Best Free Things to Do in London: 16 Free Attractions & Experiences

Are you traveling on a budget?

Well, then, you have chosen the right city.

Yes, many of London galleries and museums are free to enter, so are royal parks and gardens. In fact, major attractions and popular activities don’t ask you for any money at all… You can stand beneath Big Ben as long as you want, walk along the Southbank, watch deer in Richmond Park, discover colourful markets or listen to street musicians perform. There are so many free things to do in London.

Although I can’t deny, London can be pretty expensive. Hotels take a large part of the travel budget and attraction tickets aren’t cheap either. Sometimes, even a simple coffee by the Thames costs more than you can ever imagine.

But despite the high price, there’s this another way of seeing London.

And for this you do not need a big budget.

Best Free Things to Do in London

Believe it or not, you can explore half of London without spending any fortune.

Many of you already know about the museums and galleries. But there are other London activities as well that don’t ask for any ticket but will offer you a local experience of London.

In this blog, I have added some of these free activities in London… from iconic landmarks to hidden corners in London, everything is here.

Come on.

1. See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Let’s start with the iconic Big Ben.

First, head to the Westminster Bridge and enjoy the spectacular view of the clock tower totally free of cost. You will see Big Ben rise above the Houses of Parliament. There’s the River Thames flowing beneath the bridge while red buses, cyclists, and Londoners move around you.

If you are looking for great photographs or simply want fewer crowds, well, visit Big Ben at sunrise, before the city wakes up. I would say, simply stand there in front of the tower and watch time fly for a while.

And, if you want to learn about the fascinating story behind this clock tower, you can read my travel blog on Big Ben London: History, Legends, Myths and Visitor Experience.

2. Visit the National Gallery

It’s a treasure trove of art and once again, no admission fee. 

This art gallery inTrafalgar Square has more than 2000 European artworks. In the permanent collection you will find famous artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Van Gogh, Monet, Turner, and Rembrandt. 

So, while inside, take your time and don’t try to see everything. Rather, pre-decide the paintings you actually want to see. I think, in this case, my travel guide on the National Gallery of London will help you immensely.

You can also join a free tour of the National Gallery if you want. For this, check the schedule on the official website of the National Gallery of London before visiting.

Next, let’s move on to human history at one of the most popular free museums in London.

3. Wander through the British Museum

Head to the Bloomsbury area of Central London.

The British Museum features no less than eight million global artifacts spanning over 2 million years of human history and culture. There are 60+ free galleries in the museum.

So, choose the galleries according to your interests for the London budget travel. But don’t miss the famous highlights like Egyptian mummies, the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures and other such iconic items.

If you are visiting the British Museum for the first time, I would suggest taking some time to explore areas like Ancient Egypt, Africa, Greece and Rome, Anglo-Saxon Britain and Asia. Then, you are free to roam around anywhere randomly.

Just a suggestion… arrive early in the morning and, if possible, book a free time slot in advance for priority entry. Otherwise, you will end up in a long queue.

4. Discover the Natural History Museum

Now, this is where the dinosaurs sleep. 

This museum of South Kensington will make you feel like a child again. Truly, it is one of the best free things to do in London which you can’t miss.

Inside, you will meet Hope, the 83-foot-long blue whale in the grand Hintze Hall.  Then move on to the Dinosaurs gallery and see their enormous skeletons. Visit Stegosaurus Sophie in Earth Hall, Guy the Gorilla in Treasures Gallery, the Winchcombe meteorite in the vault, Mammoths & giant elk in Mammals Gallery, and so on. Here, you will find about 70 million specimens. This museum even houses items from as far back as 4.5 to 4.6 billion years ago.

And, all the permanent galleries of NHM fall under free attractions in London.

Now, if you want to know more about this museum and its mysteries, well, read my blog on the Natural History Museum. You will love it.

5. Watch the Changing of the Guard

This iconic military ceremony takes place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, generally from 11 AM. This is a 45-minute-long parade, and to witness this ceremony, you don’t have to pay anything.

It’s actually a formal event where the old guards hand over the responsibility to the new guards. It involves a parade with military band playing music and finally, the captain of the old guard hands over the keys. This ceremony of changing of the guard dates back over 300 years. 

The main gates are often very crowded. And if you arrive early, get a spot near the Victoria Memorial for an elevated view outside the main gates.

Also, you must check the official schedule for the changing of the guard. Because sometimes, due to bad weather and for other reasons, the ceremony is cancelled. 

Well, enough with museums and palace, let’s step into the wild for a while.

6. Meet the deer in Richmond Park

If you wanna get the feel of countryside, you should definitely visit Richmond Park. This is one of the free parks in London.

The unique landscape of this park contains several ancient trees, ponds, open grassland and of course herds of red and fallow deer. In this park, you will see no less than 630 deer roaming around. It’s said that these deer have been part of this park for centuries. 

By the way, if you want to visit this park, autumn would be the best time. Extraordinary autumn colors everywhere and also it’s the rutting season. You will see those fallow bucks and majestic red stags competing for female mates. But remember these are wild deer… so maintain a minimum distance of 50 meters at any cost for your own safety. And if possible, try not to chase them or scare them for photographs.

To know more about London fall, go through my travel blog on London in Autumn.

7. Visit Sky Garden

This is another place to see London from high above the ground. 

Known as the highest public garden in the city, Sky Garden offers tourists
free London experiences along with a spectacular view of the city. It has three garden zones…shade-tolerant forest, a transition zone on the middle terrace, and a flowering plant zone.

Here, you must know… despite being one of the popular free places to visit in London, Sky Garden is not a walk-in. You need to book entry tickets well in advance, three weeks ahead. Also, you should check the official website of Sky Garden for closures and restrictions.

8. Stop at Tate Modern

If you are interested in Modern Art, make time for Tate Modern. 

This building used to be a former power station once upon a time. Inside, I would say, explore the spectacular large scale installations at the Turbine Hall first. Then see the works of world-famous artists like Picasso, Salvador Dali, Piet Mondrian, Henri Matisse, Tracey Emin, and many others. The upper-level spaces offer breathtaking river views with St Paul’s and the Millennium Bridge, so, yeah, pause there for a while.

Just like any other free museums London, here also, you don’t need to pay a single penny for the permanent collections. But you will be charged for temporary special exhibitions at Tate Modern.

By the way, if you are visiting several such places in one day, my travel guide on how to get around London will help you.

9. Climb Primrose Hill

Do you want a classic London skyline view?

Well, put Primrose Hill in your itinerary. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best free things to do in London for tourists.

From up there you will get a panoramic view of the whole central London with visible key landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, The London Eye, Canary Wharf, etc. I would say, climb to the summit of the hill for the best view of the city of London. 

Also, the sunset view from Primrose Hill is quite amazing. People sit down and watch the city from there for hours. So, bring a coffee, or maybe a blanket.

Now, let’s take you to the home of Paddington Bear.

10. Stroll down Portobello Road

Travellers generally come to Portobello Road for its antiques and street market.

Once upon a time, the market was known for selling Victorian provisions. But today, it’s famous for rare collectibles, vintage options, jewellery, books, fashion, art, etc. There are no less than 1,000 dealers there in this Portobello Road Market. This street market is easily several miles long, and it is on Saturdays when the market offers its fullest experience.

Apart from the market, this area is quite well known for its rows of pastel-coloured houses. And needless to say, the 1999 film Notting Hill gave this road international recognition.

So, while in London, visit this Portobello Road. Even if you don’t buy anything, just walk in this neighbourhood of Paddington Bear.

Next, how about a hidden gem in the middle of the city?

11. Discover St Dunstan in the East

It’s the ruin of an old church destroyed during the Second World War. Later, London turned the remains into a public garden. Today, St Dunstan in the East stands among beautiful trees, ivy, and greenery. No doubt, it’s one of the most atmospheric free places in London.

You will see stone arches rising through vegetation, adorable fat squirrels everywhere, birds moving through the trees…and London continues around it. 

Therefore, if you are seeking something medieval, beautiful, peaceful, and slightly haunting, keep St Dunstan in the East on your list.

12. Walk through St James’s Park

Want to see some Pelicans?

Well, you have to come to St James’s Park, the oldest royal park in all of London. It’s also one of the free things to do near Buckingham Palace.

The lake features beautiful reflections of surrounding buildings and trees. And you will always get to see ducks, geese, and other birds moving around the lake water. From the Blue Bridge, you can get panoramic views of the city skyline, including Buckingham Palace and the London Eye.

And on the eastern end of the lake, there’s Duck Island Cottage… a picturesque 17th-century cottage. Near this, you can check out great white pelicans being fed fresh fish only if you visit St James’s Park between 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM.

Other than these, St James’s Park is one of the prettiest places in central London. It’s a very meticulously groomed royal park and, in my opinion, the best place for a free walk.

13. Explore Trafalgar Square

If you want to see a bustling and more lively side of London, you must visit Trafalgar Square. 

This central London square has Nelson’s Column, National Gallery, fountains, pigeons, statues, and so much more. This is the hub for community events and holiday celebrations in London.

So, while in Trafalgar Square, take as many photographs of the landmark as you want. And if you can, try to sit through a sunset at this square. It’s really spectacular at that time, with street musicians playing their songs in the background. If you are in London during Christmas, you are in luck. With the Christmas market, decorative tree, and carol singing, it’s a whole different scene.

By the way, if you are in London on weekends, head east for a different experience.

14. Visit Columbia Road Flower Market

Here comes a Sunday market. 

Located on Columbia Road, this flower market comes alive every Sunday between 8 am and 3 pm with flowers and plants everywhere. Hundreds of people come to this market and carry home colourful bouquets.

This narrow Victorian street of East London has plenty of independent shops and cafés too. But you know, people don’t always come here to buy flowers; many come to experience the historic charm of the old London market and, of course, the vibrant atmosphere.

If you are in this market, don’t leave without buying flowers even though you are visiting London on a budget.

15. Find Postman’s Park

If you wanna pay tribute to ordinary heroes, come to Postman’s Park… a peaceful green space hidden near St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Watts Memorial here commemorates the lives of those who died while attempting to save the lives of others. While in this park, take some time to read the plaques and read their stories.

This is a kind of place where people come not for kings or palaces; it’s a place dedicated to extraordinary moments of ordinary people.  

For the last, I have kept Southbank. And this one is for book lovers.

16. Browse the Southbank Centre Book Market

Under Waterloo Bridge, you will find the this book market. 

Here, you may come across a forgotten novel or an old edition of a classic. Sometimes, you may even end up picking up a book you never thought you needed. Or it’s possible you may not buy any book. You will only browse through the collection and smell the pages of books.

There is something deeply London about exploring such a book market. 

Needless to say, London is one such city that has stories in every corner, and not everything requires money or ticket charges. And now that you have learned about 16 free things to do in London for budget travellers, you can understand this about the city.

So, stop rushing towards ticketed attractions, set aside some time to sit on a park bench, listen to the song a street musician is playing, watch a sunset over the Thames, hear the chimes of Big Ben, and explore thousands of years of history in its museums.

Connect to the soul of the city. Feel London. And London will call you back again. 

This is it for today. Will be back soon with a new blog.

Till then, keep reading, keep travelling.

Bye for now.

FAQ

What are the free museums to visit in London?

There are several free museums in London, such as the British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, National Maritime Museum, Science Museum, Bank of England Museum etc. For most of them, the permanent collection is completely free of charge.

Is Big Ben free to visit?

Yes, it is.

You can see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from surrounding public areas such as Westminster Bridge and Parliament Square without paying an admission fee. But it is possible to book official tickets for a guided tour of Big Ben from the UK Parliament ticketing portal.

What are the free things to do in London when it rains?

When it rains, the best option is to head indoors to free galleries and museums. You can spend time inside the National Gallery, British Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), Tate Modern, Tate Britain, National Maritime Museum, British Library, and in similar other places while it rains outside.

What are the free things to do in London at night?

On Friday, you can visit the British Museum until 8:30 PM, the Victoria and Albert Museum until 10 PM, National Gallery until 9 PM. And you can always spend time at night around Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, or simply enjoy an evening walk along the Southbank.