The Monday to Friday shift nine to five can sometimes feel a tad mundane so what better way to recharge the batteries than a weekend break. A little relaxation and adventure doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg and you can find great deals on everything from city sight-seeing trips to camping holidays to bus tours and everything in between. When planning a budget weekend break, a little creativity and some foresight can go a long way. Here are a few suggestions on how to spend a weekend away without breaking the bank.
Camping on England’s south coast
If it’s adventure you’re after then what better way to appreciate England’s beautiful south coast than to go camping. With its rugged coastlines, fantastic beaches and an array of picturesque towns and villages there really is nowhere more stunning. There are a number of websites that give advice on camping and caravan sites in the area as well as information on activities and things to see and do. The region is well served with Flybe doing domestic and international flights to and from Southampton airport which is well placed in the heart of the region.
City sight-seeing trips
Staying in cities isn’t renowned for being cheap - however there are bargains to be had if you keep your eyes peeled for deals on hotels. Information is obviously the key when it comes to staying in a city and it really pays to do your research. Once you have decided on a particular city destination it’s time to start planning. Search online for all the best places to eat at reasonable prices and check out a list of things that you can see and do without having to spend over the top. Most cities have a variety of museums and galleries that you can visit for free, numerous tourism boards provide online itineraries for self-guided tours and an increasing number of cities including Vienna, Copenhagen, Brussels and Dublin offer the lend of bikes for free.
House swap
This is a great way to save on hotel and accommodation costs; simply arrange a straight swap with another home owner. Maybe you live in the city and fancy a weekend near the beach, or vice versa. House swaps can also be arranged with overseas residents and your only real expense will be getting there. It even gives you the option of preparing your own meals.
Photo by Paul Willis via Flickr CC
London is a city which is packed full of things to do. Visitors to the city are often keen to travel from one end of the city limits to the other in search of things with which to fill their time but the truth is that travelling such distances really isn't necessary.
There's a lot of fun to be had in every single part of the capital city.
Greenwich is one of the most interesting parts of London and certainly has no shortage of things to do. Here, we take a look at five things you must do while in the area.
1. The park
Greenwich Royal Park is worth a visit wherever you are in London but for those looking for something to do in the Greenwich area it should be right at the top of your list.
Not only is it a beautiful environment in itself, it also offers some spectacular views over the city. For this reason, it's worth saving a trip to the park for a clear day. A beautiful summer's day can be spent with a picnic on the grass with absolutely no regrets.
2. The market
Historically, Greenwich is no stranger to markets. Today, it is still possible to visit the market site which has been operating since the early part of the 19th century.
There are a number of well known markets around London but Greenwich really is among the best.
3. Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship which does a great job of illustrating some of the country's history. Visitors to Greenwich are unlikely to miss the ship which is now on display in the area.
A new glass surround might not please the eye but it does make it possible to stand underneath the ship, making for a quite an experience. Choosing hotels in Greenwich London close to this site is highly recommended.
4. National Maritime Museum
If there's one thing Greenwich is famous for it's the time zone. But if there are two, then the second would undoubtedly be its maritime history.
As well as the famous Cutty Sark, visitors interested in the history can visit the sizeable National Maritime Museum.
5. Emirates Air Line
The Emirates Air Line is a cable car which takes people across the Thames. In addition, you can learn a thing or two about aviation from the station which includes the chance to use a flight simulator.
There's a lot of fun to be had in every single part of the capital city.
Greenwich is one of the most interesting parts of London and certainly has no shortage of things to do. Here, we take a look at five things you must do while in the area.
1. The park
Greenwich Royal Park is worth a visit wherever you are in London but for those looking for something to do in the Greenwich area it should be right at the top of your list.
Not only is it a beautiful environment in itself, it also offers some spectacular views over the city. For this reason, it's worth saving a trip to the park for a clear day. A beautiful summer's day can be spent with a picnic on the grass with absolutely no regrets.
2. The market
Historically, Greenwich is no stranger to markets. Today, it is still possible to visit the market site which has been operating since the early part of the 19th century.
There are a number of well known markets around London but Greenwich really is among the best.
3. Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is a clipper ship which does a great job of illustrating some of the country's history. Visitors to Greenwich are unlikely to miss the ship which is now on display in the area.
A new glass surround might not please the eye but it does make it possible to stand underneath the ship, making for a quite an experience. Choosing hotels in Greenwich London close to this site is highly recommended.
4. National Maritime Museum
If there's one thing Greenwich is famous for it's the time zone. But if there are two, then the second would undoubtedly be its maritime history.
As well as the famous Cutty Sark, visitors interested in the history can visit the sizeable National Maritime Museum.
5. Emirates Air Line
The Emirates Air Line is a cable car which takes people across the Thames. In addition, you can learn a thing or two about aviation from the station which includes the chance to use a flight simulator.
Dining out in London will not break the bank for you, only if you know where to go. The capital city is full of cheap eats, offering meals exclusively for less than £10-£15. For tourists who are on a budget, here are some famous eateries serving meal at affordable prices. The city serves variety of cuisines and you can satisfy all your taste buds here at mrandmrsfood.co.uk.
Only thing you need to consider is booking a stay in London near to these cheap eats. An accommodation in the right area will always keep you happy under budget.
From fast food to burritos, and burgers, these cheap eats serve you the best across the world:
Meat Liquor
For best burgers in London, head straight to Meat Liquor. Opened in 2012, this restaurant serves you delicious American style burgers for less than £8. It is one of the coolest eating joints in the city, offering graffiti décor and hippy vibes. The delicious meaty burgers on Welbeck Street include patty with 1005 beef, topped with cheese, red onions, pickles, chillies, and dead hippie sauce. Other amazing items on the menu are sweet and spicy Buffalo wings, chilli dogs, coleslaw, and fried pickles.
Koya
Hottest noodle bar in Central London, Koya serves you just the right taste from Japan. Enjoy some fashionable food like Udon noodles and flavoured soups. Chewy, thick white noodles, Udon are made using wheat flour imported from Japan. They are served both hot and cold, with hot soup and cold sauce. You can even try their rich variety of rice dishes along with impressive salads and sides.
Franco Manca
A simple and chic restaurant in Brixton, Franco Manca serves high quality Italian food on budget. The menu here is basic, but it is perfectly executed for travellers. You get a wide range of Italian pizzas, salads, and beers, all under £10. Ingredients are sourced within Britain, but the cooking is authentic Italian style. For pizzas, they use slow-rising sourdough, and bake them in a brick oven onsite. Extra pizza toppings are available from £0.50 TO £1.95.
Sagar
For all vegetarian travellers and one who love Indian food, Sagar is the place to be. Centrally located in Covent Garden, Sagar is a mini chain for yummy South Indian vegetarian cuisine. Their vegetarian menu is vast, with famous 30cm masala paper. If you are hot on taste and love spices, then this one is a must try. Dosas like Rava Masala, Mysore Masala, and Paper Masala are hot favourites among Indian travellers to London. Best of all they come for just less than £9.
The Begging Bowl
It is a colourful Thai restaurant, which offers unusual, imaginative and yet tasty twists to your meal. Located in Peckham, The Begging Bowl is a real modern and sociable place to eat. The Begging Bowl brings Thai street food to the restaurant, including some unusual grills, stir-fries, salads, and curries. For cooking these, they use authentic Thai ingredients, such as long beans and pea aubergines. They also have high chairs, baby changing facilities, and special children’s menu for family travellers.
Piebury Corner
Piebury Corner on Holloway Road, London is more than just a pie ‘n’ mash shop. Food here costs a little less than £5-£6, satisfying all frugal travellers to London. Its location near Arsenal football ground makes it a hotspot among people coming here to cheer for their football team. All their pies are named after favourite football players. Interesting right! And, all are served with a choice of gravy, roasties, and mash.
Roti Chai
It is a famous Indian street kitchen and dining room, offering Indian dishes at economical prices. The extended menu at Roti Chai includes street food snacks, homely staples, and light curries. A modern street themed interiors and location near Marble Arch tube station makes it ideal for a lovely shopping break. The street kitchen on the ground floor offers tasty dishes, such as samosas, chicken lollipops, Hakka chilli paneer, and papri chaat. Dining room in the basement is newly opened to serve butter chicken, paneer pasanda, Chettinad chicken, chicken 65, and much more.
These cheap eateries in London welcome all types of travellers. But, if you are on a budget, then do try any of these for less than £10.
Author’s Bio: Arun Shankar is a genuine foodie and travel junkie, who enjoys his job as a travel writer. Get best hotel deals on this site to enjoy a comfortable stay in London.
Recent research from TripAdvisor showed that London is the seventh most expensive city in the world for tourists, but that doesn’t mean that visiting on a shoestring isn’t possible. By planning carefully in advance, travellers can ensure that their trip runs smoothly and stays on budget.
It can be easy to spend more than intended upon arrival if you are not well-prepared – it’s tempting to go into the nearest restaurant when your stomach is rumbling only to discover extremely expensive items on the menu, for example, while paying for theatre tickets at the last minute can be just as costly.
By creating a schedule beforehand and paying for your travel needs in advance, you can use your time more efficiently so that you get the most out of your holiday. This also limits the amount of cash you need while there, reducing the risk of overspending.
Restaurants
Eating out can take a big chunk out of your finances, so it’s a good idea to carefully plan where you want to go and determine what is affordable. It’s a good idea to check out early-bird, mid-week or set menus and time your visit accordingly in order to save cash.
If you require more flexibility, you should consider the Hospitality Line ‘dine as you please’ cheque scheme. This provides you with vouchers to redeem for meal and drink combinations at a variety of prestigious and well-located restaurants - they cover a range of cuisines to suit your mood.
Attractions
Buy tickets for attractions in advance and you might be able to save money and miss the queues. Look on the associated websites or purchase easy-to-redeem vouchers from specialist providers like Hospitality Line – the London Eye, the Shard and Madam Tussauds are just some of the must-visits across the English capital.
Transport
The sights of London span a huge area, so you would probably find yourself shelling out for bus, Tube and black cab rides if you arrived unprepared. However, there are a number of different ways to cut the cost of travelling around the English capital.
Carefully plan your schedule so that you visit nearby attractions and restaurants on the same day and you should be able to get around London by foot. Mark everything on a map so you can create the most efficient routes while taking in everything you want to see.
You can also buy Travelcards, which allow you to take as many trips as you like on the Tube or bus systems. This is a great option if you’re looking to pack in a lot of attractions in a short space of time – make sure you only pay for the zone and timescale you require in order to save even more money.
Photo by Duncan Harris via Flickr Creative Commons
For premium accommodations during your visit to London, consider making reservations to stay at the Crown Plaza London Heathrow. Just one of more than 370 hotels representing the Crown Plaza brand, you can expect the kind of elegance and style that is synonymous with comfort and quality. Add in some great services designed to make you feel most welcomed and right at home along with some friendly customer service and you will be glad you made the choice to choose the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow.
Located just 2 miles from the airport and only a 20-minute drive from central London, you would be ideally situated to go anywhere including Wembley Arena, Twickenham Stadium and Westfield Shopping Centre, just to name a few nearby venues and attractions.
The Hotel at a Glance
There are 465 rooms at the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow of which you can choose a Standard, Club, Family or Accessible room or a Suite. All rooms are equipped with High Definition LCD TVs with a wide range of HD channels and Wi-Fi connection, along with other amenities such as minibar, laptop safes, and even fluffy bathrobes for the Club room package. Upgrade to a Club room or suite and enjoy other extras like complimentary snacks, access to the Club Lounge and more.
Choose from a wide selection of delicious dishes at Orwell’s Brasserie serving modern British dishes with their own fusion of international flavours, for breakfast, lunch or supper. Kids eat for free from selections off the children’s menu. For adults looking for a more casual dining experience, opt for Dr. O’Driscoll’s Irish Bar at the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow. Here you will find some pub favourite dishes and can enjoy a pint of your choice of beer. For a great cocktail, choose Orwell’s Bar and nibble on bites chosen from the deli style menu.
Park, Stay and Go
For those leaving London for a family vacation or just rushing out of town for a business trip, book an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow and save yourself the hassle of rushing to the airport the day of your flight. Choose a Park, Stay and Go package allowing you 4, 8 or 15 days parking in the designated parking area and depart on your trip without a worry in mind, knowing that your car is conveniently stored and ready for you upon your return. No need to fuss catching a taxi when you get back, when you can just catch a short ride back to the hotel and load the family or all your business documents in your own ride and head home at your own leisurely pace.
The Park, Stay and Go option is not just about parking convenience. It’s also about you and your family. For the duration of your stay you have access to the hotel’s facilities too, including the state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, spa, gym and even 9-hole golf course, in case you want to get a little fun in before your trip. Whether you are heading out on a vacation or a business trip, the planning can be quite stressful already so enjoying a short care-free stay at the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow will help you set a positive, relaxed mood before you jet-set off.
If you travel often on business, look into becoming a member of the park, Stay and Go Club. It’s free to join and the more often you stay, the better the deals you will get.
Comfort, quality, satisfaction, relaxation and savings – it’s what you can expect from the Crowne Plaza London Heathrow.
Many of us find ourselves somewhat strapped for cash these days, but the good news is that there’s so much to see and do on our own patch that there’s simply no need to go to the far side of the world looking for interest and excitement. People come from across the globe to see this sceptred isle, and here we have it all on the doorstep.
Wales is a case in point, a unique part of the UK with its own long history and traditions – yet easy to get to and, with its beautiful mellow countryside and excellent range of outdoor activities, great for family breaks. And if you’re after cheap city breaks in the UK, you’ll find that many Welsh towns are on the coast, and boast numerous lovely but affordable guest houses - letting you have (sorry) a whale of a time even if you’re on a relatively tight budget.
In southwest Wales, Gower is perfect for a budget break by the seaside. Apart from the great sandy beaches here there are attractions like the wreck of the Helvetia, washed up on the sands of Rhossili Bay, and you get great views across the surrounding land and seascapes from nearby Three Cliffs Bay. There are lots of rock pools exposed when the tide goes out to hunt down crabs, crayfish and other sea life, and there’s a great range of affordable accommodation in the immediate area.
In Swansea you’ll find loads of things to do, including a visit to Wales’s oldest museum, which houses - amongst other fascinating exhibits - an Egyptian mummy, and the National Waterfront Museum is just along the road, with exhibits on local industrial and maritime history. Both museums are free and have pleasant cafes for a light lunch. All around Swansea Bay you’ll find a wealth of historical attractions and entertainments. Shipwrecks, standing stones and medieval castles are the norm, and the Prom along the beachfront is great for a bracing walk in all weathers.
In Cardiff, the castle is one of the biggest attractions but also if you come here in July or August you’ll be able to catch numerous free events that are put on as part of the fabulous Cardiff Festival, which is centred on Cardiff Bay.
Camping is a big attraction for families, groups and couples, and there are many excellent campsites right across Wales, in mountainside, coastal and woodland settings. A few nights under canvas with modern facilities close to hand - but with an aura of pioneering excitement - is just the thing for adding an element of fun and adventure to any holiday. Trawsdir Barmouth and Graig Wen St in Snowdonia National Park, St David’s Park in Red Wharf Bay and Forest Fields in Builth Wells are just a few of the recommended ones, but there are plenty of others.
Wales is particularly good on the child-friendly attractions front, with the Welsh Wildlife Centre in Cilgerran and family activities along the Barmouth Quay especially popular. With great mountain-biking along the established trails at Coed Y Brenin, and collecting shells along the fabulous beaches of Shell Island in Cardigan Bay on offer, along with numerous other thrills and spills, you have all the makings of a really super getaway in wonderful Wales.
About the Author: David Elliott is a freelance writer who loves to travel, especially in Europe and Turkey. He’s spent most of his adult life in a state of restless excitement but recently decided to settle in North London. He gets away whenever he can to immerse himself in foreign cultures and lap up the history of great cities.
Photos via Flick Creative Commons
Blackpool was the first municipality in the world to have electric street lights. It was around 1879 when large part of the promenade was wired. By then Blackpool was already fashionable as people enjoyed coming to the city to spend time by the sea, enjoy the beaches, the calming water and plenty of great accommodation alternatives. Today Blackpool is one of the most important location to visit in UK.
Blackpool Tower
The Blackpool Tower is the main attraction of Blackpool since its opening to the public in 1894. As other towers in the world, this is also inspired by the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris and it has an impressive height of 158 meters. Visiting the tower is a unique experience, as before the elevator guests get to watch a 4-D movie about Blackpool. From there passing through a room filled with memorabilia and old newspapers you finally get to the top, to what is now known as the famous Tower Eye. Two levels are accessible to the public: fist level with a glass wall for panoramic views over Blackpool and the sea; and the second level for those who want to feel the wind from up high. But what I personally like here is the Tower Ballroom. It dates from the end of the 19th century and it's a jewel to be admired and enjoyed. These days the Empress orchestra and the smaller Empress Dance Band perform on regular basis for all music lovers.
Blackpool Zoo
The Blackpool Zoo is the home of 1500 animals from all over the world: Asian elephants, gorillas, lemurs, giraffe etc. The pride of the zoo are the African lions and the Siberian tiger. There is even a Sea Lion Pool with Californian Sea Lions, and next to them the penguins that are so adorable. Interesting is also the fact that the Blackpool Zoo houses a Dinosaur Safari. It's a walk through area with over thirty life-size dinos, including the king - the T-Rex. What I love most in the Blackpool Zoo is the Miniature Railway. I have been always found of trains, and this found is a hidden gem in an totally unexpected place - a zoo. Very nice and a must to try out, even if you have to pay a bit extra on top of the zoo's entrance fee.
Blackpool Illuminations
I mentioned earlier that Blackpool is proud to be the first municipality in the world to have electric street lights.. So of course if you make to effort to get to Blackpool you have to experience the city by night, to get to see the Golden Mile. I am talking in fact about 7 miles of promenade between the North and the South piers of the city. You can find here everything from fortune tellers to fish bars, but the name comes from the abundance of slot machines that you could find all around this promenade. What I like about this part of Blackpool is the fact that here you can find the official Doctor Who exhibition.
Excellent spots to take a walk, grab a bite, or enjoy music and theater with a view.
French philosopher Michel de Certeau wrote beautifully about the eerie power of standing above a city and gazing down at it from a great height in his seminal essay ‘Walking in the City’.
In it, Certeau begins atop the Empire State Building and notices how this position is one of great privilege: to see the city from above, not from the streets: to be exclusive and above the normal urban project. A view from above is for the big spenders, the rich; a view from the streets is for the citizen, the local.
Yet does this tale of New York apply elsewhere? Catching a glimpse of London from above can be an equally rare pleasure – but there are more opportunities to do so than one might initially think.
Many central London hotels have some excellent views around the city’s busiest buildings – we recommend the cluster of hotels around Hyde Park and the Park Plaza complexes around Westminster Bridge, Waterloo and the South Bank. We’ve picked out some of the best places to get a great view of London on foot – and up high with a bite to eat.
Big spenders and high flyers: dining with a view
Whilst dining at some of London’s high restaurants can be pricey, there are some excellent spots which have lovely bars too and are in fact much better for popping up around 6.30-7pm to catch the autumn sunset and have an aperitif.
Bang central is Paramount at Centre Point, a very ugly building on Tottenham Court Road, whose top floor boasts this lovely bar and stunning views around the whole city. There’s also a restaurant run by Searcy’s atop the National Portrait Gallery just off Trafalgar Square; from a table here you’ll see all the delights of old central London, from the National Gallery and Houses of Parliament to the new London Eye.
East
In the east, the Gherkin also had a panoramic bar/restaurant run by Searcy’s, giving great views from east to west, and further east and south towards Canary Wharf. The sense of eerie exclusivity will really come to the fore in this area.
Southbank
The classic choice is to go up the Oxo Tower on the Southbank, offering stunning views across the St Paul’s, as well as all along the river.
Walks with spectacular vistas
My personal favourite is to walk the city; this is a wonderful thing to do on a clear day, especially a week day if you are on holiday and can take the time off. Top tips are mostly in the north, allowing you to bow down over the rest of the city; furthest north is the towering Victorian delight of Alexandra Palace – itself an amazing structure which offers stunning views across the whole expanse of the capital. A little closer in, you’ll want to wander up Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath (a great spot for any kind of long lazy walk in London). Best for sunsets and late at night is Primrose Hill as the day winds down, overlooking the Regent’s Canal, Camden and the glittering lights of the city.
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