Earning a city bonus

London has a fearsome reputation for expense, so can a trip be done, if not on a budget, then without entirely losing control of the finances? The good news is that, with a little forward planning and common sense, it's not too difficult to have a good time without overspending.

Everyone's expectations of a visit to London are different, so it has to be a case of tailoring the trip to personal taste. For us that meant some time in London's museums, which do a magnificent job of condensing many of Britain's historical high points into manageable and interesting displays. Happily, many are free. We restricted ourselves to the Natural History and Maritime Museums, but it would have been easy to soak up the rest of the weekend in others.

We also spent an afternoon at the relatively new British Music Experience at the former Millennium Dome alongside the 02 Arena. It offers a whistle-stop journey through post-war Britain's pop scene. It scores a further hit by offering interactive contact for visitors, who are encouraged to try their hand at playing the guitar and drums, or dancing.

Its tickets also include a smart chip, which allows visitors to store information which interests them, and access it later online. This is a clever and successful combination which appeals to visitors on different levels and seems like good value. Many of the museums which make a charge for entry participate in the London Pass scheme, giving access to 55 attractions for a flat fee. The card can be bought to cover one, or several, days and may be a economical option for those wanting to squeeze out the maximum value, and could save you 11 a day.

Like all cities, London has gems to be discovered and for us one of those was Greenwich Market, home to dozens of traders and take-away food stalls of surprisingly good quality. You can see many of London's major landmarks via the Thames Clippers service provided by quick and convenient river boats which have about a dozen stops. It's 12 a day for an adult ticket, more expensive than the Tube, but more fun, and the services pass many of the main sights, including the Houses of Parliament, Tower of London and Tower Bridge. Transport costs can be kept down with the Oystercard. Charge it with money and swipe it getting on and off the Tube or buses. Likewise, eating out doesn't have to be too expensive. We ate at the Kensington branch of the Carluccio's chain, offering prices which would look normal in most Italian restaurants. There is a virtually endless list of options for accommodation, and "value" means different things to different people. We stayed at the Hilton's Kensington branch – good location, modern and comfortable rooms with a full breakfast included. It's within sight of the Westfield shopping centre and the two offer a Shopping Recovery Package which includes cocktails and cream teas at the hotel and a VIP discount card for some of the Westfield stores. It starts at about 70 per head for a couple sharing. Guests with children can get reduced rates for extra rooms. Maybe the most obvious choice for evening entertainment is a theatre visit, and we took the opportunity to see Sister Act at the Palladium.

Value seekers do need to be on their guard, though. We opted for a taxi to take us for a late meal after the show, then another back to the hotel. It cost almost as much as the cost of burgers at the Hard Rock Caf.

CAPITAL GAINS

We travelled with East Midland by rail, from Sheffield to St Pancras

Oystercards can be used on bus and Tube services

Thames Clippers offer 12 a day adult tickets for river transport

Many museums, including the Natural History, Science and V&A are free.

Affordable way to experience the West End lifestyle

The boutiques and theatres of London's West End offer a satisfying and thought-provoking weekend, as Mark Casci found out.

THE police advance towards the young boy, slamming their truncheons against their shields, creating a terrifying cacophony of noise. This is London's Victoria Palace Theatre and we are about halfway through Billy Elliot The Musical. I have travelled down to the capital on a short-stay package, accommodation and tickets to the show included. The Victoria Palace is as grand as its name suggests, the very picture of a metropolitan theatre experience. The splendour chimes nicely too with my accommodation, the impressive Cavendish Hotel, just yards from Fortnum and Mason. As someone who grew up near Middlesbrough during the miners' strikes of the 1980s, the idea of taking the North East into this wonderfully ornate theatre provoked the sceptic in me. But the production is superb. and the hotel wonderful. The rooms are a decent size and it is located in a quiet side street.

Superbreak offers a range of packages. A one-night stay at the The Cavendish on a b/b basis and a third priced saver ticket (Grand Circle) to see Billy Elliot costs from 114.50 per person, based on two sharing. Superbreak can also arrange rail travel. 0871 222 3055 or www.superbreak.com.

YP MAG 1/5/10