Budget Sightseeing in London

With the value of the dollar dropping, that trip to Europe might seem like a stretch, especially in the UK, where the pound is worth nearly double the dollar. But before cancelling your vacation plans, remember that travel doesn't have to be expensive ... if you're smart about spending.

Sure, you've got to buy a plane ticket (hopefully with frequent flyer miles) and cover the costs of budget accommodations, picnics, and pub fare. After that, the trick is two-fold: don't spend on convenience (you're here for adventure, anyway) and focus on the free or inexpensive sights. Do it right, and you'll be surprised how much you save by forgoing the spendy tourist traps, taking advantage of free activities, and going the extra mile for good deals.

When it comes to sightseeing in London, here's one simple tip: walk. The city's layout is pedestrian-friendly, and walking's the cheapest, easiest way to explore neighborhoods and spot many of the landmarks. Gaze at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament towering over the Thames, and admire the marvelous façade of neighboring Westminster Abbey. Explore the picturesque shops and cafes in Convent Garden, and check out the photo-op that is Piccadilly Circus. If your feet get tired or you need a lift to the other side of the city, the Tube is the most expedient form of public transportation. One-way fare is £4, so if you plan on frequent rides, invest in a visitor Oyster card, 1- or 3-day travelcard.

Among London's attractions, its museums are generally the best value. They contain world-class exhibits, and many of them are free. A must-see, the British Museum features artifacts from around the globe in over 80 galleries. Its awesome Egyptian department houses the famous Rosetta Stone and a fascinating collection of gilded mummy masks. Other notables include a set of carvings from the Parthenon known as the Elgin Marbles and the Sutton Hoo Ship Burial, an Anglo-Saxon find that dates from the 7th century. In the same neighborhood, the British Library, a contemporary brick structure completed in 1997, contains manuscripts and original texts of some the most famous documents in the English language, such as the Magna Carta, Canterbury Tales, Lindisfarne Gospels, and the Gutenburg Bible.

Located at the National Gallery, paintings like Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Monet's Water-Lilies may be worth millions, but they don't cost a thing to see. There are 2300 works in the museum, including pieces by da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Turner, Renoir and Degas. Other great (free) art museums include Tate Britain and Tate Modern.

Many of the popular sites require a hefty admission fee, but churches and cathedrals are generally more accessible. Showcasing some the city's finest architecture, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's Cathedral cost £10 to tour, but daily evensong services, led by their magnificent, internationally-known choirs, are free. St-Martin-in-the-Fields, a historic church at Trafalgar Square, offers free admission and complimentary classical concerts several days a week. Weekly guided tours allow visitors to see the crypt, vaults, and the Royal Box and learn about the history of this congregation, founded around the early 13th century.

The London theater scene is another area where you have to be pennywise, and many theaters offer deals for those willing to wait in line to buy unsold tickets on the cheap. Budget entertainment's far from a new concept in the London, and in Shakespeare's day, theaters were designed with standing room in front of the stage for "groundlings" who paid a mere penny to see the show. Today you can still go to the Globe Theatre and watch a play on your feet for only £5.

However, if you wish to pursue the trappings of the monarchy, the changing of the guard ceremony is held outside of Buckingham Palace several days a week and there's no charge to attend. The ceremony lasts 40 minutes and features a marching band uniformed in red coats and bearskin hats. Afterwards, check out St James Park. Adjacent to the palace this lovely 58-acre park surrounds a lake and provides a delightful retreat where visitors may stroll, watch the ducks, and enjoy splendid views of the royal residence. From here, you may also pick up the seven-mile trail known as the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, which leads visitors through several enchanting royal parks, by Kensington Palace and Spencer House, a mansion formerly owned by the princess's family. In the face of such beauty and grandeur, this certainly doesn't feel like budget travel!