London is one of the most expensive cities in the world for travelers, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out our favorite free things to do in London.
By: Reese Jones
London is one of the most gorgeous cities on the planet, and while traveling there can certainly be expensive, our post on the ‘London Pass’ shows that it doesn’t have to be. Various tips have saved tourists a small fortune in the past by letting them get into certain attractions at a discount and at times, even for free! Given the many places available in London one can visit for free, you don’t need to drain your bank account to go. Here’s our list of the top 10 free things to do in London.
EMIRATES STADIUM
Soccer fans will certainly enjoy the chance to visit this famous stadium, as the Emirates is home to Premier League side Arsenal and is just a stone’s throw away from Drayton Park and Holloway Road. Free to roam around if you have a London Pass, visitors get a chance to take in the club’s history via the Arsenal Museum and even enter legendary club manager Arsène Wenger’s old office as well as the physio room. For Arsenal fans, the chance to soak up their home venue’s atmosphere and take in its history is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Even if you aren’t an Arsenal fan, simply getting a glimpse into their world promises to be a delightful experience.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY CHURCH SERVICE and ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
To enter the churches you must buy tickets, which can be a hefty cost. However, both offer weekday and Sunday church services that are free to the public. While guests are not free to roam about, they are invited to sit in the main area of the buildings and take in the historical and religious sites.
HYDE PARK
Those looking for a bit of nature in the midst of an urban metropolis can find relief in Hyde Park. Conveniently located in Westminster, one of its many entrances is nearby Hyde Park Corner tube station on the Piccadilly Line. At this 350-acre park, there are a number of activities like boating, horse-back riding, and cycling at your disposal, although just lounging around may be enough. With sites like Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain and Serpentine Lake, walking around the park is a good way to spend the afternoon.
Also make time for Greenwich Park, which is the oldest enclosed royal park where you can catch the incredible views of the River Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral and walk through the stunning gardens.
CAMDEN MARKET
Although technically not free, except to enter, should you decide to buy something, the Camden Market is a good way to soak up some London atmosphere and get a feel for daily life in the city. Aside from that, it promises to surprise guests with quirky finds ranging from memorabilia, jewelry, and trinkets brought in from exotic locations. There’s also street food and the selection here includes everything from spicy curry chicken to gourmet coffee served with cinnamon-sprinkled churros. The diverse selection does a good job of reflecting London as a diverse melting pot and it is no wonder food bloggers love this popular London destination. Fortunately, you can get there through its own tube station, in the form of Camden Town on the Northern Line.
Make sure to check out Little Venice if you’re going to Camden Market. It’s tucked away in the residential neighborhood of Maida Vale and lined with beautiful canals and waterways that are home to some of London’s most charming restaurants. And yes you can take a boat ride!
Markets can be free things to do in London if you go just to explore the local scene and vibe. Other cool markets to hit up include Portobello Road Market, Borough Market, Brixton Market, Herne Hill Market, Maltby Street Market and Flea at Vinegar Yard.
PLATFORM 9 ¾
Fans of the Harry Potter series must visit Platform 9 ¾, which is situated in the real-life King’s Cross station in Camden. The “station” is commemorated by a plaque on the wall containing platforms 9 to 11 and has a luggage trolley stuck halfway through the wall. After getting your picture taken, you can explore the Harry Potter-themed store located nearby.
BRITISH MUSEUM
While many of the museums are free in London, if you were to visit just one in the city, it should be the British Museum. Home to various pieces dedicated to human history and culture, such as the Rosetta Stone that was key to helping linguists understand English hieroglyphics and the first porcelain vases from China, the British Museum does not disappoint. Situated in the Bloomsbury area, the museum is accessible by London Underground stations Holborn and Tottenham Court Road, which are five and two minutes’ walk away, respectively. Although the museum is mostly free, donations to the museum’s foundation are recommended and some special exhibitions may charge.
Visiting museums are wonderful free things to do in London. Other great museums include the V&A Museum of Childhood, which is offers arts and crafts for kids, the National Gallery houses thousands of Western European paintings that date back to the 13th century, the Tate Modern, Imperial War Museum, Science Museum, and the National History Museum.
SKY GARDEN
The Sky Garden is a unique place to visit if you want a 360° view of London. It is free to get in, but visitors do need to book tickets in advance to secure their entry. Once inside the three-story building, visitors can explore the gardens as well as the observation decks that look out onto the city. The Sky Garden also has an open-air terrace where London’s highest public garden can be found. Should you want to eat here, there are a handful of restaurants that overlook the city, making for an unforgettable dining experience. This is one of the most spectacular free things to do in London so definitely add this to your itinerary.
ANGEL COMEDY CLUB
Love to laugh? The Angel Comedy Club is where you want to be on a Friday night. They offer free comedy shows every night at their Camden Head location. The club’s mission is about supporting comedians, whether they are already established or just breaking onto the scene. They strive to make comedy more accessible to audiences. The club has also started their own charity, the Angel Comedy Trust. The trust helps run comedy courses, supports emerging artists, and works toward making the arts more inclusive.
ABBEY ROAD
Even if you’re not a fan of the Beatles, they’re a huge part of pop culture history and they’ve made Abbey Road an iconic landmark for decades. So that alone is worth a trip to famous intersection. You can absolutely recreate the classic image of John, Paul, Ringo and George crossing the street, you’ll have to wait in line. Tourists from all over the world make it a point to visit the place where the band shot their album cover. Don’t forget to look out for cars. It’s a busy road!
LONDON STREET ART
Our top free things to do in London list concludes with a a self-guided tour of the city’s east end renowned street art. The area is packed full of electrifying and colorful artwork that everyone should admire and enjoy.