I think January is all about cheap thrills. We all had too much fun over Christmas and the purse strings are feeling the pain but why should you make the most depressing month even more depressing? I don't understand people who cut out everything worth living for... Booze, carbs and essentially a life to apease their guilty December cheeseboard scoffing ways. I have compiled a list of 10 things to do for under £10 in Kentish Town this January so you can stay happy in 2013.
1. The White Stone Pond Observatory
Everyone loves stargazing. From couples to kids, there is something so enchanting about a starry night sky. Head to The Observatory at White Stone Pond and have a peak through the 6” telescope. Dating back from 1909, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons and the Moon’s mountains have all been spotted. Open on Friday and Saturday night from September–April. Sundays from 11am-1pm to see the sun.
Free
2. 24 Bus Route
It is too
easy to live in London and not actually have been to the main tourist
attractions. Excuses range from: I’m too busy, they are too busy and they cost too
much anyway. If you want to avoid the crowds and see most of London’s main
landmarks for the price of a bus fare, hop on the 24. It’ll pick you up on Malden
Road and head straight to Camden Lock, Trafalgar Square, Downing Street and the
Houses of Parliament, just to name a few. The sights rival the open topped tour
buses but for the price of a return bus fare. It really is Kentish Town’s
personal tourist bus.
£2.80
return on your Oyster card
3. Stingray
I have been
known to go to my lovely local Italian three times in one week, lured in by the
inexpensive grub. I haven’t found a pizza that rivals theirs this side of Italy.
From the classics to the more experimental house special with salmon and
avocado, they’ve got it covered. A pizza and a beer can be had for a mere
£5.95. What’s not to love?
£5.95 for a
beer and a pizza deal
You can’t beat January blues better than with a good old sing-song around a piano. On Sunday evenings, at The Grafton pub everyone crowds around the piano to belt out popular songs. Expect Robbie’s Angel’s and Bohemian Rapsidy. But no pressure, just join in when you know the words. Yes, that’s right, a pub that actually encourages merry singing. Wet you’re whistle with a bloody Mary for £6.50 and if you time it right, you might be there when they dish out the left over roast spuds and yorkies.
£6.50 for a Bloody Mary.
5. Zumba at Expressions
Gobbled too
much turkey or scoffed one too many mince pies? There is no place more fun to
work off that festive fat than an hour of zumba at Expressions. Dance to J-lo
and Gangnam Style with fellow fat burners spanning from teens to seniors. I
promise, there is no room for embarrassment here. The dance teacher’s figure is
all the thinspirtaion you will ever need.
£8. Monday
8-9pm Wednesday 7-8pm
6. Camden
Town Brewery Bar Tour
Get some
mates together for an insightful tour of North London’s finest Brewery. I know
this is £2 over the tenner mark, but Mark from the brewery said “It’s nearly £10 but you
get a lot of beer for your money!" And if you are still thirsty, you can have a
drink in the bar at the end.
£12
7. The Everyman cinema
Isn’t the
best way to spend a winter Sunday afternoon watching a good old classic movie
on the sofa? Well the Everyman Hampstead and Belsize Park have read our minds
and on the last Sunday of every month, a tenner will buy you a seat on one of
their comfy sofas in front of the likes of Hitchcock.
£10 Last
Sunday of every month.
8. Shebeen
For those wanting
to carry on the party, head to Kentish Town’s best cocktail bar. It’s cosy and
candle lit but if Christmas hasn’t done your bank balance any favours, get
there early and enjoy two for the price of one from 5.30 – 7.30pm, which will
most definitely turn into 4. I’ll be heading straight there after work to
combat first-day-back-blues.
£7ish for 2
cocktails during Happy Hour.
9. Talacre Football Pitches
Kickoff the
New Year with a game of footie with the lads… or ladies if you felt inspired by
Team GB Women’s Olympic success. Kentish Town’s Talacre sports centre has a 5-a
side indoor pitch and a 7-a side outdoor pitch, perhaps for when it gets
slightly warmer. Both can be hired for £87, which when split by both teams is a
few pounds each, with enough change to go for a post match pint.
£6.20 when 14 people split a 7-a side pitch.
Book 1 week
in advance. 9am-10pm 7 days a week
020 7974 8765
10. Kite Hill
Take the
kids or just yourself and your kite up to Parliament Hill and join lots of
others in attempting to get yours flying the highest. Also appropriately named
Kite Hill is wrapped around with the London skyline and there are few places
better to view our capital’s buildings than this one. So when the kite gets
caught in a tree, settle down on a bench and play Eye Spy with London’s
landmarks. It’s chilly up there so pop into Housepresso, a tiny coffee shop by
Gospel Oak station and thaw out with one of their delicious hot drinks.
Free/£2.50
with a drink from Housepresso
My amazingly talented friend did these lovely illustrations. Check out more of her beautiful work here.
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