LONDON ON THE CHEAP

By Robyn Lewis

With the Easter break looming ahead we thought you might want to make the most of living in the capital with your spare time. But we know you’ve no money so here’s our guide to London under £5.

MARKETS
London is known for it’s vibrant markets. They are free to wander around and a great source of cheap clothes, music, food and just stuff.

Camden Market, Camden Lock.
Tube: Camden/ Chalk Farm.
When: Saturdays and Sundays

This is one of London’s most popular market, which means it is sometimes too busy for it’s own good and also not as cheap as it used to be.

There is a good selection of clothes, music, furniture, books, jewellery and the unusual here though.

Highlights: The game shop on the ground near the food stalls, the food, the second hand book stall on the first floor.

DON’T: Get it mixed up with the smaller clothes market as you walk up the road from Camden tube station. Camden Lock market is further up the road and on the left.

Portabello Road, Notting Hill
Tube: Notting Hill Gate, Ladbroke Grove
When: Saturdays until about 4:30

In fashionable Notting Hill this market has been going since the ‘60s and is worth going just for a wander around the area.

The south end of the street consists of antique shops, the middle made up of fresh fruit and veg and the everything else at the end. The prices aren’t as cheap as they once were but remember to haggle and you can still get a bargain.

Highlights: The surrounding houses.

DON’T: Seek out the blue door from THAT film.

Spitalfields, Bishopsgate.
Tube: Liverpool Street
When: Sundays until 4.30.

Better than the more famous Brick Lane Market but just as handy to explore London’s east end.

An arty area, many contemporary artists and sculptors have studios here, the market is best for household knick-knacks and furniture. The stalls are varied though and you can buy anything from organic veg to vintage cars and the prices are reasonable.
The market is under threat though, as developers have plans for office blocks, so visit while you can.

Highlights: Visit the nearby Columbia road flower market for brunch in the morning.

DON’T: Think Brick Lane will be just as good.

Borough Market, London Bridge.
Tube: London Bridge
When: Monday to Saturday.

Practically always a film crew here due to the un-spoilt Victorian architecture and so worth a visit for this alone. The market is only really good on a Saturday when the farmer’s market takes place (the rest of the week is just a wholesale fruit market).

The food on Saturdays is great quality, if a bit expensive, but if the weather is good buy some nibbles and head off for a picnic.

Highlights: Neal’s Yard Dairy shop.

DON’T: Go expecting to be a film extra – you’ll be disappointed.

Greenwich Market, Greenwich
Tube: Cutty Sark/Island Gardens (DLR) or train to Greenwich.
When: Saturday and Sunday.

So huge it’s really a set of connected markets sprawling around the area.

Although it’s renowned for antiques the flea and craft markets are also good. There is also a decent selection of second-hand book-stalls. The covered market in the central square is also worth a wander.

Highlight: Don’t miss the footpath under the Thames to Greenwich from Island Gardens.

DON’T: Go just for the shopping alone, it’s more of an attraction than a bargain-filled market.

TOURIST
Although a lot of London’s attractions are expensive – Madame Tussauds, London Dungeons etc – most of London’s history can be experienced for free.

Trafalgar Square
Tube: Charing Cross
When: Anytime

Experience the lions, Nelson’s Column and the buzz of the tourist’s London.

From here you can visit the National Portrait gallery, the National Gallery and St Martin-in-the-fields. It is also a good starting point to wander down Whitehall or across the Strand to Fleet Street or the Old Bailey. Alternatively walk up to Covent Garden and complete the tourist experience.

Highgate Cemetery
Tube: Highgate

It might seem like a bizarre idea at first but as long as the weather is good this can be a good day out.

Half the cemetery is available by a kind of walking tour only and this does cost, but the free half is the bit that contains Karl Marx’s grave and is still very interesting.

There are also some good pubs (try the Angel) and expensive shops that are good for window-shopping. The area is very pretty and worth the effort for the village atmostphere. May be worth a walk from here to Muswell Hill or even a bus ride to Crouch End if you want to carry on drinking in the numerous bars and restaurants there.

Waterloo Bridge
Tube: Waterloo
When: Anytime

The best bridge in London for views although you’d be better off with Tower or Chelsea bridges if you want the bridge itself to be good to look at.

From here you can see the London Eye, Big-Ben, the Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s and loads more. You can finish up with a walk around the Government buildings on the south side of the Thames including the Houses of Parliament, and Westminster Abbey.

Downing Street is a stone’s throw away and also worth a walk even though you can’t see anything very interesting through the gates.

Greenwich Meridian
Tube: Cutty Sark/Island Gardens.
When: Anytime

Walk from east to west over the famous line, which is in London’s oldest, and one of the city’s prettiest parks.

The Observatory is also here and is now free. As one of Christopher Wren’s buildings, it is worth walking around quickly at least. The Royal Naval College is another attraction in the area and is free to visit after 3.30 and on Sundays.

Changing the Guard
Tube: St. James’ Park.
When: Every morning in the summer, 11.30am

A completely free way of seeing the British Establishment at its most traditional and a free look at Buckingham Palace to boot.
The ritual happens every day in summer and afterwards you can wander up Pall Mall and pretend you are on a monopoly board.

A Tour of Three Inns
Tube: Blackfriars/Waterloo
When: Monday – Friday, 10.00 ‘till 5.00

The mysterious world of law is definitely worth a peek, especially as you can do so for free at London’s Inner Temple.

Pick up a free guide from Tudor Street Gate and call 020 7797 8250 for more information.

House Of Commons
Tube: Westminster.
When: Call and check times in advance.

Free and entertaining when the House is sitting. You have to queue outside but it is unlikely you will get into the Commons before 4.30pm. The advice, therefore, is to go later in the evening.

St Paul’s Cathedral
Tube: Bank

Although the most exciting bit of this famous landmark - the main floor of the Cathedral - is free, it is asked you make a donation.
This part of the building is still interesting and even though you won’t get the view from the top without paying you can still get a good idea of the sheer scale and architecture of the place.