23 Wonderfully Free Things to do in London
Stroll through a beautiful park, view the city from above, learn something new at a museum, catch a performance, take your photo at platform 9¾, and visit London’s waterways. These are just some of the many free things to do in London. Read on to discover more!
Planning a trip to the UK’s big exciting capital may feel overwhelming when thinking about the cost. The brunches, the West End shows, the cocktails, the tube fares, the quirky activities. I’m not going to lie, it can get very expensive very quickly.
However, what you may not realise is how many free activities in London there are where you can still experience the best the city has to offer!
Before we dive into our list of 23 free things to do in London, we’ll share with you some important information to know before you go. If you’d rather jump straight to the list, use the content buttons below.
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Contents
To Know Before You Go
What’s the best way to get around London?
The best way to get around London is contactless. It’s a lot cheaper than travel cards and is valid on all buses and trains and maxes out at £8.10 a day for zones 1 and 2 and £9.60 for zone 3.
All bus routes cost £1.75 and if you take another bus within an hour of tapping on the last bus, you won’t pay again. Bus costs max out at £5.25 a day. We prefer travelling by bus as they’re quieter than the tubes and air-conditioned.
A great way to get around some of the big parks is to hire Santander Bikes. These cost £1.65 for 24 hours. The first half-hour is free and then it charges £1.65 every half an hour.
There are docking stations everywhere so if you dock it within half an hour and take it out again, you won’t need to pay more than £1.65. You can find the docking stations here. There’s also an app to find the closest one and how many bikes are available.
Our Top Tip: Citymapper is a great app for finding your way around London. It tells you which tubes to get and also where’s best to sit on the train in relation to the exit you need or routes to connecting tube lines. It will also tell you how much your journey will cost.
How long do I need to spend in London?
London’s somewhere you can come back to time and time again and not see anything twice. We’ve lived here for five years and we’re always exploring new places as it’s constantly changing.
At one time, we’d recommend spending 3-5 days in London as you’ll burn out if you try to see everything in one go. 3-5 days is a reasonable amount of time to explore multiple areas while still having some downtime.
When’s the best time to visit?
If there’s one thing the UK is known for, it’s that there’s always the chance of rain! What is great though is how many amazing free things to do in London there are to experience if the weather’s horrendous.
May – September you have the best chance of nicer, warmer weather. July and August being the summer holidays make London even busier than normal (yes, that’s possible!) and prices will escalate (again, yes, possible).
Mid-November to December is my favourite time in London with all the Christmas lights, everyone doing their Christmas shopping and best of all, the Christmas markets!!!
March – April is when the blossom is in full bloom in the parks, you can probably score some good hotel deals and the crowds haven’t yet descended.
Where’s the best nightlife in London?
If you’re coming to London for a great night out, most people think of Soho and The West End. Although this area has fantastic nightlife and a buzzing atmosphere, you’ll most likely be mingling with tourists and paying through the roof for a glass of wine.
To party with the locals try out Shoreditch (east), Brixton (south) or Camden (north).
Where’s the best place to stay?
Where the best place to stay in London is will largely depend on what your plans are and what you want to get out of your time here.
If you’re planning on fitting in a few West End shows, staying within walking distance of the theatres is a good idea. You’ll also find some great restaurants, bars and shopping in this area. A lot of the city’s main attractions will also be right on your doorstep.
Camden, North London, is a fantastic and vibrant area with its alternative scene. Foodies should head to Brixton for its markets and exciting restaurants. Greenwich is gorgeous with a quaint villagey feel to it and a park with incredible skyline views.
Peckham is a lesser-known area of London but is gaining in popularity because of its art scene. There are also rooftop bars on the top of car parks, microbreweries and pie shops to enjoy.
If you fancy being out of the city’s hustle and bustle, Hampstead is great. The city is within easy reach and once you’ve had enough you can walk around the famous Hampstead Heath or the town’s charming centre. You’re also close to Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill.
For a countryside feel to your London visit, check out Richmond. It’s a bit further out of the city but the huge royal park with roaming deer is the perfect escape to the rush.
What plug do I need for London?
We use plug type G. It has three rectangular pins.
What currency do I need for the UK?
We use the pound. At the time of writing, 1GBP is approximately 1.24 USD.
Is there anything else I should know?
Most London restaurants add on a 12.5% service charge. It’s optional and you can ask for it to be taken off, but if you’re not comfortable doing this, take the service charge into account when ordering.
If you want to catch a show while you’re here and have the flexibility on when and what to see, you can usually get some great on-the-day deals around Soho and Piccadilly Circus. You’ll be able to see exactly where you’re sitting and you can sometimes save 50%!
Now it’s time to share with you our list of 23 free things to do in London!
Free Things to do in London
Visit One of London's Parks
We’ll kick off the list with one of our favourite free things to do in London; visit one of the city’s many parks. London has a huge amount of gorgeous outdoor space that’s perfect to escape the hustle and bustle and spend a few hours enjoying peace and quiet.
Whether it’s the height of summer and you’re looking for somewhere to soak up some rays or have a swim, you want to enjoy autumn’s golden foliage, winter’s crisp air or spring’s blossom you’ll be spoilt for choice trying to decide where to head to first!
Head to Hyde Park for a swim or row a boat in The Serpentine. Hampstead Heath for a dip in one of the swimming ponds before drying off with incredible skyline views, or explore Richmond Park and admire the hundreds of deer in London’s largest royal park.
Wherever you are in London, you’ll no doubt stumble upon one of the many beautiful parks. Some of our favourites are Victoria Park in East London, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, Regent’s Park in North West London and Holland Park in Kensington.
Our Top Tip: if visiting the Hampstead Heath swimming ponds, you need to book a ticket. Entrance to the mixed ponds is £4.25 which gives you an hour’s slot.
Borough Market
One of the best free things to do in London is to visit some of the countless markets all waiting to be explored and relished. Borough Market is one of London’s most established places and you’ll find it underneath Victorian railway arches next to London Bridge.
A favourite amongst foodies, this trendy market is packed with stalls stacked with fresh produce, international delicacies, handmade chocolates, cheese and street food galore.
It’s definitely worth coming here for a delicious grab-and-go lunch from one of the many street food vendors but also a great place to wander and soak up the atmosphere.
Our Top Tip: look out for the free food samples!
Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is without a doubt one of the best and most surprising free things to do in London!
There aren’t many places you can view a city from one of its tallest buildings without spending a penny no strings attached. However, make your way to Fenchurch Street, right in the city, for London’s highest public garden and incredible viewpoint!
Inside, you’ll find a terrace, cafe and restaurant. (The restaurant does a delicious brekkie – but it doesn’t come without the price tag!) It’s also a great place to bring a book and sit amongst the trees or gaze out at the ever-expanding city skyline.
Our Top Tip: unsurprisingly, the Sky Garden is very popular, so make sure you book your free tickets in advance here!
Natural History Museum
Located in South Kensington, this huge Gothic building houses over 80 million items, making it one of the largest collections of natural history in the world!
Explore the various rooms and zones of the museum uncovering the Earth’s great history from the largest mammals to the smallest insects. This is one of the best free things to do in London on a rainy-day.
The museum attracts over five million visitors a year and is considered to be one of the most important museums in London.
Our Top Tip: use the Exhibition Road entrance. Cromwell Road is the main entrance and you can sometimes queue for hours. Exhibition Road is round the side and less known so you can sometimes get straight in.
Leadenhall Market
Amongst the cobbled streets in the heart of London, you’ll find one of the city’s oldest markets. There’s an incredible buzz just after 5pm when people finish work and head to one of the market’s bars for a drink on the way home.
From traditional pub food to fine dining there’s something to suit everyone any night of the week. However, this boutique retail market is also one of the best places to visit in London for free even just to admire the architecture!
Free Walking Tour
Walking tours are one of the best ways to get to know a new city.
The guides are usually very knowledgeable and they’ll help you get your bearings, tell you authentic tales and share city secrets only locals know about. They’ll also share first-hand dining and nightlife recommendations which, from a local, are invaluable.
There are numerous free walking tours in London to choose from. From famous landmarks and Harry Potter film locations to historical pub tours and the locations of the Whitechapel murders by Rack the Ripper.
Our Top Tip: although the tours are free, it’s expected that you leave a tip based on what you think the tour is worth.
Greenwich Market
Pop down to Greenwich to enjoy a fun and colourful market, set within a World Heritage Site. The market prioritises traders and retailers who design and make their own products as well as specialist ethical importers.
Each visit to the market is different making this one of the top places to visit in London for free. Some of the stalls are there every week but there are a lot of casual traders. If you find something you like, buy it. It may not be there next time you go back.
At the weekend, you’ll find up to 150 stalls selling arts, crafts, jewellery, homewares, accessories and so on. There are also 25 delicious street food stalls making it a great place for a grab-and-go lunch.
Tate Modern
One of the best free things to do in London and one of the city’s most popular attractions, the Tate Modern is full of modern art and many of the collections are totally free to view.
It’s located in the former Bankside Power Station and the building itself, although initially quite an unwelcoming appearance, is rather impressive and worth a look from the outside. The imposing brick chimney provides a stark contrast to what awaits you on the inside.
Housing art from around the world from the turn of the 20th Century to today, if you’re a fan of modern art, make sure you don’t leave London before stopping here.
Our Top Tip: head up to the cafe for 360-degree views across the river to St Paul’s, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. If you’re lucky you may also be able to see as far as Canary Wharf or Wembley Stadium.
Changing of the Guard
One of the most touristy free things to do in London but a must-see if it’s your first visit.
Come down to Buckingham Palace to see this spectacle where The King’s Guard on duty switch over the responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the New Guard.
Precision drill and bands playing stirring music all combine to make this one of London’s most popular attractions and one of the best ceremonies in the city.
The times vary by month so check the times online before you go so you’re not disappointed.
Our Top Tip: arrive early to get a good spot as it gets very busy!
Have a Photo in a Red Telephone Box
If you’ve ever spent some time in London, you’ll probably have noticed the quaint red telephone boxes lining the streets. To a lot of people, they symbolise Britain’s historic influence in the world.
One of the most iconic free things to do in London is to get that perfect red telephone box photo. You’ll often see queues of tourists outside some of the phone boxes.
For the famous shot, head to Parliament Square and capture the moment with Big Ben as your backdrop. The kiosks here are actually on Historic England’s protected register so they’re not going anywhere!
Due to all of the attention they receive from visitors, these telephone boxes are maintained a lot more regularly than others.
Portobello Road Market
Located in the heart of charming Notting Hill is the world’s largest antique market. With over 1000 dealers selling everything from antiques to bric-a-brac to fresh produce to clothing to secondhand goods and food it’s no wonder it’s now world-famous.
This is one of London’s most loved landmarks and visitors flock from all over the world to see the most extensive collection of antiques in Britain.
The market started in the 1800s but it wasn’t until 1950 that it became particularly famous for its antiques. Portobello Road spans two miles and is lined with well-established independent boutiques.
Our Top Tip: the main market days are Friday and Saturday and Monday to Thursday a smaller market runs. Check the opening times before you visit.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Also known as the V&A Museum, this is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance representing more than 3000 years of human creativity.
With almost seven miles of galleries and over 2 million objects, unsurprisingly the V&A Museum is also the largest museum of both decorative and applied arts in the world!
The museum houses unrivalled collections separated into various categories focusing on different areas of the world, or specific areas of interest ranging from architecture, ceramics, art and furniture, jewellery and theatre and performance, to name a few.
The museum was founded in 1852 and was initially named the South Kensington Museum. However, after Queen Victoria’s efforts in expanding the museum into what it is today, it was renamed the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1899.
Big Ben
Visiting Big Ben is without a doubt one of the top free things to do in London! Out of all the landmarks sprawled across the city, this is hands down the most recognisable!
The Houses of Parliament and its magnificent Gothic clock tower (nicknamed “Big Ben”) have become iconic symbols of London for centuries. The tower stands at 96 metres high and contains the second-largest four-faced chiming clock in the world.
The Houses of Parliament (also known as the Palace of Westminster), serves as a meeting point for British politicians. If you’re lucky enough during your visit, you may be able to sit in on a House of Commons meeting. And of course, it’s completely free!
The Garden at 120
Located on the 15th floor of the Fen Court building, the Garden at 120 is London’s largest public rooftop space and as well as being one of the best places to visit in London for free, there’s no booking required!
The roof garden is a tranquil haven in the City of London offering incredible 360-degree views over the city and is home to 85 Italian wisteria trees, more than 30 fruit trees and a serene water feature.
Throughout the garden are numerous benches to sit on and soak up the views and on the floor below you can buy snacks and soft drinks at a small kiosk and there’s also a beautiful restaurant with magnificent skyline views.
Make sure you check the opening times for the Garden at 120 as they change throughout the year.
Covent Garden Performances
Since the 1600s, Covent Garden has been known to have a thriving street performance culture. The tradition continues today and watching these performances is one of the best free things to do in London.
From musicians, magicians, and mimes; to clowns, actors and impressionists; there’s no end of talent and variety to these street performers.
The shows are held on the lower level of the market every day of the week during the afternoon and into the early evening.
Our Top Tip: Punch and Judy is a pub on the upper level of the market with a balcony overlooking the plaza. It’s also a Greene King so food and drink are very reasonably priced.
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Located in the glitzy central business district of London, is Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place Roof Garden.
The Crossrail Place Roof Garden is full of exotic plants and lush greenery with benches dotted throughout where you can relax away from the busy hubbub below.
Sitting almost on the Meridian Line, the planting is arranged according to which hemisphere they’re from. Plants from the Americas include ferns to the west and bamboo and other Asian plants to the east.
There’s a performance space hosting free festivals, music and performances for local people to take part in which you can attend throughout the year.
The Crossrail Place Roof Garden is one of the best places to visit in London for free and is open to the public daily until 9pm or sunset in the summer.
The closest tube station is Canary Wharf and the garden is located directly above the east exit from the Elizabeth Line.
Platform 9 3/4
For you, Harry Potter fans that have wanted to run at the wall to get onto platform 9 ¾, now is your time!
Due to popular request, King’s Cross Station decided to place a Platform 9 ¾ sign up and fans from all over the world have ventured here to snap a photo of the famous sign. (In case you weren’t sure where to find it, it’s between platforms 9 and 10.)
In 2012, because of the popularity of the Platform 9 ¾ sign, a store was opened; the first Harry Potter store in the world to open outside of a themed attraction!
It was also decided to install a half-trolley in the wall underneath the sign appearing as though you’re running onto the platform to catch the Hogwarts Express.
At the trolley, have your photograph taken by a professional photographer with your chosen house scarf and props. You can buy this in-store as a souvenir. Alternatively, you can take your own photos for free while still wearing the scarf.
Piccadilly Circus
The name Piccadilly dates back to 1612 when a tailor named Roger Baker lived in the area and made a name for himself selling piccadils; the stiff elaborate neck collars worn in the 17th century.
His house was referred to as ‘Piccadil Hall’ which, over time, became Piccadilly. Circus comes from the Latin word for ring or circle which the Romans commonly used to refer to areas like this.
Piccadilly Circus is one of the most famous junctions on the planet, which makes it one of the busiest in London. Roughly 100 million people walk through it each year!
It’s also the meeting point for several famous streets in the city; Coventry Street, Regent Street, Glasshouse Street, Haymarket and Shaftesbury Avenue.
Piccadilly Circus is most famous for its giant digital advertisement screens. It’s thought companies pay around £1 million for the adverts to be broadcast here. The lights have been on since 1908 and are on 24/7.
First-time visitors may be a bit disappointed with this area being on all the must-visit lists as it’s just a bunch of adverts. However, if you sit by the statue and people watch for a few minutes, it’s fascinating.
There’s an incredible and vibrant atmosphere. Our favourite time of year to visit is Christmas with all of the festive lights and the magical buzz of everyone doing their Christmas shopping on Regent Street.
Our Top Tip: come in the evening as it looks more impressive when it’s dark.
Trafalgar Square
Another one of the top free things to do in London is to visit the world-renowned Trafalgar Square. This is one of the most vibrant places in London and is considered to be the epicentre of London’s festivities.
Events such as West End Live, Pride in London and Lunar New Year are held here and all are completely free to attend. It also tends to be the site of national rallies and protests.
The origins of Trafalgar Square can be dated back to the 1800s when the British navy celebrated the victory of the Battle of Trafalgar.
There are various monuments in Trafalgar Square, with the most important being Nelson’s Column. This one is impossible to miss as it’s right in the centre and has four lion statues at its base as well as fountains.
Trafalgar Square is one of the most popular tourist spots in London, and with so many other important attractions surrounding it, it’s a spot not to miss.
God's Own Junkyard
God’s Own Junkyard is one of the most unique free activities in London.
Located in a warehouse in Walthamstow, God’s Own Junkyard is a wonderland of creativity with every corner covered with neon lights and signs.
Started by late owner Chris Bracey who made neon signs for Soho’s strip clubs and brothels, he was then noticed by Hollywood and created props for movies such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp and Batman starring Jack Nicholson.
The signs you’ll find here are a collection of salvaged and reclaimed old movie props, retro displays, neon art made from found objects and retrieved and renewed waste and lights, fairground and circus lighting and much more. There’s no end to the creativity.
You can easily spend a couple of hours here getting lost in the art and, if you get hungry there’s a cafe and bar serving a variety of food and drinks.
Our Top Tip: the museum sometimes closes for private events so check their opening times before visiting.
The closest stations to God’s Own Junkyard are Wood Street, on the London Overground, a 10-minute walk and Walthamstow Central, on the Victoria Line, a 13-minute walk.
Read our complete guide to visiting God’s Own Junkyard at the link below.
Little Venice
One of our favourite free things to do in London is to walk along the waterways and canals. For a huge city, London surprisingly has a lot of water!
Just north of Paddington where the Grand Union and Regent’s canals meet is Little Venice. This charming and quirky area is home to cosy traditional pubs, waterside cafes and delightful restaurants.
If you want to keep the trip here completely free, admire the colourful houseboats, or amble about the atmospheric waterways downstream to London Zoo, Regents Park, Camden Town and the graceful streets of Maida Vale.
Or head upstream to enjoy the peacefulness and tranquillity of the canals.
A great way to get to know the area in a truly relaxing way is to take a boat trip. The boats are full of character and decked out in a traditional style in every colour imaginable. On most of the trips, you’ll learn about the history of the area.
Little Venice is also home to some independent theatre venues. Comedy and puppet shows are very popular onboard a barge. In the summer, Sheldon Square’s amphitheatre puts on a variety of free entertainment such as live sports and films on a big screen.
If you’re looking for places to eat, Little Venice has it all. Traditional waterside pubs with terraces overlooking the canal, elegant restaurants serving fresh seafood, Chinese cuisine you name it.
The closest tube stations to Little Venice are Paddington and Warwick Avenue.
Have Lunch at Neal's Yard
Neal’s Yard is an absolute must-see and one of the most secret free things to do in London!
For that perfect Instagram photo, look no further than this vibrant, colourful micro-village. It’s definitely up there as one of London’s prettiest streets.
Neal’s Yard is a small alley in Covent Garden between Monmouth Street and Shorts Gardens which opens up into a courtyard. Here, you’ll find independent restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries and remedy shops. Every business is committed to sustainable and ethical practices.
In the summer, there are a few tables and benches in the courtyard so you can bring your own lunch and soak up the atmosphere amongst the trees and colourful buildings.
Admire the View at Madison
To finish off our list of free things to do in London is one of the best rooftops in the City!
Madison is a fairly swanky Manhattan-style restaurant with breathtaking views over St. Paul’s Cathedral. Take the lift up to the top floor of One New Change and step out onto an award-winning terrace with an elegant bar and restaurant.
Madison doesn’t come without the price tag and a cocktail on this rooftop soaking up the buzzing atmosphere and views is an amazing experience.
You can, however, visit the rooftop and enjoy the view without entering the bar or restaurant. Just take the lift up and turn straight to your left.
Our Top Tip: come up for sunset and admire the incredible colours over St. Paul’s.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this post on free things to do in London. If you have any questions or you’d like some local recommendations, leave a comment or contact us 🙂