Fantastic Free Activities in London

While London has quite rightly got the reputation of being one of the most expensive cities in the world, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a good time on a budget. In fact, there is plenty to see and do in England’s capital without spending a single penny. Don’t believe us? Well, we have compiled a list of the best free things to do in London right here.

Visit the Museums 

Unlike the museums of many of the world’s major cities, you can visit most of London’s at no cost whatsoever – which is quite incredible when you think that they include such world-famous attractions as the National Gallery, British Museum, and Tate Modern. The former displays paintings from world-renowned artists such as van Gogh, da Vinci, and Renoir. The British Museum contains everything from Anglo-Saxon buried treasure to ancient Egyptian artefacts. And the latter contains exciting modern art exhibitions from legends and newcomers alike. If none of these appeals to you, there is the playground-like Science Museum or the Natural History Museum with its renowned blue whale skeleton. Not bad for no money! 

Witness the Changing of the Guards

Many people come to London with the vague hope of encountering a member of the Royal family. And while this is unlikely, a visit to Buckingham Palace is a must. Many people content themselves with standing outside the gates rather than visiting the inside, which comes with its own hefty admission fee. But if you want to see something a little more special, look no further than the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guards. Visit between the months of April and July and be at the palace well before the advertised 11:30 am start time as the crowds are bound to start building up.

Enjoy the Parks 

While London is a big and bustling city, it is one that prides itself on its vast amount of green space. You can get into many of the parks for free, so pack a picnic and find yourself a good spot. Be warned; they will certainly fill up fast on a sunny day when it seems like everyone wants to soak up every precious ray of sunshine they can! Find a London bag storage service if you need to put your stuff somewhere.

Another activity is climbing up to the top of the hill in the centre of Greenwich Park, where you will enjoy a beautiful free view of Canary Wharf’s skyscrapers. Kensington Gardens also boasts a fantastic array of free attractions, including the Peter Pan statue, Round Pond, and Diana Memorial Playground. Other famous parks you can visit include Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and St James’s Park.

Take in the Panoramic View at the Sky Garden

London is a city that needs to be viewed from above. Unfortunately, many of the best vantage points cost a pretty penny to enjoy. However, this is not the case for the Sky Garden. Inside, you will find the city’s highest green space, along with plenty of viewing decks where you can enjoy stunning vistas. The most popular time of day is sunset, where you can watch the big ball of fire disappear behind the vast expanse of the city. It is worth mentioning that you will need to book your place beforehand, and you will be given a specific time when you can visit. Don’t be late! 

Visit the Houses of Parliament 

Have you ever thought that you can get inside to watch British democracy in action? You can enter one of the two houses – the Commons or the Lords – by reserving your place in advance. Alternatively, you can simply try turning up on the day to see if you can pop by. Now that is a free experience in London that you won’t forget in a hurry! 

Enjoy the Street Art of East London 

You don’t have to go into the Tate Modern to enjoy some wonderful modern art – just take a stroll around the streets of East London. A haven for hipsters, Brick Lane is a great place to start, but make sure that you venture down one or two of the lesser-visited side streets as well. Since this is such a multicultural area, you will see all different types of designs. Due to the transient nature of street art, it is hard to predict exactly what you will see, but it is worth going along to be surprised and dazzled. 

Explore the Markets 

London has always been a major trading city, and one of the most vibrant places to go to watch buying, selling, bartering, and yelling is one of the many markets. Of course, if you want to pick up anything, you are going to need to part with a few pounds, but soaking in the atmosphere is free! Borough Market is one of the most popular choices, and while it is more directed at tourists than locals, it is still a fascinating place to while away an hour or two. Another famous market is Portobello Road Market, where you can get everything from rare antiques to delicious street food. And there is also the fantastic alternative district of Camden, where vintage clothes are sold all over the place.

So, contrary to what you may have believed before, London is a city where you don’t have to spend anything at all on fun things to see and do – it is all about where to look. Of course, flights and accommodation will prove to be bigger expenses, but you can shop around for these too using comparison sites like Skyscanner. And we haven’t even mentioned one of the great free things to do in London, which is simply strolling the streets and soaking in the type of atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else in the world.