Top 10 Activities

Travelers tend to worry that London might be way too expensive once you've considered the exchange rates and converted your cash to British pounds. Before you start worrying about the cost, there are so many amazing things to do in London for little or no cost at all. Here's the top picks of things to do in London.

#1. Changing of the Guard
A trip to London isn't complete without viewing the military tradition of the Changing of the Guard. This happens every day through summer at around 11.30am and every second day through winter. You can view this spectacle by standing outside the gates, although the actual procession passes by the Forecourt inside the gates of Buckingham Palace.

#2. Trafalgar Square
This is easily Britain's most famous tourist attraction and there's plenty to see and do at or around Trafalgar Square. Take a walking tour around the Square and you can see the National Gallery, go shopping in Covent Garden, grab a bite to eat in Chinatown, take some photos of Big Ben, take a walk down Whitehall to Parliament Square or head down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. You can also see Nelson's Column with its four huge bronze lions at the base. See if you can climb onto one of the lions for a unique photo opportunity.

#3. Westminster Abbey
Visitors are allowed to visit the Abbey free to worship, but you may need to pay an admission fee if you're just visiting. At around 5pm on most nights, the astonishingly beautiful Evensong service, sung by the Abbey choir is worth the visit.

#4. Street Markets
London is renowned for its array of street markets. You can pick up so many different things at these markets that it's fascinating just to browse the stalls and see what's on offer. Camden Market and Portobello Markets are perhaps the best known, but there are dozens of other markets to browse too.

#5. Cruise the Thames
While this isn't a free activity, take a boat ride along the Thames. There are so many landmarks visible from the River Thames and it's a nice trip. You can also take a lovely walking tour of South Bank.

#6. Enjoy the Music
London is wonderful for the range and diversity of music you can enjoy. The Royal Festival Hall and the National Theatre have some great concerts available, as does the Royal Opera House. St. Martin in the Fields also hosts free lunchtime concerts in Trafalgar Square. You can also enjoy a lovely Saturday musical treat at Notting Hill Arts Club.

#7. Free Art Tours
London boasts an incredible number of art galleries and museums. There's plenty to see and enjoy. Best of all, you don't need to book. Just turn up and a guide will be happy to show you around.

#8. London Zoo
In the center of Regent's Park is London Zoo. While there is an entry fee to enter the zoo proper, you can see quite a few of the exhibits for free by strolling around the park.

#9. Leicester Square
Leicester Square hosts 50 film premieres annually. If you enjoy a bit of celebrity spotting, then grab a spot near the barriers and see who turns up for the premiere showing at that time.

#10. Immerse Yourself in British Culture
Pop into a traditional British Pub and enjoy a pint of lager with a good old-fashioned fish-and-chips meal. These corner pubs have a lovely cultural feel.

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Local Cuisine

Fish and Chips

Fish and chips is a very popular take-out dish originating in the United Kingdom. Its usually deep-fried cod, flounder or haddock in a golden batter, served with chips or thickly cut french fries.

Bangers & Mash

Bangers and mash consists of pork or beef sausages and mashed potatoes, smothered in a dark, rich onion gravy.

Pork Pie

Pork pie is a type of meat pie popular in Britain. It consists of chunks of pork and pork jelly stuffed into a crusty pastry. The dish is typically served cold.

The Great British Sunday Roast

The Sunday roast is a meal served on Sundays for lunch. It consists of roasted potatoes, roasted meat, vegetables, stuffing, with gravy and Yorkshire pudding.

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Best Time To Visit

London has a very mild summer through July and August where the temperatures average 56 to 77F, however this is the peak of their tourist season, so you may find it very crowded and busy. Spring and autumn temperatures are quite moderate and unpredictable, so it's advised to wear layers and take an umbrella.

When you're searching for the best London travel deals, be sure to consider how the weather will affect your plans.

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Travel Shopping

London is easily one of the best places in the world to shop. The sheer variety of shops, markets, stalls, stores and more is a little overwhelming. If you like the elegant, fashionable, designer stores then you really need to shop along Bond Street, Regent Street or Oxford Street. At the other end of the scale, visit any of the street markets.

Public transport is plentiful in London and it's relatively easy to get around on buses or on the Underground train systems. If you intend to do a lot of traveling on the transport systems, then buy a Travelcard pass to get a discount on the fares.

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Festival Events

The sheer abundance of events hosted in London all year around means there's always something to see and do.

Epsom Derby Stakes:
In June, you can spend a day at one of the most recognized events of the British horse racing circuit. Go to enjoy the races, but stay to enjoy the fashions and social aspect too.

Wimbledon:
June and July sees the Wimbledon Tennis Championship. Aside from watching the tennis, the social side of this sporting event is more significant than the game!

Great British Beer Festival:
Throughout July and into August, the massive beer festival shows off several hundred different types of beers. From boutique beers to lagers and ales, this is a local favorite festival.

River Cultures Festival:
In September the River Cultures festival boasts many family activities and street performers, entertainers and plenty of things to do.

Thames Festival:
The south bank of the River Thames comes alive through September offering free art exhibitions, fireworks, family events, entertainment, parades and spectacularly pretty illuminated floats along the river.

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British Slang

bung - throw it, as in "bung me my keys, mate."

cheerio - sayanora or goodbye

chips - french fries. as in "fish & chips"

fizzy - soda or cola drink

loo - bathroom or restroom

mates - friends

quid - 1 pound as in currency

smashing - terrific

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Explore London

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