Free things to do in London

For first-time travellers, London can seem like an expensive city to visit. Yet, there are plenty of free activities in London, and even the most budget-conscious traveller will find interesting places to explore. So, here is our guide on what to do in London for free.

Explore London’s free museums and art galleries

London has some of the best museums and art galleries in the world, and many are free to enter. From the tiny but fascinating Sir John Soane’s Museum to the prestigious British Museum, there’s plenty to experience in London without spending any money. Other museums you can visit for free include the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, all within walking distance of each other in South Kensington. There’s also the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square and the Tate Modern in South Bank for art lovers.

Take a walk through London’s parks

London has many beautiful parks that are free to walk through. Hyde Park is especially popular and offers a variety of activities, including boating, cycling and recreational sports. Regent’s Park is home to Queen Mary’s Garden, with over 4,000 varieties of roses on display. Other parks we recommend visiting include St. James’s Park in Westminster, Greenwich Park, Holland Park with its beautiful Kyoto Gardens, and Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets.

Discover some of London’s street art

Not all of London’s best art can be found in art galleries and museums. The city has some impressive street art, and you can find much of it in some of London’s trendiest districts. Camden, Shoreditch and Brixton are hotspots for street art, as is the Brick Lane area in Tower Hamlets. Some big names in the street art scene, such as Banksy and Invader, have contributed to these areas over the years. Take a look around these areas, and you’re bound to be impressed.

Watch the Changing of the Guard

Several times a week, visitors gather outside the gates of some of London’s royal buildings to witness The Changing of the Guard ceremony. The most famous version of this ceremony takes place outside Buckingham Palace, the reigning monarch’s official London residence. However, other versions of the Changing of the Guard ceremony take place at St. James’s Palace and the Wellington Barracks. The ceremony lasts around 45 minutes and takes place at 11:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Best of all, it is free.

Take in the view at the Sky Garden

Take a short walk from Monument Station to the 20 Fenchurch Street building, then make your way up to the 35th floor of the building. Here, you’ll find the stunning indoor Sky Garden, 155 metres above street level. This is London’s highest public garden and features bars, restaurants and live music. The Sky Garden offers a 360-degree panorama of Central London. Entry to the Sky Garden is free, but places are limited, so you will need to book your time here well in advance.

Catch a free festival

There are a number of festivals that take place in the London streets throughout the year, and many of them are free to experience. The largest of these is the Notting Hill Carnival in August, which is a celebration of London’s Caribbean communities, featuring music, food and plenty of colours. Some other popular free festivals in London include the Walthamstow Garden Party in July, the London Free Film Festival in September, and the Lumiere Festival in January.

Go window shopping in London’s market districts

Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, spending some time walking around London’s trendy shopping districts can be entertaining in itself. Take a stroll around Camden Market, Covent Garden and Brick Lane, and you’ll find a mix of artisan stalls, street entertainment and delicious food. The Portobello Road Market is one of the largest antique markets in the world and is a great place to see hidden treasures. There’s also the Borough Market, one of London’s oldest food markets, where you can enjoy free samples from over 100 food stalls.

Go people-watching at London’s popular meeting points

London is a busy and fast-paced city, and sometimes it is nice just to take some time to relax and watch the world go by. There are several popular meeting points around the city where you can sit and watch people go about their business. Some popular areas for people watching include the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain (also commonly known as Eros) in Picadilly Circus, the stone lions near Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square, and the Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.

Take a self-guided walking tour

There are many walking tours in London; some will cost you money, while others are free. But if you are in one of London’s popular districts, why not take some time to explore them yourself? If you are within walking distance of some of London’s attractions, take some time to explore and see what hidden treasures you can find. The areas around South Bank, Westminster, St. James’s Park and Tower Bridge have plenty of bars, museums and historic buildings that are well worth exploring. Make sure to download a GPS map or take a paper map to guide you, wear sturdy walking shoes and bring plenty of water for your journey.

Walk in the footsteps of The Beatles

Any Beatles fan has seen the Abbey Road album, which features the band walking across the famous pedestrian crossing outside the eponymous recording studio, which is north-west of Regent’s Park, off Grove End Road. The closest Tube station is the St John’s Wood Station on the Northern Line, and the 139 and 189 buses pass the studio. Once you arrive, be sure to snap pictures on the zebra crossing outside the studio, while being careful of the traffic! You can’t go inside the recording studio, but you can leave a message on the graffiti wall and visit the souvenir shop.