On a budget: Tours

Guided tours are one of the best ways to know a city, you are shown the most interesting spots along with a brief history lesson. It is not the same to simply admire the Houses of the Parliament than looking at it when receiving an architectural explanation of the building, the story behind Bonfire Night and some other information about the place.
Unfortunately, some of these tours can be quite expensive, so today we bring you a bunch of alternatives!

Free walking tours: yes, 100% free. If you enjoyed the tour, they encourage that you pay what you think it's worth, but if you don't have any money, well, no worries. You will find plenty of these just by googling "free tours London". They are usually last about 2 hours.

There are also companies where you can buy your tickets online and get a discount, but you may find them still expensive.

If you don't feel like walking, there is still an almost-free alternative to those expensive bus tours.
Take bus number 12, sit on the front row upstairs and enjoy the tour!
This bus route will take you by the London Eye, Houses of the Parliament, Westminster Square, Horse Guard Parade, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus.

You can also change buses at Trafalgar Square and take bus 15, which will take you to Saint Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London.

If you want to go pro, find information about these places online (Wikipedia, anyone?), print it out and take it with you.

We offer free maps at the hotel, so no need to buy one. You can also get a free map and information from the Tourist Information Centers that you'll find in central London (Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus...)

And over all, remember that London is a beautiful city and that you should try to see as much as possible, avoid the underground if you can. And for Londoners' sake, when taking the underground, stand on the right on the escalators (or someone may push you out of the way).

Is there something to do in Peckham?

Our reply, plenty.

When someone comes to you mid-afternoon and asks “what can I do in the area? Is there something to visit?”, you may feel that the answer is “not really” but you’re wrong. Peckham is not central London, but we can still offer a lot.
We've listed below some of our favorites:

·        South London Gallery

Contemporary art. A closer alternative to the Tate Modern. Free entry

Directions

Outside of the hotel to the left, 5 min walk on the other side of the road.

·         Peckham Rye Park & Common

A park with the following facilities:

1.    Café

2.    Toilets & baby changing

3.    Playground

4.    Picnic area

5.    Bowling green

6.    Outdoor gym

7.    Skate park

Directions

Bus 12 / 343 (15 min)

Or 25 min walk

·         Peckham Pelican

Yes, our neighbors. A café with a very busy schedule: from films, to silver ring workshops, poetry, political talks and exhibitions.

Check their Facebook page for weekly info.

Directions
Out of the hotel to the left, 2 min walk.

·         Rooftop Film Club

An open air cinema. I mean, it's summer! Why aren't you there already?

Tickets can be bought online.

Directions

On Rye Lane. The access is a bit hidden. After the second bridge of the train station, cross the road. Between a blue shop (Lyca mobile) and a red one (butcher’s), there is a small alley. Through there you will get to the entrance.

·         CFL Art Café

A 100% self-funded commercial humanitarian arts and entertainment company in the Bussey Building (same as the Rooftop film club).

Films, theatre, parties, concerts, exhibitions, comedy… the whole lot. 

Directions
On Rye Lane. The access is a bit hidden. After the second bridge of the train station, cross the road. Between a blue shop (Lyca mobile) and a red one (butcher’s), there is a small alley. Through there you will get to the entrance.