There are innumerable galleries dotted around London where a creative minded traveller can indulge in a colourful canvas and eye catching print of some of the city's finest artists. Even better than this, there are huge installations of street art that can be found in various locations and these are constantly being added to, so bring a map, a flask of coffee, and be ready for the unexpected.

One of the newest expressions in the world of art since the 1980's has been the graffiti movement. Now this is not the stuff you find on a disused rail carriages sitting around Queen's Park, not by a long shot. This represents the well-conceived images of established names in contemporary art, producing thought provoking works on walls and buildings around the capital.

Why not have a tour of all the biggest and best works by the world's premier street artist Banksy, who has been prolific on the streets of London for a number of years. If traveling around the shopping streets of Oxford Circus, why not take a detour to the Post Office yard on Newman Street, and see a Banksy in all its glory there. It's impossible to miss.

This has been cited as the biggest Banksy in existence, and shows a small boy on a ladder with an extended brush, who is being watched all the while by a security guard, as he paints the words in huge white letters: One nation under CCTV.

London bookstores are great places to catch your favourite authors and celebrities in book signings and readings. If you live in the London area, or happen to be passing through, then a book signing can be a great (not to mention free) way to spend a few hours. There's nothing like the joy of being able to meet someone you admire as much as your favourite author or celebrity, and a book signing lets you do that. If you are interested, then here are a few upcoming book signings in the London area.  

February is a month that will be filled book signings, particularly towards the end of the month. On February 28th in the Plymouth New George Street Waterstones, visitors get a chance to meet John Van Der Kiste and buy signed copies of his books. Various Waterstones have booked many different authors to come to their locations, and you can catch the complete list of dates and whereabouts on their website. February also holds other events such as book readings and group book clubs for those interested.

March holds many author events which you can attend completely for free. Steve Taylor will be attending a book signing event in honour of The Boy and Me on March 3rd in Croydon. The same day Jim Eldridge will be helping Carlisle in their World Book Day Celebrations, while signing copies of his World War I children's series.

Not everyone is interested in educational activities and entertainment, but for those that do, museums can be the pinnacle of enjoyment. The only thing better than a regular museum is a free one, and luckily for those living or travelling in the UK, there are many of these. Free museums are almost always just as good as the paid ones, as they are usually supported independently and therefore have a more focused approach. One of the best free museums in the country is the National Portrait Gallery in London.

This gallery is an incredible display of portraits of all sizes, shapes, types, methods, and time periods. You can find the portraits done by all your favourite 16th century portrait artists, or take a look at the more modern pictures. This museum has about 160 thousand portraits in all, each different from the next and all with a certain point of interest. 

There are contemporary portraits of modern celebrities and people of our time. These portraits date back to the 90s and are often photographs or modern paintings. There are also 20th century collections, portraits from the 1900-1990 time periods, and often with weird and wonderful approaches.



Other periods of portraiture include Tudor, Stuart, Victorian, and Regency era masterpieces.

The incredible thing about visiting the National Portrait Gallery is that you get to see so many interesting and mysterious people preserved forever through art. Each portrait is different, capturing the soul of the subject in a unique way. Art students interested in painting techniques, portraiture, photography, and other aspects of the arts will be intrigued for hours at the variety and wealth of material.

Do you fancy a getaway with a change of pace? Take a break from the fast lane, and visit the quaint town of Newton in central Wales. It is oozing with history and has several museums. The first mail orders in the world started in this small town and it is also famous for its woollen industry during the industrial revolution. The Textile Museum takes you through the discovery, growth, and eventual decline of the industry. It is a perfect example of a small working-class Welsh town, and what life was like over 100 years ago.

The Oriel Davies Gallery is slightly more modern and keeping in touch with the 21st Century. Innovative local artwork is displayed here, and the gallery is often noted for its quality and pioneering presentations.

Around 12 miles away is another small town called Montgomery. The first notable building you will see is the town hall that was built about two and a half centuries ago, and it is still the most publicly used building in town. Nearby, are the extensive ruins of Montgomery Castle where you can learn more about the local history. Dolforwyn Castle is also in the same area, which was built by Welsh princes to protect against English invasion, but eventually was taken over by the English.

12 miles in the other direction, you'll find the Andrew Logan Sculpture Museum. This is the only museum in Wales that is named after and honours a living artist. Logan also started the alternative Miss World competitions, and has displayed his works in London, New York, and Sydney.

Do you live in London or plan on making a visit in the not too distant future? Have you just blown the bank over Christmas, or purchased lots of items in the January sales and want to slow down? Don’t worry, you can still have plenty of fun in the capital city. Check out these intriguing activities — all of which are for free.

Try the National Gallery — where you can see over 2000 masterpieces. If you don’t have the time to see them all, do not worry; just look up the artists whose works you want to enjoy, and go straight to their section. There are also free guided tours, where you can listen to the back stories of the artists’ lives and history of their work.

If you are interested in science, visit the Science Museum. You’ll be surprised at the oddities and unusual facts that you discover at this world-renowned institution. The museum has won awards for its interactive displays and visitor attractions, and if you are worried that it won’t be great for the younger members of your family, fear not, it was recently named ‘best family venue.’

Have you ever watched the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace? The guards in this area of the Palace are real soldiers that serve active duty for England. When they’re quiet, they allow tourists to take photos with them, and in the nearby Guards’ Museum you can try on one of the real bearskin hats they’ve become famous for.

There is an old adage that says if you want something done, you should do it yourself. If you want to have a fun time with other people for little to no cost, you’ll have to initiate it yourself. You can start your own club for free, and meet new people with shared interests to you.

Say, for example, you have a passion for model airplanes. There are definitely other people out there who like model airplanes (... they wouldn’t keep making them otherwise.) So imagine how fun it would be for all of you to get together and discuss the subject. You could compare models, build and create new ones together, and share advice and tips. You could even post pictures on the internet of models you’ve been working on. It may well become something that expands and becomes increasingly popular over time.

Starting your own club can be a completely cost-free endeavour, and only requires someone with the incentive and drive to do it. If you are that sort of person, then perhaps this is the course of action for you.

Firstly, you need an idea. It’s simple really: think of what you couldn’t live without, the most colourful part of your day, the thing you spend the most time doing and thinking about. Is it salsa dancing? Farming? Looking after your rabbit? Reading? Whatever you’re passionate about, there are sure to be others out there who love it as well. Advertise your club by putting up posters in model shops and spreading the word online through friends and contacts; it really doesn’t have to be formal. You’ll soon have an idea of what’s out there, and the rest will just fall into place. A club will be formed and you will have a group of people interested in the same thing as you.

As a singleton in the UK, you may be looking for someone else to spend time with. Now, romance isn't always easy to find, but you could take proactive steps towards it, instead of just leaving things to chance. Dating sites are now a hugely popular tool in the UK, with many offering free membership.

A dating site is a great way to meet people. Whether you want to find a romantic partner or just a friend to hang out with, a dating site can help. There's nothing like a vibrant relationship to make your time in the UK enjoyable.

Some of the sites that allow free membership for UK users have different specialties. Some cater specifically for different religious and sexual orientations, and others for regional compatibility. These specialised sites can help you find people with similar interests to you.

Be sure to look for a free site with lots of features. On a good site you can find love calculators (determining the compatibility of you and the other person), pickup lines, tips on dating, and much more.

Dating is one of the joys of life, and dating sites offer you the chance to cast your net wider, and all for free! A dating site offers users the opportunity to meet totally new people, or those who match your personality and interests. You can find people in completely different areas with different backgrounds, or you can find people just like you. You may realise that you have a lot in common with people you previously thought were completely different to you.

For many there is nothing more enjoyable than reading a good book. Add to that the delight of discussing it with friends and associates, and it can be an extremely enjoyable and interesting way to spend an evening. Book clubs across the country are providing an informative and social environment to further the appreciation of books, and unite reading enthusiasts.

Book clubs are split between the public and private. A public club is open to anyone who wishes to join, while private is by invitation only. They may be free or require a small fee, and while sometimes the fee paying ones are better quality, this is by no means a hard and fast rule – they are very much what you make of them!

If you want to join a free book club in the UK, keep your eye out for signs and advertisements. Public clubs usually promote themselves on a small scale, and you may well be able to find something in your local area. If you wish to join a private club then you should inquire through friends and the local library. You may also able to find a good one online.

The main cost of a book club is in buying the books themselves, but this doesn't always have to be the case. A library would almost certainly have all the books likely to be discussed, and if they don't you can either borrow from friends or another member of the club.

The UK: beautiful countryside, decadent dining, vibrant nightlife, diverse cultures and quaint homes. Every city entices tourists for different reasons: entertainment venues, art galleries, museums, restaurants, parks – the list is endless! No matter what part of the UK you may be touring you are bound to have a splendid time, full of adventure and new experiences.

With close to fifteen hundred museums throughout the UK, learning about the history and cultures of different parts of this vast land could keep you busy for your entire UK visit. Art, entertainment, heritage and culture are integral to the people whom have lived in the UK for generations. Keeping this in mind, the museums are definitely a good place to start. They range from scientific museums, zoology museums, history museums, art museums to more contemporary museums.

A spa is the perfect place to relax and recharge when you visit the UK, leaving you refreshed and ready for another day of touring and discovery. The UK is known to have a number of natural spa baths. These unique facilities make use of water that comes directly from mineral rich springs, affording you the wonderful health benefits thereof.

More of the many UK attractions that warrant a visit are the amazing parks and splendid beaches. A visit to the national parks is not to be neglected, if only for the picturesque view. You can stroll along the paths enjoying the scenery or simply lounge around leisurely. The UK coast offers a number of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

UK entertainment is out of this world. Sports are prevalent in the UK; football being one of the most popular both in Britain and, indeed, the rest of the world. But, nowhere in the world is the sport revered as it is in Britain. It is a treat to be in the stands supporting the local team with fans like no other. If you are into outdoor activities, then you will love the UK festivals which run all year through, so you are likely to catch one during your visit no matter what time of year. From music festivals, summer parades, fashion events, to holiday festivals, you are sure to have a first class seat to high-end entertainment. If you are intrigued by market places, the local markets will definitely satisfy your need for outdoor retail therapy. They carry an array of fresh produce, an assortment of wines and cheeses, antiques, apparel and other merchandise. What a variety!

If you are contemplating UK travel, do no miss out on the food. The cuisine is delectable and the number of restaurants is ample. Whether you are looking for a five star restaurant or a local pub to catch a bite, your pallet is sure to enjoy the tasty experience.

Music gigs are commonplace in most locales around the world. In the UK, many local establishments will host new and old talent. Whether individuals or bands are to perform an event, it is usually well attended by residents and vacationers alike. If you are in the UK and are looking for some nighttime entertainment, you will certainly want to look for free gigs which are known to be entertaining and often include some well known artists. On the other hand, paying a minimal cover charge is common, but the entertainment is well worth it.

There are a lot of shows across the UK to attend, and finding one is not difficult. Most local bars will have a different band performing either every night or at least once a week. Depending on where you reside, you are sure to find a bar not far away hosting a live show. Nonetheless, if you are looking for something specific, here are a few options:

Notting Hill Arts Club – This venue is popular for both live shows and as a night club. So if you are looking to experience nightlife in London, this is probably a good place to start. On weekends, you are likely to catch a live performance in this club.

The Blues Bar – This bar is well known for its live blues concerts as well as its jazz music. Not only are these shows free, but this bar has that old school feel topped with hearty soulful music.

If you are not so much into the nightlife but are looking for live shows to attend, festivals are a sure place to find them. The London Jazz Festival is a perfect place to start. This is one of the largest UK gigs, and you are sure to have a good time. Great artists and amazing performances are definitely in store for you. Moreover, some of the performances are free. If not, you could always try your luck at winning some tickets.

Another idea would be to attend street gigs. These free UK concerts are hosted by corporations who promote musicians. T-Mobile is known to host such a street gig and it is quite popular and worth attending.

Rough Trade, a record store in the UK, not only promotes musicians through music sales but also hosts them for live performances. They have a great lineup of a variety of musicians such as Kathleen Edwards and the Dum Dum Girls, who perform at their store.