The Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games is less than six months away, and if you thought it was too expensive or too late to get tickets to take the family, think again!
VisitBritain is reminding travelers of the free and budget-friendly side of the Olympics.
Olympic Cycling Road Races. Between July 28 and August 1, men and women will be competing on England’s roads, traveling through London, crossing the River Thames, riding past Hampton Court Palace, and heading through Surrey. There is no cost to watch the riders fly by.
Olympic Marathons. July 5 and 12 will feature the Olympic and Paralympic marathons through London with 80 runners passing by London’s iconic sites. No ticket to watch required.
Olympic Sailing. Between July 29 and Augusy 11, Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour will host 10 sailing events for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Fans can watch the races for free from the southern coast.
Live Sites. You can catch the action of the ticketed events from live screens broadcasting the events in 20 locations around the U.K. You may not be right next to the action, but you can enjoy it with a picnic outside.
While in London, there are a couple of unique attractions near the Olympics that feature free entry and are fun for the kids:
Museum of London Docklands. Located in trendy East London, home of the Olympic Games, the museum offers 12 galleries of exploration that charts the history back to the days of the Romans.
Mudchute Farm and Park. Europe’s largest urban farm, at 34 acres, is near Canary Wharf and gives a rural setting to London’s skyscraper environment. Entrance is free and families can elect to ride horses and pet sheep, pigs, ducks, geese and llamas.
Visit London Family Resorts and Hotels to find family-friendly accommodations in London.
–Lissa Poirot
