To ask how much spending money you would take for a 3 day trip to London

[Vilanelle]

Bearing in mind the hotel is paid for (Wembley area). We want to be a little frugal so no posh dining.

Only tourist thing we are inclined to do is Madam Tussauds. We are there for a concert (Fleetwood Mac), not to sight see (although we will do a little).

We go next month and I am STRESSED.

Yes I would advise avoiding rainforest cafe like the plague. Extortionate prices for mediocre food

Wow Fleetwood Mac!! I'm jealous. Enjoy.

I haven’t read the whole thread but not sure if anyone mentioned that if you’re using your contactless bank card for public transport, you’ll need a card each. You can’t use the same card to pay for both of you.
I’ve seen lots of tourists believe they can do this so thought i’d mention it

Don’t go to tussauds. So much you can do for free. Kensington gardens and Hyde park, plus one of the free museums ( natural history, science museum, V&A) will fill one day. Maybe look for a groupon deal on a Thames hop on, hop off cruise, or otherwise take the clipper. Take out a taste card trial? Or google offers at chain restaurants and groupon meals.i usually spend much less in London than other places as there are so many freebies.

Just got back from London. If you join the V & A you can get in to the Dior exhibit. Lovely "miniature" portrait exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery. We also went to see Churchill's underground war "bunker."

For tapas, this is my favourite tapas place in London and some of the set menus are excellent value for money. It’s in a lovely area too so it feels more expensive than it is!

You do need to book though
www.navarros-tapas-london.co.uk/menus/special/

Personally I love walking along the south bank - pop into the BFI for a coffee / a film, wander around the wharfs, there’s some lovely independent shops and restaurants

Fifty billion pounds.

No, probably 300 or so.

If you're going to Southbank you could also take a walk over the river (opposite the Festival Hall area) to Covent Garden and Neal St. Lovely area. St James' Park is close by. I like the aquarium on the southbank if that's your thing, there's also London Dungeons near to it. I haven't been there since they moved from London Bridge but I've heard it's good. I never pay full price though, we generally get tickets for the aquarium from our Tesco vouchers. It has an enormous 2 storey size shark tank.

Another thing that's nice from Southbank is to catch the clipper (boat) down the Thames to Borough Market in London Bridge (check opening times though). You could go up the Shard if tall. Buildings are your thing. I recommend an app called city mapper.

The sky garden is good too and free but you need to book.

I don't see that you need to spend a penny on paid for attractions:

South Bank walk and boat trip as others have said
Dinner in China Town, do Soho and Carnaby Street
South Ken Museums
Tate, National Portrait Gallery
Hyde Park
St James's Park (bandstand may be up) for lunch and a walk up The Mall and then see Buck House, walk through Hyde Park to Kensington Gardens
Camden Market

Open top bus tour probably worth it if you've never been before

You could also do The City - St Pauls, Leadenhall Market (Harry Potter films) as well as The Shard and stuff.

Covent Garden? You could queue for cheap seats for the opera.

I’d take £200 a day for both of you.

I don't understand why Madame Tussards is so popular. I'm a Londoner and the only time I ever went was when my Estonian relatives really wanted to when they were visiting. They'd heard about it in Estonia.

Are they just really good at marketing I wonder?

I marvel at the queue when I pass thinking "why? how?!"

I don't understand why Madame Tussards is so popular. Are they just really good at marketing I wonder? I marvel at the queue when I pass thinking "why? how?!"

I could have written this same post. Every time I drive past and see the huge queue of people outside and just think "why?!! I don't understand"

I suppose it’s a bit like going to a gallery - the only interest I have in it is from the perspective of the skill involved in creating very lifelike figures but I haven’t been since once you’ve seen one lifelike figure, you don’t really need to see any more (if that’s why you’re interested)

I can understand the appeal in the days before mass media, I suppose. It'd be interesting to see what famous people you'd heard about look like up up close. (Tussards is pretty old, right?). But all we need to do these days is switch on the telly or open a magazine and there they are!

John Soane museum, check opening times, it's amazing,