Living in London

London is a great city with so much to do, so much to see...
London Center students at Shoreditch in front of street art by Ben Eine.

Free and Cheap in London

Many are surprised to learn that there are, indeed, free and cheap activities for individuals to take advantage of in London.  Students benefit from advice shared by the London Center staff members who have lived in the City for many years and who are also quite frugal. They will help students to discover cheap deals, hidden gems, and great ways to make their most of the time while in London. Have a look at the following links to see if anything tickles your fancy.  And if you find anything on your own that's not listed (and would like to share) why not drop us a line to let her know and she'll share it with your fellow students.

  • Time Out is the weekly guide to all things happening in London from art to theatre to LGBT life and music.  The ICLC always has hard copies of Time Out on the magazine rack in the Common Room and on the table outside the front office for your use, please be sure to return copies when you're done so that everyone can benefit from it
  • Londonist has lots of ideas of things to do, including a Free and Cheap section which is updated every week
  • London For Free has lots of ideas for things to do in and out of London
  • Free London Events
  • Visit London
  • Museums Not all the museums in London are free, but the National Collections are.  You can check out the likes of the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, the British Museum, as well as Tate Britain and Tate Modern

Smart Supermarket Shopping

Look for bigger supermarkets such as Sainbury's, Morrison's, or Tesco Extra as you'll find the groceries a lot cheaper than smaller, local stores. Local markets are also great for cheaper fruit and vegetables (depending on what's in season).

Staff Suggestions

Many people love London for the food.  Have a meal made up of free samples in Borough Market or eat some of the best pizza outside of Italy at the super cheap Franco Manca.  Even better, grab a voucher and get a meal out for less! See below for more staff favorites:

Orla enjoys spending her free time visiting London’s most famous markets, whether it be discovering new food delicacies in Borough Market or finding random knick-knacks on Portobello Road on a Saturday. London is most beautiful in great weather so a stroll along the Richmond riverside on a weekend is a must!

Caroline is involved in musical theatre so loves going to see shows in the West End, where there are lots of exciting, diverse productions on offer. She likes hanging out in London's coffee shops, writing, and drinking her caramel latte.

Becca loves exploring the city's green spaces and enjoys participating in park runs to stay active. She can often be found either wandering around a museum or picking up a bargain at a charity or second-hand shop.