8 Best Free Things to Do in London
There is no doubt that London is an expensive city to live and visit, however it is still possible to explore on a budget. Whether you are a Londoner looking for inspiration or trying to visit London without breaking the bank, here are my top free activities in the capital as well as some tips and tricks on keeping costs down!
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How to get to London?
You will likely arrive in London in one of the four airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted.
Check out my full guide on getting to the city centre from each of the four airports using trains or shuttle buses here: How to Get from Each London Airport to the City Centre
Alternatively you could grab a black cab or Uber at each airport.
Where to stay in London?
Check out my full accommodation guides for London here: Affordable Places to Stay in London: Budget Hotels, Hostels & Tips
🛏️ Wombats City Hostel
🏬 The Crescent Hyde Park London Hotel
🏩Tavistock Hotel
💎Pan Pacific London
Top free things to do in London
1. Check out the many free museums and galleries
I lived in London for over 10 years, and one of my favourite places to visit on a free day has always been one of the many museums or art galleries in the city.
Some of my favourites are the Design Museum which has an incredible free exhibition of design across the ages, the Tate Modern and its many free special exhibitions from visiting artists and the National Gallery which features some of the most gorgeous and famous paintings.
Check out more free museums: The Best Free Museums in London for Art Lovers
2. Marvel at London’s best, free skyline views
London has possibly one of the most famous skylines in the world, with sights including the Shard, the London Eye, the Gherkin and so much more.
There are many rather expensive ways to experience these views – cocktails at the Shard, a trip on the London Eye, dinner at the Heron Tower. However, some of my all-time favourite London skyline viewing spots are completely free!
Check out my full article on all the free spots in London here. Some of my favourites are:
- Next to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park
- Primrose Hill
- Garden at 120
3. Explore London’s beautiful sights
London is the perfect place to go sightseeing, no matter if its your 1st or 100th time. From Big Ben to Tower Bridge to Oxford Street, there is always a new area to explore.
Related article: 32 Best Things to Do in London from a Local
Best of all, walking around is completely free and really the best way to experience London. If you have already explored the centre, some other areas that I’d recommend are Canary Wharf, Greenwich, Brixton, Hampstead Heath and Walthamstow Wetlands.
4. Go window-shopping in London’s coolest neighbourhoods
This is similar to the previous point, but London is THE best place for window shopping (and the occasional purchase of course). Some of the best neighbourhoods for this are of course Camden, Covent Garden, Notting Hill Market and Brick Lane.
There are also some amazing and budget-friendly charity shops around every corner, which I love for sustainable and cheap clothing.
5. Witness the Changing the Guard
Going back to touristy activities, the famous Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one you can’t miss. It is completely free and takes place Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10.30am. I would recommend coming earlier to ensure you get a good view.
Even if you are a Londoner, I have seen this event several times now and always find it fascinating. It’s just quintessentially British.
If you’d like to know a little more about the event and British royalty, consider joining a small group tour:
6. Have a picnic in one of the parks
The parks of London are plentiful and where I spent many a weekend. From the central Hyde Park with its beautiful ponds to the stunning views of Greenwich Park to the beautiful deer of Richmond Park, there is so much to explore.
One of my favourite ways to enjoy the parks is by grabbing a meal deal from a nearby supermarket and having a little picnic in the grass.
7. Go to a free Comedy/Stand-up Night
London has a ton of artistic talent and also many who are just starting out. It is a brewing pot for artists in all the best ways, and you can often enjoy up-and-coming comedians and even singers for free.
Some great comedy nights are the Comedy Bandits (every Wednesday & Thursday at The Railway Tavern, Clapham) and the nightly, free comedy shows of Angel Comedy Club at the Camden Head pub in Angel, Islington.
You can find more free events and concerts here.
8. Check out one of the incredible seasonal events
Another thing you will find plenty of in London is events. From street markets to fairs to seasonal events, there is ALWAYS something going on. Many of then are completely free to join too!
Some great ones are the stunning Christmas Lights all throughout London in December, Notting Hill Carnival in August and Pride in June/July. You can find more here.
How many days do you need in London?
I would recommend at least 3-4 days to begin seeing some of London’s highlights, up to a week to really see all of London’s top attractions. London is a big city packed full of must-see attractions. If you have more time, London also has a ton of affordable and even free stuff to do (check out the best walks, my favourite free viewpoints and top free museums).
If you are on a time crunch or experiencing London on a layover, here is my guide on what to see in just one day in London.
How to get around London by public transport:
London has a very comprehensive public transport system consisting of the tube and buses, as well as trains for longer journeys. You do not need to buy tickets for the public transport. You can simply tap on and off (on buses you only tap on) using your contactless payment card. It costs the same and is what most Londoners use themselves.
I would highly recommend downloading the app Citymapper for your London trip. It will show you the quickest and cheapest way to get somewhere.
All things London:
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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