12 of the best free things to do in London

08.09.2023 - 17:35 / lonelyplanet.com / Pablo Picasso / Andy Warhol / Tracey Emin / Tate Modern / Damien Hirst / Mark Rothko / Art / London

For locals, it's a well-known fact that many of the UK capital’s best attributes are completely free to enjoy. In London you can walk through two millennia of history, delve into a cornucopia of treasures, go on a music and art odyssey, and soak in some of the most iconic views on Earth – all without spending a single penny. Here’s where to start.

One of the best ways to get a grasp of London’s immense history and diverse communities is to set off on two feet. The whole city center is walkable and its winding, twisting, turning streets are an adventure in themselves. Dozens of free walking guides are available online, pointing out notable landmarks and offering facts about the areas you find yourself in. When walking anywhere in London, don’t forget to look up; ancient gargoyles, detailed facades and old signage can be found at every turn.

Local tip: Movie fans should look up filming locations, everything from James Bond (Skyfall, Spectre and No Time To Die) and the Bourne Ultimatum to Love Actually, 28 Days Later and Les Miserables has been filmed in London.

The Natural History Museum houses some 80 million specimens under a spectacular Gothic structure. From a full skeleton of the largest mammal on Earth to ancient bones of those who once roamed the Earth, this magnificent collection of things from the natural world began more than 200 years ago and is entirely free to visit (pre-booking advised).

Local tip: Check the museum’s website for regular free guided tours and workshops.

London’s free galleries are many, and boy they are good. Smaller spaces include the Serpentine Gallery – which has showcased big guns in the modern art world including Henry Moore, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst and Tomoko Takahashi – and the Saatchi Gallery, which celebrates contemporary artists on the way up. Then there’s the art-world Goliath that is the Tate Modern, housed in the striking old Bankside Power Station, with hundreds of works over seven large gallery floors from Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko to Nan Goldin and Tracey Emin.

Local tip: Roam a neon wonderland in a salvage yard in Walthamstow, God’s Own Junkyard is home to hundreds of electric signs.

In summer Londoners head for the city’s 3,000 free parks. These glorious green social spaces are the places to get away from the bustle of the city, read a book, nature watch, picnic or lounge in a deckchair, but they also host numerous events – look out for free outdoor theater shows, guided nature walks, live music, movie screenings, sports tournaments, festivals and more on park websites.

Local tip: Visit Greenwich Park to stand at Longitude Zero (0° 0' 0”), from which every place on earth is measured. Step over the Prime Meridian line to transport yourself into