“Eating local” has become a popular dining ethos over the last decade, but in some locations, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Islands in the Caribbean in particular have struggled with sustainability due to a multitude of factors, including inhospitable farming conditions, the increasingly extreme effects of climate change and damage from tropical storms.

Many of the fresh ingredients on the islands are imported from overseas, creating both a large carbon footprint and huge amounts of packaging waste. Recently, growers and restaurant owners in the Caribbean have been rethinking their approach to sustainability. Here’s how three islands are doing it.

Editor's note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and always follow government advice.

The Cayman Islands

With its incredible wildlife, scuba-diving and white sand beaches, the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands has long been a draw for travelers looking for luxury and relaxation. But it’s only been within the last couple of decades that the culinary scene on the islands has evolved to be more environmentally friendly.

Sustainability has been on the rise in Grand Cayman ever since The Brasserie, the island’s first farm-to-table restaurant, opened in 1997. Since then, the demand for local produce and sustainable seafood has grown exponentially, creating a circular effect in which farms utilizing greenhouses and fishermen abiding by eco-friendly practices now have increased capital to expand their operations.

New rules for visiting the Caribbean in 2020

“In Grand Cayman, we have a great outpouring of community encouragement for local farmers markets to showcase locally grown food items and sell products at local stands,” says Massimo De Francesca, executive chef at the Kimpton Seafire and its signature restaurant Ave.

The weekly Farmers and Artisans Market gives both restaurants and local residents access to produce and proteins from the islands; De Francesca notes that the local large-scale grocery stores also dedicate space to showcase local fruits, vegetables, honey, sauces and more.

Ave and many other restaurants on the island also participate in a government initiative called Cayman Sea Sense. The program promotes serving fish from only sustainable, stable populations and the use of fishing practices that minimize habitat damage and unintended by-catch.

In the future, De Francesca says, “We’d like to increase the use of local ingredients in our overall inventory. We’d like to set up a program in which kitchen and bar waste is sent to farms for appropriate feed or composting material.”

Visitors to the islands can support local sustainability efforts in several ways, the most delicious of which is by buying local goods including Cayman sea salt, spirits, beer and honey as souvenirs. “There’s always room to do more,” De Francesca adds.

Curaçao

Though tropical Curaçao has more water than some of its more arid neighbors, the complexities involved in collecting that water and irrigating crops can still be a barrier to agriculture on the island. Curaçao-born Femi and Joshua Peiliker, who founded the farm and restaurant Hofi Cas Cora, say they’ve been lucky in that respect.

“We are blessed with our location and use groundwater pumped up with wind energy and sometimes a solar pump,” says Femi. “Our deepwells always have water.”

The couple grows fruits and vegetables and raises livestock that then become the main ingredients for their ever-changing restaurant menu of freshly prepared soups, wraps and more. The Peilikers are using their work to help other businesses on the island become more sustainable as well.

“We work with two local restaurants that save food waste for us. We feed it to our pigs and use it for compost,” Femi says.

The movement toward sustainability has been slowly growing in Curaçao and resources like Sustainable Curaçao are invaluable. The site compiles information on island farms, including Hofi Cas Cora and Fuik Microgreens, local eco-friendly beauty brands, sustainable architecture firms and more.

“One of our favorite local brands is Herbology, which makes creative body products with locally sourced and foraged items that are packaged in recycled and recyclable materials,” says Femi. “We also love Limpi, a design company that creates products and souvenirs with recycled plastic from our beaches.”

In the future, she adds, Hofi Cas Cora plans to expand their mission by opening a zero-waste store to sell package-free farm goods as well as bulk items like nuts and grains.

Puerto Rico

Climate change and the resulting extreme weather events have affected much of the Caribbean, and few places have been as hard-hit as Puerto Rico. Now, two years after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, Puerto Rico has mostly faded from the news cycle.

But local chef Juan José Cuevas knows that the rebuilding isn't done yet. At his restaurant 1919 in the Condado Vanderbilt hotel, Cuevas has committed to working with local growers and producers to continue the island’s recovery process; many recently harvested their first round of post-Maria crops.

“We make a point to support these recovering farms by buying from them as often as possible,” Cuevas explains. Across the property, farm-fresh eggs and fruit are the rule. “At 1919 in particular, we maintain our social consciousness by having a menu that consists of 75% local products.” In the future, Cuevas says, they’re hoping to increase that number to 85%.

By putting money back into local agriculture, 1919 and other restaurants on the island help farmers with additional sustainability efforts, including installing solar panels, which have the dual impact of diversifying revenue streams and providing renewable energy.

How sustainable tourism is thriving in Puerto Rico

Co-ops are common in all industries across Puerto Rico, and farmers in particular have seen success with the model, which provides a cheaper, more efficient way to sell their product. These co-ops can be found all across the island and depend on the support of both locals and visitors to carry out their mission.

“Travelers should visit places where local farm-fresh ingredients are used in order to immerse themselves not only in the local culture but the complex economic meaning behind each ingredient,” Cuevas says. “The Caribbean thrives on tourism and supporting local culinary initiatives draws agrotourism to our islands.”

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How these Caribbean islands are supporting sustainable agriculture

London ’s Tate Modern will soon dazzle visitors with a year-long exhibition focusing on Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and her psychedelic Infinity Rooms.

Kasuma is one of the most influential artists in the world, whose paintings, performance, fashion, poetry and conceptual art draw huge crowds wherever they're presented. The Infinity Rooms, in particular, are a worldwide hit for the 91-year-old artist. In the past five years, more than five million people around the globe stepped inside her distinct mirrored rooms to reflect, space out and snap a celestial selfie to share on social media. It's not unheard of for fans to wait in line for hours to experience a brief moment inside them.

Now two of those rooms: Infinity Mirrored Room — Filled With the Brilliance of Life (one of the Kusama's largest-ever installations) and Chandelier of Grief (a room that appears as an endless universe of rotating crystal chandeliers) will arrive at Tate Modern in spring 2021.

The exhibition was scheduled to take place this year for Tate's 20th anniversary, but then along came the pandemic and plans were put on hold. But now it's all systems go for the presentation of the two Infinity Rooms, alongside photography and footage from Kusama's studio and early performance works.

Tate Modern reopened in July after four months of shutdown. It's currently hosting exhibitions on Kara Walker and Andy Warhol to socially-distant visitors, with a survey from South African activist and artist, Zanele Muholi, scheduled for later this year.

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Rooms will open in spring 2021. Tickets will be priced from £5 and will go on sale soon. For more information, see here.

This article was first published on February 20 and updated on October 22, 2020.

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We're all trying to get outdoors more thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a new 420km-long bike route running along the Seine is a welcome addition to the network of French cycle routes. La Seine à Vélo runs from Paris to Le Havre and Deauville in Normandy, and riders get to experience the cultural, historical and industrial heritage of different regions along the route.

The route passes through Seine-Saint-Denis, Hauts-de-Seine, Yvelines, Val-d’Oise, Eure, Seine-Maritime and Calvados. Highlights include Notre-Dame de Paris, Le Havre beach and Les Planches de Deauville, as well as an architectural voyage through the great cathedrals of Paris and Rouen, the Abbaye de Jumièges, the Château de Malmaison, Chateau de La Roche-Guyon and the Château Gaillard aux Andelys.

Developed in partnership with France Vélo Tourisme, a dedicated website has launched to provide those embarking on the route with guides and information on accommodation, food and service providers. It contains practical information related to the route, including a breakdown of the stages, complete with maps and GPX and descriptions of their levels of difficulty and accessibility.

The website describes where gastronomic discoveries can be made through the tasting of local specialties and products and helps to immerse riders in the heart of nature in the Ile-de-France and Normandy countryside. It also outlines the must-see sites along the route, including Street Art Avenue along the Saint-Denis canal, where artists have taken over spaces with their works. Art-lovers can also visit the house and garden of Claude Monet in Giverny, one of the founders of Impressionism.

For further information, visit the website of La Seine à Vélo here.

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The idea of printing and carrying a boarding pass seems a little ridiculous in the age of smartphones; if you have a printer at home at all. But even beyond Ryanair and its famously outlandish prices to print a boarding pass — it's always good to either print a paper copy or plan to have the airport staff print one out. John Walton explains why.

Some of my friends look as me as if I’ve grown two heads when I say that I always travel with a paper boarding pass. But I do, and it’s saved me more times than I can count, whether that’s with a phone out of battery, an unhelpful airline staffer, new regulations or something else that’s gone wrong.

The thing is, online check-in is a great idea, and you should absolutely do that as soon as you can: not only will you get the best choice of seats, but getting yourself on the list of passengers who’ll be on the plane as early as possible puts you in a better position if the flight is overbooked, or if there are any other issues.

But while I’ll often send my boarding pass to my phone, I’ll almost always either hit print at the same time to get a paper version, or be sure I can get one at the airport.

Paper passes might be a mandatory

For a start, some airports simply don’t allow mobile boarding passes. EasyJet has fifteen airports in its network that don’t take mobile boarding passes, including some that might be surprising like La Rochelle and Oslo. Lufthansa’s list is even more extensive.

And don’t be caught out: even if you can use mobile boarding passes on your outbound journey, sometimes they aren’t allowed on your return — and you wouldn’t believe how badly informed some airline websites are about that.

Read more: How to get through security in the airport with no hassle

Think about where you’d print out a copy at your destination so you don’t have to hurriedly find an Internet connection, especially if you’re flying on one of those cheaper airlines. In some countries, you’ll also need to have your boarding pass stamped at an initial kerbside security check. That can get a little complicated if you only have a mobile boarding pass and haven’t printed your itinerary.

Relying on your phone can be a bad idea

We use our phones for so much these days that it feels like almost a no-brainer to add boarding passes to the list of their functions. But just thing: what’s your plan if you drop your phone and it breaks, or it goes on the fritz, or you run out of roaming data, or the battery dies?

Some phones also start updating apps when they connect to wi-fi; even slow airport wi-fi. That’s especially common after being away from wi-fi when travelling. The last thing you want is for the airline app you need to choke halfway through an update when you’re trying to show your mobile boarding pass.

More practically, a paper boarding pass is especially useful at those airports that want to scan your boarding pass as you approach security: it’s a faff if you’ve already packed your phone into your luggage or stowed it deep inside a pocket with a half-dozen other things ready to go into the machine.

It’s also handy so that you’re not that person trying to wrangle bags while also scanning their phone, which keeps rotating its screen and eventually turning off. Don’t be that person — or even worse, that group of people who are travelling together and try to hand over a stack of phones to the gate agent.

And also, fundamentally, the more you use your phone as you make your way through the airport, the more likely you are to end up losing it, dropping it — and no, that QR code probably won’t work if you crack the screen — or even catching the eye of someone who would rather like to lift it out of your pocket and take it with them.

Read more: What happens if you don’t put your phone on airplane mode on a flight?

Following up afterwards needs a paper trail

Most flights go off without a hitch, but sometimes things can happen that make having a paper copy easier.

Perhaps your suitcase went missing: your boarding pass makes the process of the airline trying to find it again much easier, and the paper boarding pass is also a handy place to stick that bag tag, which is the other key part of the puzzle.

It’s also useful if you’re connecting in certain countries, especially if you’re changing airlines: many places require you to be able to prove that you’re not going to stay illegally, so you may need to hand over the printed boarding pass to verify and photocopy for their records. (Have you ever tried to photocopy a phone screen?).

Read more: Why do we have to raise airplane window blinds before landing?

The same goes if you end up needing to seek assistance if your journey has gone a bit awry. Having all your travel details on a piece of paper rather than a phone that will go dark — needing you to unlock it and pass it back over to the staffer several times while they try to fix your issue — is so much easier.

And in a more urgent situation, imagine that your airline’s systems go down and you’re in a massive queue to be helped, with your phone battery edging lower and lower — or that there’s some sort of security alert and airport security are cracking down about identifying legitimate travellers.

So hit print or get the airport to print one for you. You’ll be glad you did.

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This article was published November 2019 and was last updated October 2020.

Why you should never travel with just a mobile boarding pass

From high-altitude mountains to remote, arid deserts, Asia has all the ingredients – and climate conditions – for an impeccable stargazing trip. But you can’t see the cosmos and Milky Way just anywhere. Densely populated cities like Shanghai and Bangkok sit beneath clouds of light pollution that make catching even one constellation tricky at best. Head to the country, though, and it’s a different, star-speckled story.

In less-populated areas near national parks and mountains, blankets of stars and the shimmering Milky Way illuminate Asia’s most pristine landscapes. Stargazing in Asia is most impressive during peak conditions – the dry season, and during or immediately following a new moon. Summer stargazing is especially dazzling, as the Milky Way’s galactic center shines above the Northern Hemisphere from May through September, but any time of year has the potential for stunning skies.

Ready to catch some cosmos? Here are eight of Asia’s best stargazing destinations.

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Yeongyang Ecological Park, South Korea

In 2015, South Korea’s Yeongyang Firefly Eco Park became Asia’s first Dark Sky Park – a coveted certification from the International Dark Sky Association that guarantees low light pollution and ideal stargazing conditions. This dark-sky park is located in the Wangpi River Basin Ecological Landscape Protected Zone in eastern South Korea, about a four hour drive from South Korea’s densely populated capital, Seoul. Yeongyang Ecological Park’s nearby population is small, which means minimal light pollution and crystal-clear skies abound. Beyond stargazing, this park protects the millions of glowing fireflies, who require darkness to communicate with each other.

Hehuan Mountain, Taiwan

High elevation and a remote location make the 11,200ft Hehuan Mountain one of the best stargazing destinations in Taiwan. This International Dark Sky Park, the first in Taiwan, is located in Taroko National Park, and is about two hours by car from Taichung International Airport. Travelers can drive or hike up Hehuan Mountain. The government is strict about where travelers can camp – and therefore stargaze – in the area. Several campgrounds such as Heliu campground (at the Lüshui Trail entrance) and Lushui campground near the (Lushui Geological Exhibition Hall) are open to campers.

Hateruma Island Starry Sky Observatory Tower, Japan

Built on the most southerly inhabited island in Japan, the Hateruma Island Starry Sky Observatory Tower capitalizes on the dark, clear skies the Yaeyama islands are known for. Observatory visitors can see 84 constellations during peak new-moon periods, including the Southern Cross, a cross-shaped asterism from the Crux constellation. The tower’s refraction telescopes paired with expert stargazing guides make trips both breathtaking and educational. For the ultimate cosmos experience, add a stop at Iriomote Ishigaki National Park, Japan’s first International Dark Sky Park, which is located on the nearby Iriomote Island.

Great Wall, China

Sure, China ’s Great Wall has a reputation for packed crowds, but this world wonder is thousands of miles long – and selfie sticks only fill a tiny portion of it. Older yet accessible stretches of the wall like Gubeikou are open to the public day and night. And, with small crowds, few nearby residents, and low light pollution, this section of the wall has some of the most surreal stargazing in China. Local tour operators like Great Wall Hiking and its sister business the Great Wall Inn (a small B&B a 15-minute walk from the free Gubeikou entrance) team up for stargazing hikes up on this section of wall. For an even more rustic experience, tour operators like Beijing Hikers and Viator offer camping along Gubeikou, too.

Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Consistently blue skies and a high elevation of over 5000ft above sea level make stars easily visible across Mongolia. But in the remote, otherworldly Gobi Desert, stargazing is entirely next-level. Sand ripples across Asia’s largest desert look more Mars than planet Earth, especially when illuminated by a Milky Way glow. Three Camel Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, is one of the coziest spots to stargaze in Gobi Desert – especially when the region’s unpredictable desert weather strikes. The lodge hosts travelers in traditional Mongolian gers (similar to yurts); it’s the area’s most convenient base camp for desert stargazing and sand-dune adventures.

Tiger Leaping Gorge, China

At the tail end of the Himalayas, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of Asia’s best spots for mountain stargazing. This gorge is best experienced via hike; an 11-mile mountain-ringed trail takes travelers up rugged switchbacks and down steep, rocky descents, with Yangtze River views the entire way. Most hikers break the trek into two days, with a night spent at one of several budget-friendly accommodations, like Tiger Leaping Gorge Guesthouse, which has a river-view deck perfect for sunsets and stargazing. The Tiger Leaping Gorge trail is accessible by bus or hired driver; it’s 37 miles north of Lijiang in China’s Yunnan province.

Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam

When most travelers visit Vietnam, they cruise or kayak along the maze of Halong Bay ’s sky-high islands. But, a bit further out is a lesser-known alternative that’s particularly ideal for stargazing: Lan Ha Bay. Small-boat cruises, like a new wellness offering from Heritage Line, take travelers through Halong Bay and out into calm, clear Lan Ha Bay for two tranquil, star-filled nights. This area, part of Vietnam’s Cat Ba National Park, isn’t just for cruisers. Tourist buses and ferries jet Hanoi travelers to bungalows in the jungles of Cat Ba Island, where they can stargaze in near solitude before dozing off to the rhythm of the waves.

Doi Chiang Dao, Thailand

Thailand ’s third tallest peak, Doi Chiang Dao, translates to “city of stars” – and rightfully so. It’s one of the darkest spots in the country. Climbing this 7100ft mountain (which requires a hired guide) typically takes two days, which means at least one night above the clouds in northern Thailand’s Daen Lao mountain range. The summit trail is open from late November through early March, with camping – and the best stargazing – near the peak.

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8 of the best stargazing spots in Asia

As the nights draw in, the countdown is on for November 5, or Bonfire Night. In a usual year, thousands of Brits would be wrapping up warm and heading out into the cold to marvel at burning effigies and see fireworks illuminate the chilly night in memory of a centuries-old scheme to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

Due to COVID-19, public events in 2020 are likely to be non-existent, but that doesn't mean you can't swot up on the history and plan where in England you'll head next year to experience this very British tradition. "Remember, remember the fifth of November" is how the rhyme about the failed Gunpowder Plot begins, and the story behind Guy Fawkes Night (as the event is also known) is as captivating as the fireworks displays that commemorate it.

The history of November 5: gunpowder, treason and plot

In the early 17th century, some English Catholics had hoped that their new monarch, James I, would relax the hardline Protestantism favoured by his predecessors. One band of Catholics was so frustrated when this situation failed to materialise that they devised a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament, while the king, his eldest sons and most MPs (Members of Parliament) were inside.

The plot progressed seamlessly until an anonymous tip-off led to Guy Fawkes being rumbled on 5 November 1605, as he guarded 36 barrels of gunpowder in the vaults beneath the House of Lords. He was tortured for days before confessing and revealing the names of his co-conspirators, and they were later sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered. Fawkes was not the instigator of the scheme – he was an explosives expert enlisted by ringleader Robert Catesby – but, as the one who was caught, he has become synonymous with the dastardly plot ever since.

The celebrations

Bonfires have been lit to celebrate the plot being foiled every year since the traitors’ grisly executions and, over time, effigies of treasonous schemer Fawkes began to be burnt on the pyres. Children would build scarecrow-like "Guys" out of old clothes stuffed with flammable materials, and display their efforts in the streets, asking for a "penny for the Guy".

Guys still go up in flames at displays across the country while adults consume mulled wine, children wave sparklers, and everyone battles the cold as fireworks fill the sky.

Where to enjoy fireworks displays in England in 2021

With large-scale events prohibited across the country in 2020, let's look ahead to 2021. Here are some of the best places to see parades, bonfires and fireworks displays in England.

Toast Fawkes with a Bloody Mary in Lewes, East Sussex

Lewes puts on one of the UK's best Bonfire Night celebrations, and with historical precedent. In 1555, Catholic Queen Mary I lived up to her nickname, Bloody Mary, when she had 17 Protestant rebels burned at the stake here. Up to 60,000 visitors flock to see effigies of the Pope – alongside caricatures of divisive modern-day figures – get incinerated in memory of the martyrs. Six different Bonfire Societies, some dating back to the mid-19th century, parade the streets in medieval garb with flaming crosses, sending banger-filled barrels cracking and fizzling into the river.

Have a history lesson at the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Essex

If you’re keen to hear more about the history of the plot and the science behind the explosive black powder, the Guy Fawkes Festival at the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey, Essex, is sure to light your fire. The annual, family-friendly event at this former gunpowder factory brings the story to life with a historical reenactment, plus the chance to learn about how gunpowder is made and its uses throughout history. While this wasn’t where Fawkes procured his deadly stash, come nightfall when the bonfire is lit and the fireworks are screaming through the air, it sure is fun to imagine.

Get a bird’s eye view at Alexandra Palace, London

As the place where it all began, London usually hosts displays both big and small, free and ticketed. But the top prize for 2021 surely goes to the Fireworks Festival at Alexandra Palace. The grounds of the imposing Grade II-listed building are the site of a two-day extravaganza, with a funfair, performers and live music in addition to a traditional bonfire and more fireworks than you have "oohs" and "ahhs" for. Best of all, Ally Pally (as it’s known to Londoners) sits on top of a hill, so you’ll get a panoramic view of other displays across the city.

Enjoy a barrelful of excitement in Ottery St Mary, Devon

Thought to have originated some time after the foiled plot of 1605, the tradition of Tar Barrels in the little town of Ottery St Mary in East Devon is truly a dangerous endeavor. What began as a torchlight procession of rolling flaming barrels through the town has escalated to an adrenaline-pumping event. Each of the pubs in town puts forth a barrel, which is soaked in tar for a week before it’s set alight. Then people, who have seemingly taken leave of their senses, hoist them on their shoulders and run through the town for the entertainment of the thousands who come to watch.

Admire the display at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

For an altogether more refined Guy Fawkes Night experience, the bonfire and fireworks at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire won’t disappoint. The backdrop for the evening’s pyrotechnic display is the "Palace of the Peak", a huge stately home once used as the setting for Pemberley, Mr Darcy’s residence, in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. Take a tour of the lavish house and vast grounds then warm up with mulled wine and a traditional hog roast before the evening goes out with a bang.

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Article first published in September 2019, and last updated in October 2020

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Why do they celebrate Bonfire Night in the UK?

Amtrak is holding a "Kids Ride Free" flash sale, which allows one child aged 2-12 to travel free with each paid adult ticket across the US.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers may be reassured by Amtrak's safety and cleaning measures. It requires that all customers and employees wear a face mask or covering while onboard and in stations, and has limited bookings on most trains to allow for more physical distancing in seating areas. It has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols at stations and onboard its trains, which are equipped with onboard filtration systems with a fresh air exchange rate every four to five minutes.

The sale applies to the Acela, Northeast Regional, Adirondack, Amtrak Cascades, Carolinian, Downeaster, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Hiawatha, Illinois Service, Maple Leaf, Michigan Services, Missouri River Runner, Heartland Flyer, Piedmont, San Joaquins and Vermonter. It is also valid on trains that travel on the national network: Auto Train, California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. It does not include the Pennsylvanian, Keystone, Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner and 7000-8999 Thruways.

“Whether seeing family, taking a trip cross-country, or going on a weekend excursion, we truly believe the journey is the most important part of the adventure,” says Roger Harris, executive vice president and chief marketing and revenue officer with Amtrak. “With our latest sale, customers can make a trip extra special and a memorable opportunity to travel on Amtrak.”

The sale is valid for travel in coach and Acela business class, and an advanced reservation of at least three days is required. Blackout dates are November 24, 25, 28, 29, and 30 and bookings can be made on the Amtrak website here.

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Plan a family train trip with Amtrak's 'kids ride free' sale

No city in the world has more or better free things to do than London. In addition to world-class museums – almost all of which have free admission – the city is home to beautiful parks, buzzing markets, stunning churches and phenomenal viewpoints. Here are just 20 of the hundreds of free attractions in Britain’s capital.

Editor's note: during COVID-19, there are restrictions on travel, and some of these free attractions may be temporarily closed or require pre-booking. Always check before departure, and be sure to follow local health guidance.

1. National Gallery

Housing masterpieces by painters including van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo, the National Gallery is home to one of the world’s most impressive art collections, and sees over six million visitors every year. Avoid the hordes by visiting on weekday mornings or Friday evenings. Whatever time you go, the permanent collections are always free.

2. British Museum

The British Museum is one of London's top attractions, and absolutely free. It is bursting at the seams with enthralling artefacts from all over the world, from Egyptian mummies to samurai armor and Anglo-Saxon burial treasures to the Rosetta Stone. Remarkably, the 80,000 objects on display at any one time only make up 1% of the eight million objects in the museum’s possession.

3. Tate Modern

Located in what was once Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the Thames, Tate Modern is one of the city's most loved attractions. You can enjoy the permanent collection, which includes works by Pollock, Warhol, Matisse and Picasso, for free. The 10th-floor viewing deck of the Blavatnik Building offers wonderful panoramic views over the Thames and beyond, and the building itself is amazing.

4. Greenwich Park

Head to the top of the hill in the centre of Greenwich Park and you’ll be treated to a spectacular free view of the city: the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf loom up behind the 17th-century Queen’s House, and beyond, the Thames snakes its way into the heart of London. It’s a perfect spot for a picnic in the capital on a summer’s day.

5. Houses of Parliament

Home to the world’s most famous clock, Big Ben (officially the Queen Elizabeth Tower, but no one calls it that), the Houses of Parliament is a neo-Gothic wonder built in the mid-19th century. All tours are suspended in 2020, so for now would-be visitors will have to make do with a 360º virtual tour.

6. East London street art

The ephemeral nature of street art makes it difficult to say with confidence where you might find specific displays at any one time. However, certain areas of East London, notably Shoreditch, are famous for having particularly impressive graffiti. The side streets around Brick Lane always yield some decent artwork, as do Middlesex and Sclater streets.

7. Borough Market

Having celebrated its 1000th birthday in 2014, it’s fair to say Borough Market is one of London’s more established haunts. Located under a maze of Victorian railway arches and open Monday to Saturday, Borough Market is stuffed with lovely food and food-lovers, featuring cuisine from all corners of the world. It offers everything you need for a memorable grab-and-go breakfast or lunch, but is also a good place for a simple wander (keeping an eye out for free samples).

8. Museum of London

Off the radar to most visitors, yet one of the city's great attractions, the Museum of London provides a walk through London's various incarnations – from the geological history of the Thames Valley to the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants to modern-day bankers.

9. Kensington Gardens

The delightful Kensington Gardens are home to a trove of treasures, including the Albert Memorial, the Peter Pan Statue, the Serpentine Gallery, the Round Pond and the Diana Memorial Playground. All are free to admire or visit, and when you’re done with the sights, you can wander along the tree-lined paths which crisscross the whole park. East and north of here is a string of Royal Parks, all free to enter: Regent's Park, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James's Park.

10. The Changing of the Guard

One of the best ceremonies in the city, the Changing of the Guard, is sadly suspended through 2020. In the future, it should take place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 11am outside Buckingham Palace. Dressed in bearskin hats and red tunics, the Queen’s Guard will stomp around in time to music in a display of awesome pageantry, as they switch responsibilities with one another.

11. National Portrait Gallery

Essential building works have closed the National Portrait Gallery until spring 2023, but before Google or Wikipedia, this is where the British came to put a face to the names of famous historical figures from the country's history. As such, the paintings are prized more for their subjects rather than their artists. Highlights include portraits of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth II, the latter courtesy of pop art sensation Andy Warhol.

12. Natural History Museum

Those Victorians sure liked to collect and catalogue. This is one of the most compelling results: the Natural History Museum owns an outrageously large collection (around 80 million items) of all things nature in a lovely Gothic Revival building, which opened in the late 19th century. The main hall is dominated by an enormous blue whale skeleton; the wildlife garden is worth a visit too.

13. Victoria & Albert Museum

Arguably the world's best decorative arts museum, the V&A, as it's generally known, has been open since 1852 and contains an incredible 4.5 million items. The first floor focuses on Asian (Japanese swords, ancient Chinese ceramics) and some European art, including plaster casts made from Michelangelo's David (note the fig leaf created in the 19th century to protect the sensibilities of Victorian visitors). The Ardabil Carpet in the Middle East-focused Jameel Gallery is the world's oldest, dating from Iran in the 1500s.

14. Sky Garden

Offering perhaps the best free vantage point in Central London, the indoor viewing decks and restaurants occupying the top three floors of 20 Fenchurch Street (known to locals as the "walkie talkie") are a great place to hang out without spending a penny. It is open daily, just book your (free) visit in advance.

15. St Paul's Church

Not to be confused with St Paul's Cathedral (a big attraction that comes with a ticket price), this church on the western flank of Covent Garden Piazza is also known as the Actor’s Church. The first Punch and Judy show took place here in 1662, and there are memorials to Charlie Chaplin and Vivien Leigh.

16. Portobello Road Market

Located in the heart of charming Notting Hill, atmospheric and energetic Portobello Road Market sells everything from vintage clothes and sumptuous street food to antiques. It’s busiest on Saturdays, but there’s always something going on (except Sundays, when only shops rather than stalls are open).

17. Science Museum

The highly informative and entertaining Science Museum fills five floors with interactive exhibits. The Energy Hall highlights the first steam locomotives, which date from the early 19th century, while the third-floor exhibits, which include old gliders, hot-air balloons and flight simulators, are popular with kids.

18. Sir John Soane's Museum

Housed within the actual home of the prolific Regency architect Sir John Soane, this museum is full of the man’s personal effects and curiosities, creating one of London's most atmospheric and fascinating sights. The house is largely as Soane left it upon his death in 1837, with Christopher Wren drawings and a lantern room.

19. Hampstead Heath

This enormous, ancient parkland is one of the best places to escape the city while at the same time catching an amazing view of it: the vista from Parliament Hill, which forms the southeast part of Hampstead Heath, is so impressive it’s actually protected by law. Elsewhere in the park you’ll find a zoo, three swimming ponds (nominal charge, which is often ignored) and plenty of quiet spots for a back-to-nature-in-the-heart-of-London picnic.

20. Wallace Collection

One of London's best small galleries, hidden away just north of Oxford Street, the Wallace Collection is an enthralling glimpse into 18th-century aristocratic life, set up in a lavishly restored Italianate mansion stuffed with 17th and 18th century art.

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This article was last updated in October 2020.

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Top 20 free things to do in London

With the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic bringing hardship to many people, one airport reached out to an aviation-loving Twitter user who reported "feeling rock bottom."

Dublin Airport in Ireland was one of 102k people from around the world who reached out to speak to Edmund O'Leary, who is living in Surrey in England but is originally from Clare. "Hi Edmund, you are not alone," it tweeted. "So many people are feeling exactly that way at the minute. Never forget that you are loved & there are people who care about you." The Twitter account also posted some photos of Boeing 747 planes and a picture of dawn in Dublin to console Edmund, saying that it was sending him "hugs from back home."

Hi Edmund, you are not alone. So many people are feeling exactly that way at the minute. Never forget that you are loved & there are people who care about you. We see you like 747s; here’s one just for you, along with a picture of dawn in Dublin. Sending you hugs from back home. pic.twitter.com/x2TyI06uD7
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) October 17, 2020

“We were very touched by Edmund’s tweet," Dublin Airport spokesman, Paul O’Kane, tells Lonely Planet. "We noticed from his posts that Edmund is Irish, that he used to fly, and that he loves Boeing 747 aircraft. On that basis, we responded with a personal message for Edmund and a couple of images – a vintage picture of an Aer Lingus Boeing 747 at Dublin Airport, and an image of dawn over Dublin Bay – in the hope that it might in some way give him a tiny lift. We chose the dawn image as the sun always rises, even after the darkest of nights.”

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Edmund revealed that the message had moved him. "I love jumbo jets," he said. "I was really touched by that tweet." He explained that he had been unemployed for 18 months, and is finding the pandemic hard as he is divorced and lives on his own. He also revealed that the response to his tweet and knowing that so many people care has left him "speechless."

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