Visiting the capital of England doesn’t have to be expensive. London is equipped for all types of travellers from luxury-seekers to budget travellers and history buffs to intrepid travellers. Whilst visitors do end up visiting many sites that have entry fees, there’s a lot to experience for no cost at all!
With so much to do for free, it’s a surprise that the city is frequently dubbed ‘an expensive place to visit’. Did you know that over 40% of Londoners have no clue how to experience and enjoy London for free? From free events to marvelling at street art, and awesome tower views to free entry to some great museums, London is bustling with free things to do.
Below we’ve listed ten of the best things to do for free whilst in London:
Visit The British Museum
Yes, that’s right! Visiting this historic museum that was founded in 1753 is completely free! It’s bizarre when you think about the sheer amount of collections on show here dating back millions of years. Attracting more than six million visitors per year, The British Museum does a fantastic job of delighting visitors with its collections and artefacts from around the world!
Admire The Views
The best spot to admire panoramic views of London’s skyline is from the top of Oxo Tower. If you’re not fond of splurging a huge amount of cash for views from the Shard, we say this is your best option! Of course, the Oxo Tower may not be as high as the Shard, but you’ll still be surprised by the views it offers. Other places to get awesome views include Primrose Hill, Greenwich Observatory, and Tate Modern (bankside).
Visit Sky Garden
This is just another awesome place to take in the views of London city. However, the Sky Garden offers a lot more than mere views. Free to enter on weekdays from 10 am – 6 pm (11 am – 9 pm at weekends), the Sky Garden is known as London’s highest public garden! Well, that’s unique! With 360-degree views of the city and beautiful lush gardens, the Sky Garden goes the extra mile with its open-air terrace!
Join a Free Walking Tour
Thinking about exploring London on foot with a companion who knows it all? Look no further, as London city boasts some of the best guides in the country. Although they are technically free, a little gratuity at the end goes a long way. Strawberry Tours and Free Tours By Foot are great options if you’re looking to explore more of London.
Visit The Tunnel Under River Thames
If you decide to visit, you will undeniably walk along the notable Tower Bridge and London Bridge. However, if you’re looking for a more adventurous experience, head over to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel which gives you an idea of what is happening under the River Thames. Used by over a million people every year, the 370-metre tunnel takes you from one side of the river to the other.
Wander Around The Markets
Walking through a city’s market gives visitors a great impression of local life. Whilst shopping in the markets will of course mean withdrawing the wallet, you can choose to forget about that and simply walk around. We recommend Columbia Road Market as its home to a rather wonderful flower market. There are hundreds of other markets including Borough Market and Camden Market which is also great for street food!
Visit The Natural History Museum
Here’s another great museum in London that also happens to be free! Unlike the British Museum and its million-year-old artefacts, the NHM goes a step further by presenting objects that are billions of years old! From dinosaur skeletons to lion skulls and Charles Darwin’s pigeons to a skeleton of a giant bird, NHM continues to fascinate its visitors.
Walk Around Richmond Park
Escape the city and take a walk on the wild side in the famous Richmond Park. With vast green spaces and over 600 deers strolling around, Richmond Park is also known for its ancient trees. Being the largest royal park in London, It covers an area of 2500 acres and features activities such as golfing, power kiting and horse riding.
Visit The Tate Modern Art Gallery
There are many free art galleries in London, but Tate Modern tops them all! With imposing architecture, the Tate Modern building gets a lot more interesting once inside. This is an art gallery where you’ll find art dating back hundreds of years. What’s more, the museum showcases paintings by artists from around the world. Whether you’re a big fan of Pablo Picasso or Juan Muñoz, aesthetes will love this place!
Walk Along The Thames Path
Whilst walking the entire length is uncommon, the Thames Path offers visitors the chance to soak up the capital! By walking along the middle part of the 80-mile-long route, visitors can get views of some of the best sites in London including The Tower of London, Millennium Bridge and Tower Bridge. There are lots to do and see for those choosing to walk this path, from parks to historic buildings and gardens to business districts.
The adventurous spirit behind the pages of British Muslim magazine. As the Editor-in-Chief, Natasha leads with a passion for exploration and a pen dipped in wanderlust. With a keen eye for halal travel experiences and an insatiable curiosity for new experiences, she brings readers along on captivating journeys to far-flung destinations. Through her vibrant storytelling, Natasha invites readers on enriching adventures, where every experience is a window into the muslim world.
