London has a reputation for being somewhat on the pricey side, but we’re here to tell you that you can spend days in the Great British capital on a shoestring budget. Fancy restaurants and shopping aside, there are many free things to do in the City.
Whether you’re looking for vantage points, journeys through history or works of art, you can enjoy some of the best London has to offer without spending a penny. Here’s our pick of the 10 best free things to do in the City.
The National Gallery
Art lover or not, The National Gallery is an icon of London. Situated next to Trafalgar Square, this museum houses masterpieces from some of the world’s best-known artists, including Michelangelo, Renoir and van Gogh.
Over six million tourists from all the world’s corners flock here every year. All permanent exhibitions are completely free of charge. If you want to avoid the hordes, Friday evenings or weekday mornings are the best times to visit.
Greenwich Park
The hill in Greenwich Park offers one of the most spectacular views of London’s skyline. Take a steady hike to the top, and you’ll be treated to views of the Thames snaking through the capital with the Canary Wharf skyscrapers in the background. Before you go, shave a few more pounds of your holiday’s cost by packing a picnic.
Hampstead Heath
Royal Parks are great places to relish city views away from crowded streets, but the ancient Hampstead Heath is arguably London’s best parkland for nature lovers. If you can spare a few quid, there are three swimming ponds and a zoo within the park’s borders.
Borough Market
Venture back in time by walking through the maze that is Borough Market, which celebrated its 1,000th birthday in 2014.
You’ll find eats from all corners of the globe while you wander past stalls under Victorian railway arches. It’s open from Monday to Saturday, so there’s no excuse to miss it.
Kensington Gardens
Need to fill your Instagram account with a few selfies in London? At the beautiful Kensington Gardens, you’ll find treasures such as the Peter Pan statue, the Round Pond, the Serpentine Gallery, and the Albert Memorial.
The nearby string of Royal Parks are also free to enter – Greenwich Park, St James’s Park, Hyde Park, and Regent’s Park.
Houses of Parliament
Speaking of perfect London selfie spots, your free tour of the capital wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Palace of Westminster. From the bridge near the opposite side of the river, you get a panoramic view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
The British Museum
There are no words that give proper justice to how spectacular The British Museum is, and admission is entirely free. Some of its treasures include samurai armour, Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone.
There are over 80,000 artefacts on display. Think that’s remarkable? The museum only has enough space to display 1% of its 8 million possessions at any one time.
Natural History Museum
While we’re discussing world-class museums, it seems appropriate to give the Natural History Museum a mention. Inside this Gothic revival building, you’ll find dinosaur skeletons, interactive exhibitions, and everything that tell the tale of our world’s natural history.
Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is located at the top of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ skyscraper, and even though you need to book in advance, you can visit it for free. In addition to the viewing decks that offer panoramic cityscape views, you can dine at restaurants that occupy three floors if you’re feeling a tad peckish.
Covent Garden
Observing the city from above is exhilarating, but so is immersing yourself in the culture at ground level. Covent Garden is a hub of award-winning restaurants, theatres, and luxury fashion stores. However, if you fancy a free day out, you can watch the dozens of performers that bring the area’s street to life.
For more exciting ways to explore the capital, make sure you check out our great range of London tours. There’s a little something there for everyone.
