Me and my boyfriend are really poor, what can we do for cheap dates? (we live in London)?

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Princess

Being broke in London is depressing, but after a few years experience I've found a few good things to do when broke!

You can go out to the west end for dates, if you're after the london vibe, and just eat in Pizza Hut (there's one on Shaftesbury Ave with big windows, great for people watching! They have an amazing deal at Pizza hut right now, Â£6 for an individual 3 courses- sooo cheap.

Or go to a Wetherspoons- cheap and cheerful, albiet lacking atmosphere. Lloyds bars tend to be better, I rather like the one in Angel (the N1 centre).

There's also the BRB bars. On Tuesday night the one in Angel (BRB The Arc) has 2 for one pizzas and a happy hour- so if you get there before 7 you can get 2 pizzas for Â£6, and a bottle of wine for Â£7. So cheap!

Become a member of the Prince Charles cinema- http://www.princecharlescinema.com/
Â£9 for the year, and you tickets are Â£3! They show older films that aren't in the cinema anymore, but still cheaper than renting them and it's a night out!

Youc an get theatre tickets for as cheap as Â£10 if you go to the theatre on the night and see if they have any left. The seats are terrible, but it's a good laugh!!

Best of luck!

gsp100677

Other people have already mentioned some good ideas such as museums and parks - most of which are free. So I won't repeat that, but also try the following:

- Keep an eye on www.viewlondon.co.uk - there are often many free events going on in London such as free short concerts, etc. in museums, art galleries, parks.
- St. Martin's church at Trafalgar Square often has a free classical or jazz or world music artist do a free half hour concert at lunchtimes.
- The southbank (Waterloo to London Bridge) always has street performers and is a picturesque walk in Summer or Winter.
- Covent Garden Market is the same.
- The London Eye is under 20 pounds each if you queue - their website lists sunrise and sunset times if you want to make it more romantic.
- The London Aquarium is also under 20 quid.
- Just wandering round Borough Market at London Bridge, if you're both foodie types, can be a fun Saturday afternoon (closed Sundays) & you can pick up some amazing fresh food & some good value too if you hunt around.
- Obviously the free fireworks displays all over London on 5th November every year.
- The Greenwich and Docklands Jazz festival for a few weeks each year.
- The Notting Hill Carnival.
- The London Film Festival does screenings of films at often less than normal cinema prices, depending on the film, and of course in a more buzzy and fun atmosphere round town than just going to see one at your local cinema.
- The East London culture festival starts on 1st March and has over 400 events over a week, many of which are free - do a google search for their website.
- The Taste East London Food Festival (maybe part of the above) is on 2nd & 3rd March and is free - restaurants and farms will be showcasing their "stuff" and probably giving away free tasters, there will be live music in some areas, etc.
- Take a class together - lots of local council health clubs do a variety weekly dance classes for a couple of pounds a go.
- Go see small up and coming bands at local pubs/clubs round London... the beer isn't always expensive at all of them, and if you mainly go to see the band you don't have to drink that much.

etc.....

ferris_bueller1980

Most or all of the museums in London are free. And the Tate Modern has massive slides.

Go to Lee Hurst's Backyard comedy club in Bethnal Green for about Â£5 entry or find some other budget comedy nights... that will provide a suitably entertaining diversion so you don't have to spend your money on food or booze.

Go to the Â£2.95 veg curry buffet in Chapel Market (nearest tube is Angel) it's really nice.

Go to the Prince Charles cinema near Leicester Square where tickets start at Â£3.50 (or Â£1.50 if you sign up for membership).

Get into playing poker - maybe you can win money instead of losing it.

Or like somebody else said, all the free museums including Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, V&A.

t d

The museums are almost all free, and wonderful (they often do free lectures) the parks are great...go up to Hampstead Heath and walk to Kenwood House to see the Rembrandt and the Vermeer...or visit some of the graveyards- Highgate, Kensal Rise, or take clalsses at City Lit (quite cheap) in Holbourn; or visit some of the streeetmarkets (Columbia Road, Portobello).

caroline1409f1

How about going to all the museums that have free entry (lots of them do) - put some credit onto an Oyster card and away you go - you could spend hours in some of the museums and there are lots to chose from!

brianinchina2003

Go to the Public Gallery at the Old Bailey, or better still, at the House of Commons to watch the antics.

And remember, churches are always free.....

*************

go and watch the street performers in covent garden

if you're on the tube use oyster pre-pay or get a travel card rather than paying for individual journeys

The photographers gallery in Leicester Square is usually worth a look.

Go to the big Waterstones bookshop in Gower Street - find yourself a comfy corner seat by a window and read the books you cant afford to buy

All you can eat Chinese buffet is not far away in percy street -
also on Sundays the veggie indian restaurants in Drummond St (Euston) have all you can eat buffet lunches.

Volunteer to help out at a charity event

catrina

Check out whats on at the BBC :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/tickets/

Live audience tickets for FREE!!

Also, http://www.londonstudios.co.uk/index2.htm not sure if they are free or not

Kev P

any of the museums - they are free, british museum comes highly recommended
parks are free too,
tourist watch at trafalgar square or camden or covent garden or soho
read free newspapers
look at ads in free newspapers for free events
wander around - u are sure to stumble upon a free event

failing that, visit ann summers, splash out a little and have more fun staying in ;)

deadman

Look around for little restaurants called the 'Stockpot' they are all over London and offer good homecooked food at really cheap prices.

There is a cinema near Baker Street station that offers cheap tickets if you go earlier in the evening.

CLIVE H

There are dozens of freebie events held in London every year. You can find out more about these at the Mayor of London's website. You've just missed one big event, the Free for everyone, Chinese New Year [18th February], Trafalgar Square and China Town in Soho. This is the biggest Chinese New Year outside of China.

There's lots more coming up, parades etc.

If you are totally bored with all of the above, how about a day out in Harrods? You do not need any money, just go there smartly dressed and you'll get in. It's massive. Failing that, how about a day out at Selfridges in Oxford Street? Again, you don't need to spend, just drool around the store like the rest of us. It's free ain't it?

If you're really smart both in the head and your attire you might sneak your way into some really big upmarket events for free. Just be a member of the Press or something. Please look and sound posh!

MARCO

Apart from the obvious (having lots of sex)...you could buy tennis rackets and go down the local park and play some tennis....
That's what me and my wife do and it is absolutely free and very healthy...

Fred

how about the natural history museum? thats free and there is plenty of it, you could make it into two seperate visits.

PKblue

Go to Borough Market near London Bridge on the weekend - it has a really good vibe, and there is a lot of nice food for lunch that is reasonably priced (well, for London!).

Have you done a Jack the Ripper guided walk? If you get a cold dark evening, especially with a bit of fog, the atmosphere is great!

But the best thing to do is just do something you would never normally do - it can sometimes turn out to be really rewarding!
eg. "Why would I want to go to the British Library - sounds boring" --> just do it....if you don't like it, don't go back!

CHARISMA

Scour the charity shopd for board games, and keep a running score board of whose is the daily, weekly and ultimate winner. There is a game called yahtzee that is very small, very simple and ace.

pOsEiDÃ³N

You can plan a trip to http://www.whitsundaytourism.com/ !!

Lou

picnic in the park, and take a bottle of wine, just make sure neither of you are driving or the date could end up costing a lot more!!!!

Psycho Dave

how about making sex a Hobie and experiment different ways just kidding being together with no hassle my dear is cool life it while you can see if you can get on night classes go to the library there is so much to do do a little voluntary work together just use you imagination and it will come to you talk it through together Dave

Silver Dream

Go iceskating on Sunday night to Queensway - 5 pounds per person including skates, starting at 8pm till 10:30 or 11 - I don't know for sure :)
Have fun

Helen C

try these:
you can find places to eat and shows to see for discounts. London does not have to be expensive.
Museums/galleries, some are free.

Angie

Well, there are many things you can do. You don't have to go out either. If there is snow out, go out to the park, have fun with the snow. Watch a video at home, or if you have a computer at home with internet, put on YouTube or try looking for music you can dance to at home. If you can't go to a restaurant, try making the food yourself at home, do it together and have fun doing it. Try new foods, try making new foods. The point of the whole date is to just have fun.

Tommy

Take a day out to Southend-on-sea, i dont think cost too much...
The best time to come to Southend is when Southend Air Show is in town (bigst free air show in the world) plus only 50p to go down the pair at any time cheep clubs and there's always staf to do...

go on the london free list site - you'll find stuff that is free or things to do for a couple of pound

Take me to Venice

Loads of the Museums are free!!! Can't remember if the Science museum was free or not but it is an amazing place and definitely a section there for everyone!

shoe s

go to the zoo,go to a new museum each date,explore new parts, of town ,take the tube all over,

wobble's

Strangely enough my partner and i are too so tomorrow we are going to the dungeons, then the chislehurst caves then to the medieval banquet which sounds like tonnes of fun

black_dahlia

Go to museums, galleries, play sports in the park, take photos of something that interests you.

quack

you could go camping or have a picnic

kirsty m

Join Hard rock Casino- They give you free drinks so you can go in have a look about, go and sit upstairs and get free drinks!! Its like being in a pub for free!

Go to the Imax cinema, Its about a fiver but its brilliant! 3D cinema, Awesome!!

Camden is wicked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My parents and I went to London for the weekend and we walked all around and had lunch and cups of tea in all different kinds of cafes along the way.

Science museam is free

History museam is also free

You also have the art galleries which are all free!!

HERES A LIST OF ALL THE FREE STUFF
Ongoing
Royal London Hospital Archives and Museum
E1, Whitechapel. Free
Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge
E4, Chingford. Free
The National Archives
TW9, Kew. Free
Sir John Soane's Museum
WC2, Holborn. Free
The British Library
NW1, King's Cross. Free
Redbridge Museum
IG1, Ilford. Free
Horniman Museum and Gardens
SE23, Forest Hill. Free
Imperial War Museum
SE1, Lambeth. Free
British Dental Association Museum
W1, Bond Street. Free
Hampstead Museum/Burgh House
NW3, Hampstead. Free
Victoria & Albert Museum
SW7, South Kensington. Free
Royal Academy of Music, York Gate Collections
NW1, Marylebone. Free
Help people with disabilities visit museums
W1, Central London. Free
Bruce Castle Museum
N17, Tottenham. Free
Cuming Museum
SE17, Elephant & Castle. Free
Guildhall
EC2, Bank. Free
V&A Museum of Childhood
E2, Bethnal Green. Free
All Hallows by the Tower
EC3, Tower Hill. Free
Museum of Fulham Palace
SW6, Fulham. Free
Wallace Collection
W1, Marylebone. Free
The Dana Centre
SW7, Knightsbridge. Free
The Clowns Gallery and Museum
E8, Haggerston (Hackney). Free
Ragged School Museum
E3, Mile End. Free
Mansion House
EC4, Bank. Free
Museum of Garden History
SE1, Lambeth Palace Road. Free
Museum of The Association of Anaesthetists
W1B 1PY, 21 Portland Place. Free
The Islington Museum
N1, Islington - Upper Street. Free
Minet Library and Archives
SE5, Lambeth. Free
Science Museum
SW7, South Kensington. Free
Whitechapel Bell Foundry
E1, Whitechapel. Free
Harrow Museum and Heritage Centre
HA2, North Harrow. Free
National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory
SE10, Greenwich. Free
The Library and Museum of Freemasonry
WC2, Covent Garden. Free
Late View at the V&A
SW7, Victoria & Albert Museum-South Kensington. Free
Lauderdale House
N6, Highgate Hill. Free
National Army Museum
SW3, Chelsea. Free
Vestry House Museum
E17, Walthamstow. Free
Somerset House
WC2, Somerset House. Free
The Natural History Museum
SW7, South Kensington. Free
Grant Museum of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy
WC1E, Gower Street. Free
The Old Station Museum
E14, North Woolwich. Free
Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art
WC1, Russell Square. Free
Horniman Aquarium
SE23, Horniman Museum. Free
Sainsbury African Galleries
WC1, British Museum-Holborn. Free
Geffrye Museum
E2, Liverpool Street. Free
Wrapping Japan & Journey Through Japan
SE23, Horniman Museum, Forest Hill. Free
Energy - fuelling the future
SW7, South Kensington. Free
Hunterian Museum at The Royal College of Surgeons
WC2, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Free
Kew Bridge Steam Museum
TW8, Brentford. Free
College of Arms
EC4, Blackfriars. Free
Livesey Museum for Children
SE15, SE15-Elephant Castle. Free
Bromley Museum
BR6, Orpington. Free
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
WC1, Bloomsbury. Free
Chiswick Pier & Pier House
W4, Chiswick. Free
Royal Air Force Museum Hendon
NW9, Colindale. Free
Valence House Museum
RM8, Dagenham. Free
Gunnersbury Park Museum
W3, Acton Town. Free
Royal Hospital Museum
SW3, Chelsea. Free
Museum of London
EC2, Barbican. Free
Houses of Parliament
SW1, Westminster. Free
British Museum
WC1, Holborn. Free
Bank of England Museum
EC2R, City of London. Free
The Building Exploratory
E8, Hackney. Free

Ongoing
Brixton Market
SW9, Brixton. Free
Arts and Crafts Market
BR1, Bromley. Free
Roman Road Market
E3, Mile End. Free
Antiquarius
SW3, King's Road. Free
Green Street and Queen's Market
E13, Newham , East London. Free
Chiswick Farmers and Fine Foods Market
W4, Chiswick. Free
Blackheath Farmers' Market
SE3, Blackheath. Free
North End Road Market
W14, North End Road. Free
Bermondsey Market
SE1, Bermondsey. Free
Alfie's Antiques Market
NW8, Church Street. Free
Twickenham Farmersâ€™ Market
Twickenham, Holly Road car park. Free
Swiss Cottage Eton Avenue
NW3, Swiss Cottage. Free
Nags Head
N7, Seven Sisters. Free
Camden Market
NW1, Camden Town. Free
Beresford Square Market & Royal Arsenal Gatehouse
SE18, Woolwich. Free
Pimlico Road Farmers' market
SW1, Pimlico. Free
Wimbledon Park Farmersâ€™ Market
SW19, Wimbledon Park. Free
Ilford Farmers' Market
IG1, Ilford. Free
Haynes Lane Market
SE19, Crystal Palace. Free
Farmers' Markets in London
var, Various locations. Free
Apple Market
WC2, Covent Garden. Free
Wembley Market
HA9, Wembley. Free
Chapel Market
N1, Chapel. Free
Greenwich Market
SE10, Greenwich. Free
Billingsgate Fish Market
E14, West India Quay. Free
Exmouth Market
EC1R, Clerkenwell. Free
Romford Market
RM1, Romford. Free
Friday - Richmond Women's Institute Market
Richmond, The Vestry Hall. Free
Camden Passage
N1, Islington. Free
Finchley Road Farmers' Market
NW3, 02 Centre, Finchley Road. Free
Leadenhall Market
EC3, Bank. Free
Church Street Market and Bell Street Market
NW8, Church Street (off Edgware Road ). Free
Columbia Road Flower Market
E2, Old Street. Free
Grays Antiques Market
W1, Bond Street. Free
Friday Market; 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month
SW14, Sheen Lane Centre. Free
Hampstead Community Market
NW3, Hampstead. Free
Notting Hill Farmers' Market
W8, Notting Hill. Free
Fair Trade Fair
N1, Islington. Free
Shepherd's Bush Market
W12, Shepherd's Bush. Free
Covent Garden - Jubilee Market
WC2, Covent Garden Market. Free
Deptford Market
SE8, Deptford. Free
Petticoat Lane Market
E1, Liverpool Street. Free
The Courtyard, St-Martin-in-the-Fields
WC2, Charing Cross. Free
Peckham Farmersâ€™ Market
SE15, Peckham Square. Free
Islington Farmersâ€™ Market
N1, William Tyndale School, Islington. Free
Ealing Farmers' Market
W13, Ealing. Free
Broadway Market
E8, London Fields/Hackney. Free
Bargain Books in South Bank
SE1, South Bank Book Market. Free
Marylebone Farmers' Market
W1, Marylebone. Free
Berwick Street Market
W1, Soho. Free
Surrey Street Market
CR9, Croydon. Free
Portobello Road Market
W10/W11, Notting Hill. Free
East Street Market
SE17, East Street. Free
Charing Cross Collector's Fair
WC2, Charing Cross. Free
Bayswater Road
W2, Bayswater. Free
Brick Lane Market
E1, Aldgate. Free
Ridley Road Market
E8, Dalston. Free
Borough Market
SE1, London Bridge. Free
Lower Marsh Market

HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ho to the Tate Modern, they have a huge slide which is apparently 'art'.

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