I spent two days in London without spending a penny - I blagged a free luxury spa day and hotel accommodation but it was the hardest thing I've ever done George Redfern, 21, claims he spent £0 over two days while staying in London READ MORE: Tech graduate reveals how she lives in London for rent-free By Maria Okanrende For Mailonline Published: 07:12 EDT, 9 August 2024 | Updated: 07:24 EDT, 9 August 2024 e-mail 1 View comments A man has blagged his way through free food and luxury hotel amenities while in London for two days, accomplishing his mission to spend £0 for his entire stay. George Redfern, 21, an influencer from Wirral, Merseyside, set himself a challenge to tour the capital for 48 hours without spending a penny. But it didn't come easy.
Despite enjoying a 4* hotel spa, a free hostel stay and McDonald's burgers, George was forced to walk 50,000 steps to get to these locations as he was unable to spend money on the tube or cabs. Though he had quite the time during the challenge, he said the 'thought of not knowing where to sleep' made it the 'most difficult thing' he had ever done. 'The most difficult part of the challenge was finding a sleeping arrangement and the thought of not knowing where to sleep' said George in a YouTube video.
George Redfern (pictured), 21, blagged his way through free food and luxury hotel amenities while in London for two days (pictured at one of two 4* hotel spas) The influencer from Wirral, Merseyside, set himself a challenge to tour the capital for 48 hours without spending a penny (pictured with a pal) At the Holiday Inn Express in Southwark, he enjoyed an English breakfast of fried bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, baked beans, hash browns and a banana - on the house 'It's the most difficult thing I have ever done - it's the not knowing what is going to happen to next'. George decided to see if he could survive in London - a city ranked one of the most expensive in the world - for two days without spending any money, and began his mission on August 3. Read More Tech graduate reveals how she lives in London for rent-free - saving £1,350 a month - by house sitting for strangers and taking care of pets He arrived at Euston Station at 9.
03am and headed to Premier Inn at Westminster Abbey, where he skilfully blagged a free cup of coffee while he planned his day ahead. The next part of his mission required finding food, so he set his sights on Holiday Inn Express London Southwark. There he enjoyed an English breakfast of fried bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, baked beans, hash browns and a banana - on the house.
George, then needing somewhere to sleep for the night, managed to get to sleep at the lobby of The Generator Hostel in Shepherd's Bush. With his challenge clearly proving successful so far, he cranked things up a notch by brazenly sneaking into 4* hotel, the Park Plaza in Waterloo. There he enjoyed a dip in the pool and even used their sauna.
For those wondering how he came to achieve the incredible feat, he shared his step by step plan, which it appeared involved a spot of luck. 'Before starting the challenge, I thought it would be best to dress smartly, so people had a certain perception of me' he said. Needing somewhere to sleep for the night, George managed to get a complimentary stay at the lobby of The Generator Hostel in Shepherd's Bush George recorded content from his adventurous trip which he shared to YouTube 'I walked past it [the Park Plaza hotel] at first and usually with 4* star hotels they have someone at the door, but there was scaffolding on the building and that was the reason why they didn't have anyone at the door.
'I was just waiting to see what other people were doing to get into the spa and then a grandma just walked past and entered the spa, without speaking to anyone'. George decided to do the same and strolled past the receptionist - who was distracted - before hopping in their pool for a swim and sitting in their sauna. George realised finding something to eat for free might be tricky, but he had an idea up his sleeve.
'I went into different outlets and said that my family ordered a load of food an hour ago and didn't get a burger to make it sound realistic' he said. He brazenly snuck into 4* hotel, the Park Plaza in Waterloo. There he enjoyed a dip in the pool and even used their sauna George said his experience also brought about reflection on the less fortunate who he said are unable to afford somewhere to sleep or meals to eat The inventive lad finally managed to score a free burger at McDonald's on Charing Cross Road after being turned away by a branch, and a nearby Burger King, in Leicester Square.
'I went into four shops and finally got a burger which I was pleased about' he added. During the trip, George walked 50,000 steps over two days as he was unable to spend money on the tube or Ubers. He said he set himself the no spend challenge to step outside of his comfort zone and to see what's possible with no money.
Looking back on the challenge, George says it was the hardest thing he has ever done. His experience also brought about reflection on the less fortunate who he said are unable to afford somewhere to sleep or meals to eat. 'I found the challenge one of the most difficult things I have ever done' said George.
'It was very rewarding getting a free spa day and free food but you don't actually understand how fortunate you are until you go without. I got a free apple The Dilly and I appreciated every bite'. 'The sad reality is that this is the normal for some people and that is why it has given me the idea to do a bigger challenge and raise money for homeless charities'.
George hopes to recreate his no spend challenge in either Dublin or Liverpool in the future. GEORGE'S LONDON TRIP - DAY 1 Hub by Premier Inn Westminster Abbey Hotel - free coffee 4* hotel, The Dilly London - hotel spa McDonald's and Burger King in Leicester Square - failed free food attempt McDonald's on Charing Cross Road - successful free food attempt Hub by Premier Inn Covent Garden - free water and workspace Shakespeare's Head JD Wetherspoon - Wetherspoons game Pullman London St Pancras - sleep in lobby attempt fail Generator London - sleep in lobby success Advertisement GEORGE'S LONDON TRIP - DAY 2 Holiday Inn Express London Southwark - free breakfast Park Plaza London Waterloo - free spa day Hub by Premier Inn Westminster Abbey Hotel - free coffee and a place to edit [his content] Advertisement London YouTube Homelessness Share or comment on this article: I spent two days in London without spending a penny - I blagged a free luxury spa day and hotel accommodation but it was the hardest thing I've ever done e-mail Add comment.
