Britain on the Cheap

London is the only city to host the modern Games three times, and Blue Badge Guides are leading all-day tours of the Walk for Gold – London’s Olympic Heritage Feb. 18 and April 10. You’ll visit all three London Olympic sites on foot and by tube in zones 1-4. The tours begins 9.30 a.m. outside [...]

Now’s the chance to snap up 2-for-1 tickets to “Dickens and London” at the Museum of London. Opening Dec. 9, this will be the largest exhibition marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. Regular adult tickets are £8/$13, or £7/$11 advance purchase. The exhibition will examine the central relationship between Dickens and [...]

Hoping to escape the winter doldrums? Sun & Snow Travel Show, Oct. 15 at the QEII Centre in Westminster, is London’s only free winter travel show. Just register for free admission. Some deals are up to 50% off. Wild In Scotland is offering a 50% discount on selected tours to the Highlands and Islands of [...]

The Great British Heritage Pass offers entrée into 480 properties around the UK, and now you can download a free iPhone app–to use with or without the pass. Check the castles, stately homes and historic sites out on a map, search by castle or garden or try sample itineraries around the UK.    

Visitors to Buckingham Palace are drinking in the lacy vision of the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding gown. This podcast reviews every inch of the gown, created by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. The exhibit also includes the Halo Tiara made by Cartier and loaned by the Queen, Catherine’s veil and the diamond earrings her parents [...]

Now through Aug. 15, you can save 10% on a Great British Heritage Pass, which is available only to international travelers.  The Pass saves a lot of time and money on admissions to nearly 500 of the UK’s most popular castles, stately homes and palaces.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary as a hotel, gorgeous Bodysgallen Hall in Wales is offering a Summer in the Country break during August and September. The cost of £265/$426 per person sharing includes dinner and breakfast both days and use of the hotel’s spa, plus free entry to your chose of historic castle–pick from such [...]

What Harry Potter fan can wait for the final film? To get stoked, enter the The Great Harry Potter Adventure Quest from VisitBritain.  The game is on: Harry vs. Voldemort in their final battle. Use your quick wits and film knowledge to solve the puzzles. The grand prize is a trip to the UK for [...]

Are you headed to the summer opening of the Houses of Parliament? This year’s run is July 29-Oct. 1, and you can pre-book tickets for the 75-minute Blue Badge guided tour now. Prices are £15/$24 per adult, £6/$10 per child. The tours will explore the Lords and Commons Chambers, Westminster Hall, the Queen’s Robing Room, [...]

Beat the Olympic rush! Ride the rapids at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire, opening April 22. This is the only brand new London 2012 venue to be open to the public before the 2012 Olympic Games. Lee Valley Regional Park stretches 26 miles along the banks of the River Lee, from Ware [...]