Britain on a Budget
by Louise Ward
With the 'London Eye'
millennium wheel, Tate Modern and a host of other new attractions grabbing
travellers' attention, that Britain is popular is undeniable. Of course
the historic and scenic attractions are there too, along with the pubs,
red buses and Scottish pipers, but what about the cost? Here's a guide to
show that 'Britain on a budget' is not only achievable, it's fun.
Start with London, Britain’s capital and one of the most exciting places
in the world. It is a huge city and one with a history dating back across
two millennia; many of the famous sights, however, are within easy walking
distance (or a quick bus ride) of the centre. A number of the galleries,
museums and pageantry events come without charge. From Trafalgar Square,
where you’ll find the fabulous National Gallery (free) and the newly
enlarged National Portrait Gallery (free), it is only a short walk to Big
Ben and the Houses of Parliament, or to the Changing of the Guard at
Buckingham Palace (free). There is even a free bus service, the Art Bus,
which runs half-hourly from the Tate Britain gallery, via the National
Gallery to the stunning new…
Tate Modern (also free), situated on the South Bank of the River Thames. A
1940’s power station has been transformed into one of the foremost
galleries of modern art in the world. Huge turbines have been replaced by
enormous sculptures - including one of a 30-foot high spider. Other
exhibits are as varied as works by Henry Moore, pictures by Hockney - and
a video of a naked man dancing to techno music!
For more traditional drama, the playhouses of the West End are not to be
missed, showing anything from Shakespeare to musicals and ground-breaking
modern plays.
For the best value, head to the Half Price Ticket Booth in Leicester
Square to buy tickets for the same day’s performance at just half-price
(plus service charge).
The West End is crammed with all the great international designers, but to
catch the young, up-and-coming names and the best in good value retro
fashion, head for Camden or Portobello Road Markets. There’s off-the-wall
street fashion, outrageous clubwear and new and bargain second hand
clothes.
Outside the capital there is a growing number of 'designer outlet' centres
where you can buy fashions from the coolest brand names at around half the
high street price. The latest, a McArthur Glen centre, has opened beside
the Channel Tunnel train route close to Ashford International Station, 55
miles south-east of London. Looking rather like a collection of Bedouin
tents and designed by Lord Rogers (who created the Millennium Dome) among
its 100 shops and cafes are Nike, Gap, Reebok and Tommy Hilfiger.
If you plan to travel around Britain there are several cut-price options.
The cheapest (as well as the greenest and healthiest!) is to get yourself
a bike. Seriously, the British have discovered pedal power, opening (June
2000) a 5,000-mile National Cycling Network, using traffic-free paths and
roads with little motor traffic, to reach to the kingdom's farthest
extremities. Next comes National Express, the country's only national bus
network, with several budget deals on offer. There is also an excellent
rail network: ask travel agents about the Britrail Pass, only available
outside the UK, which gives unlimited travel for varying periods.
An increasingly popular option among cool travellers is to join one of the
backpackers' buses departing from London or Edinburgh, stopping at various
cities and hostels en route. As there are several buses a week, you can
jump on and off as you wish. One of the longest established is the Radical
Travel Network, whose seven-day "Border Raiders Flexi-tour" which leaves
London three times a week, allows participants to "…dance naked around
prehistoric standing stones; stay in a Tudor mansion in a Welsh forest;
storm the ancient Viking city of York and visit Roman Bath, the Lake
District and Edinburgh", all for £129. Other options are available.
There is so much you can see and do on a limited budget around Britain
that we can only make a few suggestions. You love Britain's history and
heritage? An organisation called English Heritage (Historic Scotland north
of the border and CADW in Wales) looks after hundreds of amazing buildings
and admission is mostly at pocket-money prices. A medieval Bishops' Palace
in the shadow of Lincoln Cathedral - yours for £1.90; massive Kenilworth
Castle, visited by Elizabeth I and romanticised by Sir Walter Scott -
£3.50; Carlisle Castle, battled over by English and Scots for centuries -
a snip at £3.
You prefer big city life? Manchester is not just the name of the world's
most popular football club: it has built itself a reputation as the
entertainment capital of Northern England – clubs, bars, a vibrant gay
scene and newly created arts venues have transformed this once-industrial
place into a 21st century hot spot. It has recently opened a major arts
centre, The Lowry (admission free), set in a glorious waterside location.
The city also has several big street festivals every year, and they are
largely free, too.
Glasgow, Scotland, prides itself in its large number of excellent free
museums and galleries, as well as the wonderful art nouveau buildings of
Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Edinburgh is a lovely city for walking, and the
daily organised walking tours on the themes of ghosts, bodysnatchers and
witchcraft, are great value.
A few other money-saving tips: it's worth carrying an International
Student Identity Card, or Youth Identity Card, with you to make sure you
get the best discounts. Baked beans on toast and baked potato with tuna
filling are popular low-cost snacks and more fun than a hamburger. Curry
restaurants are found everywhere and are usually good value, too. Clean,
comfortable campus accommodation is widely available outside term time and
is an alternative to hostels.
There is a website that is a great starting point if you're thinking of
planning a visit - www.uktheguide.com. It includes a monthly guide to
what's 'in', links to the best sites and a 'get me to Britain now' section
for the impetuous. A free magazine, "UK The Guide", is available from
British Tourist Authority offices overseas.
