London

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Prepare for bruises at the rollerderby (© Rogan McDonald)

Rollerderby Ruckus
London Rollergirls There's now a league in the capital and training takes place every week in the East End. Teams are themed – punks, pirates, war brides – and each girl picks a skate name, such as Bambi Manslaughter or Calamity Pain. Two teams of five race around the track in a tight group trying to stop the opposition’s ‘jammer’, overtaking and scoring a point per enemy passed. You stop the jammer with pretty much any move that isn’t a trip or punch to the face. Ultimately, it shouldn’t be hard to convince guys to watch short-skirted girls on skates beat the crap out of each other – it’s the most exciting sport on wheels.
Mulberry Leisure Centre, Commercial Rd, E1 (www.londonrollergirls.com). Aldgate East tube. Sat 3.45pm-6pm. First practice free, then £5. Feature continues

Cheap seats
The Roundhouse Lots of shows to choose from. Standing tickets start at £5.
Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 (0844 482 8008/www.roundhouse.org.uk). Chalk Farm tube.

Lose your paddle
Up the Creek comedy club Sunday Special Although the legendary Malcolm Hardee is brown bread, his famous club is still one of the best comedy testing grounds around. For a more laid-back vibe check out its blissful £5 shows on selected Sunday nights.
Up The Creek, 302 Creek Road, Greenwich, SE10 (020 8858 4581/www.up-the-creek.com). Cutty Sark DLR or Greenwich DLR/rail.

See the world
Films for a fiver Download your Time Out voucher and see BFI Southbank screenings for just £5.
BFI Southbank, Belvedere Road, SE1 (020 7633 0274/www.bfi.org.uk). Waterloo tube/rail.

Go straight to jail
Judging by the Clink Prison Museum, porridge was even less fun in the Middle Ages than it is now: at least Her Majesty’s current guests don’t have to sell their clothes for food. You can get behind bars for a fiver (£3.50 concs).
Clink Prison Museum, Clink St, Southwark, SE1 (020 7403 0900/www.clink.co.uk). London Bridge tube/rail.

Peek at a royal pad
Kew Palace This mansion was bought by King George III for his queen, Charlotte (and not a room too big, with their 15 children). Between royal and maternal duties, Charlotte somehow studied botany and helped Kew Gardens. Step inside for £5 (£2.50 kids).
Kew Palace, Royal Botanical Gardens, Richmond, Surrey (020 8332 5648/www.hrp.org.uk/kewpalace). Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail.

Big up your barnet
Haircut If you’re brave or have killer cheekbones – or both – model for trainee Toni & Guy hairdressers (they are all overseen by a professional) for just a fiver.
Toni & Guy, 71-75 New Oxford Street, WC1 (020 7836 0606/www.toniguy.com). Tottenham Court Rd tube.

Witness a tragedy
Shakespeare’s Globe theatre 'Groundlings’ (poorer audience members) tickets start at £5. In good weather this outdoor theatre is a great place to watch the Bard at work.
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 (020 7902 1400/www.shakespeares-globe.org). London Bridge/Blackfriars tube/rail. Runs Apr-Oct.

Peruse the paintings
Foundling Museum London’s first public art gallery, complete with works by Hogarth and Handel, was set up to raise money for the Foundling Hospital. Entry £5, concs £4.
Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1 (020 7841 3600/www.foundlingmuseum. org.uk). Russell Square tube.

Go to the dogs
Wimbledon Stadium Greyhound racing is going to the dogs, sadly, but at Wimbledon entrance is £5 and you can bet as little as 50p.
Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane, Wimbledon, SW17 (0870 840 8905/www.lovethedogs.co.uk). Wimbledon park tube.

Cinema as it used to be
Prince Charles Cinema Go back to the days when most cinemas varied their programmes – and charged less. Take in a relaxing weekend matinee for £4, or an incredible £1.50 if you’re already a member.
Prince Charles Cinema, 7 Leicester Place, WC2 (020 7222 1234/www.princecharlescinema.com). Leicester Square tube.

Cum on, feel the Noize
Smash and Grab with Queens of Noize A weekly club where live music alternates with upbeat pop and rock on the decks. £5 on the door.
Punk, 14 Soho St, W1 (020 7734 4004/www.punksoho.co.uk). Tottenham Court Rd tube.

Show your metal
Pitch and putt This simplified version of golf is fun if the sun comes out and much cheaper than the full 18 holes (£3.90 for nine).
Palewell Pitch and Putt golf course, 7 Palewell Park, Richmond SW14 (020 8876 3357). Mortlake rail.

Row your boat!
Pedalos Hire a pedalo on the Serpentine lake and drink in the view while you feign exercise. Half an hour costs £5, or get an hour for £7.
Hyde Park, W1. Hyde Park Corner or Marble Arch tube.

Get blown away
The Windmill A great live music venue in Brixton. Entry on the door is usually a fiver, but you can save £1 by booking in advance.
The Windmill, 22 Blenheim Gardens, SW2 (020 8671 0700/www.windmillbrixton.co.uk). Brixton tube/rail.

Viva Verdi!
Royal Opera House Standing room starts from £4, or get £7 restricted-view seats.
Royal Opera House, Bow St WC2 (020 7304 4000/www.royalopera.org). Covent Garden tube.

Girl(ish) on parade
Circus Pick up a flyer in the West End to ensure £5 entry to drag queen Jodie Harsh’s night.
Soho Revue Bar, 11 Walkers Court, W1 (020 7734 0377). Oxford Circus tube.

Go Chinese
Cha Cha Moon Alan Yau's Chinese canteen is selling noodle dishes cheap as, well, chips (all dishes £3.50), for an unspecified period.
Cha Cha Moon, 15-21 Ganton St, W1 (020 7297 9800). Oxford Circus tube.

Rave on the river
Boat-Ting New music and poetry on a boat for just £6 (£4 concs).
Yacht Club, Victoria Embankment, WC2 (020 7836 1566). Temple tube.

Free! | under £3 | under £5 | under £7 | under £10