The Best Free things to do in London
Pin
Share
WhatsApp
Tweet
Share

If you are visiting London and looking for things to do in London for free, this blog post is for you! Although London is not known for being budget-friendly, do not fret. There are a wide variety of things to do in London on a budget, including unusual places to visit in London for free, captivating museums, fun events, and more. 

Is it possible to budget in London? + Tips

London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, filled with things to do. Some of them include admiring the fantastic landmarks, visiting the charming bookshops, and experiencing the exciting events all year round! The best thing about London is that you will always be able to find free London attractions. For example, many museums in London have free entrance, and visiting the London museums is some of the top things to do in London! Here are a couple of tips I have to make sure you have the most budget-friendly experience in London: 

  • Check airport train times & prices ahead of time
  • Pack your own drinks
  • Choose free museums & activities (listed below)
  • Walk around the city when you can
  • Use an Oyster Card or your contactless card for public transportation
  • Eat at budget-friendly places, or cook at the accommodation
Budget-friendly places to eat in London

On top of all the fantastic free things to do in London, you can also easily find many budget-friendly restaurants in London while maintaining taste and experience. London has so many incredible places to eat. You will especially have luck finding delicious and cheap meals in an area like Shoreditch. For lunch, I recommend the Vegan döner at What the Pitta for just £7.95 (Address: 53 Brick Ln, London E1 6PU, United Kingdom) or the AuBurger at TheVurgerCo. for just £8.75 (Address: Unit 9, Richmix, Avant Garde, Cygnet St, London E1 6LD, United Kingdom). For a budget-friendly dinner in London, here are a few places I recommend:

You might also like…

The best things to do in London
The best Independent bookshops in London
Things to do in Hampstead & Hampstead Heath

12 Free Things to do in London

1. Admire the Free Landmarks of London

Many of the iconic landmarks and attractions in the city are free London attractions to admire from the outside. If you want to get those beautiful views, I have good news for you – all the landmarks can be seen and enjoyed from the outside, making it one of the best free things to do in London! You can get those iconic London shots without having to break the bank. Here are some of the free attractions you can see in London:

2. Go for a walk along River Thames

When visiting London on a budget, you must walk along the River Thames, one of the best places to visit in London, for free. Scattered along the River Thames, you will find some of London’s most iconic attractions and sights. The river stretches for 346 kilometers (215 miles), passing through places like Windsor, Oxford, Marlow, and London. One of the best walks for tourists is the walk from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. The entire walk takes about one hour to complete. Along this lovely walk, you will have beautiful views of London and its many famous landmarks, including Big Ben, The London Eye, the Embankment, the Millennium Bridge, and more! You can find the whole walk here.

3. Visit the Free Museums in London

One of the best free things to do in London is to some of the many iconic museums. The best thing about London is the fact that most of the top museums are free London attractions! It makes it much easier to remain on budget and leaves a bigger budget for other things such as restaurant experiences, souvenirs, and more. Compared to other European cities, London really does well with its museums! Here are some of the free museums to visit in London:

4. Watch the changing of guard at Buckingham Palace

Seeing the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the most popular free things to do in London. It is a must for any first-time visitor. However, this also means it is a very crowded activity, especially in summer. If you want a good spot, you must arrive very early. I recommend arriving at least 1.5 hours before the initial starting time in the summertime. The changing of the guard takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 10:45 am and for around 45 minutes after that. You can find more information here.

Address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom

5. Have a Picnic in one of the Gardens in London

Hidden in the corners of London, you will find some of the most beautiful gardens. While the big city is not known for its greenery, it does have several beautiful picnic spots. It is a lovely place for a picnic during the warmer months, in the late spring and summer. If you want a fresh breath of air, away from the city noise, head to one of these best places to visit in London for free:

6. See the breathtaking view from the Sky Garden

Nestled in the very heart of the city, you will find “Sky Garden,” a roof terrace and bar with a breathtaking view of London. If you are travelling to London on a budget, visiting the Sky Garden is one of the best free London attractions for you to see. It is London’s highest public garden and has a 360-degree view of the city’s skyline. You can enjoy stunning views while surrounded by lush greenery, lovely gardens, and an open-air terrace.

Address: 1, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF, United Kingdom
Opening Hours: Varies, find more information here.

7. Explore the colourful streets of Notting Hill

Notting Hill is one of the most charming areas of London and a perfect place to spend a day just wandering around and admiring the beauty! From the colourful streets to the lovely Portobello Market, Notting Hill is one of the best places to visit in London for free! You can also find iconic movie locations from the 1995 Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts movie “Notting Hill.” A few of the Notting Hill movie locations are: 

8. Explore the bookshops of London

If you are doing London on a budget, I recommend browsing the lovely bookshops. They are some of the best places to visit in London for free! While there is no guarantee that you will leave these lovely bookshops empty-handed, they are free to enter and admire! Add these bookshops to your bucket list if you are a book lover. Even if you are not buying any books, the bookshops are so beautiful and worth visiting just for admiration! Some of the most famous bookshops in London are Daunt Books and John Sandoe Books. If you want more bookshops like these, head to my guide to Independent Bookshops in London. You can find the blog post here.

9. Enjoy Free Live Music in London

If you are looking for non-touristy, unusual places to visit in London for free, try finding a free music gig! You are sure to find local Londoners here. There are many different live events and gigs every week in London. You can find more information here. However, several places also regularly do free concerts and events. These are a few of them:

10. Wander around the markets in London

One of the best things about London is its many lovely markets. Do not skip this one when you are looking for free things to do in London! Visiting the London markets is one of the best things you can do to experience London to its full potential. You will find all kinds of needs, from antique and book markets to flower and vegetable markets. There is every kind of market you could ever dream of in London! Here are some of the markets to explore in London: 

  • Portobello Road Market: Open: Mon-Wed: 8 am – 6 pm, Thu: 9 am – 1 pm, Fri – Sat: 8 am – 7 pm
  • Camden Market: Open everyday from 10 am, very busy on Sundays.
  • Borough Market: Thu-Fri: 12 pm – 6 pm, Sat: 9 am – 4 pm (visiting hours can vary).
  • Covent Garden Market: Mon-Sun: 10 am – 6 pm
  • Leadenhall Market: Mon-Fri: 7 am – 4 pm
  • Greenwich Market: Sat-Sun: 9 am – 5 pm
  • Columbia Road Flower Market: Sun: 7 am – 2 pm
  • Piccadilly Market: Tue-Sat: 10 am – 6 pm
  • Riverside Walk Market: Sat-Sun: 10 am – 5 pm
11. Explore Hampstead and Hampstead Heath

One of the best free things to do in London is to wander the streets of Hampstead and Hampstead Heath. The peaceful streets of Hampstead, filled with local shops and kind-hearted people, will make you forget that you are in one of the biggest cities in the world. It is one of those places you go to get away from the bustling city center.

In Hampstead, you can marvel at the incredible houses, go inside the charming local shops, enjoy the quiet atmosphere, and dream of having a 2- or 3-bedroom apartment overlooking Hampstead Heath. Considering this is a little outside of the city center and way less touristy than most of the places listed here, it makes it one of the most unusual places to visit in London for free. If you want more information on what to do in this area of London, head to my complete guide to Hampstead & Hampstead Heath. You can find the blog post link here.

WANT MORE?

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST TRAVEL TIPS & TRICKS, PLUS SOME EXCLUSIVE GOODIES!

Pin
Share
WhatsApp
Tweet
Share