Candace's Guide to the UK: Part I
Okay. So this whole studying abroad thing, coupled with the whole I've-actually-spent-a-decent-bit-of-time-in-the-UK-and-Italy thing, has started resulting in some fun conversations in which I throw multiple recommendations out into the air for things that people should do when they visit. I figured (mostly for Natalie's sake) that I would finally write these down in some concrete way. I might occasionally make posts like this about the UK and Italy, partially in preparation for my own travels next year, and partially for the benefit of some of my friends who may desire to partake in my abundant knowledge. :)
So, in the next fifteen minutes before I force myself to begin constructive work on my paper that's due on Monday, I will enlighten you all with a list of cheap, fun things to do in London.
Most of these will be things that I myself have actually done. If they are not, I will say so, and tell you on whose authority I suggest that you do them!
Arts
The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is large, artsy, climate-controlled, and free! (You will have to pay extra to enter certain special exhibits, but the gallery itself is quite large and most of the well-known pieces housed there can be seen without buying exhibition tickets). It houses paintings from pretty much every period you could imagine up to but not including the modern era, and is open from 10am-6pm daily and until 9pm on Fridays. Also, it's located in Trafalgar Square, something you just need to see if you're in London. If you're not an art buff it's probably not worth an entire day, but it's a nice choice for wiling away some hours after lunch. TUBE: Leicester Square or Charing Cross
If you were disappointed that there's no modern art at the National Gallery, the Tate Modern contains a lot of modern and contemporary art. I personally didn't enjoy my visit there as much as I enjoyed going to the National Gallery, but I'm also not a modern art person. Like at the National Gallery, admission to the regular gallery works is free, with admission to specific exhibits costing you more. TUBE: Southwark or Mansion House
Culture
One of my favorite places in all of London is the British Museum. From its gorgeous central reading room to its glasswork-covered courtyard to its extensive exhibit halls, it's a place where I could honestly spend hours. The museum houses art and artifacts from practically any period you could imagine, with lots of seasonal exhibits in addition to the stuff that's always displayed in the gallery. My personal favorites are their collections from Egypt and Greece. This is the place where the real Rosetta Stone lives, people! And, like so many of these beautiful monuments of culture, it is also one hundred percent free for everyone. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, or Holborn
Although I have never been, I hear from multiple people, most recently my printing teacher, that if I am the bibliophile I say I am, I need to visit the British Library. It's not just a giant library with lots of books (although it is that, too): it has exhibits centered around some of its most famous collections, some of which are free, and the most expensive of which are only £5 for students. I don't know exactly what they have there but I plan on visiting when I'm in London next, so I will update you all! TUBE: King's Cross or St. Pancras
Theatre
The cheapest show you'll see in London is at Shakespeare's Globe. There are 700 £5 standing tickets for every performance, and standing offers the best view of the stage. If you can manage to stand for three hours (with a break for intermission), and if it doesn't end up raining when you're supposed to be seeing the show (the groundlings are not covered by a roof) this is the best deal there is. Although at least 60% of their season usually consists of Shakespeare plays, they don't just perform his works. If you're really interested in the theater, there is also an exhibition and tour that is pretty interesting. It normally costs £8.50, but you get £2 off with a valid ticket from one of the shows. TUBE: Southwark or Embankment
If you're looking for more modern/contemporary fare, the Royal National Theatre (usually referred to as just "The National Theatre" or "The National") selects some of their plays every season to be part of their Travelex £10 Season. All tickets for these plays are just £10. In addition, there are extra offers for students, including student standby (purchase any remaining tickets for £10 45 minutes before the show starts), day tickets (purchase unsold tickets the day of the show for £10), and even standing room tickets (very limited availability, but only £5!). TUBE: Southwark, Waterloo, Covent Garden or Embankment
This doesn't really fit my "less than £10" dictate, but if you're looking for cheap theater tickets, you should also check out the tkts booth in Leicester square for discounted day-of tickets to pretty much any kind of performance on the West End. There's no guarantee your beloved show will have available seats, but if you can find discounted tickets, it's completely worth it to see British theater. TUBE: Leicester Square
There is so much more that I could say about cheap but awesome stuff to do in London, but I told myself I'd only spend 15 minutes pulling this together and it's been an hour already. So I shall leave off here and return to my beloved London at a later date! Once I finish this, future topics include other cities in the UK worth visiting & what to do there, transportation in London, transportation within the UK in general, the things that you should spend money for, etc.
Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome!
So, in the next fifteen minutes before I force myself to begin constructive work on my paper that's due on Monday, I will enlighten you all with a list of cheap, fun things to do in London.
Most of these will be things that I myself have actually done. If they are not, I will say so, and tell you on whose authority I suggest that you do them!
Arts
The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is large, artsy, climate-controlled, and free! (You will have to pay extra to enter certain special exhibits, but the gallery itself is quite large and most of the well-known pieces housed there can be seen without buying exhibition tickets). It houses paintings from pretty much every period you could imagine up to but not including the modern era, and is open from 10am-6pm daily and until 9pm on Fridays. Also, it's located in Trafalgar Square, something you just need to see if you're in London. If you're not an art buff it's probably not worth an entire day, but it's a nice choice for wiling away some hours after lunch. TUBE: Leicester Square or Charing Cross
If you were disappointed that there's no modern art at the National Gallery, the Tate Modern contains a lot of modern and contemporary art. I personally didn't enjoy my visit there as much as I enjoyed going to the National Gallery, but I'm also not a modern art person. Like at the National Gallery, admission to the regular gallery works is free, with admission to specific exhibits costing you more. TUBE: Southwark or Mansion House
Culture
One of my favorite places in all of London is the British Museum. From its gorgeous central reading room to its glasswork-covered courtyard to its extensive exhibit halls, it's a place where I could honestly spend hours. The museum houses art and artifacts from practically any period you could imagine, with lots of seasonal exhibits in addition to the stuff that's always displayed in the gallery. My personal favorites are their collections from Egypt and Greece. This is the place where the real Rosetta Stone lives, people! And, like so many of these beautiful monuments of culture, it is also one hundred percent free for everyone. TUBE: Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square, or Holborn
Although I have never been, I hear from multiple people, most recently my printing teacher, that if I am the bibliophile I say I am, I need to visit the British Library. It's not just a giant library with lots of books (although it is that, too): it has exhibits centered around some of its most famous collections, some of which are free, and the most expensive of which are only £5 for students. I don't know exactly what they have there but I plan on visiting when I'm in London next, so I will update you all! TUBE: King's Cross or St. Pancras
Theatre
The cheapest show you'll see in London is at Shakespeare's Globe. There are 700 £5 standing tickets for every performance, and standing offers the best view of the stage. If you can manage to stand for three hours (with a break for intermission), and if it doesn't end up raining when you're supposed to be seeing the show (the groundlings are not covered by a roof) this is the best deal there is. Although at least 60% of their season usually consists of Shakespeare plays, they don't just perform his works. If you're really interested in the theater, there is also an exhibition and tour that is pretty interesting. It normally costs £8.50, but you get £2 off with a valid ticket from one of the shows. TUBE: Southwark or Embankment
If you're looking for more modern/contemporary fare, the Royal National Theatre (usually referred to as just "The National Theatre" or "The National") selects some of their plays every season to be part of their Travelex £10 Season. All tickets for these plays are just £10. In addition, there are extra offers for students, including student standby (purchase any remaining tickets for £10 45 minutes before the show starts), day tickets (purchase unsold tickets the day of the show for £10), and even standing room tickets (very limited availability, but only £5!). TUBE: Southwark, Waterloo, Covent Garden or Embankment
This doesn't really fit my "less than £10" dictate, but if you're looking for cheap theater tickets, you should also check out the tkts booth in Leicester square for discounted day-of tickets to pretty much any kind of performance on the West End. There's no guarantee your beloved show will have available seats, but if you can find discounted tickets, it's completely worth it to see British theater. TUBE: Leicester Square
There is so much more that I could say about cheap but awesome stuff to do in London, but I told myself I'd only spend 15 minutes pulling this together and it's been an hour already. So I shall leave off here and return to my beloved London at a later date! Once I finish this, future topics include other cities in the UK worth visiting & what to do there, transportation in London, transportation within the UK in general, the things that you should spend money for, etc.
Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome!