Credit: SWNS / George Redfern
A man enjoyed two days in London without spending a penny - by blagging a free hotel, meals and even a 4* spa day.
George Redfern, 21, decided to see if he could survive in the capital for two days without spending any money - starting his challenge on August 3.
A man enjoyed two days in London without spending a penny - by blagging a free hotel, meals and even a 4* spa day.
George Redfern, 21, decided to see if he could survive in the capital for two days without spending any money - starting his challenge on August 3.
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TravelTranscript
00:00Hi, I'm Ellie and you're watching Wonderwise.
00:02Today we're heading to London, the UK's capital, but also one of the most expensive cities in the world.
00:08In this week's episode, we're following George Redfern, who is taking on the ultimate no-spend challenge.
00:14George is spending two days in the big smoke without spending a single penny.
00:18Now, a word to the wise, while George's antics are admittedly clever,
00:22here at Wonderwise, we're all about keeping things above board.
00:25So, before we get started, make sure to give us a follow so you can keep up to date
00:28with our weekly episodes on how to save time and money on your next budget holiday,
00:32with our handy and ethical tips and tricks.
00:35I'm in London and I'm doing a no-money challenge.
00:38The rules are, the next two days I can't spend any money.
00:41I've got no accommodation books, no food, no drinks.
00:44I have to make it work, basically, for the next two days.
00:48So, to kick things off, George made a beeline for a hotel.
00:51Not for a room, but for a free coffee from the hotel's restaurant,
00:54while he made a plan for the rest of his frugal adventure.
00:57Not a bad way to start a day in the city on a budget of absolutely nothing.
01:00There's places with swimming pools, hotels with swimming pools.
01:05We go to one of these hotels and use the swimming facilities.
01:08I'll have a look at which pools are the best and then choose which one to go to.
01:14I've had my coffee and now we are heading to one of the hotels to see if we can get in.
01:20At least one of them should work, but I've got to find out.
01:23Thanks to some ongoing scaffolding work that distracted the hotel's security,
01:27George managed to sneak into the building,
01:29past the distracted receptionists and straight into the four-star hotel spa.
01:38So, now just going to go for a little swim.
01:41This is the pool.
01:46I actually can't believe we got in.
01:48I can't believe how easy it was to get in.
01:52Finished up now.
01:54Just going to jump into the shower because I don't know when I'm going to get one next.
01:58I am starving, so I need to go get some food.
02:01Whether I don't know, we'll find out.
02:03So, I'm going to go into McDonald's and try to get some free food.
02:07Let's see how it goes.
02:09George tried his luck at a few fast food spots,
02:11claiming that his family's order was missing a burger.
02:14After a few failed attempts, his persistence paid off
02:17and he managed to nab himself a free McDonald's.
02:19Got into a spa, got a free McDonald's, got a free coffee.
02:24Now, I just need to get another drink because I am thirsty.
02:27So, I'm going to go into Starbucks and get water.
02:30So far, so good. We're eating tonight, which is great.
02:34Hiya. Is there any chance I can just get some tap water?
02:40So, we've secured a Big Mac burger and Starbucks water,
02:45all for zero pounds.
02:47I'm going to find a hotel lobby first to plan how I'm going to be sleeping tonight.
02:53Oh, my God. My feet are killing.
02:55I'm hoping just to sit down in the lobby now.
02:58Of course, without any money for transport, George had to walk everywhere.
03:01In two days, he clocked up 50,000 steps.
03:05But hey, when you're trying to save money, every step counts.
03:07I can either get a night stay somewhere, hostel stay, a couch stay.
03:13If not, we're going to be sleeping in lobbies,
03:16which isn't going to be that fun, but it's better than sleeping on the street.
03:19After a failed attempt to sleep in one hotel,
03:21George managed to crash in another hotel lobby for the night.
03:23Okay, I'm going to try and spend the night here.
03:26It's very hidden from the reception over there.
03:31Not many people sit here.
03:33I think I might be okay, but we'll just have to see.
03:36I know, I know. Some of you are going to be shaking your heads at all of this,
03:40but you've got to give credit where it's due.
03:42On day two, George started his day with a delicious free breakfast from the hotel,
03:46followed by another free spa day,
03:48before ending the day in a cosy spot with a free coffee.
03:51So, with a little bit of resourcefulness,
03:53George shows that you can make the most of any situation.
03:56But be clever with your budget travels.
03:58George's tactics are more a masterclass on how to get kicked out.
04:01And while it makes for a great story, don't try it for yourself.