Fun Things To Do In London:

1. Visit Some Cool Abandoned Places

Ok, you probably didn’t see this one coming. Abandoned trains, buildings, graveyards or abandoned anything don’t really seem like much fun. But they can teach you quite a bit about culture and history. For example, the abandoned planes of the Brooklands Museum. Or Brompton Underground Station between Knightsbridge and South Kensington. You could explore the abandoned burial grounds such as New Gravel Pit Chapel Burial Ground in Hackney. Or the Nunhead Cemetery in Peckham. There’s also a heap of abandoned chapels, such as Saint Saviour’s Church near the Canary Wharf. A little less morbid is the Aldwych tube station which has not been used since 1994. And this is only the tip of the iceberg – London is a haven of derelict and abandoned locations.

2. Weird And Amazing Art

If you’ve found yourself staring at a fancy painting before, wondering just what makes it so special, don’t worry. Everyone has felt like that. While classic art can be great, sometimes you just need something fun, weird and moving. For example, Stephen Wright’s strange and mesmerizing House of Dreams. Or 200 eggs painted as clowns at the Clowns Gallery-Museum. Or shrunken heads and etched skeletons at the Viktor Wynd Museum (and bar) Of Curiosities. If for some strange reason you’re super into neon signs, there’s always God’s Own Junkyard to marvel at.

3. Get A Better View

The skyline of London is iconic. And compared to standing in line for three hours to look at some old stone (sorry, Rosetta Stone), it becomes even more exciting. There are many places in London that give you incredible views, like the Orbit (which you can also slide down if your stomach can handle it). At nighttime, try Duck and Waffle or Sky Garden for some sparkling views and nice cocktails. If that’s a bit fancy for you, Frank’s Cafe in Peckham is a little more relaxed. Not hungry? One New Space offers fantastic views from their rooftop terrace. For something closer to nature, there are always Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill. And of course, you can ride the London Eye for some pretty neat views. Ok, the last one is probably nothing new. But it’s fun!

4. Pop Culture Hunting

London is a hub of modern culture, the setting for many series and movies, and a must-visit for fans of Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, Mary Poppins etc. You can visit Platform 9 3/4, for example. Or pop in 221b Baker Street and the Sherlock Holmes pub. Maybe go see The Old Curiosity Shop. There are original costumes at the Who Shop. Not for you? How about Abbey Road? Will Thacker’s apartment door? Lunch with Bridget at the Tate Modern Restaurant? Truly, there’s something for every superfan.

5. The Strange Food Of London

How about some charcoaled testicles at Testi Restaurant London? Ok, fair enough. Jellied eels at F. Cooken in Hackney’s Broadway Market? If these are a little too weird, maybe you’d rather have a blue cheese cocktail at Gong Cocktail Bar? For more conventional (but delicious!) food and a super cool dining experience, check out inamo interactive restaurants. If you’re into opera, the Bel Canto servers will sing some to you. Circus prompts its dinner with cabaret acts on the tables. Heston Blumenthal also creates some quite innovative and delicious food at his restaurant.

So there you go! Of course, more classic attractions like the British Museum (and the Rosetta Stone) or traditional art galleries are valuable in their own right. But hopefully, if you need to change things up, this list has provided some fun things for you to do in London. Not sure how to budget for a trip to London? Read this for some insight. Maybe London isn’t the right destination for you at all? Check out this budget comparison.

Have you been to any of these places in London? Let me know in the comments!

The post 5 Unusual And Fun Things To Do In London appeared first on christopherkhoitran.

In this article I have looked only at the cost once you’re on the ground. I did not include the cost of flights, as they vary depending on your point of origin and time of the year.

Cost of Living

The first thing to check before you can figure out what a trip to London will cost is accommodation. In this article I pointed out that you can get a decent hotel for around £80 or $105. If you’re feeling fancy, you can get a really nice hotel for $300. A hostel bunk, on the other hand, will cost you around $25 a night if you’re visiting London on a budget. Going for the decent hotel, you’ll end up around $735 a week.

When it comes to food, you have many choices. From cheap fast food to the finest dining, you can find one within 1000 meters of the other. The average restaurant meal is around $25, so dinner for two for one week ends up around $350. Add a pub lunch for $15 for each person and you’re at $560 a week for food. This is assuming you have breakfast at your hotel. Throw in a bottle of wine for around $15 and a few beers for $5 and you’ll quickly end up over $600. Of course, if you decide to cook your own or live on cheap fast-food, you’ll get away with much less.

Cost of Entertainment

There is plenty of entertainment to go around and it will influence what your trip to London will cost. If you’re planning to go sightseeing, a great option is to get an Oyster card for public transport. It is pay-as-you-go but caps at £50.50 a week, which is $65. This way you can see all the popular sights, get to restaurants and attractions. The entry for Madame Tussauds is £35 ($45), the London Dungeon costs you £30 ($40) and a Warner Bro’s Studio tour of the Harry Potter sets is around $65.

Most museum entries are free or have a low fee, but if you want to skip the queues and save the entry fee, get a London Pass. It costs around $175 for six days if you get it online and grants you express entry to many attractions. These include Madame Tussauds, Tower of London, Thames River Cruises and quite a few more.

There you go, that’s a week of London for you! If you’re a big spender, you can easily end up paying around $1,600 for your week, even when not staying in a five-star hotel. If you’re a little more conservative with your money, you might pay $1,250 or less. There truly is something for everyone in London – and something for (almost) every budget, too!

What do you think about travelling to London on a budget? Maybe you prefer to splurge! Let me know in the comments.

Not sure if London is the right choice for your budget? Check out this comparison of different destinations. Perhaps you’ll like Thailand better!

The post Travel Budget: What Does A Trip To London Cost? appeared first on christopherkhoitran.