20 Free Things to Do in London: All Time Favourites
There are more free things to do in London than you could realistically fit into one trip. That isn't a sales line; it's simply how the city works. Most of the national museums have been free since 2001. The royal parks belong to everyone. And some of the best skyline views cost nothing but a little planning.
So yes, you can absolutely visit London on a budget. You'll still pay for the Tube and your coffee.
In this guide, you'll find 20 free London attractions worth your time. They range from world-famous museums to quiet corners most visitors walk straight past. You'll also get a ready-made walking route for a full day, a list of places that need advance booking, and advice on the best times to go.
Along the way, we've matched five favourites with a nearby Leonardo Hotel, so you can stay close to the action. Ready? Then let’s start!
The Best Free Things to Do in London by Category:
- Free museums: British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, V&A, Science Museum, Tate Modern
- Royal sights: Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace (from outside), Houses of Parliament public galleries
- Parks and nature: Hyde Park, St James's Park, Regent's Park, Hampstead Heath, Kyoto Garden
- Markets and street life: Borough Market, Camden Market, Covent Garden, Spitalfields
20 Free Things to Do in London
1. Get Lost in the British Museum
Start with the big one. The British Museum in Bloomsbury is free to enter and holds around eight million objects. The Rosetta Stone is here. So are the Parthenon Sculptures and the Anglo-Saxon treasure from Sutton Hoo.
You won't see it all. Nobody does. Pick two or three galleries and go deep instead. The Egyptian mummies are always a hit with kids.
Entry is free, but booking a timed slot online can speed things up in peak season. Special exhibitions are ticketed.
Where to stay: NYX Hotel London Holborn is just a few steps away from the museum. Walk over after breakfast and you'll beat the tour groups. Book your stay at NYX Hotel London Holborn
2. See the Masters at the National Gallery
The National Gallery overlooks Trafalgar Square, and it's one of the best free things to see in London. Van Gogh's Sunflowers hangs here. So does Turner's The Fighting Temeraire, alongside works by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt.
Afterwards, step outside and check what's on the Fourth Plinth. It hosts a rotating piece of contemporary art that locals love to argue about.
Right around the corner, the National Portrait Gallery is also free. It reopened in 2023 after a major refurbishment and feels bright and modern inside.
3. Spend a Day on Exhibition Road
South Kensington is home to three of the finest free places to visit in London, all within a few minutes' walk of each other.
- Natural History Museum: Walk into Hintze Hall and look up. A giant blue whale skeleton called Hope hangs above you.
- Science Museum: Space rockets, early computers and hands-on galleries. The interactive Wonderlab is ticketed, but plenty is free.
- V&A: The world's leading museum of art and design. Don't miss the courtyard garden on a sunny afternoon.
This trio is the easiest free family day out in the city. Arrive early on weekends, as queues build fast.
4. Cross the Millennium Bridge to Tate Modern
Tate Modern lives inside a former power station on Bankside. The vast Turbine Hall alone is worth the trip. The permanent collection, with works by Picasso, Rothko and Hockney, is free.
Head up to the Level 10 viewing terrace for a free view across the Thames. From here, you look straight at the dome of St Paul's Cathedral.
Then walk across the Millennium Bridge towards it. The path lines up perfectly with the cathedral steps, which makes for a great photo.
Where to stay: Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul's sits right beside the cathedral. The bridge becomes your morning shortcut to the South Bank. Book your stay at Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul's
5. Watch the Changing of the Guard
Yes, you can watch the Changing of the Guard for free. The ceremony usually begins at 11am outside Buckingham Palace, with a band and guards in bearskin hats.
It doesn't happen every day, so check the official schedule before you go. Arrive by 10.15am for a spot near the palace railings or on the Victoria Memorial steps.
You don't need a ticket to see Buckingham Palace from outside. Touring the State Rooms is paid, and only possible in summer.
Want fewer crowds? Try Horse Guards Parade, where the mounted King's Life Guard changes daily. It's calmer and just as photogenic.
Where to stay: The Dilly sits on Piccadilly, a pleasant stroll through Green Park to the palace gates. You can be at the railings well before the crowds. Book your stay at The Dilly
6. Meet the Pelicans in St James's Park
St James's Park is the prettiest of the royal parks. It's also one of the easiest places to enjoy nature in Central London.
Pelicans have lived here since the 1600s, when an ambassador gifted them to King Charles II. They're usually fed in the early afternoon near Duck Island Cottage.
Stand on the Blue Bridge over the lake. Look one way for Buckingham Palace, the other for the rooftops of Whitehall. It's one of the loveliest free views in town.
7. Watch the Parliament debate
Here's one many visitors miss. When Parliament is sitting, you can watch debates from the public galleries of the House of Commons and House of Lords for free. Just join the queue at the Cromwell Green entrance and pass through security.
Outside, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square are classic things to see in London for free. Entry to the Abbey is paid, but you can attend a service, such as Choral Evensong, without charge. Hearing the choir in that space is unforgettable.
8. Wander Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Together, these two parks cover over 250 hectares. They're among the best free places in London for a long, lazy afternoon.
- Visit the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
- Pop into the free Serpentine Galleries for contemporary art
- Take kids to the Diana Memorial Playground, with its huge wooden pirate ship
- Head to Speakers' Corner on a Sunday morning for some lively public debate
9. Book a Free Slot at Sky Garden
Is Sky Garden free? It is, but you must book. This leafy glass dome sits on top of 20 Fenchurch Street, the building locals call the Walkie Talkie.
Free tickets are released online, usually about three weeks ahead. Sunset slots vanish in minutes, so set a reminder. Bring photo ID and expect airport-style security.
Once inside, you'll get a 360-degree view that takes in The Shard, Tower Bridge and the river snaking west.
Where to stay: Leonardo Royal Hotel London City is on Cooper's Row, a short walk from Sky Garden. Grab that sunset slot without worrying about the journey back. Book your stay at Leonardo Royal Hotel London City
10. Catch the Sunset on Primrose Hill
At the northern edge of Regent's Park, Primrose Hill offers one of London's best free views. The skyline view from the top is legally protected, so nothing can be built to block it.
Come at golden hour with a picnic. Afterwards, stroll through Regent's Park to Queen Mary's Gardens. In June, thousands of roses bloom there.
11. Escape to Hampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath feels more like countryside than city. It's wild, hilly and perfect for a long walk.
Climb Parliament Hill for a sweeping skyline panorama. Then head north to Kenwood House, a stately home with free entry. Inside, you'll find paintings by Vermeer and Rembrandt. It's one of the most rewarding free activities to do in London, and it feels far from the tourist trail.
12. Stroll the South Bank
The riverside walk from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge is one of the best free walks in London. It's roughly 5 kilometres and flat all the way.
You'll pass the London Eye, the Southbank Centre and the second-hand book stalls under Waterloo Bridge. Street performers gather along the river on weekends too. This stretch packs in more free places to see in London than almost anywhere else.
13. Walk Across Tower Bridge
You don't need a ticket to walk across Tower Bridge. The exhibition inside is paid, but the walkways and views are free.
From the bridge, you'll see the Tower of London, the Thames and the towers of the City. Afterwards, explore the cobbled lanes of Shad Thames or the boats in St Katharine Docks. These are some of the most atmospheric things to visit in London for free.
Where to stay: Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge is about 15 minutes' walk from the Tower of London. Try an early riverside walk before the city wakes up. Book your stay at Leonardo Royal Hotel London Tower Bridge
14. Watch Street Performers in Covent Garden
The West Piazza in Covent Garden has hosted street entertainment for centuries. Today, performers audition for a licence to appear there. Expect jugglers, acrobats and opera singers.
Watching street acts here is one of the best free activities in London. Keep a coin handy, though. Tipping is customary.
For a quiet moment, slip into the garden of St Paul's Church, known as the Actors' Church. Then wander to Neal's Yard, a tiny courtyard painted in bright colours.
15. Browse Borough Market
Borough Market near London Bridge has been feeding Londoners for about 1,000 years. You don't have to buy anything to enjoy it. The smells, the chatter and the towers of cheese are entertainment enough.
Go on a weekday morning to avoid the Saturday crush. Then step into Southwark Cathedral next door, which is free to enter.
16. Explore Camden and Walk Regent's Canal
Camden Market is loud, colourful and full of character. Browsing costs nothing, and the people-watching is excellent.
For some quiet free stuff to do in London, follow the Regent's Canal towpath west. You'll pass the edge of London Zoo and end in Little Venice, with its painted narrowboats. The walk takes about an hour.
17. Discover the East End Markets
In Spitalfields, the covered Old Spitalfields Market trades most days. Nearby, Brick Lane is an open-air gallery of ever-changing street art.
On Sunday mornings, Columbia Road Flower Market fills with traders calling out their prices. Even without buying a single tulip, it's a joy to browse. Arrive early for the best atmosphere.
18. Step Inside Sir John Soane's Museum
This is one of London's best lesser-known free attractions. Sir John Soane's Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields is the preserved home of a Georgian architect.
Every wall and corner is packed with paintings, sculptures and curiosities. Highlights include Hogarth's series A Rake's Progress and an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus.
Numbers inside are limited, so you may queue briefly. It's closed early in the week, so check opening days first. Of all the free things to visit in London, this one feels the most personal.
19. Find the Ruins of St Dunstan in the East
Tucked between office blocks, St Dunstan in the East is a medieval church damaged in the Blitz. Today, its ruins are a garden. Ivy climbs the Gothic windows and trees grow where the pews once stood.
Pair it with Leadenhall Market, whose Victorian glass roof has appeared in several films. Both are free sites to see in London, and they're best on weekdays when the City is buzzing.
20. Relax in the Kyoto Garden
In Holland Park, the Kyoto Garden is a peaceful Japanese garden. It was a gift from the city of Kyoto in 1991.
Expect a waterfall, koi carp and stone lanterns. Peacocks often strut along the paths. Autumn is spectacular, when the maples turn red. Of all the free things in London, this might be the most calming.
How to Spend a Full Day in London Without Paying for Attractions
You can easily fill a whole day without paying for a single ticket. This walking route links several places to visit in London for free, from Westminster to Covent Garden and the South Bank.
- 10.15am: Find a spot for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.
- 12pm: Picnic in St James's Park, then walk through Horse Guards Parade.
- 1pm: Follow Whitehall to Trafalgar Square and spend an hour in the National Gallery.
- 3pm: Watch street performers in Covent Garden.
- 4.30pm: Cross Waterloo Bridge for a free river view, then walk east along the South Bank.
- 6pm: Head up to Tate Modern Level 10, then cross the Millennium Bridge to One New Change for sunset.
Best Time to Visit Free Attractions
Weekday mornings are the quietest time for museums. Several national museums also offer late openings on selected evenings, which are relaxed and much less busy.
For parks and walks, spring and early autumn bring mild weather and thinner crowds. Winter has its own charm, with free Christmas lights along Regent Street and Oxford Street.
FAQ: Free Things to Do in London
Can you visit London on a budget?
Yes, very easily. Many major museums, parks and viewpoints are completely free. Pay by contactless to cap travel costs. Picnics and market lunches keep food costs down too.
Which famous London attractions are free?
The British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum and Tate Modern are all free. So are the Changing of the Guard, the royal parks and walking across Tower Bridge. Special exhibitions may charge.
Can I spend a full day in London without paying for attractions?
Absolutely. Start with the Changing of the Guard, then walk through St James's Park to Trafalgar Square. Continue to Covent Garden and finish along the South Bank. Every stop is free.
Conclusion
London proves that the best things in life really can be free. From ancient treasures at the British Museum to sunset on Primrose Hill, the best places to visit in London for free are everywhere. Plan a little, pack a picnic and follow your curiosity.
Want to wake up close to it all? Find your perfect Leonardo Hotel in London and spend your savings on something delicious instead.
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