A day out in London doesn’t need to make a dent in your wallet. Despite the city’s reputation for being expensive, it’s surprisingly easy to fill your time with things to do in London that don’t cost a penny.
The British Museum
London is home to some of the best museums in the world. And to put a cherry on top of that historic cupcake, most of them are free to visit!
Chief among them is the British Museum, home to one of the most renowned collections on human history you will find anywhere.
With countless artefacts covering a time period of two million years, you’ll see everything from hunter-gatherer tools to Egyptian mummies to medieval chess sets inside the sprawling museum. Of all the exhibits, the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon Sculptures are probably the highlights!
Barbican Conservatory
Tucked away between the corporate high rises of the financial district is a green oasis: the Barbican Conservatory. Initially a way to hide the concrete stump of the theatre below, the conservatory has transformed into a unique, exotic attraction in its own right.
Sitting under the second-largest glass roof conservatory in London, behind only Kew Gardens, is a mini tropical paradise. Wander through a jungle of greenery and see rare species of temperate plants and trees, as well as koi, ghost and grass carp in two of the conservatory’s pools; the third, smallest pool is home to terrapins.
Though it’s completely free, you’ll have to book your ticket a week in advance – tickets become available at 10am Friday every week.
Regent’s Park
London is home to so many fantastic parks – they all offer a cost-free way to while away a few hours and escape the busy city. A personal favourite is Regent’s Park.
You quickly forget the park’s central London location when relaxing on the lawn or drifting on the boating lake. Its beautifully maintained gardens, sculpted fountains and meandering paths are a peaceful retreat from the bustling city.
See the Changing of the Guard
Head to Buckingham Palace to see a classic example of British pageantry. The Changing of the King’s Guard is all pomp and ceremony, with marching band and bearskin hats on full show as the New Guard relieves the Old Guard of their duties.
It doesn’t happen every day, so don’t get caught out: the Changing of the Guard occurs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It usually starts at 10.45am, but it’s always worth checking the timetable in case of any changes. If you want a good view, you’ll need to arrive early!
Columbia Road Flower Market
If you’re in London on a Sunday, you’ll want to stop and smell the roses at the city’s prettiest market. Since 1869, people have flocked to this east London street, which quickly fills with stallholders and busy shoppers every weekend.
You can purchase fresh peonies, dried lavender, exotic houseplants and more to take home with you here, but equally, it’s nice just to have a wander and explore the market. You don’t need to spend a penny to admire the bright colours and fragrance of thousands of flowers on a Sunday morning.
The market is open from 8am to 3pm on Sundays, but if you’re not a fan of crowds, I’d advise getting there as early as possible.
Sky Garden
You can see London’s beautiful skyline without paying through the nose for it. Inside 20 Fenchurch Street, better known as the Walkie Talkie building for its distinctive shape, is the Sky Garden.
This skyscraper offers incredible panoramic views over the city, and has a surprisingly upmarket feel. The atrium has restaurants, bars and, of course, gardens – after you’ve had your fill of looking out onto the likes of Tower Bridge, the Shard and the London Eye, you can explore the Sky Garden itself.
Like many of the more popular free attractions in London, you need to book ahead or face disappointment. Tickets are released three weeks in advance on a Monday morning for the whole week.
Platform 9 ¾ King’s Cross
Enter the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at King’s Cross, and take a picture at the iconic Platform 9 ¾.
King’s Cross is a busy station, but many people visit without intending to take the train at all – Harry Potter fans grab their chance to have a picture taken pushing their trolley through the wall as they rush to catch the Hogwarts Express.
Harry Potter isn’t the only thing British about this activity: prepare for queuing! There’s always a line at the platform – especially at the weekend – but you won’t have to wait long if you’re there early. Keep in mind that there will be someone taking professional shots from the adjacent Harry Potter shop; if you want these, you’ll have to pay, but there’s no obligation to at all; you can take your own photos free of charge.
Sightseeing in Westminster
Many of London’s most famous sights are clustered in one small area. Exploring Westminster will help you quickly tick off some of London’s big hitters: the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.
Whether you’re taking a peek at the Prime minister’s home and office on Downing Street or watching time pass on the world’s most famous clock, Westminster is the perfect area to explore on foot. You can easily spend half a day wandering around the district, all without spending a thing.
National Gallery
London doesn’t just have world-class museums that you can visit free of charge, it has world-class art galleries too!
The National Gallery, which towers over the iconic Trafalgar Square, is home to exceptional works of art from the 13th century to the early 20th. Van Gogh, Monet and Leonardo da Vinci are just a few of the great artists to have their works displayed here.
Tate Modern
If you want something a little more contemporary than the National Gallery, the Tate Modern paints a thought-provoking picture.
Housed here are the pieces of art designed to break the norm, from artists who strived to think outside the box and change the world of art forever. From early 20th-century modernists to the present day, the Tate Modern is a splash of vibrant colour and innovation, challenging your perspective at every turn.
Walk along the Thames
No trip to London is complete without a stroll along the Thames. The riverside walk can be as long as you want it to be (at its full length, it’s almost 80 miles), but it’s at its most memorable between the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge.
You’ll walk past St. Paul’s, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tower of London, Big Ben, and even a 16th-century ship on a route that takes roughly an hour.
Stay on the Thames Path on the North Bank or choose to wander along the South Bank of the river – with a stop at Borough Market for lunch, of course – you’ll see the best of London either way!
Hampstead Heath
Head a little out of the centre of London to Hampstead, and explore the green expanse of Hampstead Heath. A little slice of wilderness in the big city, the heath has historical significance as well as natural beauty and can be easily reached via the Tube.
See Kenwood House, an old stately home, explore the beautiful Hill Garden and Pergola, or go outdoor swimming in the famous Hampstead Ponds. Hampstead Heath has woodland paths, open fields and manicured, fountain-filled gardens, as well as one of the best views of the city on Parliament Hill; more than enough to occupy your day!
Street art in East London
Take a trip to London’s cool East End and discover the graffiti and urban art the area has become so famous for. Eclectic and vibrant, the street art in areas like Shoreditch and Hackney has helped transform these neighbourhoods from rundown and unloved to trendy and thriving.
You’ll find a new mural around every corner in this part of London; especially on the ever-charming Brick Lane!
Natural History Museum
If you’ve ever wanted to see an animatronic T-Rex, now’s your chance. The Natural History Museum, dedicated to preserving and studying the natural world, has an impressive dinosaur exhibit. Outside of fossils and dinosaurs, particularly memorable is the imposing blue whale skeleton in its central hall.
Ignoring the exhibits entirely, the building itself is worth seeing; it’s an incredible example of Romanesque architecture. You don’t have to book in advance, but it’s advised at busy periods like weekends to guarantee entry.
Science Museum
I know, another museum. But this one is very different from all the rest. The Science Museum is, as you can imagine, dedicated to the history of science, but it’s also looking to the future – studying how science is evolving and constantly updating exhibits to reflect that.
It’s also a lot more interactive and family-friendly than other museums – hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations and VR displays are all commonly found in the Science Museum.
London Mithraeum
While the largest museums in London are usually free, it’s not always such a guarantee with the smaller, more niche sites. The London Mithraeum gives you a glimpse of the city’s Roman history, free of charge.
Travel back almost two thousand years to Roman London at the Mithraeum; a temple hidden beneath an office block. The Temple of Mithras is one of only a hundred of its kind in the world – you can see the temple ruins and the artefacts discovered on the site, which was unearthed in the mid-20th century.
You’ll need to book a ticket in advance and remember to take into account that the site is closed on Mondays when planning your visit.