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The sun’s out, the days are long and London is bursting with festivals, performances and more! Our top picks cost less than you might think…
This summer, we’re teaming up with Transport for London to help you do more of what you love. We’ve hand-picked six exciting things to do that are all free, or cost less than a tenner, that are all close to TfL stations. From free fun for all the family in Hackney Wick to pocket-friendly pedalo riders in Crystal Palace, #LetsDoLondon this summer.
The Underbelly has been entertaining the capital since 2009 and returns with a brilliant line-up of acrobatics, comedy and family-friendly shows this summer. Check out Fringe previews before they head up to Edinburgh, jaw-dropping circus acts and a performance from a brilliant panto dame in ‘Mama G’s Story Time Roadshow’.
West Brompton. Oxford Circus. Free entry, some events ticketed.
It might be 2022, but the UK has only just got its first LGBTQ+ museum. Located in a new exhibition space in Granary Square, Queer Britain celebrates ‘the stories, people and places that are intrinsic to the queer community in the UK and beyond’. With a full plan of exhibitions in the works, the space is a vital and welcome addition to the capital’s rich collection of museums.
King’s Cross St Pancras. Free entry.
All Points East takes over Victoria Park for two weekends at the end of August, but you don’t need a ticket to enjoy everything that the festival has to offer. In between APE’s back-to-back weekenders, the site is transformed into a community space complete with film screenings, kids events and free activities. Swing by and see what surprises there are in store.
Hackney Wick Overground. Free.
Between the Bridges is a riot of fun that takes over the South Bank all summer long. The riverside pop-up space has a stacked schedule of DJs and drag events, but the highlight has to be Guilty Pleasures. The UK’s biggest and best pop night takes over the decks every Saturday night and packs in more cheese than a well-stocked fromagerie.
Waterloo. Free entry.
To stand, or not to stand: that is the question at Shakespeare’s Globe, where tickets for its summer season can be snapped up for just £5. With ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, ‘Julius Caesar’ and ‘The Tempest’ being performed this summer though, a fiver and some tired legs might be worth it for an authentic outdoor experience in the yard of the Bard.
London Bridge. From £5.
Pedalos aren’t limited to summer holidays in the Med, as Crystal Palace Park proves. This lush space is brimming with wholesome vibes and has a number of the paddle boats available to hire on its boating lake, allowing visitors to take to the water without leaving the city.
Crystal Palace Overground. £5.
Thanks to Transport for London’s off-peak fares, you can get even better value as you travel across London. Off-peak fares apply every weekday between 9.30am and 3.59pm, and after 7pm. They also apply all day at weekends and on public holidays. Always touch in and out with the same card or device to pay the right fare.
Travel into Zone 1 for £2.60
Fare shown is for an adult off-peak pay as you go journey from Zone 2 into Zone 1 on Tube and DLR.
To plan your journey, visit TfL’s journey planner or download the real-time travel app, TfL Go, to find the quieter times to travel. It’s available on iOS or Android.
Wherever you’re going, by choosing public transport you’re making a good choice for you and a more sustainable choice for London.
