10 Free Things to Do in London, UK
As one of the most expensive cities in Europe, it’s a great idea to visit some of the free attractions to keep costs down. Thankfully, London has hundreds of things to see and do for £0 and they are all interesting, especially if you love British Culture.
Here are some excellent free things to do when you next visit the English capital. Please give our regards to Queen Elizabeth II.
Visit a London Museum
There are multiple free museums dotted around the city, so whether you like history, science or animals, there is sure to be one that takes your fancy. Here are our 5 favourites:
Walk along the Southbank
Start from the famous Westminster Bridge towards Borough Market. Along the way you will pass by and see some of London’s most well-known buildings and structures. For example, Big Ben, The London Eye, Waterloo Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. See what is happening in the cultural district of Southbank here.
Pick up a book
Only joking! But we do advise a quick visit to the British Library which is free to enter. The interior is breath-taking but more excitingly you can feast your eyes on the Magna Carta, which is perhaps one of most important documents in British history. Also, you can examine the song lyrics of The Beatles classics.
Step back into Roman times
In 200 AD, the Romans built a protective wall around the city, which was then called Londinium. A surprising amount of the 2 miles London wall still exists today and it is totally free to admire. Start your time travel adventure at Tower Bridge.
Salute the Queen
Buckingham Palace does offer tours, but sadly they are not free. What is free however, is watching the changing of the guard, which takes place every day at 11:30am. Arrive early to beat the crowds.
Take a stroll through a London park
Although London is a massive city that is alive all hours of the day, there are also many peaceful green parks for you to escape the hustle and bustle of tourist life. The largest park in London is the Royal Park of Richmond at 2500 acres. Here you can experience the city skyline from a distance, admire ancient trees and herds of deer. Hyde Park, is an additional park worth visiting. It is known for the famous Serpentine (river or lake) and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain.
Admire art
The following galleries offer free entrance for art lovers – National Gallery, Tate Modern, Saatchi Gallery, National Portrait Gallery and White Cube Gallery.
Become a wizard for the day
There are lots of spots around London which were featured in the massive British franchise, Harry Potter. Visit these places to be taken to Platform 9 ¾, Diagon Alley and many more magical film locations.>
- London Euston Train Station – Hold a trolley as it passes through the wall
- St Pancras Station – exterior is the used as the train station
- Piccadilly Circus – Hermione, Ron and Harry escape the wedding in HP7 to here
- Millennium Bridge – features in HP6
- Leadenhall Market – Diagon Alley
Party at a Free Festival
London is synonymous with outdoor events, like marathons, concerts and festivals. There is no need to start training because you can party and celebrate life at a London street festival. The largest festivals include the brightly coloured Pride in London parade, the rambunctious Notting Hill Carnival, Chinese New Year in Chinatown and the 30 day Totally Thames Festival.
Challenge yourself
Complete the 17-mile Jubilee Walkway, which is broken down into 5 manageable sections. This pathway is clearly marked on the pavements and showcases London’s epic landmarks. You will also read about the historical events that occurred at each location on a panel located on the ground.
The sections are the Western Loop (6 miles), the Eastern Loop (3.4 miles), the City Loop (2 miles), the Camden Loop (3.9 miles) and the Jubilee Loop (2 miles).
If you do this you will have seen a majority of London’s revolutionary and innovative structures. You may go home with tired legs, but your experience will be larger than life and you’ll have some of the best photographs to keep as everlasting memory reminders. When you finish this challenge, print off this certificate, and proudly hang it in your home.
