London On The Cheap

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 192 months ago
London On The Cheap
guinness_hat.jpg

Hooray for 4 day weeks! And hooray for many seasonal celebrations. If only it would stop raining we'd be radiant with joy. This week we definitely can't afford to see the glorious New York City Ballet at the Coliseum (up to £95 a ticket!) so we made do with the reviews. Neither can we cover the costs of a bank holiday break away from the city but, hell - why would we want to get away when there's so much to do here for not very much dosh?

Monday: Today is officially, St Patrick's Day but all the free fiddle de diddle de dee stuff happened yesterday in Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden. However, a good free game to play around town today is either count and/or dodge the big, furry Guinness hats and the persons wearing them. Alternatively, you could head to the last After School Club (but watch out, most of Londonist will be there) for a measly five comedy pounds.

Tuesday: One a serious note the Dana Centre is hosting a free, public event about Future London tonight from 7pm. With a focus on sustainability and democracy there will be speakers and a Question Time style panel debate, chaired by Chris Patten and featuring mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick alongside other London experts. Email the Dana Centre to reserve your place. Alternatively, go find a Persian bonfire party and leap over the flames.

Wednesday: Free drinks! Yes, that day has finally arrived. It's the Market Place's birthday and to celebrate they're giving away booze. We suspect it will be somewhat rationed however as you have to download vouchers from here. Whether or not they actually have 'revolutionised' West End drinking culture with their bar just off Oxford Circus it would be silly to miss out on their anniversarial generosity. Thursday: There are many free TV and radio recordings you could get to tonight: The Friday Night Project (terrible post-pub tellyshow), The Friday Night Club (new sitcom), The Now Show (topical radio funnies with Punt and Dennis), Golden Balls (Jasper Carrot sport gameshow), I'd Do Anything (Oliver cast recruitment), Coming of Age (new sitcom for and by teenagers), It's Not What You Know (Chris Tarrant idiot quiz), Harry Hill's TV Burp (oh dear), The Nokia Green Room (new music show) and Clive Anderson's Chat Room (does what it says on the tin). Good Friday: Hopefully, you don't have to go to work today. Instead, you could engage in some art and self-improvement at the Centre for Improved Living at the Hayward Gallery. We told you about Marc Horowitz back in January. Tonight, the 'Centre' will be open till 10pm with Horowitz in residence, inspired by public access TV - described on his blog as "art world Wayne's World". Go on Sunday to get involved in a talk show taping or seek out some 1 on 1 life coaching from this American maverick. Easter Weekend:Since London's population will undoubtedly be reduced over this long, Spring weekend it's an ideal opportunity to go to all those popular museums and galleries that you normally wouldn't touch with a well sharpened barge pole on a normal weekend. The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, The V&A, both Tates, The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The British Museum, Imperial War Museum and the Museum of London are all free admittance and we bet there's some you've never been to or haven't been to since that school trip in the 80s when you lost your Dairylea triangle but brought a pencil sharpener in the shape of a dinosaur at the NHM gift shop. Make the most of bank holiday weekend, out and about in town. Or, you could stay in and hoover up the dust bunnies. Happy St Paddy's Day/Persian New Year/Easter/Bank Holiday weekend (delete as applicable).

Look! There's one. Guinness hat image courtesy of Annie Mole's Flickrstream.

Check out London is Free for more ideas of things to do for nowt. Check the websites for more information.

Last Updated 16 March 2008