London, a vibrant and diverse city that offers plenty of attractions and activities for all kinds of visitors. But you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy the best of London, as there are many free things to do in the capital. Here are some of the top free things to do in London for an amazing vacation in 2023:
- Visit some of the world-class museums and galleries that showcase art, history, science and culture from around the globe. Some of the most popular ones are the National Gallery, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Gallery London.
- Witness the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, where you can see the Queen's Guard in their iconic red uniforms and bearskin hats. The ceremony takes place every day at 11am from April to July, and on alternate days for the rest of the year.
- Explore the historic and political heart of London at the Houses of Parliament, where you can visit the public galleries and watch debates and committees in action. You can also see the famous Big Ben clock tower and Westminster Abbey nearby.
- Enjoy some green space and fresh air in one of the many beautiful parks and gardens in London, such as Hyde Park, St James's Park, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park and Bushy Park. You can also see some wildlife, such as deer, pelicans, squirrels and birds.
- Experience the lively atmosphere and delicious food at one of the many markets in London, such as Borough Market, Camden Market, Portobello Road Market and Brick Lane Market. You can find everything from fresh produce, street food, antiques, vintage clothing, books and more.
- Admire some stunning street art and graffiti at various locations in London, such as Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel, Brick Lane, Shoreditch, Camden Town and Brixton. You can also see some works by famous artists like Banksy, Shepard Fairey and Stik.
- Continure reading
- Discover some hidden gems and quirky attractions in London, such as the Temple of Mithras, a Roman temple dedicated to a mysterious cult; the Jar of Moles at the Grant Museum of Zoology, a collection of preserved moles in a glass jar; and Platform 9¾ at King's Cross, a Harry Potter-themed photo opportunity.
- Learn more about London's rich and diverse history at the Museum of London, which tells the story of the city from prehistoric times to the present day. You can see exhibits on Roman London, medieval London, Victorian London, wartime London and modern London.
- Enjoy some free entertainment and cultural events in London, such as concerts, festivals, comedy shows, theatre performances and more. Some of the best places to find free events are Southbank Centre, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Leicester Square.
- Get a panoramic view of London from some of the best vantage points in the city, such as Primrose Hill, Greenwich Observatory, Sky Garden, Tate Modern and The Shard. You can see landmarks like The London Eye, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral and more.
These are just some of the many free things to do in London for an amazing experience and i enjoyable visit in London. Whether you're interested in art, history, nature or culture, you'll find something to suit your taste and budget in this wonderful city.
Take a relaxing scenic walk is one of the best free things to do anywhere, and it's great for your health, too. London happens to offer some of best scenic walks in the city:
- Thames River Walk: A scenic walk from Tower of London, across Bridge Tower and see City Hall, HMS Belfast, Hay's Galleria, London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Minimum Bridge, and walk to St Paul’s Cathedral.
- The Queen's Walk: A fantastic walk that offers a chance to see numerous iconic London places, for example, the London Eye, Pinnacle Extension, and Factory.
- The Diana Princess of Ridges Commemoration Walk: A walk that takes you through three royal residences and two chateaus: Kensington Castle, Buckingham Royal residence, Clarence House, St James' Castle, and Spencer House.
-Southwark Park: A recreation area that merits a visit on the off chance that you are investigating Rotherhithe with its 'Mayflower' associations. Silo Square Rulers Cross: A public space at the core of the improvement that interfaces various structures together.
-Thames Way: It offers stunning views of London.
- Parliament Slope Perspective: A fantastic view across London.
- Kynance Mews: An enchanting cobbled road that is a peaceful little corner for a photoshoot.
- St Dunstan-in-the-East, a church ruin turned secret garden on St Dunstan's Hill, in the middle of London Bridge and the Tower of London in the city of London. A hidden gem for photography lovers.
Check out my video about Thames River scenic walks from Tower Bridge
Check out my video about the secret garden St Dunstan in the east
London has some of the best museums in the world – many of which are free, as well as many other free attractions. There are hundreds of museums to choose from in London.
So, you migh want to check out some of the great museums that the city has to offer for free. You can learn about art, history, culture and science without paying any admission fees:
- The **British Museum**, where you can discover objects from ancient civilizations, such as the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the Sutton Hoo ship burial. It is one of the world's most famous museums.
- The **National Gallery**, where you can see paintings by famous artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci and more.
- The **Museum of London**, where you can trace the history of London and its people from prehistoric times to the present day.
- The **Natural History Museum**, where you can encounter dinosaurs, fossils, animals and plants from all over the world.
- The **Science Museum**, where you can explore the wonders of science and technology through interactive exhibits and galleries.
- Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A): a museum of art and design, with exhibits from various periods and styles.
- Imperial War Museum London: a museum of war and conflict, with displays from the First World War to the present day.
These are just some of the many free museums in London.
For more information, visit this website:
https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/sightseeing/london-attraction/museum/free-museums-in-london
Tate Modern By Loretta S
London also has some of the best galleries in the world, makes it a great destination for art lovers, as it has many galleries that showcase a variety of artworks from different periods and styles. The best part is that many of these galleries are free to enter, so you can enjoy the beauty and creativity of art without spending any money.
Here are some of the free art galleries in London:
- The **National Gallery**, which displays paintings by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci and more.
- The **Tate Modern**, which houses a collection of modern and contemporary art from around the world, including works by Picasso, Warhol, Rothko and more.
- The **Whitechapel Gallery**, which presents exhibitions of cutting-edge and emerging artists, as well as historical shows and commissions.
- The **Newport Street Gallery**, which showcases works from the personal collection of artist Damien Hirst, featuring pieces by Bacon, Hockney, Koons and more.
- The **National Portrait Gallery**, which exhibits portraits of famous and influential British people, from royalty and politicians to celebrities and artists.
These are just some of the many free art galleries in London.
For more suggestions, check out this article by Time Out:
https://www.timeout.com/london/art/free-art-in-london
See below my shorts for the Sky Garden in autumn 2023
London is a fantastic city for music lovers, as it has many venues that host live performances of various genres and styles. The best part is that many of these venues are free to enter, so you can enjoy the sounds and vibes of music without breaking the bank. Here are some of the free music venues in London:
- The **Southbank Centre**, which offers an incredible amount of free music and entertainment, from jazz and classical to world and folk music, in its various spaces such as the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and the Clore Ballroom.
- The **Royal Academy of Music**, which has free concerts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, featuring talented students and staff from one of the world's leading conservatoires.
- The **St Martin-in-the-Fields**, which has free lunchtime concerts every Monday, Tuesday and Friday, showcasing a range of classical music by soloists and ensembles.
- The **Old Blue Last**, which is a legendary pub and music venue in Shoreditch, where you can catch up-and-coming bands and artists from the indie, rock and pop scenes.
- The **Newport Street Gallery**, which showcases works from the personal collection of artist Damien Hirst, and also hosts free gigs and DJ sets in its basement space.
These are just some of the many free music venues in London.
For more recommendations, check out this article by Time Out:
Thames view from river bank By Loretta S
London is not only a city of music and art, but also a city of many other attractions that you can enjoy for free. Whether you are interested in history, culture, nature or entertainment, you can find something to suit your taste in London without spending a penny. Here are some of the other free attractions in London:
- The **Changing of the Guard**, which is a traditional ceremony that takes place outside Buckingham Palace every other day at 11am, where you can see the soldiers in their red uniforms and bearskin hats.
- The **Houses of Parliament**, which are the seat of the UK government and where you can visit the public galleries to watch debates and committees.
- The **Platform 9¾**, which is a must-see for Harry Potter fans, where you can pose with a trolley disappearing into the magical wall at King's Cross station.
- The **Greenwich Foot Tunnel**, which is a pedestrian tunnel that runs under the river Thames and connects Greenwich with the Isle of Dogs, where you can enjoy views of the water and the skyline.
These are just some of the many other free attractions in London, and check out the cheap things to do in London here.
For more ideas, check out this list of 101 free things to do in London
by visitlondon.com.