You won’t even have to spend a penny with our roundup of free things to do in London.
We love top-notch cocktails and extravagant pop-ups as much as the next person, but if your bank account is feeling the pinch, we’re here to lend a hand. We’ve put together an all-singing, all-dancing roundup of free things to do in London, and it’s a humdinger of a list (if we do say so ourselves).
Free museums in London
Yep, there are lots of free museums in London to visit for a ecultural fix.
Free gigs in London
Hearing about free stuff is just music to my ears.
14. Tinkle the ivories on one of London’s street pianos.
15. See a concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
16. Catch a hot gig at the Old Blue Last.
17. Attend a lunchtime concert at the Royal Academy of Music.
18. Record your future hit at the Nando’s recording studio.
19. Catch the next big thing at Rough Trade on Brick Lane.
Free performances in London
Don’t expect free Hamilton tickets, but we’ve got some pretty nifty theatrical things for you to do.
20. Watch the National Theatre’s sets being made at the Sherling High Level Walkway.
21. Marvel at street performers in Covent Garden.
22. Take a free acting masterclass at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
23. Spot a celeb at a film premiere at Leicester Square.
24. Laugh yourself silly with free comedy shows from Angel Comedy and Top Secret Comedy Club.
25. Dive into the BFI’s film collection.
Free markets in London
Only free if you don’t buy anything, but there’s always free samples…
26. Leadenhall Market.
27. Brick Lane Market.
28. Columbia Road Flower Market.
29. Camden Market.
30. Greenwich Market.
32. Borough Market.
33. Street Feast have free entry at all markets before 7pm.
34. Brixton Village and Market.
Free art galleries in London
“There is no must in art because art is free.” It certainly is with these free art exhibitions.
36. Wander round the street art of East London.
37. The National Gallery.
38. Tate Britain.
41. Embrace the underground art scene with Leake Street’s graffiti.
42. Somerset House.
43. Saatchi Gallery.
44. Whitechapel Gallery.
46. Enter a world of neon dreams at Gods Own Junkyard.
47. National Portrait Gallery.
48. Tate Modern.
Free attractions in London
You want free attractions in London? You got ’em, kid.
50. Choral evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral is the only way to get in for free.
51. Join one of the day-long celebrations in Trafalgar Square.
52. Wander along the The South Bank.
53. Wellington Arch, although they’ll charge you if you want to go inside.
54. Explore Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
55. The O2.
56. The Houses of Parliament are free to visit, but only if you’re a UK resident and arrange it through your local MP.
57. Tower Bridge (this dizzying walk will cost you extra).
58. Mosey through Chinatown.
59. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace won’t cost you a penny, but summer tours are pricey.
60. The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London is free to attend, even if tours aren’t.
61. Big Ben is currently closed, but historical talks are still running, free of charge.
63. Tourists have to pay to enter Westminster Abbey – however, worshippers will get in for free.
Free walks to go on in London
From free walking tours of London, to self-guided ambles, we’re here for you.
64. A lovely stroll along Regent’s Canal.
65. Walk the river with the Thames Path.
66. The most efficient sightseeing tour of London.
67. Pay what’s fair at this walking tour from Sandeman’s.
69. Walk the path of the Great Fire of London.
70. Marvel at some glorious buildings on this architecture walk.
71. Tackle the mammoth London LOOP walk.
72. Wander the paths of Epping Forest.
73. Or just take a walk that ends at the pub.
Free views over London
It’s time to get high for free.
74. The Sky Garden.
75. Tate Modern Viewing Level.
76. Primrose Hill.
77. Parliament Hill.
78. Greenwich Park.
79. Alexandra Palace.
Free cute, colourful places to visit
All the colours of the rainbow, free of charge.
80. Wander beautiful these beautiful mews. Or these ones. Maybe these? So many mews!
81. Explore the picturesque Shad Thames.
82. Marvel at Notting Hill’s colourful streets.
83. Climb your way up Peckham Levels’ vibrant stairs.
84. Lose yourself in Neal’s Yard.
85. Feel futuristic in the Kings Cross illuminated tunnel.
86. Shop under the colourful Carnaby lights.
Free exercise classes in London
Blergh. But better it’s free than spending £60 a month on the gym, am I right?
87. Get your skates on with free rollerskating lessons.
88. Find inner peace with lunchtime meditation sessions.
89. Work up a sweat at these exercise classes.
90. Strike a pose with yoga classes at St Margaret’s House.
91. Show off your tricks at the famous South Bank skate park.
92. Join a running club.
93. Use London’s parks to get fit.
Free parks and gardens in London
Park yourself at one of these spots for a fabulously free afternoon.
94. Hyde Park (a classic).
95. Walthamstow Wetlands.
96. Kyoto Garden.
97. Postman’s Park.
98. Regent’s Park.
100. Paddington’s Floating Pocket Park.
101. Hampstead Hill Gardens and Pergola.
102. Crossrail Place Roof Garden.
103. St Dunstan in the East.
104. Battersea Park and the London Peace Pagoda.
105. The Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park.
106. St James’s Park.
SHOPS
These places are perfect for a browse, but you’ll have to resist temptation to keep that whole free thing going.
107. Liberty.
108. House of Hackney.
109. Westfield (if you dare…).
110. Conservatory Archives.
111. Harrods.
112. Daunt Books, Marylebone.
113. Petersham Nurseries, Richmond.
114. The Royal Arcade.
Other free things to do in London
You weren’t tired of free stuff in London, were you? Good, cause here’s the best of the rest.
115. Marvel at the beauty of this stunning Hindu temple.
116. Argue your case at Speaker’s Corner.
117. Learn something new at the British Library.
118. Wander round one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries.
119. Take a tour of Brixton Windmill.
120. Watch Battersea Power Station‘s transformation into ultra-luxe flats.
121. Admire the Brutalist architecture of the Barbican Estate.
122. See the Churchill Arms, the flower power pub of London.
123. Visit the mysterious Roman temple in the City.
124. Amble through the stunning Hays Galleria.
125. Attend a free lecture at Gresham College.
126. Hunt for your dream home in Kensington and Chelsea.
127. Pay your respects at David Bowie’s memorial mural in Brixton.
128. Recreate THAT album cover on Abbey Road.
129. See cute animals for free at a city farm – try Hackney, Spitalfields, or Kentish Town.
130. Pose outside No. 10 Downing Street (the fake one).
131. Watch the swift hand of justice at The Old Bailey.
132. Magic up a photo op at Platform 9 and 3/4.
133. Visit the Actor’s Church.
134. Dive into the past at London’s Roman amphitheatre.
135. Uncover the secrets of Freemason’s Hall.
136. Find tranquility at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.
137. Experience the hustle, bustle, and billboards of Piccadilly Circus.
138. See medieval magnificence in the Guildhall Great Hall.
Free seasonal events in London
They’re free, but they won’t be around all year.
139. Be dazzled by not one, but two stunning free light festivals: Winter Lights and Lumiere (both January).
140. Partake in London’s Chinese New Year parade, the largest outside of Asia (February).
141. Cheer on your favourites at The Boat Race (March).
142. Cheer on your pals in the London Marathon – or stump up the cash and run it yourself… (April).
143. See all of London in bloom, from bluebells, to daffodils, to wisteria (April/May)
144. Find hidden green spaces during Open Garden Squares Weekend. (June)
145. Get your new profile pic at Mayfield Lavender Farm – it’s free for under 16s, but adults will have to pay a whopping £1 to see the lavender (June to August).
146. Show your true colours at Pride in London (July)
147. Boogie your way around Notting Hill Carnival (August).
148. Wander round London’s most impressive buildings for free at Open House London (September).
149. See the splendour of the Lord Mayor’s show (November).
150. Feel the festive cheer at one of London’s Christmas markets (November/December).
this is an incredible list and one which i will pass on to friends visiting, thank you!
Just because the National Gallery is named that doesn’t make it an art gallery. If you create a list distinguishing museums from art galleries, then you need to know the functional difference between them. It’s not the name.
Fab list! Thank you
Great list! How did I not know there is a chocolate museum?
I live here for 11 years and I didn’t know all the best free places. Thank you