The complete travel guides to living or visiting London on a budget, from cheap eats to free museums, study spaces, and free things to do off the beaten path!
Since I’ve been writing quite the mound of posts about visiting or living in London on a budget for a while now, I thought a round-up would help you craft your own bucket lists more easily.
So, from some of my favorite historical sites to free museums, cheap pizza spots and other budget shops, you’ll find below all the articles on The Working Line revolving to enjoying London with few pennies.
As Christmas is nearing and many of us love to enjoy the Christmas lights and other Christmas markets when in London, it makes sense that aside from simple gift shopping, you would want to counter the hole in your finances by adding some cheap or free activities to your trip.
London on a Budget: 20+ Travel Guides For Your Bucket List
This post is divided in several parts, just like I’ve done with my guides to London Bridge, Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Soho, Camden Town, and other lively neighborhoods of London:
- Things to do in London on a budget
- Where to eat in London on a budget
- Cheap shops and coffee shops/workspaces
- Budgeting tips and living in London on a budget
Hopefully, you’ll find here all you need if you’re about to embark on a London adventure – click on the title or the picture to reach the article you’re interested in!
Things to Do in London on a Budget
90 Free Things to Do in London On a Budget and Off the Beaten Path
If you’re one to love off the beaten path activities (like immersive experiences and other fun workshops!), read this guide to completely free things to do in London.
I’ve crafted this guide using all the places I personally love spending time at when London; you’ll find here plenty of hidden gems, secret neighborhoods and other old ruins worth visiting.
London’s Unusual Places: 15 Spots to Visit On a Budget
This guide to unusual places in London is smaller than the one before, but holds inside some great information about London cemeteries and other hidden places you might want to visit if your budget is really tight.
London’s Central Line: 25 Free Things To Do Along the Tube Line
Since I’ve lived in different places along the Central Line (Mile End and Bethnal Green, namely), I’ve decided to craft a full guide to completely free things to do along this Tube line.
From St Paul’s Cathedral and the secret Reflection Garden to more central activities, this is a great guide to read if you’re moving to London near one of the Central Line stations, or are going to stay there during your trip.
21 Unique, Cheap and Free Things to Do in London With Kids
Visiting London with kids is a great, fun, and formative experience for all – the city might be one of the liveliest in the world, but families can definitely enjoy a bit of peace all together there, even in Central London.
This guide will tell you about some mainstream and very unique places to visit in London with kids, tweens and teens whether you’re looking for cheap or free activities.
Central London’s 14 Best Free Things to Do When It Rains
It does rain in London a lot, but there is no shortage of activities there, even if you’re looking to spend absolutely nothing.
This guide will tell you about some of my personal favorite things to do when it rains in Central London, so you can then keep budget to visit secret cafes and bakeries, or just enjoy a good cheesecake or carrot cake with coffee without feeling guilty that you’re treating yourself.
The Best Free Rooftops in London and Secret Viewpoints
Enjoying London from above is one of my favorite things to do; fortunately, there are now many free rooftops and other secret viewpoints that even locals don’t know in London.
This guide will tell you about some favorite rooftops and roof terraces of mine, along with a few secret gardens that double as great photo spots.
45 Free Must Have Apps in London: Food, Events & Tube Apps
Read this guide to London’s must have apps to have the smoothest trip/move to London as possible – from food to events and traveling apps, these are apps I personally use when I live in London.
The Best Secret and Free Museums in London
This guide is complete with some of the best free museums in London, along with a few secret museums and art galleries you might not be aware of – great to complete a bucket list when you feel like you’ve already done it all!
8 Free Historical Sites to Visit in London
Those who enjoy beautiful buildings and history will love this guide to free historical sites you can visit in London; ruins, architecture, and a peaceful vibe is what you’ll find there.
The Best Free Views in London From Secret Rooftops to Gardens
To complete your bucket list with some free views that I may not have mentioned in my guide to London’s free rooftops, check out this guide to enjoy London from above and from afar.
You’ll find here some of the best parks, viewpoints, roof terraces and places to see some nature in London with incredible views.
9 Cheap Day Trips from London to Magical English Towns
Should you want to break away from the hustle and bustle of Central London, check out my guide to the cheapest day trips you can take from London.
Inside, you’ll not only find Oxford, Cambridge, and Brighton, but also more natural places and lesser-known cities!
The Best Food in London on a Budget
The Best Cheap Eats in Central London
Eating in London is definitely not the cheapest, but you’ll still find lots of cheap eats in Central London – these are some of my favorite addresses, from street food to snacks and really affordable restaurants!
Where to Eat Lunch Under £5 in London
If you’re even tighter on budget, check out the guide I’ve written to eating lunch in London for 5 pounds or less.
Most of these are street food spots, but you’ll also find the odd cafe and restaurant offering some really cheap food!
Cheap Pizza in London: 10 Cheapest Neapolitan & Roman Pizza Spots
Italy lovers, this guide to London’s cheapest pizza spots will help you enjoy both Roman and Neapolitan pizza.
From Central London to the suburbs, these offer decently-sized and tasty pizza perfect for lunch or a laidback dinner.
How to Eat in London on a Budget: 15 Savvy Tips to Eat Cheap
This guide I’ve crafted is full of tips to eat in London on a budget – not only restaurants, cafes and bakeries, but also actual, tried-and-tested tips to save money on food.
Shops and Cafes in London on a Budget
The Best Budget Shops in London from TK Maxx to Poundland
London’s filled with budget shops such as Savers, Poundland, TK Maxx and other charity shops.
This specific guide revolves around the cheapest shops in London for anything from beauty to clothes, scented candles, home decor, shoes and more!
The Best Shops for Drugstore and Cheap Makeup in London
In addition to the guide I’ve written to London’s best makeup stores, I’ve also crafted this smaller one about specific shops offering affordable and drugstore makeup – perfect for beauty on a budget.
Cheap Clothes Shopping in London: 12 Best Shops to Visit
Clothes, like food, is one of the areas in life that can cost big time – not with this guide filled with the best clothes shops in London that won’t set you back too much and will still help you create a gorgeous wardrobe.
The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London For Cheap Books
Bookworms, if London’s bookshops attract you, like the beautiful Hatchards, Maison Assouline, or Foyles on Charing Cross Road, by all means, pop by to enjoy the views and find new titles.
However, if you’re on a budget, this guide to the best second hand bookshops in London will allow you to find the cheapest used books in the city!
The Best Free and Quiet Study Spaces in London
Whether you’re a student, a digital nomad or a freelancer, cheap, free, and quiet study spaces are always welcome when you don’t feel like working in a cafe.
This guide is filled with places where you can study and work in peace for hours, with free coworking spaces and lesser-known spots, along with a couple of cafes you might very well want to visit even if you’re on a budget!
The Best Free Coworking Spaces in London (Laptop Friendly)
In addition to the aforementioned guide, this post to only free coworking spaces might come in handy if you need other ideas or locations – great for some really productive work!
Budgeting Tips and Living in London on a Budget
Students in London: 12 Best Tips to Budget and Save Money
This specific guide is aimed at students in London, and complete with tips to budget properly for food, events and more – all the tips you might need to really make the most out of your time in London!
21 Best Tips to Live in London on a Budget (From a Local)
Finally, this guide to living in London on a budget, which I’ve also crafted from my very own experience living in the city for five years (and counting!), will come in handy to help you save even more, and enjoy all kinds of activities and food spots!