City Break - London

London - it's one of those places where you could go for the weekend and completely blow a hole in the budget.  Or is it?  If you know where to go you can have a fantastic break without breaking the bank.

If you're travelling to London by train, it's worth checking out the 2 for 1 offers available from National Express East Anglia.  There are more than 100 top-name tourist attractions and shows to choose from such as Madame Tussauds, the London Aquarium and The Sound of Music.

And there's a whole host of museums which offer year-round free entry such as the Science Museum and Natural History Museum both of which are located in Kensington and are within easy reach of each other.   The National Gallery holds free hands-on art workshops for 5 to 11 year olds every Sunday and the Tate Modern on London's South Bank holds regular events throughout the year which are aimed at families.

If it's open space and the opportunity for a picnic you're after you could try Kensington Gardens and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground which boasts a huge wooden pirate ship surrounded by its very own beach, teepees and sensory trail, all of which are inspired by the stories of Peter Pan.  The Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park  is a beautiful ornamental woodland brimming with exotic plants and opportunities for adventure.

Staying in London need not cost the earth either.  For families with older children the London Central YHA is hard to beat and has rates from £17.95 per adult and £13.50 per child per night .   Situated in the heart of the West End, it offers fantastic value for money in an unbeatable location and has family rooms that will accommodate up to 8 people.  Weather permitting, grabbing a picnic and eating al fresco is a great way of keeping costs down.  Try Borough Market - London’s oldest food market,which brings the finest produce from around the world under one roof.

What can I do for free? Science Museum; Natural History Museum; The National Gallery; Tate Modern; Kensington Gardens; Diana Memorial Playground; Isabella Plantation; Richmond Park. 

*Please note - some of the galleries and museums do ask for a small voluntary donation.

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