London - November 14, 2005

Poundstretcher

Ten Cheap Thrills in London

London is expensive (understatement of the century). But some things don’t cost the earth — you just have to know where to find them. Here are ten of London’s cheapest thrills.

The Bedroom Fantasy: one sheet, one duvet cover and two pillow cases collected, dry-cleaned and delivered to your door for £11.50. What a dream. (020 7820 8203)

Mondays at the Royal Court: any play on any Monday evening for £7.50. Leaving you educationally enriched, with change for an ice cream. (Sloane Square, SW1; 020 7565 5000)

Meditation sessions at The College of Psychic Studies: every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 12:30 p.m., no charge. Who said free thinking was a thing of the past? (16 Queensberry Place; SW7; 020 7589 3292)

Cheap meat at FC Crosby Wholesale Butcher Ltd.: one chicken leg is 30p. With plenty of cuts going every day, it’s the secret of many a chef. Until now. (65 Charterhouse Street, EC1; 020 7253 1239)

NikeTown Running Nights: Mondays, women 3k, 4.5k, and 7k; Tuesdays, mixed sexes 3k, 4.5k and 7k with refreshments. All free. (Depart 6 p.m. from NikeTown, Oxford Circus, W1; 020 7612 0800. No need to book; just turn up).

Assorted comedy, poetry, music performances at Theatre Royal Stratford East: free on evenings and weekends. No, we’re not having a laugh. (Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford, E15; 020 8534 0310)

Brick Lane Beigel Bake: one freshly baked, plain bagel for 15p. An all-around winner. (159 Brick Lane, E1; 020 7729 0616)

Tuesdays at the Coronet Cinema: any Tuesday evening performance, £3.50. Mere peanuts, with more to spend on peanuts. (103 Notting Hill Gate, W11; 020 7727 6705)

Bicycle hire in Dulwich Park: toning eco-ride around Dulwich Park, £5 per hour. You are not being taken for a ride. (Ranger’s Yard, College Road entrance, Dulwich Park, SE21; 020 8299 6636)

Sugar fix at A Quarter Of: £1.77 for ten Giant Refreshers chewy bars. Sweet.

It’s a thriller.

And not a red leather jacket/pair of fangs/wet-look mullet in sight.