This Just In: Britain Doesn’t Have to be Expensive

Travel Blog  •  Eva Holland  •  02.26.09 | 4:27 PM ET

Durham CathedralPhoto of Durham Cathedral by Neil T via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Sure, London can be one of the world’s most expensive cities, and the pound has offered a punishing exchange rate with most other currencies over the past few years. But, having done the “starving student” thing there in my grad school days, I’ve always believed that the U.K. remains a prime destination for travelers on a budget. For every pricey West End stage production there’s a free, world-class museum, and for every swank celebrity-helmed restaurant there’s a tasty meal in a cozy pub. Don’t believe me? Here’s proof: 10 free cultural gems, courtesy of the Guardian, and, from the Independent, the country’s 50 best cheap eats. Both are good lists—the Guardian’s in particular gets bonus points for avoiding the best-known London freebies, like the Tate Modern, in favor of more obscure (and more geographically diverse) cultural institutions.

As for my own favorite British bargains? On the culture front, I have to go with Durham Cathedral. Closing in on its 1000th birthday, it’s one of the last major cathedrals in Britain to avoid implementing an admission fee—and it’s one of the most powerful buildings, in terms of sheer presence, that I have ever visited. Food-wise, it’s got to be the meal deal at the Boots pharmacy chain: three pounds gets you a sandwich, a bag of chips (crisps, in Brit-speak) and a drink. Choose a ploughman’s sandwich or a cheese savoury (if you’re in the north) and an unusual flavor of crisps—think marmite, pickled onion, or cheddar and mango chutney—for added authenticity.

Tags: Budget Travel, Cheap Travel, Travel Tips, Europe, England, London, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, News and Briefs

Eva Holland is co-editor of World Hum. She is a former associate editor at Up Here and Up Here Business magazines, and a contributor to Vela. She's based in Canada's Yukon territory.


3 Comments for This Just In: Britain Doesn’t Have to be Expensive

JackieB 02.27.09 | 12:07 PM ET

I’m going to Northern Ireland in 2 weeks and plan to do it extremely cheaply. In terms of price and place, its definitely a fascinating alternative to the better-known side of Britain!

Eva Holland 02.27.09 | 12:31 PM ET

JackieB—Agreed! I was amazed when I arrived in Belfast and realized nearly everything was a few pounds cheaper. (I think I paid 9 pounds a night for my hostel bed!) Enjoy your trip.

Kevin Evans 03.27.09 | 12:27 PM ET

A great excursion from London is the town of St Albans, named after Britain’s first Christian martyr, but more famous for the ruins of the Roman city Verulamium and ruins of a Roman theatre. Plenty of fast trains run from London and will get you there in 20 mins.

The cathedral is incredibly old (nearly as old Durham’s if I’m not mistaken), and has a wonderful higgledy piggledy mixture of architecture from Norman through the Medieval period up to Victorian times. You can see Roman bricks in the walls still.

Visit the St Albans museum (sorry Guardian - it’s not free, but still only £3 for adults, £2 for students) which has some brilliant Roman mosaics in pristine condition.

The town itself is lovely with lots of bars, restaurants and shops.

See http://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/ for more info

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.