I do love going to London. I love the hustle and bustle of the city. The people watching opportunities are vast, there are some amazing foods to be sampled, and there is so, so much to do.
It has been a little while since I went though. I often try to squeeze in a quick jaunt when I visit my sister in Kent but I do find that it is very expensive and so we can’t really go too frequently.
I have found one or two ways to cut down on the expense of visiting The Big Smoke though. Here are my top five
1. Travel cheaply
Work out your cheapest way to travel and weigh up the pros and cons of each method of transport. For us, travelling by coach is often the cheapest but it really isn’t something I would consider doing with three young children. I find that using the best fare finder for trains often highlights some good deals so we usually travel off peak from Manchester Piccadilly to Euston. With our Family and Friends Railcard we also get quite a good discount too.
2. Make use of vouchers and deals
There are always loads of great deals to be had for family attractions, you just need to know where to look! A good place to start is with something like London Eye 2 for 1 offers. The London Eye is a definite must for first time visitors to the city – I haven’t taken the children on it yet but I plan to soon.
One of our favourite places in London is The Natural History Museum. It’s free to enter, it’s educational for all and it whiles away a fair few hours. There are many other free family attractions around London too.
4. Eat on the street
Street food can be some of the best food around. Whether it be from a market stall or a vendor on the actual street, opting for something other than restaurants can save a family a small fortune. Here are some recommendations for the best street food in London.
5. Shop around
When looking for a place to stay, the price of accommodation in London can be pretty off putting! Try shopping around for the best price or use a comparison website to bag a bargain. Booking very close to your date of travel might throw up some great prices but it’s quite risky, especially if you are looking for a certain standard of accommodation.
*written in partnership with Top Dog Days