Britain on the Cheap

Let them eat cake at the Bastille Day London Garden Party July 11 at Battersea Park. The free London festival celebrates the French-speaking community and all Francophiles in one of the largest Bastille Day celebrations outside of France. Join the large street fair and open-air picnic.

Campbell Gray’s elegant London hotels are posting summer deals. Dukes, London, a gem tucked away in Mayfair, has an advanced purchase rate for two from £179/$261. One Aldwych has an advance purchase rate for two from £205/$298—it’s a great place to sip at the hip Lobby Bar, then swim away in the beautiful lower-level pool [...]

Gearing up for Trooping the Colour this Saturday, in honor of the Queen’s official birthday? She will leave Buckingham Palace at 10.45 a.m. to travel down The Mall to Horseguard’s Parade. During the ceremony, The Queen is greeted by a Royal salute and carries out an inspection of the troops from the Household Division (Foot [...]

Dukes, St James’s in Mayfair is offering an elegant package centered around the “Grace Kelly: Style Icon” exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington. The £299/$432 package, for two people sharing, includes: one night in a classic Duchess Room, afternoon tea for two served with a glass of pink Champagne, handmade chocolates [...]

London’s Capital Hotel, in Knightsbridge near Harrods, Harvey Nichols and The Royal Gardens, is offering a Capital Dining Experience from Executive Chef Jerome Ponchelle. The package, £350/$506, includes: a one-night stay in an executive double room, English breakfast for two, a three-course dinner for two, a bottle of water, two coffees or teas and the [...]

London’s Imperial War Museum is marking the 70th anniversary of the introduction of rationing in Britain with the “Ministry of Food” exhibit, running now through Jan. 3, 2011 . The museum is dishing up rationed cafe recipes and special events. At the café, you can try corned beef, beetroot and radish salad, as well as [...]

The Hampstead Britannia has dropped its prices from $89/60 per person/night to $75/£49.50. The hotel is within walking distance of Hampstead Village. WiFi is free in the hotel’s public areas.

The Pestana Chelsea Bridge Hotel in London has dropped its rates from $126/£84.50 to $92/£62. This is the flagship hotel of the Pestana Hotels and Resorts Group. The hotel is situated along the River Thames, Chelsea Bridge, opposite Battersea Park, within walking distance to Sloane Square and Victoria Station.

Corus Hotel Hyde Park in London has lowered its starting rate to $85/£54.50 per person/night, down from $138/£84.50. The completely non-smoking hotel in Central London overlooks Hyde Park and is only a short walk from Oxford Street and Knightsbridge.

The Grosvenor, next to the Victoria mainline railway station, has lowered its prices to $75/£49.50 per person/night, with a two-night minimum. The hotel, formerly the Thistle Victoria, is within walking distance to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. The discount is down from $143/£87.50 pp per night.