The summer holidays are just around the corner, which means being a tourist in your own city is back in fashion, and what a better place to do some soul-searching than the incredible city of London! Don’t be fooled by the price tag, just because London has a rep for being an expensive city, it doesn’t mean that student life can’t be glamorous. Here are some of my favourite tips to discover London on a budget:
Shopping on the go? Visit one of London’s great markets!
If you’re the kind of person that loves a good day outdoors, and finding some unique pieces shopping, then London is the perfect place for you. From Covent Garden to the Camden Market, you can find some amazing clothing and accessories. Personally, I’m a massive foodie, and there’s nothing more incredible than taking a break in between classes to browse around the Borough Market and treat yourself to delicious food after a long study day!
A picnic out in the sun
Nothing beats a beautiful sunny day in London. When the sun’s out, EVERYONE is out! Something I’ve learned studying in London is the value of a couple of rays of sunshine. Whenever I can, I love to make the most of a day out at the Park. My personal favourite is the Stratford Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, since I got to explore it often whilst living at the Stratford One accommodation during my first year. There are Santander bikes you can rent out and go for a trip around the park or nearby to Hackney Wick where you can get lots of artsy pics for the gram! Whether you’re basking under the sun at Hyde Park, or bird watching at St James’s, you can never go wrong with a day at the park.
The holiday equivalents to a school trip
Can you really say you’ve been to London without having visited any of its iconic museums? London is home to some of the most amazing museums, housing unique pieces that represent history from all over the world. Best part? Most of the museums are free entry! Whether you want to be amazed by the fossils at the Natural History Museum, or keep it close to campus and see how science and art can merge at King’s very own science gallery, London is the perfect place to learn something new and fascinating every day.
Artsy Tourism
One of the main reasons why I chose to come to London was because it is one of the world’s greatest places to be if you love the arts. Whether it’s visual, theatre, or music, there’s always something new and exciting to see. Places like the Top Secret Comedy Club offer free entry improv shows that are just brilliant, and you can always find a good student discount on a West-End world-famous show! If you love art, the Tate Modern is always a favourite, and the walk along the Southbank to get there is usually filled with incredible street musicians.
Overall, not only is London one of the most incredible cities in the world, but one of the best times to explore it is with all the benefits of being a student! So go out and explore, because there’s too much to see that can’t fit into just one blog post.
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