You can hang out at home with some music or a good book, scarfing down home made ice lollies and granitas, or sipping some cloudy lemonade or ginger beer. If you have outside space then a few tea lights twinkling away in old jam jars are all you need to sit out on warm evenings.

Or head to any of the parks with a cheap rug or mat and a home made picnic. I know there are a few park poseur types who spend a fortune on blankets, hampers and fancy plates, but it can all be done on a shoestring and to hell with keeping up with the Joneses. The only thing that’s really worth spending a little extra on is a good vacuum flask that keeps things piping hot (or icy cool, if you prefer) and is leak-proof and fairly robust. Have a quiet one with the papers, or add plenty of friends and a few beers, it’s perfect either way.

When the weather’s warmer you can take off and do loads of different free walks, ranging from a short slacker-ish ramble to a full-on yomp, depending upon your preference. You can also get out of town for very little with various special travel offers and off-peak advance fares. I recently had a return trip to Brighton for £5, which made for a perfect day out, including a wander down the seafront and some loafing about on the beach.

While the big ticketed day and weekend festivals get a lot of press, there are also hundreds of free events to get yourself along to, with happenings to suit every taste. There’s always something free to try down at the Southbank, and there are plenty of outdoor fairs and festivals that have heaps of stalls and entertainments and cost nothing to attend, from Lewisham People’s Day to Notting Hill Carnival.

The main collections of most museums and art galleries are free, and many regularly have late evenings which are filled with interesting creative programmes (the easiest thing is to sign up for their mailing lists). Or head out to some or free or subsidised gigs, outdoor theatre, or even the BBC Proms (prices start at around £5).

Who cares if we’re broke, let’s have fun anyway.

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The programme ranges from recent blockbusters and arthouse films right through to short films and animation, and they also have regular themed evenings with double bills and guest speakers. The Roxy plays host to a variety of film festivals as well, and if that’s not your thing then you might be interested to hear that they hold comedy and live music evenings, and use their four-metre-wide screen for big sporting events like the football and rugby. Card sharps love the place for its regular poker nights too, which are often sponsored by different brands of bourbon and other drinks.

Speaking of drinks, there’s a wide range of well-chosen wines and beers on offer, plus a small but perfectly formed cocktail menu, and teas and coffees. If you get peckish you can have food brought to your table while the movie’s playing. They serve reasonably priced bistro fare, light bites and, of course, icecream. Or you may prefer to try out one of the many favourably-reviewed nearby restaurants or gastropubs instead.

If you want to get a good seat for the evening’s performance, make sure you get down to the Roxy with plenty of time to spare before the film begins. For this week’s film programme, see their website for full details.

The Roxy Bar and Screen, 128-132 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1LB. Nearest tube station: Borough.
Telephone: 020 7407 4057
www.roxybarandscreen.com

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the Lastminute.com blog.

You can easily spend hours here wandering from stall to stall, taking in the atmosphere and visiting the excellent surrounding cafes, pubs and restaurants. The only drawback is that you can also end up spending a lot more money than you thought you were going to. How can you enjoy a day at a place like Borough Market if you’re travelling on a shoestring or feeling the pinch in the run-up to payday?

I’ll happily agree that some things are worth spending the extra on, whether that’s Freedom Foods, Fairtrade goods, or good old expertise and panache. For example, the organic small-estate and cooperative coffees from the Monmouth Coffee Co cost about the same as drinks from the big chains, but to me they represent better value and I think they taste better too.

If you go around all the stalls and shops, chances are you’ll be offered enough free tasters to make up a substantial mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack if you time your visit right, although it’s best not to be too cheeky. If the weather’s good you can buy yourself a delicious take-away snack or picnic ingredients to eat in the grounds of Southwark Cathedral or Tate Modern, rather than going for a full-price sit-down meal somewhere. A perfect way to end the day is to head to the Old Vic or Shakespeare’s Globe for a spot of theatre, both are great venues too.

When it comes to shopping, I have two favourite stalls for bargains. The first is fruit and veg merchants Elsey & Bent, who are a little less chi-chi than some of the other greengrocers at Borough and consequently have lower prices. They also stock plenty of seasonal foods, which tend to become cheaper when large amounts hit the markets. On a similar note, the £1-table at the Pays D’Auge Fromages stall is a don’t-miss part of the market. They sell off ripe French cheeses that are still perfectly good for eating, and many foodies would say that’s when they’re are at their best. Happy eating!

Borough Market opening hours: Thursdays: 11am – 5pm, Fridays: 12 noon – 6pm, Saturdays: 8am – 5pm.
www.boroughmarket.org.uk

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

The recession hit local casinos hard, so they want your business. Haggle down room prices or get upgrades, and ask for ‘comps’ (freebies), ‘funbooks’(voucher booklets) and discounts to get extra gambling credit, and free/reduced tickets for shows, drinks and meals. Many supply free bottles of spirits or sparkling wine on arrival too, or have cocktail happy hours. Avoid their room service and wi-fi charges – head to coffee shops to get online for nothing – and scan free local magazines for extra coupons.

Free entertainment rules in Vegas. Dancing fountains outside the Bellagio play every half hour in the evening, but for something kitschier try the erupting volcano outside the Mirage, performance artists in Circus Circus, Elvis and Marilyn impersonators in Imperial Palace, pole dancing croupiers in Planet Hollywood or animatronic statues in the Forum Shops’ fountains. Or just walk around The Venetian, Paris Las Vegas or Caesar’s Palace gawping at the decor.

The best views are from the top of the Stratosphere Tower at sunset. Don’t get fleeced catching the main elevator to their funfair: ask staff to show you the other (free) elevator for the top floor cocktail lounge. Sip perfectly-mixed Manhattans or martinis, then take the lift and stairs a couple of floors to the viewing deck.

If you’re gambling, set an amount and stick to it, or play risk free at casino gambling lessons where they show you the rules of blackjack, poker and roulette. Play slowly, and enjoy the free waitress-service drinks (tip a dollar per drink to keep ‘em coming).

Enjoy deluxe dining for less with lunchtime and set menu meals, or fill up with quality buffet breakfasts and forget lunch (try Spice Market Buffet, the Bellagio, or Paris Las Vegas). Cheaper eats include ‘Wichcraft deli and Fashion Show Mall diners. Want to catch a show after dinner? Buy same-day discounted tickets from Tix4Tonight.

For big brand shopping bargains, catch the CAT shuttle bus to Las Vegas Premium Outlets at the top end of the Strip where they have everything from Calvin Klein to Levi’s. Beauty fans should also head to Sephora in the Venetian for cult purchases and own-brand products. Finally, cheap souvenirs can be found all over town, my favourites being 1950s-style drinking glasses, ex-casino packs of cards and zany fridge magnets. Because what happens in Vegas doesn’t have to stay in Vegas…

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

There’s a street market here that dates back to 1778, and currently sells mainly fruit and vegetables at down-to-earth prices. Other stalls sell gourmet cakes and bread, cheese, fresh fish and household goods, with opening hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. You might even want to try your hand at haggling with the stallholders if you aren’t shy.

Fashionistas can visit the Bang Bang Clothing Exchange at number 9 to trawl through the hand picked selection of vintage, designer and high street pieces. It’s well worth putting up with the trendier-than-thou shop assistants for the chance of picking up a special garment or two.

Berwick Street’s also famous for its record exchanges and shops. Collectors can while away many a happy hour browsing through vinyl, CDs and memorabilia at places like Sister Ray http://www.sisterray.co.uk/ at number 34-35 and Vinyl Junkies http://www.vinyl-junkies.com at number 94.

Craft fans and anyone who can handle a sewing machine will find plenty to inspire them in the many small fabric and accessories emporiums that run alongside the market. Shop around to find the best prices, and pop into The Berwick Street Cloth Shop at number 14, Borovick Fabrics at number 16, or Cloth House at number 47.

The street’s lined with cafes and shops too. Grab a serious caffeine fix in the tiny Flat White coffee bar at number 17, or try the much loved veggie Beatroot Cafe at number 92 for a healthy hot snack or salad.

Berwick Street, W1, London. The nearest tube stations are Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus.

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on lastminute.com.

When I want to eat beautiful food in sophisticated surroundings, but the finances don’t quite stretch to a fancy lunch or dinner, I head for a deluxe tearoom. The Wolseley cafe-restaurant on Piccadilly is a particular favourite of mine and is ideal for meeting friends, treating relatives, spotting celebrities or impressing a date.

The building was originally designed as a luxury car showroom in the 1920s, and has been beautifully converted into a European-style grand cafe with most of the original Art Deco features still intact, including the marble floors, huge windows and high ceilings. It’s light years away from your local greasy spoon, and serves breakfasts, lunches, and evening meals as well as gorgeous afternoon teas.

The place is very popular, so it’s advisable to book ahead unless you don’t mind waiting for a while in the busy bar by the door. The staff are efficient and friendly rather than stuffy, and they will seat you as soon as they can.

The menu covers bistro fare, Eastern European comfort foods, seafood, and, best of all, high teas and Viennoiserie. Given the quality and ambience it’s reasonably priced. On my last visit the waiter allowed me to split one afternoon tea between two people, which meant that we had a plate of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, a choice of teas, and a small selection of pastries to share. It was more than enough for both of us, and our taste of the good life came in at below £10 per person. Worth every penny.

Tea at the Wolseley is held daily 3.30pm – 6.30pm, apart from Saturdays (3.30pm – 5.30pm).

The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB. Telephone: 020 7499 6996

This article by Penny Golightly originally appeared on the lastminute.com blog.

Buy tickets on the day for just £10, or ‘pay what you can’ for a balcony seat. My top tips for getting an even better deal: be really polite to the box office staff to get the best seats, and check the TheatreMonkey website before purchase so you can avoid specific seat numbers with restricted views or severe lack of leg room.

Some shows are cheaper. Experimental theatre, fringe or amateur productions charge a fraction of West End prices – it’s sometimes pot luck whether you’re going to like it or not though. Track down reviews in the newspapers or theatre websites such as What’s On Stage.

Some locations are cheaper. Many West End shows start out in, or move to, non-West-End theatres. For example, this year’s stage version of Prick Up Your Ears is starting out in Richmond before it moves to central London with the same cast. If you don’t mind a longer journey or you live nearby then you could make some savings.

Theatres don’t like having empty seats. A full house has a better atmosphere, which in turn can influence reviews, word-of-mouth recommendations and future sales. The theatre takes more at its bars and merchandise stalls too. This can mean discounts for you in the rush to put bums on seats.

Seat fillers, Part I: Standby, day and returns tickets. Spare tickets are sold off, usually on the day of the show, often at a large discount, and many theatres also have tickets they deliberately keep back to sell on the day, usually first thing in the morning. The discounts can be much larger for students, pensioners etc. You might only be able to buy one or two tickets, and you might have to pay cash and show your ID. Call the theatre in question to check about likely prices, terms and conditions, and the time the tickets go on sale. Get there early and be prepared to queue.

Returns tickets are the ones that are sent back to a theatre’s box office on the day of the show if they’re unsold by agents, or if the customers who originally bought them find that they’re unable to use them. They’re supposed to go on sale about an hour before the show starts, but in practice you can usually buy them a while before that since it avoids a big rush for the box office staff so everyone’s happy. Please note that these tickets aren’t always guaranteed to be heavily discounted, it depends on the show’s popularity.

Seat fillers, Part II: Official discount booths. If you’re in London, you can get about 50% off same-day tickets at the official TKTS discount booths, plus a £3 handling fee. If you’re first in the queue you get the pick of all the shows. There’s one in Leicester Square and another in Brent Cross Shopping Centre. Check their TKTS website to get an idea of what’s available at the moment. Be warned that there are lots of unofficial ticket booths around Leicester Square, so don’t get confused or you might get ripped off.

Seat fillers, Part III: Late-ticket clubs. In larger cities you may find subscription-based clubs that offer you spare tickets for that night’s performances around town, or with two or three days’ notice. You can check their offers every morning and snap up tickets on a first-come-first served basis, paying only a couple of pounds or so for a handling fee. The annual subscription is likely to cost around £40-£50, but key workers sometimes pay less. You have to be prepared to make space in your evening plans then and there, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll be certain of getting exactly the tickets you want, but if you just love going out to the theatre on a regular basis then this system might work for you. You might like to try The Audience Club out. 

Seat fillers, Part IV: Papering the house. If a show is selling really badly then tickets may very quietly get distributed for free. If you’re offered one of these tickets, first of all ask yourself why the show’s selling so badly: hunt around for reviews to help you decide whether to take up the offer or not (I truly regretted watching an over-long, badly-acted and darkly-lit production in a cold, draughty theatre one particularly rainy January, even if it cost nowt).

Freebies may be given to schools, colleges or universities if it’s a classic play or standard text. It’s worth checking with employers as well, as large organisations and businesses sometimes get offered free tickets. This is something you find out about by accident or by asking around, so keep an eye on messageboards or emails wherever you work or study.

There are so many other ways to obtain discounts on tickets that I’ll have to come back to it in Act 3. See you after the interval.

If you missed the first part of this article, you can find Act 1 here.

Without much further ado:

Be an insider (or friends with one). People who work part time or full time in theatres, concert halls and arts centres nearly always get free or discounted tickets as part of their jobs. Actors are regularly invited to attend performances by directors and other friends, but you don’t have to be a well-connected thesp to benefit – ushers are often asked to sit at the back of an audience while plays are on, and so are St John Ambulance volunteers, etc.

Get on the list. Sign up for email updates from your favourite venues and theatre companies. They may have ‘early bird’ deals or special offers in their emails. You can also follow them on Twitter, where I’ve recently seen free tickets given away by The Soho Theatre and £5 tickets offered by The Royal Court.

Some nights are cheaper. There’s less demand for tickets on a Monday night, say, so they’re not always as expensive as tickets for the same seats on a Friday. The same often goes for matinee performances. Tickets for the first shows at the start of a run, including preview nights, may be lower priced too, although sometimes there can be ‘teething troubles’ with sets, scripts and so on.

Some seats are cheaper, Part I. Seats at the back of the balcony are cheaper than seats at the front of a dress circle or the stalls. I think it’s nearly always better to have a cheap seat than it is to miss an exciting show completely, but do be warned that some seats have a partially restricted view of the stage, poor acoustics, a vertiginous drop below them or leg room that dates back to when malnourished Brits rarely grew taller than five foot two. It is well worth double-checking potential purchases against the seating plans at theatremonkey.

Some seats are cheaper, Part II. Many theatres have ‘slip seats’, fold-down seats, benches or a little standing area where you can watch for a small fee. They tend to face sideways onto the stage so the view isn’t always perfect, but you can nearly always see and hear enough to know what’s going on at all times. They might also have an added bonus – sometimes people in the expensive seats nearby don’t turn up, so if seats near an aisle remain empty 20 minutes after the show’s started then you can often discreetly slip into them. For seats in the middle of a row, wait until the interval and be as polite as possible if you’re trying to blag your way into them (you haven’t paid for the new seats and aren’t legally entitled to sit in them).

This list is by no means exhaustive, and I’ll come back to it soon with more cheap theatre ideas. If you have any insider knowledge of your own, please spill the beans in the comments below.