Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.
Looking for more free things to do in London? Here are 102 of em! We've also compiled this epic map of free stuff in London.
1. Sign up for a BSL tour
The British Library offers a special tour for any visitors who are D/deaf, deafened and hard of hearing. Join a curator for a tour of the current Chinese and British exhibition (which closes next weekend) exploring British Chinese communities and culture, and what it means to be both Chinese and British.
Live speech-to-text transcription of the tour is provided by Stagetext, and a BSL interpreter is also present.
Free, 12 April.
2. View photos from India and Bangladesh
A new exhibition of works by photographer Adrian Whittle opens at Jeannie Avent Gallery in East Dulwich. See candid street shots and portraits of the everyday people of India and Bangladesh, including labourers, school students, Bihari refugees and Dhaka's Hijra (third gender) community, accompanied by text panels telling their stories.
Free, 13-25 April.
3. Take tea, the Japanese way
Every couple of weeks, the British Museum offers a free demonstration of a Japanese tea ceremony, given by members of the Urasenke Foundation London Branch. In addition to the demo, there's a talk about the history of tea in Japan.
Free, 14 April.
4. Crunch your way out of the Kettle Chips Escape Room
For three day, 146 Shoreditch High Street is home to a Kettle Chips Escape Room, to promote the launch of two new flavours. Solve puzzles, crunch numbers and crack codes to reveal the mystery flavours.
Walk-in slots are available, but book in advance to guarantee entry. As you'd hope, tasters are available on the day as well.
Free, 14-16 April.
5. Get the kids some new books — for free
Kids read all their books during the Easter holidays? Take them along to artsdepot in North Finchley where they can swap them for free. The Book Buzz is a whole day of children's literature-themed entertainment with drag storytelling, puppets, live music and a character costume parade, in addition to the book swap.
Free, 16 April.
6. Go on a wild goose chase
Throughout April, the Great Leadenhall Goose Chase takes place at Leadenhall Market. To take part, download the app and get stuck into various tasks and activities around the market, including dressing up, finding clues and solving puzzles. The winning team receives a £500 voucher to spend at Leadenhall Market, so it's worth a shot.
Free, throughout April.
7. Admire the vibrant abstracts of Stanley Whitney
The abstract artworks of Stanley Whitney currently adorn the walls of Gagosian Grosvenor Hill, for the exhibition There Will Be Song. Inspired by the likes of Piet Mondrian and Mark Rothko, Whitney's paintings incorporate large slabs of colour, the brushwork revealing the trace of the artist's hand in building up these vibrant, uplifting compositions.
Free, until 13 May
8. Tee off at multi-coloured minigolf
Speaking of colourful things... Canary Wharf's free minigolf course designed by art duo Craig & Karl has reopened in Montgomery Square for the summer season.
Features of the nine-hole course include a a neon orange jump ramp and a pink and yellow chequered bridge. Stewards are on hand to provide golf clubs and balls, and there are also free ping pong tables nearby if you want to take the competitive spirit on elsewhere.
Free, daily 12pm-6pm (except in adverse weather).
9. Let off steam in one of London's playgrounds
We've got plenty of ideas for things to do in London in the Easter holidays, but for kids of a certain age, nothing beats a playground — and the good news for grown-ups is that they're free! Take a look at our map of central London playgrounds to find one near you. Several of them have been tested by our own little Londonists, who found them more than adequate.
