FREE THINGS TO DO IN LONDON
London is full of incredible experiences that won’t cost you a penny. There are countless free things to do in London, making it one of the best cities for budget travelers. Start with the city’s renowned museums: the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Tate Modern are all free to enter, offering a deep dive into art and history. For nature lovers, exploring the stunning Royal Parks, like Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, is one of the most relaxing free things to do in London.
Strolling along the South Bank provides breathtaking views of the River Thames and landmarks like the London Eye and St. Paul’s Cathedral, making it another fantastic option among free things to do in London. Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace, an iconic experience that doesn’t cost a thing. For unbeatable city views, head to the Sky Garden, which offers free entry, though advance booking is required.
Street markets like Borough Market and Portobello Road Market are perfect for soaking in the local atmosphere without spending a fortune. With so many free things to do in London, exploring this vibrant city can be both affordable and unforgettable for visitors of all ages.
Free Walking Tours of London
One of the best free things to do in London are Free Walking Tours of London. Of course, you can join one our Free Walking Tours of London but it would be amiss of us not to mention other free walking tours of London that are available. Free walking tours of London operate on a gratuity basis and are lots of fun, come with knowledgeable tour guides and allow you to get outside and meet new people. Whether you’re a local or visiting London on holiday, a free walking tour of London is one of the best free things to do in London.
Don’t forget to also check out our Free Walking Tours of London below.
Free London Landmarks (West) Tour
Free London Landmarks (East) Tour
Free London Music Walking Tour
Explore The Markets
London is home to so many great markets! Whether you are a foodie looking for something delicious at a food market, looking for something colourful at a flower market or something crafty at the craft markets then London will definitely have a market for you.
Borough Market (Food)
Camden Market (Food)
Spitalfields Market (Food & Crafts)
Portobello Road (Food, Clothes & Crafts)
Colombia Road Market (Flowers)
Want to make the most of your time visiting London’s many different markets?
Our Borough Market Tour and Camden Walking Tour visit Borough Market and Camden Market respectively.
Visit London’s Beautiful Parks & Gardens
Despite it’s status as a global city, London is home to some pretty spectacular parks and gardens and going for a stroll through the parks and gardens in London can be both one of the most relaxing and best free things to do in London. Which London parks and gardens will you go and discover?
Greenwich Park with amazing views of the city skyline.
Stroll among the ponds, walking tracks, windmills and picnic spots on Wimbledon Common
Richmond Park - great for deer spotting!
The glorious Hyde Park with over 350 acres to explore
Green Park - feel like a King and Queen in this royal park overlooking Buckingham Palace
See Kensington Palace and the Peter Pan statue at Kensington Gardens
Free Museums
With over 2000 years of history in London it’s no wonder we have so many London museums! Fortunately you can visit most museums in London for free although some special exhibitions may require a small fee. As one of the most popular and best free things to do in London, the London museums can get quite busy but they really are fascinating and worth checking out! If anything the biggest question is which London museums will you choose?
Will it be the Egyptian mummies at the British Museum
Dinosaurs and Earthquake Simulators at the Natural History Museum.
Discover even more about the history of London at the Museum of London.
Get your hands on a real gold bar at the Bank of England Museum.
See some of the most beautiful items on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum
Enjoy a London Festival or Parade
This is a big call to make but we’re going to back ourselves in here - London is home to the best festivals in the world! There are so many diverse and cultural festivals in London that joining one really is something that you must do if there is one on. Festivals in London are without doubt one of the best free things to do in London with some of our personal favourite London festivals below:
Celebrate Chinese New Year in London's Chinatown - the biggest of its kind outside Asia!
Enjoy The Lord Mayor's Show, New Year's Day Parade and State Opening of Parliament.
Join London’s biggest street party at the Notting Hill Carnival
The always colourful Pride in London parade which celebrates the LGBTQ+ community.
See the lively St Patrick's Day parade make it’s way through the streets of London.
