London Bargains, Help Needed!
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Hi, I hope this is okay for on the chat. I am taking my 17 yr old to London Mon-Fri. I was wondering if anyone knew how to do anything on the cheap, such as getting to see a show at a reasonable price. I'm not bothered about the main things like the London Eye as even with discounts they still seem a lot. I thought we could do Natural History museum & geocache hunt but other than that I'm stumped! London is so big I don't know where to begin. We are staying near Waterloo. Thank you 
I’m don’t know London that well - but as It’s next to the natural history museum you might want to visit the science museum? It’s free and very good. if you’re interested in art at all the Victoria and Albert museum is also nearby, or you could go to the Tate modern (this has a new exhibition with a great view of London - very high!) or national gallery (All free!). there’s lots of free things to do in London if youre interested in them
Welcome to London!
If you are going to be in the Kensington area already for the Natural History Museum, then you may as well visit the Science Museum and the V&A, which is within a few minutes’ walk from each other, and then head over to check out the likes of Harrods in Knightsbridge to see how the rich shop – it is certainly an interesting experience, and you can perhaps pick up a souvenir there too
If the weather is good, you could probably take a walk around Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, which is quite close by too
From Waterloo, you could walk along the Thames to check out the South Bank, which is usually quite bustling and full of energy. The Tate Modern is nearby, so you can check that out for free. And from there, you can walk around Covent Garden to visit a wide variety of shops, eateries and theatres. For discounted tickets or deals on tickets, you can check out Time Out or Show Film First on Google to see what they have available
These are just a handful of things you can do if you are in Central London
If you have the energy, you can check out the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London, whereby you can either walk around the area, or hire out the Santander bikes for a ride around. There is also a Westfield shopping mall nearby, so if you are tired, you can chill out at there
For a 17 year old, they may enjoy the hustle and bustle of the Camden Market area. The London Zoo is nearby too, but definitely check for discounts for tickets online as it is very pricey on the door
Wow, thank you so much that has given me some great ideas, I hadn't thought of Harrods, that would be fun, I could maybe afford a carrier bag!! Camden market sounds right up my sons street
SandyRhodes I think we have all spent some time in Camden in our teens It certainly requires youthful energy and stamina to deal with the crowds, but if it does get too chaotic and you need a break, you can negotiate a chilled boat ride along the canal, and you will see a much more scenic version of London. Enjoy!
Oh I nearly forgot, you can get the London Pass for discounts to the main attractions:
SandyRhodes yes tonnes of it! Shoreditch, Portabello, Southbank, Brick Lane, Broadway Market, Brixton, Dalston Kingsland, Laddenhall.... the list is endless and I am dribbling as I am typing....
Thank you for all your fab ideas I now feel like we can definitely have a great time away even on a tight budget
Hi SandyRhodes
Lucky you! Have a wonderful time in London. My top tip is to take the bus as much as you can rather than the tube. You get to see so much more!
If you want to do something on the cheap I suggest heading in to the West End in comfy walking shoes, for a self guided tour.
Go to Piccadilly Circus – wave at Eros, and admire the massive new advertising lights (the Curve), both London icons. Then walk a little way down Piccadilly (in the direction of Hyde Park Corner) and go into Waterstones Bookshop – the largest bookstore in Europe. You can warm up and sit down in there, and browse for future birthday presents you might like. Remember to take photos of the books you want! It’s a good place to use the loo too! You can visit the ‘5th View’ bar on the fifth floor for a coffee or glass of wine anytime. Bit of a secret, but there’s a terrific (free) view from there over South London, back towards the London Eye.
After coffee wander a bit further down Piccadilly, and pop into Fortnum & Mason (the posh grocers - suppliers to the Queen). Try to get there just before the hour to see the famous Fortnum's clock above the front of the store. The clock bells come from the same foundry as Big Ben. Every fifteen minutes a selection of airs is played on eighteen bells, and on the hour Messrs F&M themselves appear to check that standards are being upkept (like a super large Cuckoo clock).
Cross over Piccadilly and wander up Burlington Arcade (one of the first covered shopping arcades) built almost 200 years ago – still stunning in my view. And covered, so it's out of the chill and rain. All the boutiquey shops are very pricey there – but window shopping is free!
Come back to Piccadilly and pop into a Pret a Manger (the sandwich shop)(just ask someone suited and booted to direct you to the nearest one, there's several) or Boots the Chemist (for a lunchtime takeaway meal deal)(there's a Boots located directly under the Curve) and if it’s not too cold wander down to nearby St James’s Square and find yourself a bench amongst the trees.
From Piccadilly Circus it’s a short walk to ChinaTown, always fascinating sights sounds and smells there. Around now they’ll be decorating the streets for the upcoming Chinese New Year (16th Feb). Head for Gerrard Street (the main one) and pick up a chinese pastry from one of the shops there.
From China Town it’s not far to walk to Trafalgar Square or Covent Garden.
If that’s not your thing it’s fun to walk up (Old) Bond Street (near Burlington Arcade) continuing north onto New Bond Street and see how the rich live, and admire the jewelry shops (Tiffanys et al) and the posh fashion boutiques. At the top of New Bond Street cross over Oxford Street and you’ll find John Lewis, Debenhams and House of Fraser all clustered together.
If you’re travelling to London by train you might get a 2 for 1 offer on attractions – see: https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/
For cheaper Theatre tickets, the sale here might be useful: https://officiallondontheatre.com/new-year-sale/
Have a good trip!
Johnny
you should write a book on this! I've screen shot the whole thing. Might come handy one day when I'm being a tourist in London! 
nemosays Ha ha. If you're feeling brave (or simply desperate!) , opposite Waterstones is Le Meridien Piccadilly Hotel. Hold your head up high, smile at the doormen (in a way that says I have a suite here) and walk in through the revolving doors. Keep to the right, and head down the stairs on your right towards the Burlington Bar. Go down one more flight of stairs and you will discover the poshest 'free' loos in the area. Nice smellies in there too!
Be sure of course to pop into the Burlington Bar afterwards for a very expensive drink. Nice bar actually, even nicer if someone else is paying!
Clean loos. Very important to know about on a day out in London LOL
nemosays Take another screenshot! I forgot to mention Fortnum & Mason - a good place to pick up a foodie gift. Edited now!
WOW!! WOW!! WOW!! That is absolutely blooming brilliant, you definitely should write a London travel guide that is so perfect for what we had in mind & you've given us pretty much a perfect trip itinerary! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all that, I am sure I won't be the only one who uses your hints & tips 
Excellent
SandyRhodes Oh great that's good news.
I was just writing what follows, when I read your response!
If it’s not freezing cold it’s fun to take a boat trip on the Thames.
Rather than take a pricey tourist boat, take a short trip on a Thames Clipper catamaran (like the wealthier commuters do). It's best to do your trip after 9am and before 5pm to avoid rush hour.
As you’ll be staying in the Waterloo area I suggest taking the boat from the London Eye Pier on the South side of the Thames, downstream (i.e. east) to the Tower Pier (on the North side of the Thames). Adult single costs about £6.50 although you may be able to get a discount. More here:
https://www.thamesclippers.com
Once you get off at Tower Pier walk along the riverbank past the Tower of London (just have a look from the outside) and walk onto Tower Bridge (the suspension bridge with the twin towers). From there it’s a short stroll to St.Katherine’s Dock marina where you can grab a coffee and a sandwich and admire the boats (there’s plenty of office workers there).
On the way back take another boat trip or use Tower Hill tube station opposite the Tower of London. If you do take the tube, you might like to go right across town westwards to Sloane Square tube station (take the District or Circle line straight there). Sloane Square is the home of Peter Jones department store (a John Lewis store) and the start of the Kings Road which fashionista 17 year olds and their trendy Mums might like to wander down!
Lastly, don't forget there’s plenty of pickpockets in London preying on unwary tourists. Keep your purse well zipped up and ideally covered by something else in your bag. Keep your wits about you and if you are walking along the pavement carry your bag across your shoulders on the side furthest away from the road, to deter motorcycle snatch thieves.
Johnny I definitely think you are the go to person for anyone going to London!! That is fantastic, so much brilliant advice I like the trendy mum bit best
SandyRhodes These youngsters need someone to show them how to dress properly. Punk? Been there done that! 
Lots of Museums free....like the Transport Museum in Covent Garden. It can be interesting and also there are so many shops to have a piece of cake and relax after.
Lots of museums are free, but do check the website to be sure before making a special journey.
I think the London Transport Museum is only free for youngsters under 18. Adult admission costs £17.50 according to the website.
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