London on the cheap

IT'S A FREE WORLD:SOME OF London's best attractions are free, including the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Childhood.

Somerset House ( somersethouse.org.uk), a spectacular neo-classical building in London between the Strand and the River Thames, is free for under 18s. During the summer months there are 55 fountains in the courtyard, and in winter you can skate on the ice rink.

It also hosts open-air concerts and films, contemporary art and design exhibitions, family workshops and free guided tours of spaces usually hidden to visitors.

The National Portrait Gallery ( npg.org.uk) in west London has a young people's programme, which includes free weekend workshops and art classes for kids. It also runs a series of family events with activities for younger children including storytelling.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens ( horniman.ac.uk)in Forest Hill, east London is free and family-friendly. It runs a programme of free kids' activities every weekend. Each weekend has a different theme, from toys and masks to puppets, animals and Africa.

Catch:London is an expensive city.

Take note:children can benefit from free or discounted travel across London's transport system. Older kids may need a photocard to travel free.

A NIGHT’S free babysitting is part of the package if you stay at O’Neill’s holiday homes at Caher Cré in Ardrahan, Co Galway this Christmas.

The owner is also laying on a free taxi to take you to the nearby coastal town of Kinvara for a night out and there will be a hamper filled with Christmas goodies on arrival and a Christmas tree in the cottage.

The offer is valid from December 24th-27th and the cottages are three-beds. A four-night stay costs €300 and three nights €250. From December 31st to January 2nd, a stay at Caher Cré costs €250 and includes 3-5kgs of Kinvara mussels on arrival.

Catch:as it's self-catering accommodation you are going to have to transport the turkey to Galway.

Take note:the owner says she is flexible on dates. Pets are welcome and there's a playground on site. oneill-holiday-homes.com.

Found a freebie on holiday? Tell me about it. E-mail emorgan@irishtimes.com