Visiting and experiencing London is a must. It does not have to empty your bank balance. Here are some tips and tricks for sharing London on a budget while staying at a convenient location like the Park Grand Hotel Kensington, which is one of the hotels near Bupa Cromwell Hospital.
Tips in a Nutshell
London is filled with numerous attractions sprawled across this beautiful city. Plan your itinerary so that you focus on one area and visit the attractions that interest you in that area. This will eliminate unnecessary travel costs and time. To gain the best experience try not to plan too attractions in one day.
Some examples of key attraction areas include:
Kensington
In Kensington experience 3 amazing museums within walking distance of each other, the Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, and Kensington Gardens.
The Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington
- Open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Admission is free, donations are welcome.
The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington
- A well-known museum that hosts a huge display of natural species.
- Open daily from 10:00 to 17:50 (last entry at 17:30).
- Admission is free. There is a cost for exhibitions.
The Victoria and Albert (V&A) Design Museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington
- The world’s largest museum of modern art, design and performance, the V&A is definitely worth a visit.
- Open daily from 10:00 to 17:45. Fridays they remain open until 22:00.
- Admission is free
The Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore
- Opened in 1871, the Royal Albert Hall is a treasured building in London that sees performances by a myriad of famous performers. If you cannot see a performance, take the time for an hour's tour of this iconic building filled with a rich heritage.
- Tours: Tours are available on most days at various times throughout the day. Booking is essential. Please note tours are not suitable for children under 5 years of age.
Adult £18.50
Child 5-16 £10.50
Tour, Coffee, and Pastry £23.50
Hyde Park
Open daily from 05:00 to midnight, Hyde Park is one of the largest Royal parks in London. The park plays host to world-class events, concerts, and a number of monuments, fountains, and statues. One will also find the famous Speakers Corner, The Rose Garden, and the Diana Memorial Fountain. Besides these attractions, there are plenty of places to relax and unwind.
Kensington Gardens
- Adjacent to Hyde Park, but slightly smaller than Hyde Park, is Kensington Gardens. There are numerous attractions in Kensington Gardens such as the Diana Memorial Playground, The Albert Memorial and the Serpentine Galleries of contemporary art and architecture.
- Please note the varied opening times of Kensington Gardens. The Gardens open at 06:00 throughout the year, however closing times vary according to the season. Generally in the summer months the Gardens close at 20:00 and 21:00. In the winter months, the earliest time the Gardens close is 16:15.
You can also read: A DAY TRIP TO WINDSOR: EXPLORING THE ROYAL TOWN AND IT ATTRACTIONS
Westminster
- The Westminster borough offers Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, London Eye, and Buckingham Palace. The best way to travel to these tourist attractions is via subway.
Big Ben
- An iconic landmark in the heart of Westminster, London, Big Ben is a must-see attraction.
- Big Ben is currently closed to tours for renovations.
Westminster Abbey
- The Abbey is a living working Anglican church. It has hosted and continues to host numerous Royal events. In May 2023 the coronation of King Charles III was held at Westminster Abbey.
- Opening times vary, however a guideline for general admittance is from 09:30 to 15:30 Monday to Saturday. The Abbey is open on Sundays for worship.
Admission:
Adults £27
Adults 65+ and students £24
Child (6-17) £12
Child (0-5) Free
London Eye
- Get a bird’s eye view of London from the London Eye Millennium Wheel. Although a bit costly, it is worth the experience. Remember to book in advance at London Eye tickets.
- Ticket prices vary from £30.50 for online bookings to £45 at the door.
- The London Eye is open daily from 10:00 to 20:30. Closed on Christmas Day.
Buckingham Palace
- Recognized globally as the official residence to the Monarch, Buckingham Palace is another must-see attraction. Whether embarking on an Exclusive Guided Tour or just watching the Changing the Guard ceremony, the experience will be unforgettable.
London Bridge
There are two iconic bridges in this area, namely London Bridge and Tower Bridge. In addition plan to visit the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral.
London Bridge
London Bridge spans the River Thames and connects the City of London and Southwark.
Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road
Take some time to visit this iconic bridge that spans the River Thames close to the Tower of London. It is open daily to the public from 09:30 to 18:00 (last admission at 17:00).
Admission costs:
Adult £12.30
Child £6.20
To get to Tower Bridge the closest station is Tower Hill Station.
Tower of London
Make sure to save some money for a visit to the Tower of London. This is a World Heritage Site, and home to the Crown Jewels, the Yeoman Warders or “Beefeaters”, and the Ravens.
Opening times:
Daily from 09:00 to 17:30.
The final Yeoman Warder guided tour of the day, starts at 15:30.
These Yeoman Warder tours are included in the price of your ticket.
Please check the website as opening times vary slightly during different time of the year.
Admission costs:
Adult £33.60
Child (5-15) £16.80
Child (0-4) Free
Senior (65+) £26.80
St Paul’s Cathedral
The beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral with its iconic dome is situated on Ludgate Hill, the highest point of the City of London. St Paul’s Cathedral is a place of worship that offers daily services. They encourage visitors to attend one of these services. The Cathedral is also open to sightseeing tours from Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 16:30. (Wednesdays entry is from 10:00)
Admission costs:
Adult £20.50
Child (5-15) £9.00
South Bank
South Bank is considered to be a vibrant area of London’s cultural scene. Situated along the banks of the River Thames, In this area take the time to visit Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and Borough Market.
Tate Modern, Bankside
- This gallery has over a hundred years of modern and contemporary art from around the world.
- There is no admission fee.
- The Tate Modern gallery is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk
The Shakespeare’s Globe, often referred to as the Globe is located on the banks of the River Thames. It has become an internationally known venue for performing arts and cultural attractions. It also serves as a center for arts education. They have an outdoor and indoor theatre where Shakespeare plays are held. Booking is essential. Prices vary from £36.00 to only £5.00 for a standing ticket.
Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street
Borough Market is an experience. Although the Market has a rich heritage, it focuses on the here and now. It is a community Borough Market is run by a charitable trust for the benefit of the community. The Market is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10:00 to 17:00. On Saturdays they open at 09h00, and Sundays they close at 16h00.
Access to Borough Market is easy from the London Bridge Rail Terminal and London Underground stations (Jubilee Line and Northern Line).
Use the Oyster Card for traveling around London
The quickest and cheapest way to get around London is to purchase a Visitor Oyster Card before your leave your country of origin. The Visitor Oyster Card can be used on the London Underground, buses, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line, and most National Rial services in London.
Benefits of the London Pass
A London Pass is a digital sightseeing credit package that gives you access to 80+ attractions in London. The credit package is valid for consecutive days.
Hire a bike to cycle around your favorite areas in London
A great way to see London and get around cheaply is by bike. With over 800 docking stations and a hire cost of £1.65 per every 30 minutes, hiring a bike is simple with London's hire bike scheme.
Top Tip to save money
Plan your attractions and purchase tickets online in advance. These tickets are generally cheaper than purchasing at the door. Your best option is to make use of the London Pass and the Visitor Oyster Card. Please check your London Pass carefully to ensure your entrance to the attractions is covered.
Conclusion
It is impossible not to spend money visiting London. Don’t despair, with some careful planning, using the London Pass and Visitor Oyster Card, you can get a full experience of what the wonderful City of London has to offer.
If you're looking for hotels near Bupa Cromwell Hospital, you may consider staying at the Park Grand Hotel Kensington. The Park Grand Hotel in London offers a convenient location in Kensington, which is close to Cromwell Hospital. It provides comfortable accommodation and is a great option for those looking to explore the attractions mentioned in the guide while being in proximity to the hospital.
No comments:
Post a Comment