Love London as we do, we know that some of this city's tourist "attractions" don't exactly represent value for money. According to a survey by the Sunday Telegraph, London's fee-paying attractions are among the most expensive in the world.
The newspaper compared the cost of visiting nine popular attractions in London and ten other cities across the world, and found that a sight-seeing trip here would trouble the family wallet by the sum of £549.30, compared to £376 or a mere £216 in Dublin. Citing the inexplicably popular Madam Tussauds as an example, the Telegraph discovered that our globe-hopping family would need to cross the waxy-palmed staff with the sum of £85, whereas in Hong Kong a mere £27 would grant entry.
So, London is expensive for tourists. No surprises there. But hang about - it's only a rip off if your idea of a good holiday involves posing with waxworks of Kylie or poking about Queen Liz's smalls. Unlike other cities compared in the survey, London's wealth of museums and major art galleries are mostly free to enter. Pop down Exhibition Road and you can while away entire days between the Science Museum, Natural History Museum and V&A and pay not a dollar, euro or ruble or in entry fees.
We do feel for those who've forked out £16.50 (yes) to visit the Tower, though. In the annal of disappointments, gawping for a few pointless seconds at the Crown Jewels in all their dull (un)glory must be like seeing your Dad dressing up as Santa and catching Mum hiding a coin under your pillow in lieu of the Tooth Fairy. On the same day.
Photo of the Tower by Sam Knox via the Londonist Flickrpool
