Cheap food, drinks and budget attractions in London

From museums and culture to award-winning street food scene and historical landmarks, it’s no surprise that London is still one of the UK’s top staycation destinations.

But holidaying in one of the world’s most expensive cities doesn’t come cheap. However, there are a few ways to keep costs down, including enjoying some of the capital’s free attractions.

If you’re still looking for accommodation for a London stay, why not check out some of the capital’s cheapest areas to stay?

If a hotel seems out of budget, why not check out University Rooms and see if there’s an empty student room for under £100 a night. Student halls aren’t what they used to be and many of the rooms on offer are ensuite with double beds.

It’s also an affordable way to stay in the centre of the city and guests may even be able to use cooking facilities.

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Food

Of course you can save money by cooking at self-catered accommodation but if you’ve travelled to London, it might seem a shame to miss out on the capital’s food scene.

Chinatown is a great bet for an inexpensive meal in central London. Try Cafe TPT for good value Chinese food or C&R Cafe for Malaysian cuisine.

The Japan Centre near Leicester Square has a small food court on the basement level and is a great choice for a quick affordable meal near the city centre.

The Indian YCMA centre might not look like a restaurant from the outside but it’s open to the public and tourists can pick up a delicious curry for under £4 on a weekday lunch.

If you are looking for a more decadent treat, why not splurge on a snack rather than a meal? London has some incredible bakeries and tourists should be able to grab a treat for under £5.

Drink

A happy hour is often the best bet for an affordable drink in the centre of London. I found one of the best value offers is at Cubana, near Waterloo.

Guests can get two for one cocktails everyday from 4-7pm, so even tourists staying just for the weekend have the chance to enjoy it.

If you’re going to spend more than £7 on a glass of wine, make sure it’s a scenic one. The Royal Opera House’s bar looks out over Covent Garden and although it’s certainly not the cheapest choice, it’s surprisingly affordable for drinks with a view.

Attractions

London has some of the world’s best museums and galleries and luckily most of them are free to visit. I’m not going to focus on them here but the Science Museum is a great option for kids and the Wallace Collection has one of London’s prettiest gallery cafes.

The Tower of London is deservedly one of London’s favourite attractions but with adult tickets costing £29.90, it’s certainly not a cheap day out. If you’re looking for history on a budget, why not do a self-tour of some of the city’s churches?

Nearly all of the city’s churches are free to explore. Head to the Crypt at St Bride’s Church to see Roman pavements and a medieval chapel.

If you’re looking for cheap theatre tickets, head to the TKTS square to queue for deals in Leicester Square. Although there are several booths offering this service, I’ve always found TKTS to be the best value option. Or download the Today Tix app for last minute theatre tickets at a fraction of the price.