We know it’s only the middle of the month and, yes, we also know that February is the shortest month but that doesn’t mean we’re not counting down the days until payday.
But just because our bank account shows a few less zeros at the end of our balance than we’d like, it doesn’t mean we’re going to spend the entire month inside. Instead, we’ve been on a hunt for the top things to do for less than a tenner. If you live close to south London, it’s a chance to explore your local area a little better. If you’re coming from further afield, make the journey across the water to experience a whole new side of the city. You’re welcome!
Head to Flat Iron Square to celebrate the Guinness Six Nations – £5 (inc free Guinness Stout)
Catch the Guinness Six Nations in style this year at Flat Iron Square in London Bridge. Come along to the Village for ten screens of action and stay for the atmosphere and a range of dishes paired perfectly with a Guinness. Head to the Guinness Clubhouse for some events hosted by the top names in rugby or go all out and hire a private pop-up pub for you and your pals. Throughout the six weeks, expect a host of rugby legends old and new showing up at The Guinness Clubhouse, Guinness and Hop House 13 on tap and plenty of other exciting events. Click here for all the details. ⭐️Sponsored⭐️ 64 Southwark St, London SE1 1RU
Enjoy some street food at Borough Market – usually between £5-£10
Tucked away just around the corner from London Bridge station, you’ll find a market filled with delicious smells, smiling faces and more street food vendors than you could shake a stick at. There are so many different vendors at Borough Market that the website has very helpfully listed multiple different pages of cuisines into alphabetical order. We love this market so much that we’ve written about it many times before but, if you’re wondering off the top of your head as to what’s available, we’ll give you a quick breakdown: Vegetarian pastries, Spanish cured meats, Ethiopian dishes, raclette, Salt beef beigels and more. Go crazy! 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL
Go to the theatre – Free!
We know we said “under a tenner” but sometimes (…most of the time) even that can be a stretch, so we thought we’d throw in some even cheaper ways to spend an afternoon in south London. Granted – this one might be slightly weather-dependant but, need we say it again? It’s free. Last year, the Scoop Theatre performed the likes of “The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz” and “King Arthur”. The performances are made up of West End actors and drama school graduates, ensuring that you’re in the for a top notch performance. Seats are allocated on a first-come first-served basis so make sure to turn up early. The Scoop at More London, Queen’s Walk, More London, London, SE1 2DB
Get the Tower Bridge Experience – £8.70 advance, £9.80 OTD
Looking for a cultural afternoon, are we? It might be free to walk across the bridge, but for a small price for the full ‘Experience’ you’ll get to feel a little like royalty standing at the top of Tower Bridge’s walkways in the middle of the Thames. As well as the incomparable views, you’ll get access to the Hall of Fame, The Engine Room and the Great Bridges of the World Exhibit. It’s one of those ‘London’ things that you’ve probably never bothered doing if you live here, or haven’t necessarily found the time to do if you’re visiting. But as paid London attractions go, it’s worth the money to balance on the glass floor and watch the bridge lift up below your feet. Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP
Explore the Horniman Museum & Gardens – prices vary
There aren’t many spots in London where you can gaze at fish in an aquarium, stroke some animals, admire butterflies and finish off with a stroll around the gardens in one place. In fact, we’re fairly confident that there’s only actually one spot where you can do all of this in one go – the Horniman Museum. Tucked away by Forest Hill station, you’ll only have to spend £4 to visit the aquarium or £5.40 to spend an afternoon with the butterflies. If you’d rather not spend a penny, come along to a Curiosity Talk about the weird and wonderful backgrounds of the collections or wander through the World Gallery. 100 London Rd, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ
Dance around at a 1950’s style ballroom – £10
The Rivoli Ballroom is the city’s last remaining authentic 1950’s ballroom and so it’s the perfect place to spend an evening. Go along for the Instagram-worthy pics and stay for the music and atmosphere. Once a month, on the first Saturday, you’ll find the arrival of Jacky’s Jukebox – a night filled with a mixture of ballroom, latin and salsa dancing with gay and straight couples. Entry is £10 and tickets can only be bought on the door. If you’ve got more than a tenner available, there are lots of other events taking place over the course of the month. 350 Brockley Rd, London SE4 2BY
Go treasure hunting in a Bermondsey market – Free entry
Whether you’re looking for something in particular or your ideal finding is “literally anything”, you should take a visit to Bermondsey’s antiques market. Shuffle through everything from silver and cutlery, to 18th-century Italian paintings and old school maps from France; religious icons and assorted curios to furniture and fashion. Prices vary depending on the stall and item but it’s easy to grab a bargain and you never know what you’ll find from digging deep. Have a chat with the sellers and see what you can unearth and rehome every Friday. 11 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN
Float through the air on the Emirates Air Line – £4.50
Significantly cheaper than the London Eye and offering arguably better views, the Emirates Air Line won’t set you back more than a fiver and offers panoramic views over the Thames, the O2 arena and the towers of Canary Wharf. Even better – you can pay on your Oyster card, which means if you’re topping up weekly or monthly, it’s already been paid for and, therefore, basically free. You’ll reach a maximum height of 295ft, so it’s perhaps not for those with a fear of heights but if you can get over the fact that you’re floating in a tiny pod above the water then it’s a lovely experience. North Greenwich side Emirates Cable Car Terminal, Edmund Halley Way, London SE10
Check out some dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park – Free!
What you’ll spend in time getting to Crystal Palace you’ll save on entry, because this park is free to enter and is also the only place you’ll find full-size dinosaurs in London. During the summer it’s a beautiful place for a wander with a picnic – sit by one of the lakes. If you’ve waved hello to all of the dinosaurs and want to make the most of your journey, check out the maze and try not to get too lost. Sit back with a coffee in the park’s cafe and keep an eye out for furry friends, as it’s a hotspot if you’re looking for a dog to stroke. 42 Thicket Rd, London SE19 1UE
Check out some art – free!
There are plenty of spots across south London where you can go and gaze at any number of incredible artworks. No matter whether you’re a fan of modern art or classic pieces, the city is chock-full of free or cheap art galleries to visit. For a diverse range of pieces taken from Damien Hirst’s art collection, we recommend Newport Street Gallery in Vauxhall. Over in Deptford, you’ll find Bearspace, which exhibits work by upcoming artists while in Battersea, you can stumble through any number of vintage art posters at The Flood Gallery. Various addresses available on each website