With the dollar to Euro difference getting worse everyday – nearly two dollars to one euro – traveling to Europe has become more costly than ever.  Here are a few tips for saving money when in England.

 One way is to get around on the Tube (London’s Underground).  You can save time and money when traveling by way of the tube, and can expand your dollar even more by purchasing an Oyster Card.  This is a plastic transit card that costs a small fee and gives you access to discounted rides.  You can store up to 90 euros on the card, and you can reload it as necessary. It can be used on the Tube, trams, buses, DLR, London Overground and some National Rail services in London.  The credit on the card never expires, and you can reload on the internet easily.

 Also, many historic and beautiful museums are free to the public, such as the British Museum, the British Library, the Victoria & Albert, the Science and Natural History museums, the Theatre Museum in Covent Garden.  Also, in many of the art galleries, such as Tate Modern, Tate Britain, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery.  Historic sights, such as Stonehenge are as free as can be to visit, and they are currently making plans to divert the busy road by Stonehenge further from the sight, and they plan to build a new, low-profile visitors center near the attraction.

 And last to save money, is to invest in an English phone card or mobile phone, especially if you plan on making local England calls.  These phones are inexpensive and can be as low as 20 pounds for a phone, which comes complete with a SIM card and minutes. You can also rent a phone, there are many locations where you can rent cell phones, and many airports in Europe have kiosks where you can rent one

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London Holiday Lettings Says:

February 20th, 2008 at 2:40 pm

PLACES FOR FREE IN LONDON

The traffic-free area around the Piazza at Covent Garden is a haven for buskers, who perform with permission from the Council. All have to pass an audition so the standard is high. Musicians, clowns and jugglers are the main attractions, but be warned: they often invite the audiences to participate

Tube Station: Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line

One of London’s best free shows is to watch an auction at one of the Big Auction Houses. Sales are of everything from old master paintings and furniture to rock and roll memorabilia and wines. Items are displayed for a few days before sales, or you can sit among the dealers and watch the auction itself
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Sotheby’s: 0207 493 8080 Christie’s: 0207 839 9060 Phillips: 0207 629 6602 Bonhams: 0207 393 3900

Children will be enchanted by the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood. It is an Aladdin’s cave of antique toys dating back to the 18th century. There are dolls, teddies, doll’s houses, games, puppets, model railways and children’s clothing. Every Saturday, the museum runs free art workshops for children aged 3 and upwards - each week takes a different theme. Closed Fridays

Tube Station: Bethnal Green Telephone: 0208- 980 2415

The Royal Festival Hall hosts free music every lunchtime except Sundays, when you can hear anything from classical to African beats in foyer. On Friday evenings from 17:15 till 18:45, you can wind down after a week’s hard work listening to jazz. There’s a bar and several places to eat, but you don’t have to order anything to enjoy the music.

Tube Station: Waterloo on Bakerloo Line

The British Museum located in Russell Square houses an astounding six and a half million objects from Egyptian, Roman and Greek antiquities as well as Japanese treasures, coins and medals. One of the most acclaimed museums in Europe definitely worth seeing.

Tube Station: Russell Square on Piccadilly Line

The Victoria & Albert Museum is an imposing ten-acre decorative arts museum. Whether you are fascinated by treasures from the Middle Ages or the Renaissance, by things Gothic and Byzantine, or by furniture and ceramics, the V&A will keep you mesmerised. Entrance is free but you’ll pass a glass booth where there is a forceful request for a donation
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Tube Station: South Kensington on Circle and District Lines Telephone: 0207 938 8500

Hampstead Heath is an excellent place for a walk, with 790 acres of woodland and grass. There are also three ponds where you can swim for free. One is for women only, secluded and surrounded by fencing and trees. There’s a men’s pond and a recently refurbished mixed pond. All have changing rooms with cold showers.

Tube Station: Hampstead on Northern Line for Hampstead Heath and mixed pond
Kentish Town for men’s and women’s pond on Northern Line

Speaker’s corner has been a lively forum for free speech since 1872. It’s held every weekend in the corner of Hyde Park opposite Marble Arch, and come rain or shine you’ll find a rag-tag assortment of people spouting off from their soap boxes. Religious and political enthusiasts make the most noise, and the most contentious and spirited draw the biggest crowd. Liveliest on Sundays.

Tube Station: Marble Arch on Central Line

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