Skint? On a budget? Looking for cheap things to do in London? We hear you, which is why we've put together this list of things happening in London this week that cost £5 or less. You're welcome.
All week
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: See intimate portraits of refugees settling into the UK at The Proud Archivist in Haggerston. The images are accompanied by interviews, and highlight the positive impact refugees have on society. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm, 11-18 July
ROALD DAHL SCULPTURE TRAIL: Find Dream jars designed by the likes of Helen Mirren, Quentin Blake and Stephen Hawking (among others) dotted around town. The sculpture trail celebrates new film The BFG. Free, just turn up, until 31 August
BEACH: Get your tan on at Urban London Beach in the Royal Docks (weather dependent). Embrace the sun (fingers crossed) and build a sandcastle. Free, just turn up, until 30 August
Monday 11 July
DESSERT TASTING: Sample a range of gelato and Latin-American inspired desserts, including lime meringue marshmallow pie at Cubana on Lower Marsh, as part of the Waterloo Food Festival. Free, book in advance, 6pm
DOG-FRIENDLY FILM SCREENING: Dedicated to her late husband Lou Reed, musician Laurie Anderson will introduce her film Heart of a Dog. The dog-friendly screening (yes, really) is part of the monthly music themed documentaries at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen. £5 (or £2.50 if you bring your dog), book in advance, 7.30pm
Tuesday 12 July
FREE YOGA: Start the day with refreshed and with a clear mind after yoga in St Stephen's Church, Westminster. Bring your own mat. Free (but donations are welcome), just turn up, 7.30am
OUTDOOR FILM SCREENING: Go back to the 90s and watch classic film 10 Things I Hate About You at an open air cinema in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. Street food available to buy on site. Free, just turn up, 7pm (film starts at sunset)
Wednesday 13 July
DRUGS IN SPORT TALK: Yannis Pitsiladis discusses how best to tackle doping in sport at The Physiological Society on Farringdon Lane. Yannis's research has been featured in The New York Times and Cycling Weekly. Free, book in advance, 5.30pm
GIN MASTERCLASS: Sample gin from various distilleries while gazing over the London skyline at Waterloo Sky Bar. Part of the Waterloo Food Festival. £5, book in advance, 6pm
Thursday 14 July
PUB OPENING: The Elephant & Castle pub reopens tonight, and to celebrate, there's a night of motown, disco and party tunes until 1am. Free, just turn up, 6pm
TRADE LECTURE: Hear Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of International Trade, discuss how we can create an inclusive 21st century trade policy. Takes place at London School of Economics. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
Friday 15 July
WALKING TOUR: Learn about different types of trees and the history of the area on a walking tour through the Italian Gardens in Kensington Gardens. £5, book in advance, noon
BOOK LAUNCH: Discover the legacy of Joy Division's Ian Curtis on what would have been his 60th birthday at the launch of Dr Jennifer Otter Bickerdike's book, Joy Devotion: The Importance of Ian Curtis and fan culture. The launch takes place at The Society Club, Shoreditch. Free, book in advance, 7pm
PARTY: Get your groove on at the unofficial Lovebox Afterparty at Ace Hotel in Shoreditch. Age 18+. £5, book in advance, 10pm
Saturday 16 July
ARAB FESTIVAL: Go to the Middle East without leaving Elephant & Castle at the Hubb festival, celebrating all things Arabic. 47SOUL will be performing fresh from Glastonbury, and events include oud-playing, henna, storytelling and calligraphy, alongside donkey rides and face painting for the kids. Free, just turn up, noon-6pm
CIDER FESTIVAL: For a few drinks that won't break the bank, head to The Miller in London Bridge where pints of cider are £3 each (and there are 100 to choose from). Chomp on barbecue food, listen to a steel band and try your hand at ping pong (probably best attempted pre-cider). Free entry, just turn up, noon-1am
EALING BLUES FESTIVAL: Hear artists like Earl Thomas, Paul Cox and Zoe Schwartz at the 30th Ealing Blues Festival in Walpole Park. Performances take place across three stages and the festival continues tomorrow. £5, book in advance, from 12.30pm
Sunday 17 July
TYPEWRITER EXHIBITION: Last chance to catch the Olivetti exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Have a look at Italy's first computer and learn more about the company that prefers design to functionalism. £1, just turn up, 11am
