The best free things to do in London

21.07.2023 - 07:30 / roughguides.com / London

Visiting London, it’s hard to imagine the UK is staggering its way out of a recession. Lamborghinis continue to roar down Bond Street, new restaurants pop up each week and in the hip East End, one can find many drinking 5 quid espresso drinks. However, there are plenty of budget-friendly things to do in London. Here is our guide to the best free things to do in London.

This article is inspired by our Rough Guide to England, your essential guide for travelling to England.

Thanks to those philanthropic Victorians, there are a great collection of free museums in London. Most of them double as architectural marvels. The Natural History Museum, V&A Museum of London and the Science Museum are great places to start. Also worth seeing is the British Museum, the Museum of London, and the Grant Museum of Zoology.

Most of London’s wonderful permanent art collections are free to all (stick that in your pipe Musée du Louvre!). As well as the National Gallery and the two Tates, try the Whitechapel Gallery or the newly revamped Photographers' Gallery. Or check out the art collection at the Queen's House.

Apart from buskers murdering Coldplay on the tube, you’ll find free music across the capital. Camden pubs such as the Lock Tavern regularly host free gigs while Rough Trade record stores put on in-store performances by surprisingly big names.

For some free Bach or Beethoven try a student performance at the Royal Academy of Music or an evening concert at St Martin’s in the Fields. If you’re under 26 you can also enjoy a huge range of free events at the Barbican arts centre.

A smile costs nothing so they say, especially on Tuesdays at the Camden Head Pub or Wednesdays at the Comedy Café. Each venue hosts free nights where comics try out new material (be gentle!).

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For a couple of quid, you can access the capital’s network of bulky-but-brilliant “Boris bikes” for 24hrs. Hiring the bikes is then free if you limit each ride to 30min (a range of apps help you find the docking points).

Ready to see the city via bike? Don't miss our guide to cycling in London.

With London Zoo costing a staggering £63 for a family of four, it’s worth knowing you can see wildlife for free in the capital. Richmond Park is famous for its herds of deer while the Lee Valley provides everything from butterflies to swooping peregrine falcons. An afternoon here is one of the best free things to do in London.

Pageantry breaks out regularly across London from the Changing the Guard outside of Buckingham Palace — which is free to view. For something less stuffy don’t miss the Notting Hill Carnival held each August bank holiday.

It's a wee bit cheeky but you can sample plenty of free titbits at London’s wonderful food markets. Try Borough for the