British Pound To SGD Now At Great Rates For A London Trip
Fellow Singaporeans, if you’re undecided about a year-end family trip, it’s an awesome time to plan a trip to the UK, thanks to a favourable exchange rate for us.
After the long “will they or won’t they” Brexit debate, TODAY reports that the pound has plummeted to a staggering S$1.68 on Tuesday (16 Jul).
On Friday (19 Jul), The British pound has recovered slightly to S$1.70 for 1 British pound. However, economists predict that the rate will decline to S$1.60 by the end of 2019, and as much as S$1.58 by 2020.
For many Singaporeans, this means more affordable trips and shopping experiences in the United Kingdom.
London makan & chill places
A trip to the UK isn’t complete without a visit to London’s famous pubs, restaurants, and cafes. We’re hoping that the favourable exchange rate would let us binge more on delicious food.
Here are our top picks.
1. sketch London
Fans of pastel pink can dine in an all-pink restaurant inspired from vintage interiors and Wes Anderson films.
A succulent beef fillet costs about £32 (S$54), which is a reasonable price for a perfect medium-rare steak coated with chestnut puree.
To view more stunning interiors, click here.
Address: 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG (Nearest train station is Oxford Circus)
Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 7.00am-2.00am
Sat: 8.00am-2.00am
Sun: 8.00am-12:30am
Tel: +44 20 7659 4500
2. God’s Own Junkyard Cafe
Neon light signages and vibrant lights make God’s Own Junkyard literally stand out from its competition.
Don’t miss this chance to munch on their Avocado Stacker £9.50 (S$16) and cocktails from £6.50 (S$11).
Address: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street, Walthamstow E17 9HQ
Opening hours:
Fri to Sat: 11.00am-9.00pm
Sun: 11.00am-6.00pm
Telephone: +44 20 8521 8066
Nearest Train Station: Walthamstow Central
3. York’s Chocolate Story
We’ve seen loads of customised desserts but we bet that you’ve never had D-I-Y chocolate lollipops.
It’s no secret that the city of York has yummy chocolates. You can learn all about them and eat some on York’s Chocolate Story tour. Tickets are priced at £11.50 (S$20.73) for adults and £9.50 (S$17.12) for kids aged 4 to 15 years old.
Address: 3-4 Kings Square, York YO1 7LD, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: Tues to Sun, 10.00am to 5.00pm; closed on Mondays
Tel: +44 1904 527765
Website: York’s Chocolate Story
4. Alcotraz Prison Cocktail Bar
Alcotraz lets you smuggle your liquor past wardens and help you meet fellow convicts.
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience since not many can say that they’ve been to prison.
Address: 212 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA, UK
Opening hours: Tuesday – 6.00pm – 10.15pm (Masterclass)
Wed to Thurs – 6:15pm-10.15pm
Fri – 5:00pm-11.15pm
Sat – 12:30pm-11:15pm
Sun – 1:45pm-5:45pm
Closed on Mondays
Tel: +44 20 3109 0488
Website: Alcotraz
Discounted branded bags & street food
The future looks bright for those that want to splurge on branded kicks at outlet shops or scrumptious meals in themed cafes all across the United Kingdom.
We’ve done your homework for you and curated a list of places you can visit to get more bang for your pounds.
1. Burberry Outlet Shop
Ever dreamed of owning a designer Burberry coat? There’s a big price difference between Singapore and London thanks to the tax relief.
They say you can save up to 20% to 50% off store prices by shopping at Burberry’s Factory Shop in London. To find out more deals, check out traveller reviews from TripAdvisor.
Address: 29-53 Chatham Place | Hackney, London E9 6LP, England
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 10.00am-7.00pm
Sun: 10.00am-6.00pm
Tel: +44 20 8328 4287
2. Borough Market
Borough Market is more than a thousand years old.
The old market is currently filled with hundreds of stalls that sell fresh ingredients, street food, and alcohol. They say you can get lots of free samples and delicious treats and we’re very excited to try them all.
Address: 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL, UK
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed on Sunday
3. Oxford Street
Oxford Street is the world’s biggest high street.
It has more than 90 flagship stores with big brands like River Island, Primark, Topshop, Gap. Oxford Street is also home to famous department stores like John Lewis & Partners, Debenhams, Selfridges, House of Fraser and Marks & Spencer.
Address: Oxford Street, London W1W 8LG, England
Opening Hours:
Mon to Thurs: 9.00am – 10:00pm
Fri to Sat: 9:00am – 9:00pm
Sun: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
4. Regent Street and Jermyn Street
Regent Street is an elegant shopping destination with shops like Hamleys, Liberty and Apple. Located beside the iconic Jermyn street, it has stores for fashion aficionados who want to look like a Brit. They also offer tailored menswear from Benson & Clegg and shoes from John Lobb.
From electronics to fashion wear and toys — you’ll be able to see everything that the UK has to offer.
Address: Regent Street, Soho, London W1B 5SJ
Opening Hours:
Mon to Fri: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 8:00 pm
Sun/Holidays: 12:00pm – 6:00 pm
The best London travel hack is a favourable exchange rate
You can take a flight from Singapore to the UK via SIA, Emirates and British Airways.
How do you get the most bang for your buck? Our friends at TheSmartLocal have a list of London hacks that will make everything 50% cheaper.
Time to join the swarm of locals hoarding British pounds.
Got any tips for traveling in the UK on a budget? Let us know in the comments below.
Featured image from Instagram and The Smart Local.
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