confirmations.
 

In the evening - See a show

Whilst you're in Leicester Square pick up some half price tickets and see some of London's best shows on a budget. Shows on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are significantly cheaper than the rest of the week.

For more information visit www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/

Tuesday

During the day - Hit museum land

Take the underground to South Kensington Station and explore the Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum or the Natural History Museum. Don't attempt more than one though they are just to big! All three have free entry. Take a packed lunch (there are cloak room facilities) and take the short walk to Hyde Park via the Albert Hall for lunch.

For more information visit www.nhm.ac.uk, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk, www.vam.ac.uk

Lunch www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde_park and www.royalalberthall.com

In the evening - Head to Covent Garden

Free street theatre, music and performance art are a constant feature of this thriving market place. Avoid the pubs and bars in the Piazza itself as these are a little expensive!

For more information visit www.coventgardenlondonuk.com

Wednesday

During the day - Do the galleries

The National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Photographers Gallery, The Wallace Collection, Tate Modern and Tate Britain are all free to visit - take your pick!

For more information visit www.nationalgallery.org.uk, www.npg.org.uk, www.photonet.org.uk, www.wallacecollection.org and www.tate.org.uk

In the evening - Comedy Cafe

Free cutting edge comedy every Wednesday evening.

For more information visit www.comedycafe.co.uk

Thursday

During the day - Head up to Angel Islington

A real hidden gem of London - take a leisurely day looking round the Antiques Markets in Camden Passage and then take a walk along the Regent's Canal. Many of the pubs, clubs and restaurants are also well worth a visit.

For more information visit www.angeltowncentre.com

In the evening - Visit the Barbican

One of London's premier art complexes the Barbican have 30,000 free tickets to give away to those under 26, if you are little older then there are free lunch-time concerts and foyer music.

For more information visit www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/under-26-free-tickets

Friday

During the Day - A day of shopping!

London has a huge range of shopping, from markets to Europe's biggest shopping centre! Indeed, it has been nominated as one of Budget Travel Magazine's top shopping destinations in the world!

Market Shopping - The premier food market in London is Borough Market, open from 12noon on Friday and 9am on Saturday it boasts a range of mouth-watering delights in stalls under a magnificent arched roof. Camden Market is a collection of stalls varying from the weird to the wonderful just off Camden High Street along the canal.

For more information visit www.boroughmarket.org.uk or www.camdenlock.net

Premier Shopping - Oxford Street and Regent Street play host to some of the worlds biggest names in retail - a great venue for window shopping!

For more information visit www.westendlondon.com

Big Shopping - Westfield London is Europe's largest shopping centre with over 265 shops from over 15 countries including 16 brands that have never been seen in the UK.

For more information visit uk.westfield.com/london

Boutique Shopping - Covent Garden offers a range of boutiques offering unique and individual items from toys, to clothes, to jewellery to clocks - the list goes on and on!

For more information visit www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/shopping/page/1 

In the evening - Sample the local area
Contact your residence's reception for ideas of where to visit and eat, the areas around all our residences are unique and very interesting! Or, if you went to Borough Market and have access to a kitchen why not cook up a treat for yourself!

Saturday

During the Day - South Bank walking tour

Follow the link from your confirmation e-mail to download the Free Audio Tour and Map and spend a day exploring the South Bank of London. Make sure you pop into the OXO tower to see the free art exhibitions and the viewing gallery from the 8th floor.

For more information visit www.oxotower.co.uk.
Downloadable walking tours are delivered with booking confirmations.

In the evening - Head to China Town in Soho for good quality, cheap food.

Even if the service is a little rough around the edges China Town is a delight for the senses with hundreds of languages, flashing lights and excellent food.  
For more information visit www.chinatownlondon.org

Sunday

During the day - see the parks

London hosts hundreds of parks, some of the most spectacular include Regent's Park, Hyde Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens. If you are up for travelling a little further then Richmond Park and Bushy Park are well worth a visit. Regent's Park is also the location for London Zoo.

For more information visit www.royalparks.org.uk and www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo

In the evening - The London Eye

The London Eye is not cheap (around £13 for a ticket) but well worth the money. Try to time your trip to coincide with sunset and book in advance to save queuing and you will have the 'flight' of a lifetime.

For more information visit www.londoneye.com

Transport
Everything listed here can be easily reached by public transport. For the best value we recommend buying an Oyster Card, the week above should cost a little under £25. London's busses are also a great way to see the city, and some routes (the 9 and 15) still have original route masters running.
For more information about Transport in London visit www.tfl.gov.uk

Other things to look out for in August and September

There are lots of other events to look out for in August and September, many of which are free. A few to look out for are:

London Mela

Sunday 8th August - Gunnersbury Park - FREE

A Mela is an artistically led celebration of Artistic culture and creativity, inspired by South Asia and the Diaspora. Widely described as the Asian Glastonbury, the London Mela started in 2003.

For more information visit www.londonmela.org

Notting Hill Carnival

Sunday 29th and Monday 30th August - Notting Hill - FREE

Held each August Bank Holiday since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival sees the streets of West London come alive with the sounds and smells of Europe’s biggest street festival. Twenty miles of vibrant colourful costumes surround over 40 static sound systems, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls, over 40,000 volunteers and over 1million Notting Hill carnival revellers

For more information visit www.thenottinghillcarnival.com

Open House Weekend

September - Various Locations - FREE

An architectural festival with over 700 buildings of every conceivable type, shape and size opening their doors completely for free.
For more information visit www.londonopenhouse.org

The Mayor's Thames Festival

Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th September - Westminster to Tower Bridge - FREE

Described as London's biggest 'End of Summer Party' by the Evening Standard over half a million visitors usually attend this festival. Things to see include a river race and hundreds of displays and activities. The festival culminates with an amazing Night Carnival.

For more information visit www.thamesfestival.org

Buckingham Palace
Saturday 27th July - Wednesday 29th September, The Mall, Student tickets £15.50
Every summer Buckingham Palace opens it's doors to the public for tours. A rare chance to see inside a working royal palace.

For more information visit http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=30