Posts by author Nina Derham
Tasty and cheapo fish tacos at Taqueria. Photo: Su-lin
In London, the best food values are often found away from the well-trodden streets of Soho and Covent Garden, so try these recommended restaurants to save some pennies and eat alongside the locals. Pizza: Stringray Cafe Locations in north and east London Website This friendly pizzeria with branches in east London’s Colombia Road and north » Read more
Rasa Sayang, located in the heart of Chinatown, offers fresh and unique Malaysian cuisine. Photo: kake_pugh
Exploring central London and feeling peckish? Here are five fool-proof places where you can refuel without emptying your wallet. 1. East Street 3-5 Rathbone Place W1T 1HJ Metro: Oxford Circus / Tottenham Court Road Website This funky pan-Asian restaurant is the perfect stop off point when you tire of shopping along Oxford Street. The menu » Read more
"Boris Bikes" are a cheap and convenient way to see London. Photo: David Holt London.
London had its first RideLondon cycling festival last weekend, seeing over 70,000 cyclists, professional and amateur, take to the roads on a 100-mile circuit between London and Surrey. The success of the festival, followed by the announcement that it will become an annual event, cemented the fact that cycling in London is going from strength » Read more
Brixton Village Market is a lively spot to spend an evening. Photo: Nina Derham.
The sun is (just about) still shining on London town and the city is at its finest, so hit the streets and indulge in some affordable grub at London’s best outdoor food markets before the rain returns! While Borough Market and the South Bank Centre’s Real Food Market are worthy staples on most visitor’s list » Read more
While it might not look cheap, Menorca's seaside beauty comes at budget prices.
The second largest and least tourist-ridden of Spain’s Balearic Islands had been on my holiday wish list for years. An untouched paradise of pretty coves, virgin beaches, historic cities and laid-back Spanish culture, Menorca awoke my curiosity, especially in the face of its rowdier, glitzier and better-known sister islands, Ibiza and Mallorca. I also had » Read more
Finish off your pub experience with some sticky toffee pudding! Photo: lafoodie
Much of what you’ll read on EuroCheapo’s London blog will highlight the incredible variety of cuisines on offer in the capital. From top notch Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, French and Italian to Lebanese, Turkish, Spanish and Indian, London is the ideal place to introduce your taste-buds to new flavors. However, what we tend to shout about » Read more
Head to St. Martin in the Fields for a free afternoon concert on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Photo: Thom Watson
There are more opportunities to get cultured on the cheap in London than you’d expect, and classical music is no exception. Whether you’re up for bagging a last-minute standing ticket or booking in at a special concert, London’s classical music scene has something for all pockets. Our “Cheapo Culture” series is exploring ways for budget » Read more
Looking up from the orchestra seats in London's Old Vic Theatre. Photo: ChrisJohnBeckett
As part of EuroCheapo’s new series on “Budget Culture,” I’ve been scouring the streets of London to find out how wallet-conscious Cheapo’s can enjoy London’s lively theater scene on the cheap. You’ll be glad to hear that the options are plentiful, so there’s no excuse not to get cultured in London! Discounted West End tickets » Read more
Indulge for tradition's sake in a typical Sunday roast. Photo: Ewan-M
While visitors to the UK often feel that tradition has been lost in modern day London, one thing that us Londoners do hold in very high esteem is our Sunday Roast. The fantastic mixture of succulent meat (generally a choice of beef, chicken, lamb or pork), served with indulgently crispy roasted potatoes, colorful “veg” and » Read more
Cruise central London on the cheap on the Thames Clipper service, with tickets from £4. Photo: Kenjonbro
It’s easy to feel that your money is getting eaten away in London, but it is possible to have fun on a tenner. Here are my Top 10 Things to do in London on £10. 1. Ride the RV1 or number 11 bus From £1.40 For as little as £2.40 (or £1.40 with an Oyster » Read more
Enjoy a retro tea service at Soho's Secret Tea Room. Photo: Chantoozie
With another spate of icy weather on the way, Londoners and visitors alike will be planning their retreats from the cold. And what better way to pass the time than sipping on a steaming cup of tea and tucking into a delicious sugary treat? It certainly takes the edge off the chill. Go easy on » Read more
A British Military Fitness instructor in Hyde Park (and his dog) are ready to show you some tough love. Photo: The Wolf
So, the first month of 2013 is already speeding away, which begs the question – how are those resolutions going? It’s tough to keep to a fitness routine at the best of times but when traveling abroad it requires a monumental effort. Whether you’re tucking into the best pastries in Paris, enjoying a few pints » Read more
The spectacular view from London's Waterloo Bridge. Photo: daniele trevisan
Visiting the tourist attractions of any major city can cost a small fortune, and those boasting the best vistas are often the most expensive. London is no exception and the city’s three newest attractions—The Shard, the Emirates Air-Line cable car and The Orbit in the Olympic Park, all pride themselves on offering spectacular views of » Read more
Le Mercury dishes up delicious and romantic meals for Cheapos. Photo: Kake Pugh
Fast food chains aside, it sometimes feels like a tough task to find a bargain meal in a sit-down restaurant in central London. But when you know where to look it’s easier than you think. Here are three ideas for a tasty dinner for under £10: The Beach Hut 28 Highbury Park, London, N5 2AA » Read more
Playa Papagayo is a vast stretch of white sand. Photos by Nina Derham
I didn’t know much about this volcanic island when I booked my flights. In fact, while the name “Lanzarote” is pretty well known, since returning to London I have discovered that very few of my friends know much about what it’s really like. I’ll be honest—I expected Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, located » Read more
The Crouch End Clock Tower is the focal point of the neighborhood. Photo: Vic15
Crouch End is a mysterious little corner of the capital. There is no Tube line connecting it with the rest of London and the locals want it to stay that way. While many Londoners have heard of Crouch End, most have no idea where it actually is and imagine it’s so far away they would » Read more
It's possible to enjoy the Olympics in London without buying tickets to events. Photo: Diamond Geezer
So London has officially gone Olympics crazy. There is barely a television program that doesn’t talk about past sporting legends and future possible gold medalists, barely a corner you can turn without being reminded there are only five, four, three, two.. more days to go. As the excitement builds Londoners are starting to wonder what » Read more
The Breakfast Club covers all the bases--and the line out the door proves it. Photo: Yukino Miyazawa
If your accommodation in London doesn’t include breakfast, then a hearty brunch can be a great way to set yourself up for a busy day of sightseeing. It also saves you from splashing the cash on two separate meals. As if that weren’t reason enough, it’s also darn tasty and a great way to recover » Read more
Take a bite of the Goan Pork wrap at Moolis in Soho. Photo: Su-Lin
By Nina Derham in London— Exploring the streets of London can be hungry work and a tasty, filling lunch can be exactly what you need to refuel and keep going. Aside from being one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, London’s Soho is bursting with places to grab a delicious meal. Here are three of my » Read more
Stik's people hover in doorways and on billboards throughout the city. All photos by Nina Derham
London’s famous art galleries are just half the story when it comes to the city’s art collection. Some of the world’s best street artists come to London to leave their mark, turning the city into a vast open gallery for all to admire free of charge—providing you know where to look of course… Enter Street » Read more
If you're going to pay to visit one college, choose King's College (above). All photos by Nina Derham
By Nina Derham in London— Once you’ve pounded the streets of London visiting museums and emptying your wallet at the shops, you’ll likely be in need of some fresh air. Cambridge makes for an ideal getaway from the hectic buzz of London and, best of all, it is easily doable in a day. Getting to » Read more
Catch open-mic night and a free blues jam at the Spice of Life. Photo: Istvan
By Nina Derham in London— Saving your pennies can feel like an impossible task in a city like London when just using public transport can burn a massive hole in your pocket. Thankfully, all the main museums are free, meaning that large chunks of your day can be spent admiring everything from the wonders of » Read more
This card will save you oodles on transportation. Photo: Fee Pumley
London is a costly city in many ways, but public transport prices are really ludicrous. For Londoners and commuters alike, January is an especially sore point and outrage spreads on an annual basis when the January 2nd price hikes come into force. 2012 is no exception, as this year the already barmy prices have gone » Read more
Staying in Soho puts you close to Piccadilly Circus, nightlife, and lots of tourists. Photo: Garry Knight
Choosing accommodation in London can be tricky. The city is so vast that if you are on the hunt for cheap accommodation, you run the risk of ending up a long way from the main sights and spending the majority of your visit battling with the Tube! Trust me, nobody wants that, so I’ve summarized » Read more
Christmas lights along Oxford Street in London. Photo: Katling
By Nina Derham in London— While London has been known to disappoint during the summer months due to the lack of, well, summer, one thing this capital really knows how to do is winter. As autumn fades away and the temperature drops, London comes alive with sparkling lights, bustling shopping streets, cozy cafes and pubs » Read more
