Welcome to London! As a worker staying in temporary accommodation in London, your days off are valuable opportunities to discover this incredible city. This guide from Housd is designed to help you make the most of your time, offering a mix of iconic sights, hidden gems, and budget-friendly options. If you are looking for a temporary home in the capitol, get in touch with us today!
Leaving Your Accommodation: Getting Around London Like a Local
London’s public transport network is vast and efficient, making it easy to navigate from your temporary accommodation to anywhere in the city.
- Oyster Card or Contactless Payment: The easiest and often cheapest way to pay for journeys on the Underground (Tube), buses, DLR, and Overground is by using an Oyster card or a contactless debit/credit card. These “cap” your daily or weekly spend, meaning you won’t pay more than a set amount regardless of how many journeys you make. Simply touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end (except on buses, where you only touch in).
- The Tube (Underground): Fast and great for covering longer distances, though it can get very busy during peak hours. Download a Tube map app for easy navigation.
- Buses: Excellent for sightseeing as you travel, often a cheaper option than the Tube, and they allow you to see more of London at street level.
- Walking: Many of London’s most famous landmarks are surprisingly close to each other. Comfortable shoes are a must as you’ll likely do a lot of walking!
- Santander Cycles: Affectionately known as “Boris Bikes,” these public bicycles are available for hire at docking stations across central London. They’re a fun and active way to explore for short distances, with affordable rates.
Free & Budget-Friendly London
You don’t need a huge budget to experience the best of London.
World-Class Museums & Galleries (Mostly Free Permanent Collections): London is renowned for its free-entry museums, offering incredible collections spanning history, art, and science.
- The British Museum: Home to global treasures like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. Plan to spend a few hours, or even a full day.
- National Gallery (Trafalgar Square): Marvel at masterpieces of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th centuries.
- Tate Modern: Housed in a former power station on the South Bank, this impressive gallery showcases international modern and contemporary art. Don’t miss the views from the upper levels!
- Natural History Museum: Explore the wonders of the natural world, from enormous dinosaur skeletons to glittering geological specimens. The architecture itself is stunning.
- Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A): The world’s leading museum of art and design, with breathtaking collections from fashion and jewellery to sculpture and photography.
- Science Museum: Full of interactive exhibits that explore scientific and technological advancements, great for all ages.
- Imperial War Museum: Discover the human impact of conflict, with powerful exhibitions covering wars involving Britain and the Commonwealth from WWI to the present.
Parks & Green Spaces for Relaxation: London boasts an abundance of beautiful parks, perfect for unwinding, picnicking, or a leisurely stroll.
- Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens: These vast, central Royal Parks offer sprawling lawns, ornamental gardens, and the Serpentine Lake.
- Regent’s Park: Features stunning gardens, an artificial lake, and frequently hosts outdoor events. You can also walk along Regent’s Canal.
- Greenwich Park: Offers incredible panoramic views of the city skyline, and is home to the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian Line (free to see the line, paid entry to the observatory).
- Richmond Park: London’s largest Royal Park, famous for its free-roaming deer. A truly peaceful escape, particularly beautiful in autumn.
- St. James’s Park: Enjoy picturesque views of Buckingham Palace, and try to catch the daily pelican feeding at 2:30 pm.
- Hampstead Heath: A wilder, sprawling park with swimming ponds and fantastic views of the city from Parliament Hill.
Iconic Sights to See for Free: You don’t need to pay to admire many of London’s most famous landmarks.
- Changing of the Guard (Buckingham Palace): A quintessential London experience. Check the official schedule, as it doesn’t happen every day.
- Trafalgar Square: A bustling public square, often alive with street performers and events, dominated by Nelson’s Column.
- Piccadilly Circus: London’s vibrant answer to Times Square, with its dazzling digital billboards.
- Walk along the South Bank: Enjoy the lively atmosphere, street performers, and incredible views of the London Eye, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- Tower Bridge: Walk across this iconic bridge for free (there’s a charge to enter the Tower Bridge Exhibition). If you’re lucky, you might see it lift for passing boats!
- Leadenhall Market: A stunning Victorian covered market with intricate architecture, a must-see for Harry Potter fans (it was a filming location for Diagon Alley).
- Borough Market: A renowned food market near London Bridge. While buying food can add up, it’s free to browse and soak up the vibrant atmosphere, often with samples on offer.
- Camden Market: An eclectic mix of alternative fashion, unique crafts, and diverse street food. Great for people-watching and soaking in a different side of London.
- Columbia Road Flower Market (Sundays only): A sensory delight! This East London market bursts with colours and scents every Sunday. Go early for the best selection, or later for potential bargains.
Discovering London’s Hidden Gems & Unique Experiences
For a deeper dive into London’s character, seek out some of its lesser-known treasures.
- St Dunstan in the East Church Garden: The serene ruins of a bombed church transformed into a beautiful public garden. A truly tranquil oasis in the heart of the City.
- Little Venice: A picturesque canal area near Paddington, perfect for a peaceful stroll past colourful canal boats. You can even take a boat trip from here to Camden.
- Leake Street Arches (Graffiti Tunnel): Beneath Waterloo station, this legal graffiti tunnel is an ever-changing canvas of vibrant street art. A dynamic and edgy spot.
- Postman’s Park: A small, touching park featuring a memorial to ordinary people who died trying to save others. A poignant and peaceful place.
- Sky Garden (Fenchurch Street): Offers spectacular 360-degree views of London from a landscaped public garden at the top of a skyscraper. It’s free to enter, but you must book a timed slot well in advance online.
- Sir John Soane’s Museum: The eccentric former home of an architect, packed floor-to-ceiling with art, antiquities, and architectural curiosities. A truly unique and fascinating (free) experience.
- Kyoto Garden (Holland Park): A serene and beautiful Japanese-style garden within Holland Park, complete with a waterfall, koi carp, and resident peacocks.
- Barbican Conservatory: The second-largest conservatory in London, transforming a concrete brutalist space into a lush tropical oasis. Check opening times as it’s typically only open on select days.
- Enjoy a London pub: Step into a traditional London pub for a true British experience. Many offer excellent value lunch menus, and some even have “pub theatres” upstairs for affordable, intimate performances.
- Explore a London market beyond the main ones: Consider Broadway Market (East London) on Saturdays for food and independent stalls, or Maltby Street Market (South East London) for a more local foodie vibe.
Tips for Temporary Workers in London
- Location, Location, Location: Your temporary accommodation location will influence your travel times. Familiarise yourself with the nearest Tube, bus, or Overground stations. Speak to Housd, the experts in staff accommodation to find the perfect place… in the perfect spot.
- Off-Peak Travel: If your schedule allows, try to explore during off-peak hours (outside of 06:30-09:30 and 16:00-19:00 on weekdays) for less crowded public transport and attractions.
- Food on a Budget: Eating out can be expensive. Utilise supermarkets for groceries, look for lunch deals at pubs or cafes, and explore street food markets for diverse and often more affordable meal options.
- Free Walking Tours: Consider joining a “free” walking tour (they operate on a tip-basis) to get an introduction to different areas of London and learn about its history from a local guide.
- Check Before You Go: Always double-check opening times, booking requirements (especially for free attractions like Sky Garden), and any temporary closures before you set out.
London is a city that constantly surprises and delights. Embrace the opportunity your temporary accommodation offers to dive into its vibrant life, history, and culture. Enjoy every moment of your time off!
Check out our next blog ‘The UK’s Ultimate Workforce Accommodation Hero: Housd!‘
