London is an expensive city. Of that there is no doubt!
However, there are things to do in London that will cost you nothing. Obviously, these will not include the best seats to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden or a top performer at the O2 Arena but there is entertainment to be had. And it can be entertainment that you will enjoy and not cost you a brass farthing.
So what and where is this entertainment in London? Performances that will bring some joy and will cost Londoners and visitors to London nothing but their time?
Well let’s start with London’s excellent Street Performers. Free performances are there for everybody to see every afternoon in the West Piazza of Covent Garden Market. All of these performers have passed an audition to perform here and they are licensed to do so. And these very good acts can draw huge crowds. If you want to make a small ‘contribution’ at the end you can do so. If you don’t, you don’t. Simple!
Other street performers can be seen along the South Bank Walk between the London Eye and the National Theatre. Yes, these are predominantly the human statues but they are huge fun to stand and watch, in particular the reaction of London tourists and small children when a coin is tossed into the appropriate container.
If it’s more serious entertainment you’re after, pop along to Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park on a Sunday morning. Listen to the debates and join in if you wish.
There are also free nights out in London. For example you can try the free Comedy nights at London’s comedy venues. A list of comedy nights in London can be found here. Also, how many times have you watched the TV or listened to the radio and heard the laughter and applause of the audience? We’re not talking canned laughter here (don’t you just hate that!) but genuine fun being had and appreciated being shown by a live audience. Well you can be a participant in Free BBC TV and Radio Show Recordings. You can get free tickets to popular programmes such as ‘The News Quiz’, and ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’. All you have to do is go to the BBC website or try here.
Or how about rubbing shoulders with the stars? Take your camera to a Movie Premiere in London’s Leicester Square and watch your favourite celebrities walking up the red carpet. It’s free and (weather permitting) very enjoyable. Who knows, you could find yourself in a photograph with Tom Cruise. You can find details of forthcoming London Movie Premieres here.
As someone once said, ‘The best things in life are free”. And there are many more free things to do in London than you might think. So get out there and enjoy them!
http://www.londonfreeandeasy.com/ is a free guide to London and it’s attractions and lots of information on things to do in London.
