Free Things to do in London
With a lot of us a bit strapped for cash this summer, we thought we'd let you in on a few great days out across the capital that will cost you absolutely nothing.
Last updated: 2nd Aug 2023
Originally published: 22nd Jun 2022
London is a very cool city, but can often cost an arm and a leg just to have a good time, so, with a lot of us a bit strapped for cash this summer, we thought we'd let you in on a few great days out across the capital that will cost you absolutely nothing.
Whether you're a student looking for something to do with your newfound pals before a student night out this fresher's week (we also have a list of the best student bars and clubs for you to check out), or just a local looking for something to do this weekend that won't break the bank, London more than has you covered.
There are loads of cheap things to do and cheap places to eat, but when looking for free things to do in London, you may be surprised that there's actually so much to do. You can indulge in some history, stroll around a gallery and feast your eyes on some artwork, get some picturesque views of the capital's skyline, or maybe even do something a bit more left-field, we've got everything you could want possibly want to do covered.
So scroll down and check it out!
Image: The British Museum on Facebook
When: Open 10am - 5pm year-round, with late openings on Fridays.
Where: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
This is top on the list to absolutely no one's surprise, The British Museum is one of London's most visited, biggest, and most impressive sites to visit, and you can do it all for absolutely nowt. Whilst you do have to pay for some of the temporary exhibits, you can still take advantage of some of the world's most famous artefacts.
Relive the decryption of the hieroglyphs with The Rosetta Stone, gawp at the ornate collections of Greek artefacts, or maybe appreciate the more modern pieces created for the Museum like The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, or The Tree of Life.
The sheer amount you get all for free means it's worth a visit, just remember to book in advance to not be disappointed!
Gods Own Junkyard
Image: Gods Own Junkyard on Facebook
When: 11am - 10pm Fridays and Saturdays, 11am - 6pm Sundays
Where: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall Street, Walthamstow
Walthamstow's kaleidoscopic warehouse may not be so secret anymore, you can thank Instagram for that, but it is still one of the coolest places to explore in London.
What on earth is it you may ask. Well, the site, started by Soho strip club sign maker turned Hollywood prop purveyor Chris Bracey, is a mass stockpile of neon signs and movie props that Bracey collected over the years. These signs can be bought or rented (for a hefty fee), but you can go and have a gander for free, and it is well worth seeing for yourself.
Image: Sky Garden on Facebook
When: 10am - 6pm Weekdays and 11am - 9pm Weekends
Where: 1, Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
A proper good view of London can be hard to come by, especially for free, but the Sky Garden, a stunning three-story atrium located on top of the Walkie-Talkie building, provides some of the best views of the city possible.
Alongside the cascading views, there is a sub-tropical garden that screams put me on your story, and you'll struggle to not just sit with your phone out taking pictures.
We'd advise booking your time there beforehand, to avoid any disappointment, but they do accept walk-ins.
Image: Tate on Facebook
When: 10am - 6pm Monday to Sunday
Where: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Now for another, that needs no introduction, London's mecca of modern art, the Tate Modern. The iconic site contains over a hundred years of art history, from modernism in the early 1900s, to the bold and exciting pieces being created today. The site includes paintings, sculptures, and so much more from artists all over the world such as Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Salvador Dali to name a few.
The best part is that (again) it's all free, the only thing that you have to do something for is Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Rooms, where you will have to obtain a free members ticket. But believe us it's worth the hassle.
Image: Leadenhall Market on Facebook
When: Public Area open 24/7, for shop times check individual sites
Where: Gracechurch St, London EC3V 1LT
If it's stunning architecture and a good old peruse you're after then look no further than London's most beautiful market, Leadenhall Market. The site is 700 years old and has been a hub of food vendors for most of its history. It is also thought that a Roman-era Bazaar was located there since the 1st century. So it's fair to say the site is steeped in history.
Besides that, the place is just breathtakingly beautiful, and you may recognise a lot of it from Harry Potter, as it was used as the filming location for Diagon Alley. Just walking through it is enough of an experience in itself, and as it's free to do so, is essential to visit whenever looking for places to visit in London for free.
London Mithraeum
Image: London Mithraeum on Facebook
When: Opening times on the Website
Where: 12 Walbrook, London, EC4N 8AA
This one's a bit of a weird one, but we reckon it's gonna pique your interest. A museum surrounding the ruins of a Roman temple, dedicated to the mysterious figure of Mithras, who had an array of cultish followers that shrouded themselves in secrecy. A bit mental innit?
Tucked underneath the Bloomberg buildings, and is one of four temples to Mithras that have been discovered in the UK (who knows how many more there are). But yet, experts don't know a lot about the cult character, and it's thought that his worshippers gathered in darkened temples and perform animal sacrifices and drank in his honour.
The place is weird, wonderful and worth a visit, especially as you can experience it all for free.
Image: Leake Street Tunnel on Facebook
When: Open 24/7
Where: Leake Street, SE1 7NN, London
This tunnel is one of the hottest Street Art spots in a city full of fantastic street art. The site is also a living breathing canvas of everchanging artwork, as it's free for anyone to graffiti on. At 300 metres long, this makes the tunnel the largest legal wall in the city, and one of the best .
Before 2008, the tunnel was dark and grimy, with little to no character. That was until Banksy came along and invited a whole host of internationally recognised artists to give it a cheeky little makeover. Ever since, the legal, safe space and open nature of the wall mean that no two visits are ever the same, there's no better place to digest street art in the city.
Image: Natural History Museum on Facebook
When: Open 10am - 5:50pm, Monday - Sunday
Where: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
If you haven't realised by now, one of the best things about London is the fact that all of its biggest museums and galleries are free, and one that more than deserves a mention is The Natural History Museum. Whether you wanna test out your roar compared to a T-Rex's, experience what it's like to be in the middle of an Earthquake, or maybe you just wanna feast your eyes on the plethora of natural artefacts on show, the museum has it all, and if anything you have to go to see the whale skeleton (look up!).
Walk-ins are usually fine, but if you're planning to go on a busy day you may wanna book in advance.
BFI Mediatheque
Image: Photo by Daniel Klein on Unsplash
When: 11am - 9pm Tuesday to Sunday
Where: Belvedere Rd, London, SE1
Now, I know what you're thinking, when has a cinema been cheap? never mind free? Well, have we got a place to show you. BFI Mediatheque, located on London Southbank, is home to the 'world's most important and diverse collection of films and TV,' and it's all free to dive into and explore.
There are cool little private or group rooms to chill and watch something, and more content than anyone could watch in a lifetime, go on, try it, we challenge you.
Image: Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash
When: Open from 10am Monday to Friday, 8am Saturday
Where: 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL
Situated at the southern end of London Bridge, this iconic market has been serving cockneys for nearly a thousand years, and the hustle and bustle of the place has never subsided. Whether you're after a quick bite to eat, a look at where all the top restaurants do their grocery shopping, or you just wanna take in the culture and history, it's worth a stroll through.
Plus, there are often loads of testers being given out daily, so you can do it on the cheap!
To find even more events happening across the English capital in 2023, click or tap - HERE
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events, and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
