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Despite London having a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world there are so many free things to do in London. But here’s the thing most tourists never realise: some of the best things to do in London don’t cost a single penny. As someone that has lived in a few countries now, with London being my home. I have certainly come to have a real appreciation for free things to in London, where I don’t have to spend huge amounts of money. I have also enjoyed a day trip to Europe or a nearby city break from London where I can literally be nobody for the day.
So if you’re planning a trip to London and looking for things to in London for free or just trying to keep your budget in check save this London travel guide. I’ve pulled together all the free things to do in London that’s actually worth your time, not just a list of museums you’ve already heard of.
Related Post: 25 Things to Know Before Visiting London – (it also has a lot more things to do in London for free too).
Key Things to Know Before Visiting London
- Internet: You’ll definitely want internet while exploring the city. I usually use Airalo for an eSIM which allow you to get mobile data as soon as you land.
- Travel Insurance: I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
- Payments: Most places in London accept card payments, so you rarely need to carry much cash.
1. Free Museums & Galleries
This is the obvious one, that I’m sure you are rolling your eyes like well duh! But it’s still worth saying and noting that London’s biggest museums are free to enter (donations are optional and not compulsory). Here are some of the free museums in London you can add to your list:
- The British Museum – You need a full day here realistically, but even two to three hours will get you to the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies.
- The Tate Modern – Modern art in an old power station. Even if modern art isn’t your thing, the building alone and the view from the top floor are worth it.
- National Gallery – Right on Trafalgar Square, so easy to combine with a walk to Big Ben and the London Eye and if you are up for the walk you can even make it to Piccadilly Circus.
- Natural History Museum – The building itself looks like a cathedral. And I would say it’s great for children because they love it, adults love it. It’s the perfect win for everybody.
- Science Museum – I love this one because it’s right next door to Natural History, so you can easily do both in a day.
- V&A Museum – free entry, one of the most visited free museums in London and in the world, arguably should’ve been in there from the start
- Imperial War Museum– it is free, and often overlooked by visitors Wallace Collection – free, gorgeous townhouse setting, very few tourists know about it.
- Sir John Soane’s Museum – another free, quirky, candlelit evening openings once a month which is a proper hidden gem.
- Horniman Museum – free things to do in London and it’s in South London the best part of London with great gardens too.
MBV Travel Tip: Go early, especially in summer or during school holidays. These get packed fast, and queues for the popular exhibitions can eat your whole morning.
2. Free Views Over the City
So there are so many things to do in London for free that give you amazing views of the cities skyline. For example, you don’t need to pay for The Shard to get proper views of London. Other views of London include:
- Sky Garden – Book a free ticket online in advance for a panoramic view of the city from 35 floors up. This is genuinely my favourite budget friendly alternative to The Shard, but you do need to book ahead and turn up on time or they won’t let you in. You can also get a drink and some food to eat there too but you will need to pay fo this of course.
- Primrose Hill – A short walk from Camden, and one of the best sunset views of London. Bring a blanket and something from the market below.
- Greenwich Park – Head up to the Royal Observatory viewpoint for one of the most iconic skyline views in the city, looking straight across to Canary Wharf.
- Waterloo Bridge – Sounds random, but it has one of the best views of the London skyline in either direction, and almost nobody stops to actually look.
3. Free Wandering
Any people trying to get their 10,000 steps done in a day. London is perfect for walking or strolling and exploring around. Here are some good spots to walk in London.
- Notting Hill – Go see the colourful houses on and around Portobello Road. If you’re here in August, the Notting Hill Carnival itself is free to attend and celebrate.
- Columbia Road Flower Market – Sundays only. Even if you’re not buying, the street is beautiful and the flower sellers shouting their prices is half the fun.
- Southbank at Night – Start at Waterloo Station and walk past the London Eye, Royal Festival Hall, and along the river towards Tower Bridge. There’s often a food festival happening at Royal Festival Hall too, so it’s worth timing your walk around that.
- Leadenhall Market – A gorgeous covered Victorian market in the City, all ornate ironwork and painted ceilings. It also featured in the Harry Potter films if that’s your thing.
- 10 Adam Street – My little London secret. There’s a door here that looks almost identical to the real 10 Downing Street, just a few minutes from the Strand. Perfect for a free photo without the security gates and the crowds.
- Neal’s Yard – A tiny, hidden, brightly coloured courtyard tucked just off Covent Garden. Blink and you’ll walk straight past the entrance.
4. Free Parks & Green Spaces
London has so many parks and is much greener than people expect it to be, and get this every park in London is free. Here are some parks in London that you should add to your list:
- Hyde Park – Great for a picnic, a boat ride if you fancy paying for that bit, or just people-watching by the Serpentine. Sometimes there are concerts here which you will have to pay for so check if you’re planning on going.
- Regent’s Park – is a beautiful garden, and you can see London Zoo’s exterior enclosures from parts of the park without paying to go in.
- St James’s Park – Ducks, pelicans, and one of the best views of Buckingham Palace, all in one spot. Oh and very close to the London Eye and Parliament too!
- Richmond Park – Come here to spot wild deer roaming freely. It’s genuinely surreal how close you can get.
- Greenwich Park – Combine the viewpoint mentioned above with a wander through the park itself.
- Danson Park – A bit further out, but stunning and a great shout if you’ve got children with you.
MBV Tip: Grab snacks from a nearby Tesco or M&S before you go. Way cheaper than anything you’ll find near the park gates, and just as good for a picnic.
5. Free Culture, History & Ceremony
As well as free museums in London there are so many cultural free things to in London too. Here are a few examples:
- Changing of the Guard – Happens at Buckingham Palace on select days (check the official schedule before you go, it’s not daily). Free to watch, just get there early for a good spot.
- Speaker’s Corner – Is in Hyde Park, near Marble Arch. People turn up on Sundays to debate literally anything. It’s chaotic, it’s free, and it’s very typical of things like this to happen in London.
- Street Performers on Southbank – Between the London Eye and the National Theatre, there’s almost always a musician, magician, or living statue putting on a proper show for tips (which are optional).
- Churches & Cathedrals – Many of London’s churches, like St Martin in the Fields near Trafalgar Square, are free to enter and often have free lunchtime concerts.
6. Free Seasonal Events
Depending on when you visit, the things to do in London for free can vary. For example:
- Christmas Lights – Regent Street, Oxford Street, and Covent Garden all go all out from November. Completely free to walk around and soak up.
- Notting Hill Carnival – Free to attend, one of the biggest street festivals in Europe, happens every August Bank Holiday.
- Open House London – Usually in September, when normally private or hard to access buildings across the city open their doors for free.
- Fireworks & Free Public Events – Keep an eye on the Mayor of London’s website for free events here happening throughout the year, they add new ones fairly regularly.
More Travel Tools & Resources for London
- My Instagram and TikTok have quick snap videos on the specifics on planning a trip to London and DM me if you have any questions about your trip.
- Before exploring the views of London. I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
- Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific tours for London. Please read the reviews before booking!
- Get travel insurance, I recommend anyone travelling should have travel insurance which you can get via SafetyWing here.
- I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279 for a discount.
Conclusion: Free Things to Do in London
There you have it a list of free things to do in London! Actual proof that you can have an incredible trip to London without spending money on attractions at all. Between the museums, the parks, the cultural markets, and just wandering around London with your eyes open, you could easily fill several days here for free.
If you want the fuller picture of planning your trip to London, I’ve also put together a guide on the 25 things I think you need to know before visiting London, including transport for food to when to actually book things in advance, which is worth a read alongside this post.
Are you planning a trip to London? What views of London are you planning to see? Let’s meet in the comments. And if you have any questions please do ask away!
Speak soon,
MBV x
