London is one of the most interesting, vibrant and eclectic cities in the world. There is so much to see and do and take in it. As a Pet and House Sitter you may have limited time to see the sites, depending upon feeding routines, walking and cuddle schedules, however, in my experience even London offers a range of affordable fun things to do. Here is a short list of things to do in London that do not take all day and that not everyone knows about and wont hurt your pocket either.

UK house sitting

House sit in London

One of the most affordable things to do in London is housesitting and petsitting to secure free accommodation. It will save you a lot of money and will enable you to extend your visit and meet great hosts who can perhaps guide you around before they leave on their trip. While I housesit in London I am also able to discover a whole range of affordable things to do in London. Here are my top 10 affordable activities in the capital.

Top 10 affordable things to do when house sitting in London

1. London Charity Shops:

London is filled with them and they offer not only bargain prices but the opportunity to Treasure Hunt and acquire something that is not found ‘on the racks’ in departments stores. My top two favourites are Mary’s Caring and Giving and Royal Trinity Hospice – they are more like shopping in Boutiques than thrift stores.  Many of the charity shops I have found in London also offer a sense of style that is fun and engaging.

2. The London Cartoon Museum:

This little eclectic masterpiece is located not far from the British Museum, not only offers a couple of hours of chuckles, but a glimpse into English social, economic and political history, as cartoons have a way of mirroring the pulse of the public and political mood. The range is from historical to hysterical…

3. The Nespresso Shop

Maker of coffee machines and the best Nespresso reusable pods, offers free tastings, so stop in to try a coffee, but be warned you may be hooked and go home with a coffee maker!

4.  The Barbican Centre:

An Arts Centre with performances and exhibitions, I happened upon it one day and was delighted to see and exhibition about famous painters who had been married with each other. They have an excellent little Gift Shop and cafe next to the water.

5. Museum of Wimbledon:

Open on the weekends and run by volunteers it brings to life the history of the flavour of Wimbledon Tennis and the area. They also have a Gift Shop which is worth a good look.

6. Wimbledon Common:

Reputedly one of the oldest Commons in London, Wimbledon Common is large open space of 460 hectares (1140 acres) in South West London.  At the southern end of the common on the part used by the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club are the remains of an Iron Age hill fort known (in fact only since the 19th century) as Caesar’s Camp.

Though the main period of use as an oppidum seems to have been the 6th to 4th centuries BC, there is some evidence that it was indeed stormed by the Romans, probably in the Invasion of Britain by Claudius.

It may have been taken by the Legio II Augusta under Vespasian in their push westwards in AD 44.

It is possible the site was settled as far back as the Bronze Age, but it and the surrounding barrows were deliberately destroyed by John Erle-Drax in 1875.

Regardless, I can highly recommend a lovely area of woods, ponds. Make sure to visit the Windmill. It is a wonderful place to
go for a walk, be in nature (I’m told the Fairies are still alive and well here) And then have a cuppa at the cafe.

7. Little Venice:

An area near Paddington Station where you can wander amongst the Canals for a little different flavour in busy London Town. Paddington Station itself is wonderful for its architecture and the Little Bear statue outside.

8. St Pancras Renaissance Hotel:

St Pancras Station itself is filled with shops to browse, perhaps whilst waiting for the EuroStar to take you to your next Pet Sit. Next to it is the Renaissance Hotel with superb architecture and well worth a walk through. They have a couple of cafe’s so you can also sit and enjoy the grandeur whilst have something to eat.

9. Handle and Hendrix Museum:

Would you believe the same home was occupied by the composer Handle and then 200 years later by Jimi Hendrix? Yes, it’s true. There is a wall between the two living spaces, though the same building. Catch a glimpse of the past and a flavour of the mystical synchronicity that brought these two to the same place.

10. Photos Opps:

The Tube –

You can get some great shots in the Underground Stations. Two of my favourites are Embankment and Piccadilly, with their arches and tunnels and colours.

Walk across the Bridges –

The Millennium Bridge will link you from Tate Modern to St Paul’s; Straight down from Trafalgar Square is the Golden Jubilee Bridge which will bring you to the Southbank Centre and the London Eye; From Westminster Bridge you have great views of Big Ben and the London Eye

There is so much London that has to offer. My final piece of advice for affordable things to do in London is just wander about. See what you encounter. Be open and allow London to guide you. It has so much to offer everyone.

By Tiera St Claire – Housesitter on HouseSitMatch

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” Samuel Johnson

If you fancy housesitting in London or anywhere else sign up with HouseSitMatch.com as a housesitter and apply…

Handy articles and blogs about housesitting and housesitters

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about housesitters, housesitting and pet sitting. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitters useful.

London house sitting – London Calling

Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities

Top 10 tips for catsitting

Top dogsitting tips for beginners