Things to Do With Kids
London's Best Parks
Museums in London
Theater in London
Live Music in London
Shopping in London
One Week in London: Itinerary
Day Trips From London
London's Best Tours
Beaches Near London
The Best Fish & Chips in London
London's Top Restaurants
Eating With Kids in London
London's Best Bars
Craft Beer in London
The Best Time to Visit London
Weather & Climate
London's Airports
Hotels in London
Neighborhoods to Know
Driving in London
Tipping in London
Public Transport in London
London's Top Attractions
Free Things to Do
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Overview
At first glance, visitors to London might worry that the city is prohibitively expensive. And while they're not wrong—dining and other excursions in this British capital can quickly add up—many of London is an expensive city but there really are so many free things to do in the capital. These ideas should get you started but if you're already familiar with these suggestions you need the super list of 100+ Free Things to Do in London. Now, there's got to be something new to you on there! And if you're traveling with a family, the Free Things to Do in London with Kids feature should come in handy. If you'd like to stick with central London have a look at the Free Things to Do in Westminster article.
Visit the Tate Modern
Address
Bankside, LondonTower of London. Churchill War Rooms. Tower Bridge. National Gallery. The British Museum. Westminster Abbey. V&A - Victoria and Albert Museum. Borough Market.
SE1 9TG, UKPhone
+44 20 7887 8888Tate Modern and Tate Britain house some of the finest pieces of art in the world. Tate Modern focuses on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British art from the 16th century to the present day.
Visit the British Museum
Address
Great Russell St, LondonWC1B 3DG, UKPhone
+44 20 7323 8299Spend Time Outdoors at St. James's Park
Address
LondonSW1A 2BJ, UKPhone
+44 300 061 2350I regularly hear people tell me the Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in Regent's Park is their favorite spot in London, and who am I to argue? I would also recommend St. James's Park as it offers one of the best views of Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens (side by side) are enormous and include the ever popular Diana Memorial Playground and the Peter Pan Statue.
Watch the Changing of the Guard
Address
LondonSW1A 1AA, UKPhone
+44 303 123 7300No visit to London is complete without seeing this military tradition. The Queen's Guard in London changes in the Forecourt inside the gates of Buckingham Palace at 11:30 am every day in the summer and every other day in the winter. Get there early and view the spectacle from outside the front gates.
Walk Along the South Bank for a Free Tour of London's Landmarks
Address
Westminster Bridge, LondonSW1A 2JH, UKIt really is amazing how many London landmarks you can see along this stretch of the River Thames. Take a stroll from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and you'll pass the London Eye, the Royal Festival Hall, the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, the Oxo Tower, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market.
Hang Out at Trafalgar Square
Address
Trafalgar Square, LondonWC2N 5DN, UK![London London](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125661787/983912000.jpg)
Phone
+44 20 7983 4750Trafalgar Square is one of Britain's greatest visitor attractions and was designed by John Nash in the 1820s and constructed in the 1830s. This iconic square has many sights to see including Nelson's Column and the National Gallery. It is both a tourist attraction and a focus for political demonstrations. Every December, Norway donates a marvelous Christmas tree, to thank Britain for liberation from the Nazis.
Watch Street Performers of Covent Garden Market
Address
The Market Bldg, London, BrentfordWC2E 8RF, UKPhone
+44 20 7420 5856The West Piazza of Covent Garden Market has street performers to entertain you every afternoon. Good acts can draw huge crowds and the performers love to get audience members to help them with their act. All performers are licensed and have passed an audition to perform here.
You will find more street performers at the weekend along the South Bank, particularly near the London Eye.
Stroll Through a Famous Street Market
Address
Camden Lock Pl, LondonNW1 8AF, UKPhone
+44 20 7485 5511London is well-known for its popular street markets. The most popular are Camden Market and Portobello Market, followed closely by Greenwich Market. Find out about these markets and more:
- Brick Lane Market Guide (Sundays only)
- Columbia Flower Market (Sunday mornings only)
See Inside Westminster Abbey
Address
20 Deans Yd, LondonSW1P 3PA, UKPhone
+44 20 7222 5152You can see inside Westminster Abbey for free. The Abbey never charges people who want to worship but they rely on admission fees from visitors to cover running costs. Evensong is the most beautiful of services where the Abbey choir sings. The Choristers of the Choir are educated at Westminster Abbey Choir School and are all extremely talented. Evensong is at 5 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and at 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Attend a Free Concert at the National Theatre
Address
Upper Ground, LondonSE1 9PX, UKPhone
+44 20 7452 3000The Southbank Centre has lots of free music events and there's Free foyer concerts at the National Theatre, also on the South Bank. You can enjoy free Monday lunchtime recitals at the Royal Opera House and regular free lunchtime concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
Visit the National Portrait Gallery
Address
St. Martin's Pl, LondonWC2H 0HE, UKPhone
+44 20 7306 0055Other major London art galleries include the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. I would also recommend The Wallace Collection as it's just off Oxford Street and makes a perfect escape from a busy shopping spree.
And remember, many of London's major art galleries and museumsstay open late.
See London from a New Perspective at Greenwich Park's Observatory
Address
![London London](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125661787/173542387.jpg)
Phone
+44 20 8691 8637Head to Greenwich Park for awesome views of London's skyline from the observatory.