London on a budget with teenagers

[Multipleexclamationmarks]

So, beginning of August we have 4 days in London.
We're staying in Greenwich but going into London itself on 2 of the days.
I think a couple of museums, looking at the Sky garden, will get a 24 hour river taxi ticket - what else would people recommend for a family on a tightish budget please.
Also are there any places to get cheap theatre tickets on the day?

We've previously done the usual palace/tower/zoo/shrek things, maybe looking for something that the teens will enjoy.
Thanks

You can queue at TKTS in Leicester Square for cheap theatre tickets on the day.

With teens I’d take them to Camden Market, Portobello Market, the South Bank or Covent Garden and just let them wander about. Totally free and easy. Have you thought about the museums at Greenwich observatory as well?

Also if your teens like Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Vietnamese etc you can eat in Chinatown - wandering around the streets looking choosing where to eat is really fun and the street food is fairly cheap depending on where you end up.

Go to Camden Market and have lunch plus a walk by the canal - the teens will love looking round Camden Market.

The South Bank has lots of stuff to see and do and there are often free events at the Royal Festival Hall/South Bank Centre. You can walk along to the Tate Modern where entry and lots of the exhibits are free. Tons of buskers and stuff on the way and it's just a really nice walk. There are good secondhand book stalls by the British Film Institute. There is a nice food market with reasonably priced options at the back of the RFH.

Thank you! I'll check those out.

Er, not wanting to sound nitpicky but Greenwich is part of London. Where exactly do you mean by "London itself"? The West End or somewhere else?

If you're on insta ram look up 'secret London' - lots of cool little places. Note always expensive.

Camden is great
Covent Gardens, 7 Dials, Neals Yard
Sky garden obvs free and tower bridge nearby and not too expensive

Any specialist shops they are into? Camera shops, comics, make up, harrods or Selfridges?

And yes to Greenwich, plan on doing the observatory, meridian line, the cutty sark and apparently there's a tunnel you can walk through.

O e is a drummer so anything rock music related would go down well, the other is a bit emoish, into nanga etc.

@HundredMilesAnHour sorry yes I meant North of the river near the theatres, walking distance to picadilly circus, trafalgar Square areas.

There is. Watch out for idiots on bikes when you’re down there though.

August is kids week at theatre. I think teens aged 17 and under have free tickets if with full paying adult but needs advance booking
https://officiallondontheatre.com/kids-week/

The cakes and ice creams in the bakeries in China Town are amazing.

In Greenwich the market is nice and good for some food.
River boat good. Look at the cable car at North Greenwich? There's a comedy club and a theatre near the park.
Definitely the South Bank for a walk around and food. Borough market? Easy to get to London Bridge via train or boat. Walk to London Eye with lots to look at on the way.

Brick Lane and Spitalfields is good for street art. There is a great vintage market in the basement of the Truman Brewery. Also a second hand vinyl place in there and Rough Trade record shop at ground floor level. They sometimes do cheap gigs there - check for your dates. What about a gig one evening - Shacklewell Arms or Moth Club in Hackney, 100 Club or free jazz at the Cable Cafe Bar on Brixton Rd. Other reasonably priced music nights - Lexington, Kings Cross, Dublin Castle, New Cross Inn.

Thanks, I'll check all of these out.

Shoreditchhas some amazing graffiti - walking tour round there is always fun!

Check gig listings and see if there is anything on free (just paying for drinks) near where you are staying. We have seen amazing up and coming and covers bands

Walk to South Bank Ctre when tide is out and you can do a but of mudlarking - take the stairs down to the river bed and see whether you find any 'treasure'. Like half a horseshoe or a massive rusty ship's nail.

Though better Google first- I've done this without incident but someone said you need a permit

If you are getting a day pass for the boat, have a look to see if there is anything going on at Battersea Power Station of Battersea Park. Not that it is an issue with the current weather, but it is pleasantly cool inside on a hot day.

If you go to Kings Cross, you can walk up to Granary Square - there is an outdoor cinema by the canal there and some cool shops in Coals Drop Yard. Plus it has a general nice vibe with fountains etc. There are various restaurants and cafes and usually some food stalls, or there is a Waitrose if you just want a picnic. You can then walk along the canal from there to Camden for Camden market etc, and even on to Little Venice. Or you can walk from Camden to Primrose hill.
We live in London and have teen DC. They do this some variation of Granary Square/Camden/Primrose Hill reasonably often (sometimes with us).

They also like the South Bank. If the weather is nice, it also also worth going to one of the big royal parks.
For shopping, they tend to go to Carnaby Street (and the part of Oxford Street nearest to Carnaby Street), although be warned that Oxford Street itself is not great these days. Or Covent Garden/7 dials area (which you can combine with theatre). And occasionally Westfield. Battersea Power Station may be worth a visit. Have only been once when it first opened and not all the shops were open yet but it was pretty impressive. You could combine with Kings Road or Battersea Park.

My favourite time to catch a boat is when it's just getting dark & London is lighting up along the banks - especially if you can get outside seats.

I'm thinking of doing similar op. Where are you staying in Greenwich of you d0nt mind me asking?

National lottery days out are doing the £25 off loads of attractions esp in London. You just need a lottery ticket and if you google national lottery days you will find the website to claim your discount.

I too was going to suggest Spitafields and Bricklane markets on a Sunday. A 5min walk from Bricklane is Columbia rd flower market. I'd go as early as you can because its gets very busy in the Summer
Columbia Road Flower Market – Columbia Road Flower Market is a street market in Bethnal Green in London, England. Columbia Road is a road of Victorian shops situated off Hackney Road in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Tower Hamlets cemetery park is worth a wander through. Its a cemetery, but has been left so the trees and shrubs can take over, so looks more like a big park.
Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park - Wikipedia

This is a very quirky, small museum. Under 18's can visit before 5pm. There is an absinthe bar upstairs and the museum below. Not a must do, but if in the East End area, its worth a look. Broadway market isn't too far away and that is on a Saturday, so could easily see both. A vaguely recall there some saucy/cheeky type playing cards, or things in cabinets, so wouldn't suit if the teens are very young. Vast majority is just quirky, weird things though.
The Viktor Wynd Museum Of Curiosities, Fine Art & Natural History (thelasttuesdaysociety.org)

On the same road, but 1min from Bethnal Green tube station is the V&A childrens museum. Its only recently re-opened after being renovated and its free! They used to have interactive exhibits which are interesting for adults and children alike.
Young V&A (vam.ac.uk)

TKTS go online at midnight each day

The Globe booked in advance is £13 for standing and this season is very good

So many museums are free- you really dont need to pay for anything.

If getting the uber thames clipper from Greenwich allow time as the queues were chronic at the weekend.

Cinnamon Bizaar is cheaper and good to eat in Covent Garden
Get the boat early to Millbank and go to the Regent cafe for breakfast