Best Free Things to Do in London: A Local’s Guide
Last updated: August 3, 2026
Here’s the thing nobody tells you about London: it’s one of the best cities in the world for free things to do. Not “free but rubbish” — genuinely world-class attractions that cost absolutely nothing. The British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, the Natural History Museum — all free, forever, for everyone. You could spend a full week in London’s free museums alone and not see everything.
As a born and raised Englishman, I’ve put together the definitive list of the best free things to do in London — from world-famous museums to hidden parks, markets, and views that most tourists never find.
Free Museums and Galleries
London’s national museums are free because they’re funded by the government — a policy that’s been in place since 2001. Some charge for special exhibitions, but the permanent collections are always free.
British Museum
The most comprehensive museum of human history in the world. 8 million objects spanning 2 million years. The Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the Parthenon Sculptures, Anglo-Saxon treasure, and enough to keep you busy for a full day.
- Location: Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG
- Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road / Holborn / Russell Square
- Open: Daily 10 AM-5 PM (until 8:30 PM Fridays)
- Free: Yes, all permanent galleries. Special exhibitions charged separately.
- Tip: Enter through the Montague Street entrance (side door) to skip the main queue
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs, a life-size blue whale model, earthquake simulators, and thousands of specimens in a stunning Victorian building. One of London’s best attractions for families — and it’s completely free.
- Location: Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD
- Nearest Tube: South Kensington
- Open: Daily 10 AM-5:50 PM
- Free: Yes. Special exhibitions charged separately.
- Tip: Book free timed entry tickets online in advance to skip the queue
Tate Modern
London’s premier modern art gallery, housed in the former Bankside Power Station. Picasso, Warhol, Rothko, Hockney, and massive installations in the Turbine Hall. The building alone is worth the visit.
- Location: Bankside, SE1 9TG
- Nearest Tube: Southwark / London Bridge
- Open: Sunday-Thursday 10 AM-6 PM, Friday-Saturday 10 AM-10 PM
- Free: Yes. Special exhibitions charged separately.
- Tip: Take the elevator to Level 10 for the free viewing platform — panoramic views of the Thames, St Paul’s, and the City
National Gallery
One of the greatest art collections in the world, overlooking Trafalgar Square. Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks, Monet’s water lilies, Turner, Rembrandt, and hundreds more masterpieces — all free.
- Location: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN
- Nearest Tube: Charing Cross / Leicester Square
- Open: Daily 10 AM-6 PM (until 9 PM Fridays)
- Free: Yes. Special exhibitions charged separately.
Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design — fashion, furniture, ceramics, jewellery, photography, and sculpture spanning 5,000 years. The courtyard garden is also a lovely place to sit and rest.
- Location: Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
- Nearest Tube: South Kensington
- Open: Daily 10 AM-5:45 PM (until 10 PM Fridays)
- Free: Yes. Special exhibitions charged separately.
Science Museum
Next door to the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum covers everything from steam engines to space exploration. Great for kids and anyone interested in technology, medicine, and engineering.
- Location: Exhibition Road, SW7 2DD
- Nearest Tube: South Kensington
- Open: Daily 10 AM-6 PM
- Free: Yes. IMAX and special exhibitions charged separately.
Other Free Museums and Galleries
| Museum | Location | What It’s Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial War Museum | Lambeth Road, SE1 | WWI, WWII, Holocaust exhibitions |
| Museum of London | London Wall, EC2 | History of London from prehistoric to modern times |
| National Portrait Gallery | Trafalgar Square, WC2 | Portraits of famous Britons — recently reopened after major renovation |
| Wallace Collection | Manchester Square, W1 | Art and armour in a historic townhouse |
| Sir John Soane’s Museum | Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2 | A eccentric architect’s personal collection in his own home |
| Imperial War Museum | Lambeth | War history, including a real Holocaust exhibition |
| Guildhall Art Gallery | Guildhall Yard, EC2 | London art plus a Roman amphitheatre in the basement |
| Courtald Gallery | Somerset House, WC2 | Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces (free since 2024) |
Free Views and Landmarks
Sky Garden
London’s highest public garden, on the 43rd floor of the “Walkie Talkie” building. Spectacular 360-degree views of the city — and it’s free, but you must book online in advance. Tickets are released every Monday for the following week and they go fast.
- Location: 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3M 8AF
- Nearest Tube: Monument / Bank
- Cost: Free, but advance booking essential
- Book: skygarden.london
Changing of the Guard
The ceremony where the King’s Guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace. Marching bands, bearskin hats, and proper pageantry — and it costs nothing to watch.
- Location: Buckingham Palace
- Nearest Tube: Victoria / St James’s Park / Green Park
- When: Usually Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 10:45 AM (check the official schedule as it changes seasonally)
- Cost: Free
- Tip: Arrive by 10:15 AM for a good spot by the gates. The Victoria Memorial roundabout gives the best overall view.
Tower Bridge
Walking across Tower Bridge is free (the bridge is a public road). The bridge lift (when the bridge opens to let tall ships through) is also free to watch. Bridge lifts happen about 800 times a year — check the Tower Bridge lift schedule for dates.
- Location: Tower Bridge
- Nearest Tube: Tower Hill / London Bridge
- Cost: Free to walk across. (The Tower Bridge Exhibition inside the bridge costs £12.30.)
Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath
The best free view of the London skyline. From the top of Parliament Hill, you can see the entire city — St Paul’s, the Shard, the Gherkin, the London Eye, Canary Wharf, all laid out before you. Bring a picnic.
- Location: Hampstead Heath
- Nearest Tube: Gospel Oak / Hampstead Heath Overground
- Cost: Free
- Tip: Walk from Hampstead Tube station through the Heath to Parliament Hill — about 25 minutes, and the walk itself is beautiful
The South Bank Walk
Walking from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge along the south side of the Thames is one of the best free experiences in London. You pass the London Eye, the National Theatre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, HMS Belfast, and finally arrive at Tower Bridge — all while walking alongside the river.
- Length: About 1.5 miles (30-40 minutes walking, but allow 2-3 hours with stops)
- Cost: Free
- Nearest Tube: Westminster (start) / Tower Hill (end)
Free Parks and Gardens
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
London’s most famous park — 350 acres of lakes, gardens, meadows, and the Diana Memorial Fountain. Kensington Gardens (the western half) borders Kensington Palace and has the Peter Pan statue and the Italian Gardens.
- Nearest Tube: Hyde Park Corner / Marble Arch / Lancaster Gate
- Cost: Free
Regent’s Park
Beautiful formal gardens, an open-air theatre (summer only, ticketed), and the boating lake. Also home to London Zoo (ticketed) and Primrose Hill, which gives another excellent free skyline view.
- Nearest Tube: Regent’s Park / Baker Street
- Cost: Free
St James’s Park
The oldest and most charming of London’s royal parks, right next to Buckingham Palace. Pelicans (yes, real pelicans), a lovely lake, and flower beds that change with the seasons.
- Nearest Tube: St James’s Park / Charing Cross
- Cost: Free
Greenwich Park
Home of the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian Line. The park itself is free, and the views from the hill across the river to Canary Wharf and the City are stunning. The Prime Meridian courtyard is free to access — the paid part is inside the observatory building.
- Nearest Tube: Greenwich / Cutty Sark DLR
- Cost: Free (park and views). Observatory inside is £18.
Free Markets (Window Shopping)
All of London’s markets are free to browse. Even if you don’t buy anything, wandering through is an experience:
| Market | When | What to See |
|---|---|---|
| Borough Market | Mon-Sat | Food stalls, samples, atmosphere |
| Camden Market | Daily | Alternative fashion, street food, canal |
| Portobello Road | Saturday | Antiques, colourful houses |
| Brick Lane | Sunday | Vintage, curry houses, street art |
| Columbia Road Flower Market | Sunday | Flowers and plants — stunning in spring |
Free Entertainment
Street Performers
Covent Garden’s West Piazza has licensed street performers — magicians, acrobats, comedians, and musicians. Shows run daily from about 11 AM to 7 PM. Free to watch, but tip the performer if you enjoy it (£2-5 is standard).
BBC Studios
Tickets to BBC shows (The Graham Norton Show recordings, Have I Got News for You, QI, and others) are free, but you must apply online in advance. See bbc.co.uk/showsandtours.
Free Walking Tours
Several companies offer free walking tours (tip-based) in London. The guides work for tips, so pay what you think the tour was worth at the end (£5-10 is typical). Try Strawberry Tours or Free Tours by Foot.
Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre (Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Hayward Gallery) hosts hundreds of free events throughout the year — exhibitions, concerts, talks, and performances. Check southbankcentre.co.uk for what’s on during your visit.
Free with a Twist
Westminster Abbey — Evensong
Westminster Abbey charges £31 for daytime visits, but attending Evensong (a traditional choral service) is free. You enter through the Great West Door at 5 PM (arrive by 4:30 PM). The service lasts about 45 minutes, and you get to experience the Abbey’s incredible choir in one of the most historic buildings in Britain — without paying a penny.
- Location: Westminster Abbey
- When: Usually Monday-Friday 5 PM, Saturday 3 PM (check the Abbey website)
- Cost: Free
- Dress code: Smart-casual
Harrods
Wandering through Harrods is free, and it’s an experience. The food halls alone are worth a visit — they’re stunning Victorian interiors. Don’t buy anything unless you want to remortgage your house.
- Location: 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL
- Nearest Tube: Knightsbridge
- Cost: Free to browse
How to Do London for Free for a Day
Here’s a sample free day in London:
| Time | Activity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Walk through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace | Free |
| 10:15 AM | Watch Changing of the Guard (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) | Free |
| 11:30 AM | Walk down Whitehall to Trafalgar Square | Free |
| 11:45 AM | National Gallery (Van Gogh, Monet, Turner) | Free |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at Borough Market (browse free, eat £6-10) | Free entry |
| 2:00 PM | Tate Modern (Picasso, Warhol, Turbine Hall) | Free |
| 3:30 PM | Walk the South Bank to Tower Bridge | Free |
| 4:00 PM | Walk across Tower Bridge | Free |
| 5:00 PM | Evensong at Westminster Abbey (check schedule) | Free |
| 6:00 PM | Covent Garden street performers | Free |
Total cost: £0 (or £6-10 if you grab lunch at Borough Market)
FAQ
Are the free museums really free?
Yes. No catch, no hidden fees. You walk in, you look around, you walk out. Special temporary exhibitions usually charge (£12-25), but the permanent collections — which are the vast majority of what’s on display — are completely free. Donations are welcomed but not required.
Do I need to book free museum tickets in advance?
Some museums require free timed-entry tickets during peak periods (school holidays, weekends). Check the museum’s website before visiting. For the Natural History Museum and British Museum, booking free tickets online in advance is recommended to skip the queue.
Is the Sky Garden really free?
Yes, but you must book online in advance. Tickets are released every Monday morning for the following week. They sell out within hours, so set a reminder. If you can’t get a ticket, the nearby Horizon 22 (level 22 of 22 Bishopsgate) is also free and equally spectacular.
What’s the best free view of London?
Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath is the best free, no-booking-required view. Sky Garden is the best free indoor view but requires advance booking. The Tate Modern Level 10 viewing platform is the best free view with no booking and no hiking.
Planning your London trip? See our London itineraries, London on a Budget guide, and Hidden Gems in London for more ideas.