Britain on the Cheap

Cumberland Hotel on London’s central Great Cumberland Place is offering a two-night deal now through Dec. 12 for £84.50/$136, down from £115/$182.

Lovers of all things mechanical will be in heaven during the special Engineering Tours of London’s Tower Bridge. One lucky visitor, whose name will be drawn from all Engineering Tour guests, will win the opportunity to raise the bridge on a future date. The £30/$49 behind-the-scenes tour, 4:30 p.m. Jan. 17-23, will explore areas of [...]

Is your wallet up for a major splash out this holiday season? The Ritz London on Piccadilly in Mayfair is ready to oblige with a series of festive dates, from the first afternoon tea through New Year’s Eve. The hotel, festooned in gold and red, has been welcoming revelers for more than a century. Afternoon [...]

Reader Jennifer Dorn shares another great cheap-and-cheerful tip, shopping at the Burberry Factory Shop. “A truly superb find!” she raves, “with great bargains on their fashionable raincoats and other merchandise.” The Burberry Factory Shop is 29-53 Chatham Place in Hackney, East London, a short bus ride or a long walk from the Bethnal Green tube [...]

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 [...]