How to have a fun day out in London for less than £50: What to eat, where to visit and hidden gems
Here’s a vibrant, fun-packed day out in London, all for under £50, with viral TikTok spots, hidden gems, epic food, and more.
A day out in the capital doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg; there are plenty of fun and cheap things to do in London.
We asked ChatGPT to come up with a fun day out in London that costs less than £50.
The day out includes places to visit, what to eat, hidden gems, and viral TikTok spots in London.
So next time you’re heading out into London and wondering what to do, check out this useful guide.
To get around London, walk or use the Tube for easy navigation of the city.
1. Start your day with books and Insta-worthy finds
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- Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden: Bright coloured buildings = perfect Instagram pose. Don’t miss the markets & street performers. Covent Garden itself is gorgeous and free to explore.
- Independent bookshop crawl: A trending TikTok idea, hit indie spots like Stanfords, Mag Culture, or Persephone. No set route, just cosy shelves and cool finds.
2. Midday mooching and museums
- Petticoat Lane Market (Spitalfields): Hunt for bargains from as little as £1, and soak up buzzing East London life.
- Museum break: Head to a free museum (British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Natural History) and chill in its café. The Tate Modern's café is quite TikTok-famous for views and vibes.
3. Where to grab a cheap lunch in London
Here’s a list of places to grab lunch on a budget in the capital. Each of these places should cost between £10- £15 per person.
- Sonora Taquería, Stoke Newington
- Roti King, various locations including Euston, Waterloo, Spitalfields
- Mr Falafel, Shepherd’s Bush
- Jupiter Burger, Netil Market, Hackney
- Daddy Donkey, Leather Lane Market
- Phat Phuc Noodle Bar, Chelsea
- Beigel Bake, Brick Lane
- Chinatown Noodles, Gerrard Street/Leicester Square
4. Take an afternoon tour
- Canary Wharf Art Trail: Free, open-air sculpture walk. Tons of colourful installations & hidden mini-golf.
- Or Hidden London tour at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden (£18–20) for secret tube-station history.
5. Watch the sunset with a cocktail or cosy up in a pub
- Rooftop bar in Peckham (e.g. Frank’s) – free entry, cocktails about £8–10, plus panoramic skyline with sunset.
- Alternatively, hit up a historic pub from Time Out’s list: The Harp near Covent Garden – classic cask ales, cosy vibes.
Rough budget breakdown
Oyster travel (zones 1–2 cap) - £7
Bookshop crawl + window shopping - free
Market browsing - free
Museum entry - free
Museum café break - £5–8
River beach pub lunch & drink - £15
Afternoon museum tour (optional) - £18
Evening rooftop cocktail or pub ale - £8–12
Total £35–£50