20 Free Things to Do in London
The best of London without spending a thing
London charges for almost everything except the things that make it worth visiting. The national museums are free by law; the royal parks open their gates without asking; the markets never charge entry. This list is ordered by what saves the most money while taking the least effort to arrange: permanent museum collections first, then outdoor spaces, then markets and free experiences where vendors trade samples for attention. Most optional costs (special exhibitions, time-specific tickets) run £12–25 if you choose them, but the permanent collections and walks below are genuinely free. Book ahead only for Sky Garden and the Science Museum (both timed entry). Everywhere else, just show up.
British Museum
Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury · Ancient history and world cultures · Permanent collections free; timed entry required April–August
The British Museum holds the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and treasures from every civilisation. Two million years spread across four floors. The British Museum requires free timed-entry tickets booked online for peak periods (April–August), so book ahead during summer. Almost all museums encourage small donations from those who can afford it. The permanent collections alone will occupy a full day; temporary shows carry a catch if you want special exhibitions.
Tate Modern
Bankside, South Bank · Modern and contemporary art · Permanent collection free; exhibitions ticketed
Tate Modern, a former power station, is a prominent museum in London, showcasing modern art, with Picasso and Warhol works among other world-renowned artists. The National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, V&A, and Natural History Museum do not require advance booking for free entry, though popular temporary exhibitions sell out. The building itself is worth the trip: industrial brick, seven storeys, river views from the top.
National Gallery
Trafalgar Square, Westminster · European paintings, 1250–1900 · Permanent collection free; special exhibitions ticketed
The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square hangs Van Gogh's Sunflowers and works by Leonardo, Turner, and Monet. Smaller than the British Museum but sharper on what it does: European old masters and Impressionists in one building. Do not require advance booking for free entry, but temporary shows are usually £12–25.
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, South Kensington · Natural history, dinosaurs, wildlife · Permanent galleries free; exhibitions ticketed
The Natural History Museum features its huge whale skeleton in the main foyer, and you can explore dinosaur and wildlife galleries. Can get quite busy, so make sure you book tickets in advance to ensure entry. The dinosaurs pull crowds; go early or on a weekday if you can.
V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)
Cromwell Road, South Kensington · Design, fashion, decorative arts · Permanent galleries free; exhibitions ticketed
Its vast collections span 5,000 years of human history, from fashion and ceramics to furniture, architecture and jewellery, with standout stops including 18th and 19th-century dresses in the Fashion Gallery, the Great Bed of Ware, and the dramatic Cast Courts. The museum's free daily tours are a great way to get your bearings.
Science Museum
Exhibition Road, South Kensington · Interactive science and technology · Permanent galleries free; advanced booking recommended
The Science Museum showcases interactive science and technology exhibits, including 'Exploring Space' and 'Who am I?', investigating what makes humans unique. While it's free to visit, it is necessary to reserve a timeslot. Open daily 10am to 5:45pm (and until 10pm on Fridays).
Hyde Park
Central London, bordered by Knightsbridge, Oxford Street, Park Lane · Royal Park with lake, paths, Speaker's Corner · Always free
Hyde Park is a green oasis ideal for strolls and picnics, and the famous Speaker's Corner where public speaking and debates are traditionally allowed. If you are lucky you can listen to a speech or make one yourself. Hyde Park covers 350 acres and is perfect for leisurely walks, cycling, or simply relaxing by the Serpentine Lake.
Hampstead Heath
North London, near Hampstead station · Woodland, ponds, Parliament Hill viewpoint · Always free
Hampstead Heath is a 320-hectare ancient parkland in north London. Wild and rugged, it is a mix of rough heathland, bobbly hills, woodlands, and natural swimming ponds. Parliament Hill offers London's best free panorama. Passes quirky independent shops, crosses open heathland to one of the finest free art collections in the country, stops at several bathing ponds, and climbs to one of the best viewpoints in London.
Regent's Canal Walk
King's Cross to Little Venice · Waterside path, canal boats, street food · Always free
Take a walk along Regent's Canal, a picturesque waterway running through the heart of London, connecting areas such as Camden and Little Venice. The canal offers a quiet escape from the busy streets, with beautiful views of narrowboats, tranquil waters, and overhanging trees. Granary Square's fountains, Regent's Canal paths and the wide public spaces around Coal Drops Yard are all free to explore.
Street Art in Shoreditch and Brick Lane
Shoreditch and Brick Lane, East London · Murals and street art · Free self-guided or tip-based tours available
The walls and railway arches of Shoreditch are one of the greatest art galleries in the world. Exploring the constantly changing images makes for a great day out. Bright, vivid paintings stretch across railway arches, warehouses and storefronts. Political statements and intricate portraits compete for space on every available surface, from tiny stencils tucked into doorways to murals five storeys high. Explore the best street art in Shoreditch and Brick Lane on free self-guided walking tours with maps and instructions included.
Covent Garden Street Performers
Covent Garden Piazza, West End · Live theatre, music, juggling · Free to watch (tips appreciated)
Enjoy the busy Covent Garden atmosphere, browse the stalls with traders selling handmade crafts, jewellery and antiques, before enjoying the many street performers for free. Any number of free shows are taking place on the cobbles outside, with a trickle of acrobats, jugglers, mimes and musicians sparking an era for Covent Garden as a centre for Londoners and tourists alike to be entertained al fresco and throw some coins in a hat.
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, Westminster · Military ceremony · Free viewing from public streets
This spectacular parade is a free event that takes place in the morning and is one of London's most important and famous tourist attractions. Most weeks it's Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00. There are Sunday parades (around 10:45) and occasional afternoon inspections at 15:00. The entire sequence takes around 45 minutes and is free to watch.
Sky Garden
1 Sky Garden Walk, City of London (Walkie Talkie building) · 360-degree viewing platform on 35th floor · Free with advance booking
London's Sky Garden is a free viewing platform 155 metres above the city on the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie building. You get 360-degree views over the Thames, Tower Bridge, The Shard and the City's skyscrapers, all wrapped in a lush indoor garden. Free Sky Garden tickets are released every Monday morning, excluding bank holidays, for dates up to three weeks ahead. Weekend and late-afternoon tickets usually go first.
St Martin-in-the-Fields Lunchtime Concerts
Trafalgar Square, Westminster · Free classical music performances · Mondays and Thursdays at 1pm; Tuesdays and Fridays also
Every Monday, Tuesday and Friday at 1pm, an eclectic range of musicians from classical to pop to students at the Royal Academy of Music perform for tourists, students and those on their lunch break. While the concerts are free, they do ask for donations to assist in maintaining the church and upkeep in order to keep the programme running. The concerts last about 45 minutes and with ample seating you do not need to arrive much more in advance than 12:50pm.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road, Notting Hill · Antiques, vintage, street food · Free entry; best Saturdays, open weekdays
Portobello Road Market is free to enter, so you can wander and browse as much as you like without paying anything. Some indoor shops and arcades have their own opening hours, but the main market is open to everyone. Over 1,500 dealers can be found here selling everything from vintage clothes and antique household items to electronics, jewellery, artwork, beauty products and delicious street food. Saturday mornings are busiest—go early or choose a weekday if possible.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Columbia Road, Bethnal Green · Cut flowers, plants, independent shops · Free entry; Sundays 8am–3pm
Columbia Road flower market and shops are open every Sunday from 8am until about 3pm. As well as the market, there is also a mass of independent shops, selling everything from jewellery and vintage clothes, to antiques, cupcakes, art and furniture. Approximately 60 flower stalls line the 400-metre stretch of Columbia Road, with the peak period occurring between 10am and 2pm when the street reaches capacity with visitors and local residents.
Camden Market
Chalk Farm Road, North London · Vintage, handmade, international food · Free entry; open daily 10am–6pm
Free to enter and open daily 10am–6pm (Night Markets to 9pm on selected dates), it spans 6.5 hectares along Regent's Canal and houses 1,000+ independent shops, stalls, bars, and food vendors. What started with 16 crafts stalls in a back yard in 1974 has grown into the fourth most visited attraction in all of London. Arrive at Camden Town station just before 10am, when the market opens and the crowds are thinnest. Head directly to Hawley Wharf for breakfast.
Borough Market Free Samples
Borough Market, Southwark (near London Bridge) · Street food stalls, samples · Free entry; tasting costs extra
The market has so much flavors, aromas, free samples, goodies, etc. Visitors enjoyed several free samples of cheese, basalmics, chorizo, cookies, fudge, smoothies, curry, and jambalaya. Traders make a delicious wild mushroom risotto with spelt and give out free samples of their stir-fried wild mushrooms. The cooks use 12 different types of mushrooms, all grilled with a savory blend of spices. Walk the stalls without buying and taste your way through the market's best offerings.
Trafalgar Square and Fourth Plinth Art
Trafalgar Square, Westminster · Public plaza, Nelson's Column, rotating art · Free to visit
It's all change in Trafalgar Square, as the latest Fourth Plinth art installation is unveiled. Lady in Blue by Tschabalala Self appears in bronze and patinated with lapis lazuli blue, representing 'a young, metropolitan woman of colour'. The square hosts regular free festivals too. The Mayor of London's free, family-friendly Black On The Square festival returns to Trafalgar Square for a fourth year, on Saturday 5 September from 12-6pm.
South Bank Walk
South Bank, Southwark (Tower Bridge to Westminster) · Riverfront path, free events space · Always free
The Southbank Walk along the River Thames has stunning riverside views, home to the National Theatre, and the London Eye, with a buzzing vibe coming from the bars and restaurants. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2026, the Southbank Centre hosts regular free events and activities across its venues. See exhibitions from contemporary artists at the Hayward Gallery, join art, dance and musical workshops in The Clore Ballroom, be treated to concerts at Royal Festival Hall and enjoy wide-ranging festivals throughout the year.
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