London on the Cheap in the School Holidays

Samuel Johnson said that a man who is tired of London is tired of life.  One thing about London that is tiresome is how expensive it is.  But it is possible to have explore London within spending much, or anything at all.  With the kids!

As the summer holidays are coming up, here are some suggestions about where you could go on your day trip.  

Museums

From the Science Museum via the V&A, the Natural History to the Imperial War Museum.  London has museums covering every interest and every subject.  Many are free.  Rev T and the Tubblet recommend the Bank of England Museum. Complete with real gold bar.

Here's a selection of exhibits from the Imperial War Museum's World War One gallery:

Entertainers in Covent Garden

Fancy a West End show?  Me too, but not at the prices they charge!  If the weather is sunny, then you'll see all sorts of amazing mini-shows and street performers.  Please take some change to donate to the ones that entertained you the most.

Trails

I've seen elephants, buses, Faberge eggs, Shaun the Sheep and Olympic mascots on my walk to work and wandering about during my lunch break.  Print off a map and see London by visiting each one.   You can compete with each other about who gets to collect the most or finds them first.  Many of London's sights are close together so you see more if you walk.  Louise at Little Hearts, Big Love has a great account of seeing Shaun in the City.

Parks

London's lungs.  Plan your route so it takes in a park so you can have a picnic lunch whilst people watching.  (Weather permitting!)

Take the River Bus

There are five river buses that'll give you a completely different perspective on London.  Tickets are cheap compared to the tourist ferry's and you can use Oyster.  Have a look at Transport for London's website for routes and prices.  I still remember my first trip on the London River Bus with my mum and dad.  I was eight, which was a long time ago!

Well, that's one day sorted!  Hopefully you've got lots of ideas for the other ones.

And a short public service announcement ... 

All parents brace themselves for the school holidays. Keeping the children entertained is challenging whatever your circumstances.  If you've friends who'll find the school holidays more difficult than most, invite their kids round for play-dates or include them in an outing if you can.

Much of the support poor families rely on, such as free school meals, stop over the holidays.  Food bank usage increases. Please donate if you're able to.  No child should go hungry.

Have a wonderful time.  And good luck!  

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