| London is probably the most expensive city in the | | | | your trip: Royalparks.gov.uk/parks/bushy_park |
| world (least it seems that way). Now we all know | | | | about.cfm |
| there is no such thing as a free lunch, so make | | | | 4. Dig out your dancing shoes and shimmy on |
| your sandwiches, pack your rucksack and check | | | | down to Bar Salsa. If you are keen to have your |
| out our suggestion of free things to do in London. | | | | body crushed up against some fit dancing |
| Whilst we can list a variety of events and | | | | instructor then Salsa is for you. Meet new people |
| attractions that won't cost you a bean, we can't | | | | and keep fit, what more could you ask for? Get |
| promise that you won't have to part with a | | | | a beginners lesson free of charge on Wednesdays |
| penny or two for travel or refreshments. If you | | | | at around 7pm. We should warn you that this is a |
| can't face paying for refreshments, don't and get | | | | popular event for newbies, hence we recommend |
| free travel to the local police station. | | | | you do not wear open toed sandals. After the |
| 1. If you fancy living dangerously then why not | | | | event go for drinks in the bar and if you haven't |
| view a trial in session at the Old Bailey? The Old | | | | impressed Mr or Mrs Right with your dancing skills, |
| Bailey is the most famous criminal court in the | | | | try again after a few drinks. Bar Salsa is in |
| world, hearing cases from London and all over | | | | Charing Cross Road and the nearest tube is |
| England and Wales. The original Old Bailey | | | | Tottenham Court Road. |
| courthouse dates back to 1539. Famous trials held | | | | 5. Watch a politician in action! See history in the |
| there include; Oscar Wilde, Dr Crippen, William | | | | making by watching a debate as it happens in the |
| Joyce ('Lord Haw Haw'), the Krays and the | | | | Houses Of Parliament. Not only would this be a |
| Yorkshire Ripper. | | | | thrilling way to spend your morning or afternoon |
| The public galleries are open Monday to Friday | | | | but you also get to spend time in the historic |
| from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. You may | | | | Palace of Westminster. The Palace was built in |
| have to queue to gain entry as the Old Bailey has | | | | 1042 as a royal residence. Some years later the |
| become a popular tourist attraction. You can get | | | | Westminster Hall was built which housed stalls |
| a list of the cases to be heard by visiting: | | | | selling many legal accessories. Following a fire in |
| Hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/courthearings.htm. | | | | 1834 the Palace was rebuilt and now includes the |
| The nearest tube is St Paul's. | | | | famous clock tower (Big Ben). If you want to |
| 2. If you've had a hard day at work or have | | | | view Prime Minister's question time you will need |
| shopped til you dropped and fancy putting your | | | | to book in advance. The nearest tube is |
| feet up and relaxing, then where better than at | | | | Westminster. |
| the Theatre Royal Stratford East? Very rarely do | | | | 6. Visit the Tower of London, after it has closed |
| you find entertainment that is completely free of | | | | to tourists. The Tower of London has performed |
| charge in comfortable surroundings. Monday nights | | | | many roles over the years, namely a royal |
| are comedy night. Now you may not have heard | | | | palace, a prison, a place of execution and a jewel |
| of most of the comedians brave enough to stand | | | | house. It is definitely a must see for tourists, |
| up and entertain you but everyone has to start | | | | however the guided tours can often be crowded |
| somewhere. Imagine being able to tell your friends | | | | and noisy. What about your own personal tour |
| you saw (insert an unknown comedians name) | | | | minus the crowds? Few people know of an |
| before he was famous? 'Five Guys Named Moe' | | | | ancient ceremony that has been performed at |
| started here and look what happened to them! | | | | the Tower every evening in one way or another |
| They usually have free entertainment on every | | | | for the last 700 years. At precisely 9.30pm the |
| night of the week, ranging from comedy to a | | | | Yeoman Warders and the military guard lock the |
| variety of musical artists. Visit their website to | | | | outer gates to the Tower and deliver the keys to |
| view the line up: Stratfordeast.com/frameset.htm | | | | the Resident Governor of the Tower. This |
| . The nearest tube is Stratford Station. | | | | ceremony is open to the public by tickets booked |
| 3. Go on a wildlife adventure. Bet you never | | | | in advance. You can watch this ancient ceremony |
| thought you could do that in London eh? London's | | | | with a small group of people and feel privileged to |
| public parks are a major bonus to the city. We | | | | have gained access to this beautiful piece of |
| love one in particular - Bushy Park. Bushy Park lies | | | | history without the crowds. Visit their website for |
| to the North of Hampton Court Palace. Not only | | | | further information - The nearest tube is Tower |
| will you find wildlife and amazing scenery but there | | | | Hill. |
| is also a fantastic history contained within the | | | | We have tried out all of the above and can |
| park. To set you up for a day in the crowded | | | | honestly say we really enjoyed ourselves. Our |
| smelly city, take a stroll round Bushy Park and | | | | pleasure was obviously heightened by the fact |
| spot the red and fallow deer, herons, | | | | that our entertainment was free. It just goes to |
| woodpeckers and many other rare sights. Check | | | | show you that there are plenty of things to do in |
| out their website for events to incorporate in | | | | London for free if you know where to look. |