Best free things to do in London

Watch the iconic ‘changing of the guard’

Peeking at Buckingham Palace through its gates is completely free (alas, touring inside is not), but if you really want to make the most of a trip to see the home of the royal family, you should time your visit so you can watch the changing of the guard, a ceremony which takes place on the palace forecourt outside.

Weather permitting, you’ll get to witness a bit of the pomp and circumstance the British royal family is known for. There’s a musical accompaniment to the King’s Guard coming off duty as the new soldiers take their place. Obviously, it’s a popular activity for London visitors, so arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

Reach new heights at the Sky Garden 

It’s totally free to take in the 360-degree views of the capital from its highest public garden. It sits inside the “Walkie-Talkie” building on 20 Fenchurch St.

Daily Newsletter

Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter

Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

To enjoy the viewing terrace and the gardens themselves (which feature an array of Mediterranean and South African plants), book tickets in advance. If you want to keep the activity completely free, you’ll have to avoid Sky Garden’s restaurant and bar offerings.

There are a few more free attractions within walking distance: Monument to the Great Fire of London, St. Dunstan-in-the-East Church Garden designed by Christopher Wren, Leadenhall Market and the iconic “Gherkin” building.

Walk along the Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge has been a solid icon of the London skyline since it was first built in the late 1800s. If you want to go inside its towers or stroll along its glass walkways, you’ll have to pay to enter. However, it’s free to marvel at the bridge’s height and beauty just by walking across it.

You’ll see plenty of landmarks en route, including the Tower of London and the (slightly murky) River Thames that the bridge crosses. The Tower Bridge also makes an excellent backdrop for any wish-you-were-here photos you might post on Instagram.

Find a gem at Portobello Road market

There’s almost always something exciting happening at Portobello Road market, but busy Saturdays are easily the best time to visit. The stalls specialize in antiques, vintage and secondhand finds, and a few edible treats. To keep things free of charge, you’ll have to stick to browsing, not buying.

If you can’t make it on a Saturday but want to shop for clothes, there are plenty of stores dotting Notting Hill’s standout street. They include antique treasure troves, retro clothing spots and gems like The Portobello Print and Map Shop. Since the 1940s, this area has been known as a hub for antiquing.

Admire art in The National Gallery

Want to see masterpieces from the likes of Vermeer, Cezanne, da Vinci, Monet and van Gogh for free? Head to London’s iconic Trafalgar Square and step inside The National Gallery to admire a sensational collection of European art spanning multiple centuries.

Expand your knowledge by perusing a range of free temporary exhibitions, too. Examples of past exhibitions include “Turner on Tour,” “Discover Manet & Eva Gonzalès,” and “Gainsborough’s Blue Boy.” Note a select few temporary exhibitions do charge.

See street art in Shoreditch 

Shoreditch, a hip neighborhood in East London, offers a different kind of art: street art. Look around, and you’ll find colorful murals on the sides of buildings, collages on billboards and unexpected designs along the walls. It’s completely free to admire this art, though some companies also offer walking tours around the area.

Once in Shoreditch, you won’t be far from Brick Lane — a narrow street stretching through Bethnal Green and Spitalfields, famous for its curry houses and vintage shops. Brick Lane offers plenty of things to do, such as sampling food truck offerings, playing junkyard golf and visiting the record shop Rough Trade East. Of course, those activities will cost you, but it’s still worth looking around.

Opening times: Always open
Nearest Tube station: Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street Overground

Visit the Natural History Museum

Admission to the Natural History Museum, one of London’s most fascinating museums, is free. Booking a time slot in advance is essential during busy periods. Once inside, you can explore its vast collection of skeletons and rare artifacts that chart the course of the Earth’s history, from prehistoric dinosaurs and giant sloths to modern mammals and marine life.

The building in South Kensington is also a point of interest. If you’ve never been before, expect to spend up to several hours here poring over the different displays.

Get out in nature at Walthamstow Wetlands

If you think it’s impossible to visit a nature reserve in the middle of London, think again. OK, it’s not quite in the middle of London, but it’s on the edge of Walthamstow in East London, not far from Tottenham.

Free to walk through, the wetlands offer several walking (or running) trails overlooking the water. The reserve provides a gorgeously green escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city, especially during the warmer months. It’s a year-round haven for birds, with species including grey herons, kingfishers, peregrine falcons and tufted ducks. The on-site Victorian Engine House is now a visitor center and cafe.

Go landmark- and statue-spotting

Jaunt around central London long enough and you’ll see many statues and landmarks. If you’re looking for ways to keep yourself entertained without pulling out the credit card, challenge yourself to a scavenger hunt of the city’s most iconic landmarks as well as its more unusual or whimsical figures.

Just a few examples you could go looking for include:

• Big Ben
• Marble Arch
• Wellington Arch
• Boadicea and Her Daughters statue on Victoria Embankment
• Queen Alexandra Memorial on Marlborough Road
• Sherlock Holmes statue on Marylebone (near the supposed site of Baker Street)
• Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens
• Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens
• Amy Winehouse statue on Chalk Farm Road

Opening times: Varies (some always open)
Nearest Tube station: Varies, depending on which you’d like to see

Feel stylish at the V&A Museum

Expect to find exhibitions and displays devoted to art, design, fashion, textiles and all things creative at the beloved Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington (commonly known as the V&A).

Its offerings vary from the Raphael Cartoons tapestry designs to a photography exhibit of Julia Margaret Cameron’s work. An ongoing metalwork exhibition also contains gold, silver and Bronze Age items. To see what’s on display during your visit, take a look at the official website. Or, poke your head in and check it out — it’s free.

Try the Tate Modern or Tate Britain

The two Tate galleries offer two very different types of art. Luckily, admission is free for both. As its name suggests, Tate Modern focuses on modern art and unusual materials as well as film, video and performance.

Tate Britain has several collections, including a walkthrough of British works by artist J.M.W. Turner and others ordered by date and an exhibition.

Check out the Barbican

The Barbican complex is a must-visit if you’re interested in the residential Barbican Estate’s world-famous Brutalist architecture. Luckily, you can admire it for free. Or, you can enjoy the Barbican Centre, which houses a library, cinema, cafe, restaurant, shop, and various art and design exhibitions or installations — some of which are free.

Mosey along the Parkland Walk

You can find the Parkland Walk, one of London’s longest nature reserves, along what was once a railway track. As you stroll the 4 1/2-mile trail (which is broken into sections), you’ll pass Muswell Hill and Crouch End and through to Stroud Green and Finsbury Park — areas you may not usually get to visit.

There are plenty of trees and wildflowers on this stroll, as well as local art; you’ll see the Spriggan sculpture peering down at you from an archway and picturesque views over North London neighborhoods. It is especially lovely in the sunshine.

Climb to the top of Primrose Hill

Once you climb the short (but steep) grassy route up to the top of Primrose Hill in Regent’s Park, you can enjoy great views over the city. Again, you’ll likely get the best views on a clear or sunny day, but it’s even worth the tiny trek when the skies are gray.

The neighboring residential area of Primrose Hill is very pleasant and peaceful — think candy-colored townhouses, with a street of on-trend cafes, boutiques and upscale grocery shops. Over the decades, Primrose Hill has been home to plenty of British stars and A-list actors, so it’s no surprise that it’s a pretty nice place.

Opening times: Daily from 5 a.m. until dusk
Nearest Tube station: Chalk Farm

Learn at the Science Museum

Interested in space? The history of aviation? Medicine? Math? Mechanics? Look no further than the Science Museum. Spending a day here will entertain and, hopefully, teach you a thing or two about how all of that works.

Near the Natural History Museum and V&A, the Science Museum is also free to explore. Check out numerous galleries (such as “Exploring Space,” about humanity’s journeys beyond Earth), some temporary galleries (such as a COVID-19 vaccine exhibition, a tour related to clockmaking and an area devoted to science fiction) and some interactive galleries.

Chill out in Hyde Park

Parks are plentiful in the city, so you won’t struggle to find green space. However, some parks are a little more special than others. Hyde Park sits ideally between Buckingham Palace and Kensington Gardens. It’s a convenient place to stop, sit and enjoy some people-watching before ticking more attractions off your London bucket list.

There are some points of interest in the park, too, including several statues. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain is a trickling, meandering tribute to the late princess, and it was first unveiled in 2004. Meanwhile, the Rose Garden is best seen blooming in early summer. There’s also an adventure playground if you’re traveling with children.

Step back in time at the British Museum

The British Museum takes visitors on a journey through 2 million years of human history, art and culture — not just in Britain but all around the globe. Galleries showcase histories and artifacts from Greece, Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, South Asia, Africa and Europe across the centuries.

The museum is free, though you must book a ticket to secure a slot. As with the Natural History Museum, you’ll want to set aside a good chunk of time to fully take in the exhibits on display.

Wander around Hampstead Heath 

Head to North London to visit one of the city’s most idyllic green spaces and one of its highest points. Check out the cityscape from Parliament Hill viewpoint, or enjoy a leisurely walk past nature ponds and through woods. There are also dedicated walking trails here.

Visit the free Golders Hill Park Zoo or enjoy playgrounds and sports facilities. There are also natural swimming pools for both men and women (though they charge a fee for entry and have specific opening times).

Browse Covent Garden

If you can resist the urge to splurge on clothes, jewelry, technology, books and other treats, then roaming around the famous Covent Garden is free of charge.

Expect Covent Garden to be buzzing with both locals and visitors, as it’s one of London’s best-known shopping destinations. Keep an eye out for the beautiful Royal Opera House and the colorful alleyway Neal’s Yard. If you do want to spend on something to eat, stop at the street food hot spot Seven Dials Market.

Smell the flowers at Columbia Road Market

Market fans will find plenty of stalls to peruse in all corners of London, but for one of the city’s prettiest and most fragrant markets, head to Columbia Road in East London.

Within walking distance of Hackney and Shoreditch, Columbia Road is a narrow street lined with independent shops (selling records, quirky gifts and even outfits for dogs), cafes and pubs. The area blossoms on Sundays as florists gather to sell bouquets, unusual succulents, houseplants and herbs. Arrive early, though, as it is pretty much guaranteed to be packed.

Explore the Horniman Museum and Gardens

South London’s Horniman Museum and Gardens is an excellent free activity if you’ve already hit up London’s major free museums. You’ll need to take a train to reach it, but it’s a nice escape from the well-trodden tourist areas.

Known for its anthropological and natural history exhibits and a vast collection of musical instruments, the museum is certainly eclectic. The gardens are gorgeous, spanning 16 acres; they include a picturesque Victorian conservatory and a dedicated nature trail. The Horniman is also home to the Butterfly House and an aquarium, though both require a small entry fee.

Go neon in God’s Own Junkyard

In Walthamstow, East London, there is an art gallery and shop called God’s Own Junkyard. Practically every inch of it is completely covered by huge, glowing neon signs emanating a vibrant pink hue throughout the room. A museum of sorts for all things neon, it’s an Instagrammer’s dream, and it’s just as eye-catching as it looks on social media. Signs are for sale, too, and there’s a cafe/bar.

If you fancy more art, take a short bus trip or a 20-minute walk down the road to the free-to-browse William Morris Gallery. It’s devoted to 1800s textile designer William Morris and his dainty floral designs. Also, look out for the lengthy outdoor market along Walthamstow High Street.

Admire the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park

Holland Park in West London is full of serene areas, and the Kyoto Garden is one of the best. It’s a perfect spot for when you want a moment away from London’s hustle and bustle.

Expect green spaces, colorful Japanese maple trees, a tranquil waterfall and a koi pond in this peaceful part of the park, which the Japanese city gifted to London in the early 1990s. Visit during springtime, ideally April, to see cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Opening times: Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Nearest Tube station: Holland Park

See the Crystal Palace dinosaurs

South London’s Crystal Palace Park is a must for dinosaur-mad youngsters or anyone with a penchant for historic curiosities. It’s home to some very special sculptures of dinosaurs and extinct animals, which are on display on mini islands around the park.

Ascend to Alexandra Palace

For an excellent panoramic view over London — with the Shard and Gherkin jutting into the distant skyline — walk up to the stunning Alexandra Palace in North London. “Ally Pally” itself is an entertainment venue, with a newly renovated East Court installation space free to enjoy. It also boasts a surrounding park, a garden center and an ice rink (which is sadly not free). There are plenty of places to eat or drink as well.

Spot London’s best blue plaques

If you plan to keep costs low by exploring on foot, look out for blue plaques as you walk. You’ll spot them on buildings and houses all over Greater London. They highlight the birthplaces and former residences of historically significant people.

Try street food at Borough Market, Camden Market or Broadway Market

London’s many glorious street food markets sometimes pop up on lists of “free things” to do. As long as you don’t make purchases, it’s free to browse the stalls at Borough Market, take in the aromas at tourist hot spot Camden Market or enjoy the Saturday bustle at Broadway Market in London Fields.

You can take in the atmosphere and see what’s on offer. You may even find a free sample or two. However, if you’re a foodie (or it’s just lunchtime and you’re hungry), opening your wallet may be hard to resist. Expect an array of cuisines, junk food creations and even homemade sweet treats.

Play games at Novelty Automation

This hidden gem in Holborn is technically free. However, it might be difficult to walk inside the arcade, take a mere look at its undeniably unique and satirical gaming machines — all designed by engineer Tim Hunkin — and leave without buying a single token. After all, a token only costs 1 pound (about $1.25).