Travel » Britain on a Budget

BRITAIN ON A BUDGET
With its perennial attractions jostling the modern ones, Britain is undeniably popular. But what about the cost? Here are a few tips to show that Britain on a budget is achievable and fun, states an article in British Features.

Let’s start with London. A number of galleries, museums and pageantry events come without charge. From Trafalgar Square, where you’ll find the National Gallery (free), it is only a short walk to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, or to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (free). There is even a free bus service, the Art Bus, which runs half-hourly from the Tate Britain gallery. Tate Modern (free) is situated on the South Bank of the river Thames.

For best value theater, head for the Half Price Booth in Leicester Square to buy tickets for the same day’s performance, continues the article.

The West End is crammed with all the great international designers, but to catch the young, up-and-coming names and the best in good value retro fashion, head for Camden or Portobello Road markets. There’s off-the-wall street fashion, outrageous club wear and new and bargain secondhand clothes.

If you plan to travel around Britain there are several cut-price options. The cheapest (as well as the greenest and healthiest) is to get yourself a bike. A 5,000 mi National Cycling Network, using traffic free paths and roads with little motor traffic reach the kingdom’s farthest extremities. The next best option is the National Express, the country’s only national bus network, with several budget deals on offer.

An increasingly popular choice is to join one of the backpackers’ buses departing from London cor Edinburgh, stopping at various cities and hosted en route. As there are several buses a week, you can jump on and off as you wish..

A few other money saving tips: it’s worth carrying an International Student Identity Card, or Youth Identity Card with: you to make sure you get the best discounts. Baked beans on toast and Baked, potato with tuna filling are popular low-cost snack. Curry restaurants are found everywhere and are usually of good value, to Clean, comfortable campus accommodation widely available outside term time and is an alternative to hostels.