How to make your money go further on a day trip to London

Telegraph

5 hours ago

There's nowhere quite like London. Here you'll find the West End's celebrated shows starring all manner of famous faces, an array of world-renowned museums that are home to priceless collections of everything from modern art to Egyptian mummies, and some of the UK's most highly regarded restaurants. All of this, and so much more, is accessible on a day out here – but at what cost to your wallet?
You might be surprised by how many of the city's attractions are actually entirely free to visit. Head to the Guildhall Art Gallery in the heart of the City of London and you can venture underground to view the remains of an extensive Roman amphitheatre free of charge. Afterwards, head back up – and up – to 120 Fenchurch Street, just around the corner, where you can get a bird's-eye view of London's financial centre from The Garden at 120, also free to visit. You're 15 storeys up, surrounded by skyscrapers and everything from the Gherkin to the Tower of London is on full display.
While there's no entry charge to most London's museums, well-known ones such as the British Museum may well come with sizeable crowds attached. But just a few minutes from Museum Street, you'll find the Sir John Soane's Museum, which is also free to visit but is less busy. It's a perfect destination for one of South Western Railway's Sunday Out tickets, a deep dive into ancient history and culture on the edge of the bucolic Lincoln Inn Fields. The museum houses treasures collected by the eponymous English architect that range from an Egyptian pharaoh's sarcophagus to a statue of the Greek god Apollo. Alternatively, for just £11.50 you could visit the fascinating Museum of Brands in Notting Hill for a nostalgic journey through 200 years of life in Britain (think early BBC broadcasts, the history of crisp packet design and classic toys aplenty). Or for £12 buy entry to the Cartoon Museum to view its collection of British editorial cartoons, caricatures and comic strips, from the 18th century to the present day.
Prefer to be outside? There are glorious parks in London, including Richmond Park, one of eight Royal Parks in the city. It's a tranquil slice of nature home to wildlife such as kestrels and deer. Located within the park, and also free to visit, is Isabella Plantation. It's a breathtaking 40 acres of garden with an array of unusual and exotic plants. Over in Holland Park you can take woodland walks and explore the Japanese Kyoto Garden, with its tiered waterfall and cherry trees that bloom into glorious colour every spring – you might even spot some colourful koi in its pond.
Best of all, the journey to London needn't break the bank, either. Travel with South Western Railway, whose frequent trains operate into London Waterloo from numerous stations around the South West. Buy Evening Out tickets up to 12 weeks in advance of your night out, and it's valid after 2pm from Monday to Saturday. Add a Network Railcard to that and you can save a third. It's easy to apply online and railcards are digital, meaning you'll not only reduce paper ticket usage but also have it with you wherever you go.
There are a range of railcards on offer that start from £30, and all offer a third off most rail journeys – there's Two Together that is perfect for friends or couples who frequently travel together, and there are discounts for specific age groups, including 16-25 and 26-30. The Friends and Family Railcard offers discounts for up to four adults and four children travelling together.
Even better, you can use the SWR Rewards programme, which treats you to exclusive offers when you travel with South Western Railway. Love the theatre? There's discounts across a huge range of West End shows, from Clueless the Musical to Hamilton. If you're in the mood for a pre-show meal you're in luck – not only does SWR offer theatre and dinner bundles, it also offers discounts across a wide selection of eateries and cuisines, spanning everything from burgers to Italian to Middle Eastern.
No matter what kind of day out you're in the mood for, you're sure to find a reward to cater to you, as SWR has offers on museums, galleries, comedy clubs and classes – perfect for friends, couples and solo travellers alike. With all these tempting offers, what better time to start planning your London adventure than today?
To find the perfect treat for your day out, visit SWR Rewards