Top ways to enjoy the summer in London on a budget

The sun has been shining, we’ve had a glimpse of the summer ahead and we want to make the most of it. What better way than to visit our beautiful capital city and explore.

If you are visiting London this summer, the last thing you want to do is spend your time underground, travelling the tube to your destinations. Luckily, you don’t have to. Sometimes the best way to find places you didn’t know existed is to put down maps and sat navs, and have a wander. You’ll soon discover some beautiful little hidden gems.

If you aren’t feeling quite that brave and are on a bit of a tight timescale, we’ve put together some of the best places to find and enjoy for very little money – just don’t forget your suncream and water!

Walk the Serpentine

Exploring Hyde Park is always a winner as there is so much to see and do along the way. From finding Peter Pan, looking around the Italian Gardens, or even visiting the Serpentine Gallery – the beautiful park is the perfect way to spend a summer’s day.

Get lost around Chinatown, Soho and Leicester Square

The maze of streets in this area can be quite baffling, but it’s a great way to enjoy the sights and smells of one of the most diverse parts of the city.

While it feels like you are getting lost, it’s actually a very small area; you’ll soon realise you’ve wound your way back to a recognisable part. Although it’s worth a visit in February for Chinese New Year to see the spectacular decorations, there are also plenty of festivals in the summer months, including the fabulous Dragon Boat Festival and Poon Choi Festival.

Explore the Southbank

Walk along the Southbank, and enjoy a lovely riverside stroll. The south side of the Thames has plenty to offer, from browsing the book market to paddling in the Southbank Centre fountains. Over the weekends throughout the summer explore the Southbank Centre Market for delicious street food and fresh produce.

Walk from Little Venice to Camden

There are some lovely walks along the canals in the capital, which you can view on the Canal River Trust‘s website. However, this particular route is particularly popular – the two mile walk finishes up in one of the most vibrant and interesting parts of the city.

The walking Jack the Ripper tours

Fascinating for all visitors – especially any budding ‘ripperologists’ out there –  walking tours are an exciting way to explore the East end of London when the sun goes down, learn a bit about its murky past, hear all the latest theories on who Jack the Ripper could have been, and also see a bit of history. There are quite a few tours to choose from, many of them for around just £10 each – and some of them even finish up near a pub or two so you can take the weight off after a long day exploring the city.