Live the London life for less!

London can be a very expensive city, but these top tips will show you how to enjoy everything it has to offer at a fraction of the cost.

Living the London life could easily leave you with a very large hole in your budget, with so many fancy restaurants, top West End shows and super clubs to splurge your money on. But for the more frugal among you, there are just as many ways you can enjoy yourself without plunging into the red.

Here’s a selection of my favourite ways to have a ball in the capital for less:

Things to do for free

I think Time Out London really is the best place to start, with the most comprehensive range of things to do which are completely free. Don’t miss the Around Town: Free things to do in London section which has loads of fantastic suggestions which won’t cost you a bean. Whether you like art, music, theatre, comedy or clubs, there’s bound to be something right up your street. Keep your eye out for regular updates on the site too.

If you want to check out the popular tourist attractions or go sightseeing, take a look at the free London attractions on VisitLondon. You should also check out this site’s special offers on theatre tickets, eating out and activities.

Art lovers should go to LondonBudget and check out its round-up of galleries where entry is free. You should also take a look at the site’s London for Free section which lists a wide range of London events where you could (almost) leave your wallet at home!

Things to do for under a tenner

Don't forget to check out Things to do in London for under a tenner on Time Out London too. Here you'll find a great selection of ways to occupy yourself  for less than £10 on all types of entertainment, museums, activities, sports and fitness. There's also a wide range of free classes and workshops for those who fancy trying out something new.

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Eating out for less

It really is easy to dine out for a fraction of the price, even if you do live in one of the priciest cities in the world. There are a host of fantastic websites which offer great restaurant deals, including TopTable where you can book 50% off special offers, eat out for under £25 and eat out for under £15. You should also check out the vouchers section where you can print off 2-for-1s and money off deals at numerous restaurant chains.

Alternatively, take a look at the special offers available on reservations website, OpenTable. And don’t miss the dining out deals at 5pm.

Meanwhile, Time Out London has come up trumps once again with London’s best cheap eats. Don't miss this fantastic selection of restaurants in the capital where you can eat for under £10.

Finally, you should also check out TasteLondon where you can enjoy 50% off hundreds of restaurants in London and the Home Counties by applying for a Taste London card. Even better, use this I want free membership link to sign up to a free one month trial so you can try before you buy. Full annual membership costs £69.95 if you want to continue using your card, but this should easily pay for itself if you eat out regularly. 

• Check out our How to...save when you’ve got no money video for hints and tips on socialising on a budget.

Theatre and West End shows

London really is a goldmine for great theatre, but the prices can make your hair stand on end, particularly for the best seats. Thankfully, you can easily shave pounds off the price of your ticket by using a discount website.

One of my favourites is Lastminute.com which is a great site to look out for special deals on theatre tickets. For example, right now you can enjoy 50% off Les Miserables, Grease and Avenue Q. Better still, check out these tickets for a tenner where you can see top shows and plays at rock bottom prices.

Travelex and the National Theatre are once again offering the Travelex tickets for £10 promotion for some of the best plays in London this year.

TheatreMonkey is another fantastic place to pick up cheap tickets on mainstream and fringe theatre. You should also give DiscountTheatre and What’sOnStage a try for a huge selection of discount tickets.

Meanwhile, Shakespeare lovers on a budget should remember there are always 700 standing tickets for every performance at the Globe Theatre. These cost an amazingly low £5! You won’t get a seat, but you will get some of the best views of the stage.

Designer shopping

Shopping in London can be a retail dream for shopaholics, but it can also be a nightmare for your budget. Believe it or not, you can pick up fantastic designer clothes at a fraction of the price at charity shops in the capital.

Charity shopping can easily be a huge disappointment if you don’t know where to look, but use this London’s best charity shops list from Time Out to lead you in the right direction. You should also check out the best of London’s markets and car boot sales for frugal shopping. 

For more help with designer clothes shopping on a shoestring, check out DesignerSales which will tell where the latest sample sales are taking place. You can also join their mailing list to receive free invitations to some of the best shopping events. Or try SampleSalesLondon for the latest insider tips on the best designer sales.

Finally, if you need even more tips on living the London life without breaking the bank, why not ask the lovemoney.com community for help via our excellent Q&A forum?

More: Eat out for less | The greatest money saving tips since lovemoney.com began!