Well, here's a quirky one for a kick-off:
How about getting a good filling meal along Oxford Street and then giving some blood down Margaret Street off Regent Street? Do your good deed for the day, and it last around 3 months (until you can do it again) and could save up to three people.
Make sure you make as much use of their free drinks and snacks while you're there - you've earned it! You could even do some shopping beforehand, and if you feel like treating yourself to a not so expensive beauty treatment afterwards, well then you'll helpfully find a well priced trainee beautician's place across the street from The Blood Centre. Around just £7 for a manicure, but make sure you book early. In one small area you could have eaten, shopped, given some blood and then had a little 'you' time. Simple. But not the most usual day out in London, no?
If you want to give blood, but live a little further a field go to blood.co.uk to find a Blood Bank near you.
Imax
Have you ever seen that large building near Waterloo station that towers out of the ground but appears to have no doors? Yes I’m talking about the Imax theatre. An interesting start would be to figure out to enter this thing. It bothered me for quite a while but if you follow the signs from Waterloo station, and go along the subway you'll find your way into the building. Check, BFI London IMAX Cinema for further information including links to obtain opening times. When visiting try and make sure that the film you are seeing is in 3D so to get the most out of the experience.
Be an Audience Member
What about being part of the audience in a TV show? This is London, there are production studios everywhere. Taking part is free and a lot of fun, plus you get to see the inner workings of your favourite show, and if you’re lucky and on a cooking show - hey maybe even some free food! Or perhaps those celebrity sightings, which can be so easy for some in London, and so elusive to others! Just check out the websites to your favourite live TV shows, or the channel's website for more information - in addition we often display free ticket offers in All In London's What's On section.\n\nYou could go off the beaten track completely and enter the wilderness - the very outskirts of London. Staines to be exact. Jump on the train from Warerloo direct to Staines and then on the other side get the special Thorpe Park bus - £3 return for adults, £1.50 for children - to that well known theme park.
You might want to aim to go early, and if possible not in the school holidays, or a weekend, then you'll miss the crowds of pre-teens and the likelihood that some of the best rides have broken down, while you've been queuing for hours. Although they provide helpful lockers to store your valuables, you may want to take a bag around with you with water and/ or food, as there are points where you can put these away near the roller coasters. This way you won't be paying so much for food and drink around the park.
If you've got kids with you, but they're under the minimum height for the rides you want to do, or just not interested, then there are schemes such as 'Parent Swaps' where staff at the park will look after your kids while you get to go on the roller coasters you want.
Ask at the park or check the website thorpepark.co.uk for details. If you book online its cheaper, but remember to do this in good time before you decide to go. If you go with kids, check it's worth it, a lot of the rides are height restricted which may lead to an expensive day out for not much in return, and some very bored young-uns.
Volunteering
Volunteering isn't the most obvious thing to do in London but it can be a lot of fun, a way to meet people and lead to free access to fun events. Try do-it.org.uk for some volunteering ideas in your local area. If you live near Battersea Arts Centre and are interested in theatre, why not volunteer as a steward? Help out and you get to see the plays for free. Look out for local events such as festivals as they always need a helping hand, and you'll probably find if there are few of you, that you get paid in perks.
Interested in festivals? Then there's always the London Film Festival to start with lff.org.uk, beginning October 16th and lasting till the 2nd of November.\n\nWant to get more involved in events in London, or simply know more? Sign up for e-newsletters for theatres and museums, embassies, whatever you're interested in, then you'll be sure what's going on for you to try out.
Olympic Preparations
Why not srart preparing yourself for when London is home to the Olympics? By trying out a new sport or two. There are ice rinks all over the city during the winter and indoor ones all year round. Plenty of parks to try out running, tai-chi, rollerblading or cycling.
Get Active!
In the summer try out the pedal-boats in the Serpentine in Hyde Park. What about bowling? Or how about trying some mountain climbing - indoors that is. Swimming? In the summer you can swim in a designated area of the Serpentine but you can always find a local swimming pool, gym or health club for the rest of the year. To find local sports centres or classes look up london.gov.uk or All In London
There's a whole host of things to do in London rather than just shopping, eating and drinking -although those can be done quirkily too - just check out the Ice Bar.
Explore!
