London has always been one of the most expensive cities in Europe. It can be even more expensive if you are a tourist in the city. This is due to the price of shows, events and eating out regularly. However, there are a lot of options in the city that don’t have to break your budget. From free museums to free live music, there are definitely some great activities for you to enjoy that won’t actually have to cost you anything. So, here is our list of the top 7 Free Things to do in London.
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1. Visit Museums
London has tons of incredible museums for you to visit. From design to science the options are endless! The best part of it all is that many of these museums are free! Museums in London became free in 2001 when government officials wanted to give the wider public access to museums in the country. It still remains this way today. Entry is free for all but you may have to pay for exhibitions you want to see. Some of the best museums in the city are:
- The National Gallery: Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross, London WC2N 5DN, UK
- The British Museum: Great Russell St, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG, UK
- Tate Modern: Bankside, London SE1 9TG, UK
- The Natural History Museum: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, UK
- The V&A Museum: Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL, UK
You can check out our Free Museums in London article to learn more about each Museum and their collections!
2. Join a free walking tour
London is a great city to walk around. Walking in the city is one of the best ways to see and explore all it has to offer! It is quite a large city though so a free walking tour is a great alternative. What is great about the walking tour is that you get to walk around and see the city while learning about its history and the current culture of each area. You can take tours with companies like Free Tours by Foot who do a Westminster Walking Tour. This tour takes about 2½ hours and it takes people to each of the important buildings in the area and explains their history!
If you would rather do it on your own, however, you can always download our London Attractions Map which can guide you to all the major attractions in the city!
3. Enjoy London’s city views
Perhaps our favorite out of all the free things to do in London is going to Sky Garden. It is arguably one of the best spots to see the city from above as it is in the Centre of London. Their large glass windows offer a full view of the city and there are three levels you can see the view from. Better yet, it is filled with all types of greenery inside! It is a great place to spend a few hours! Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance on their website. While entry is free, you have to reserve your space for the day you want to visit.
4. Enjoy a day outdoors
London is a major city however, there are large green spaces within it to provide some well-needed nature. These large parks and gardens are the perfect places to walk around and get some fresh air or have a picnic. It is also a great place to take kids so they can exert some energy. Some of the Gardens like Bushy Park even have free-roaming deer! These gardens are sure to be a great spot to spend some time and relax in nature.
Recommended Gardens:
- Hyde Park
- Hampstead Heath
- Kensington Gardens
- Busy Park
- Regents Park
5. Take the kids out for some fun
There are tons of fun and free activities you can do with kids in London! Here are our top recommendations:
Spitalfields City Farm: This is a farm located near Bricklane that allows kids to learn and pet all types of animals. From goats to guinea pigs the kids will be able to learn about each animal and their welfare while being able to interact with them.
Brockwell Park: This is a huge playground for kids to run around and have some fun. There are slides, duck ponds, a paddling pool and more!
Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross: If you and your kids are fans of the Harry Potter Films make sure to make a quick stop at the iconic platform 9¾ located on the brick wall between platforms 9 and 10. It is sure to be a good photo op!
6. Laugh out loud at a comedy club
Free entertainment can be quite hard to come by but there are a few options. You can watch a free comedy show at clubs like the Angel Comedy Club in Camden Head and the Top Secret Comedy Club. They have free shows almost every night and their performers mostly make their money on tips from the audience! You can check out their websites to see who will be performing on the night you will be going!
7. Listen to tunes by talented musicians
You can also enjoy free music in certain parts of the city. Especially at lunchtime, you can listen to live music at St Martin-in-the-fields church. If you are a jazz lover, you can also go to Troubadour where admission is free on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday!
