We love extravagant pop-ups as much as the next person (see our guide to the 500 best things to do in London if you’ve got some cash on hand!) but if your bank account is feeling the pinch – and this being London, we expect it might be – Secret London is here to lend a hand. We’ve put together an all-singing, all-dancing roundup of free things to do in London, and it’s a right humdinger of a list (if we do say so ourselves).
Whether your interest lies in museums, nature, or the unbridled thrill of getting into London’s top landmarks for free, we’ve found something to suit every taste here. So, give the debit/credit card a break and dive into the best free things to do in London!
Free museums in London
Yep, there are lots of free museums in London to visit for a cultural fix. Ancient art, fascinating objects, and even an 82-foot blue whale skeleton can be found in the capital’s array of museums, with hours and hours of fun to be had.
1. Museum of London
2. British Museum
3. The Chocolate Museum (only open on Sundays)
4. Science Museum
5. Design Museum
6. Natural History Museum
7. Queen’s House, Greenwich
8. Victoria & Albert Museum
9. Wellcome Collection
10. Imperial War Museum
11. Horniman Museum & Gardens
12. Sir John Soane’s Museum
13. Bank of England Museum
14. National Maritime Museum
15. Queer Britain
16. RAF Museum
17. Science Gallery London (reopening Summer 2022)
18. Grant Museum of Zoology
19. Museum of London Docklands
20. National Army Museum
Free gigs in London
Hearing about free stuff is just music to our ears. While we do also have a hell of a lot of paid-for gigs, there’s ample of free stuff too. From the buskers of Oxford Circus, to the halls of the Royal Opera House, music flows freely across the whole of London, and here’s where to find it.
21. Tinkle the ivories on one of London’s street pianos
22. See a concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
23. Catch a hot gig at the Old Blue Last
24. Attend a lunchtime concert at the Royal Academy of Music
25. Record your future hit at the Nando’s recording studio
26. Catch the next big thing at Rough Trade on Brick Lane
27. Catch one of the Royal Opera House’s free ‘Live at Lunch’ performances
Free performances in London
Don’t expect free theatre tickets, but we’ve got some pretty nifty things for you to do when it comes to the performing arts. Comedy, films, and a healthy amount of drama await you!
28. Watch the National Theatre’s sets being made at the Sherling High Level Walkway
29. Marvel at street performers in Covent Garden
30. Take a free acting masterclass at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
31. Spot a celeb at a film premiere at Leicester Square
32. Laugh yourself silly with free comedy shows from Angel Comedy
33. Or chortle away at the Top Secret Comedy Club, where regulars include Jack Whitehall, Joanne McNally, Omid Djalili, and Simon Amstell
34. Dive into the BFI’s film collection
35. Join a free theatre workshop at Almeida for Free
Free markets in London
They’re only free markets if you don’t buy anything, but there’s always free samples to be had… Meander around these gorgeous spots for the perfect weekend day out!
36. Maltby Street Market
37. Broadway Market
38. Leadenhall Market
39. Backyard Market
40. Columbia Road Flower Market
41. Camden Market
42. Greenwich Market
43. Portobello Road Market
44. Borough Market
45. Chiswick Flower Market
46. Brixton Village and Market
47. Old Spitalfields Market
48. Mercato Metropolitano
49. Pop Brixton
50. Vinegar Yard
51. Canopy Market
52. Victoria Park Market
53. Market Halls West End, the biggest food hall in the UK
54. Mercato Mayfair
Free art galleries in London
“There is no must in art because art is free.” It certainly is with these free art exhibitions and galleries, perfect for an eyeful of though-provoking paintings, sculptures, and installations. Just remember to pose thoughtfully, and you’ll fool anyone into thinking you’re a genius art critic.
55. Wander around the street art of East London
56. The National Gallery
57. Tate Britain
58. The Serpentine Galleries
59. Scenes in the Square, Leicester Square’s lovely, film-themed statue trail
60. Embrace the underground art scene with Leake Street’s graffiti
61. Somerset House
62. Saatchi Gallery
63. Whitechapel Gallery
64. The Wallace Collection
65. Enter a world of neon dreams at Gods Own Junkyard
66. National Portrait Gallery (currently closed for renovations)
67. Tate Modern
68. William Morris Gallery
69. White Cube Gallery
70. Head along to First Thursdays, when over 150 East London galleries stay open late
71. Be mesmerised by the mosaic madness of Carrie Reichardt’s house
72. Enjoy free events, art displays, and DJ sets at the monthly Tate Lates
Free attractions in London
I’ll level with you: most of the big tourist draws around town charge for entry, but we’ve found some sneaky ways around that (it is our job, after all). You wanted free attractions in London? You got ’em, kid.
73. Choral evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral is the only way to get in for free
74. Join one of the day-long celebrations in Trafalgar Square
75. Wander along the South Bank
76. Wellington Arch, although they’ll charge you if you want to go inside it
77. Explore Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
78. The O2
79. The Houses of Parliament are free to visit, but only if you’re a UK resident and arrange it through your local MP or a member of the House of Lords
80. Tower Bridge (this dizzying walk will cost you extra)
81. Mosey through Chinatown
82. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace won’t cost you a penny, but summer tours are pricey
83. Walking around the outside walls of the Tower of London
84. Big Ben is still closed, but historical talks are available free of charge
85. Westminster Cathedral (which is different to Westminster Abbey, just FYI)
86. Tourists have to pay to enter Westminster Abbey, including their previously hidden gallery – however, worshippers will get in for free
Free walks to go on in London
From free walking tours of London, to self-guided ambles, we’re here to get you up and wandering the streets of the capital. Stretch your legs, up your step count, and get a proper eyeful of nature with any of these lovely London walks.
87. A lovely stroll along Regent’s Canal
88. Walk the river with the Thames Path
89. Tackle the most efficient sightseeing tour of London
90. Pay what’s fair at this walking tour from Sandeman’s
91. See Shakespeare’s London
92. Walk the path of the Great Fire of London
93. Marvel at some glorious buildings on this architecture walk
94. Tackle the mammoth London LOOP walk
95. Wander the paths of Epping Forest
96. Or just take a walk that ends at the pub
Free views over London
It’s time to get high for free (not like that). See stunning, panoramic views of London from high-level platforms or by climbing really big hills, and find a new appreciation for this beautiful city.
97. The Sky Garden
98. Tate Modern Viewing Level
99. Primrose Hill
100. Parliament Hill
101. Greenwich Park
102. Alexandra Palace (which has a huge beer garden for the summer)
Free cute and colourful places to visit
All the colours of the rainbow, free of charge. See ravishing reds, brilliant blues, and gorgeous greens at London’s most eye-catching places, or mosey through the prettiest streets in London to fill your Instagram feeds with beauty.
103. Wander around these beautiful mews. Or these ones. Maybe these? So many mews!
104. Explore the picturesque Shad Thames
105. Marvel at Notting Hill’s colourful streets
106. Climb your way up Peckham Levels’ vibrant stairs
107. Lose yourself in Neal’s Yard
108. Feel futuristic in the Kings Cross illuminated tunnel
109. Shop under the colourful Carnaby lights
110. Meander through the charming Cecil Court, filled with old bookshops
Free exercise classes in London
Blergh. But better it’s free than spending £60 a month on the gym, am I right even though some gym memberships are cheaper? Whether you’re on wheels, a yoga mat, or on your own two feet, you needn’t break the bank to work out, because London is your playground.
111. Get your skates on with free rollerskating lessons
112. Find inner peace with lunchtime meditation sessions
113. Work up a sweat at these exercise classes
114. Strike a pose with free yoga classes
115. Show off your tricks at the famous South Bank skate park
116. Join a running club
117. Use London’s parks to get fit
118. Explore the city at top speed with a free London parkour class
Free parks and gardens in London
Park yourself at one of these spots for a fabulously free afternoon, or wander beneath the trees and reconnect with nature. Oh, and if you’re enjoying this massive list, we’ve got another one dedicated entirely to parks and gardens!
119. Hyde Park (a classic)
120. Walthamstow Wetlands
121. Kyoto Garden
122. Postman’s Park
123. Regent’s Park
124. Barbican Conservatory
125. Paddington’s Floating Pocket Park
126. Hampstead Hill Gardens and Pergola
127. Crossrail Place Roof Garden
128. St Dunstan in the East
129. Battersea Park and the London Peace Pagoda
130. The Isabella Plantation, found in the tranquil heart of Richmond Park
131. St James’s Park, famous for its annual carpet of daffodils and cherry blossoms
132. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden – and their gorgeous Pumpkin Festival!
133. Tranquil Crossbones Garden, home to London’s forgotten dead
134. The Garden at 120, with ravishing rooftop views
135. Red Cross Garden, in the shadow of The Shard
136. The Tide, Greenwich’s fancy Thameside park
Best shops in London to explore
These places are perfect for a browse, but you’ll have to resist temptation to keep that whole free thing going. From historic department stores to cute independent shops, this city is a shopper’s paradise.
137. Liberty
138. House of Hackney
139. Westfield (at both White City and Stratford)
140. Conservatory Archives
141. Harrods
142. Daunt Books, Marylebone
143. Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
144. The Royal Arcade
145. The dreamy Bluebird store in Covent Garden
146. Hatchards, the royal-approved bookshop
Even more free things to do in London
You weren’t tired of free stuff in London, were you? Good, cause we aren’t close to being done yet – here’s the best of the rest, with an incredible smorgasbord of experiences and places to check out across the city.
147. Marvel at the beauty of this stunning Hindu temple
148. Argue your case at Speaker’s Corner
149. Learn something new at the British Library
150. Wander round one of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries
151. Take a tour of Brixton Windmill
152. Watch Battersea Power Station’s transformation into ultra-luxe flats (also look out for this insane sky pool and two new Northern line stations!)
153. Admire the Brutalist architecture of the Barbican Estate
154. See the Churchill Arms, the flower power pub of London
155. Visit the mysterious Roman temple in the City
156. Amble through the stunning Hays Galleria
157. Attend a free lecture at Gresham College
158. Hunt for your dream home in Kensington and Chelsea
159. Pay your respects at David Bowie’s memorial mural in Brixton
160. Recreate THAT album cover on Abbey Road
161. See cute animals for free at a city farm – try Hackney, Spitalfields, Vauxhall or Kentish Town
162. Pose outside No. 10 Downing Street (the fake one)
163. Watch the swift hand of justice at The Old Bailey
164. Magic up a photo op at Platform 9 and 3/4
165. Visit the Actor’s Church
166. Dive into the past at London’s Roman amphitheatre
167. Uncover the secrets of Freemason’s Hall
168. Find tranquility at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
169. Experience the hustle, bustle, and billboards of Piccadilly Circus
170. See medieval magnificence in the Guildhall Great Hall
171. Paddle the waters of London with Moo Canoes – free if you attend their monthly canal litter-picking events
172. Aim “fore” success at Croydon Disc Golf (bring your own disc to keep it free)
173. Explore the artwork of the Harry Potter films at the magical House of MinaLima
174. Hunt down the seven noses of Soho
175. Follow Camden’s Hollywood-style Walk of Fame
176. Skip London altogether and explore these breathtaking nearby villages or go on some of these country walks
177. Or dream a little bigger and conquer a nearby castle
178. Get inventive and explore London by way of the Monopoly board!
Free seasonal events in London
Ok, so they’re free, but they won’t be around all year. These seasonal delights are often short and sweet – but they’ll certainly keep you coming back to London all year long!
179. Be dazzled by a stunning free light festival: Winter Lights (January)
180. Partake in London’s Chinese New Year parade, the largest outside of Asia (February)
181. Celebrate amazing women for International Women’s Day (March)
182. Support your pals in the London Landmarks Half Marathon – or try and run it yourself… (April or October)
183. See all of London in bloom, from bluebells, to cherry blossom, to wisteria (April/May)
184. Find hidden green spaces during Open Garden Squares Weekend (June)
185. Get your new profile pic at Mayfield Lavender Farm – it’s free for under 16s, but adults will have to pay a small fee to see the lavender (June to August)
186. Show your true colours at Pride in London (July)
187. See all the smashing action during Wimbledon (July).
188. Head to London’s overnight art festival (July).
189. Pick up a free plant at the RHS’s Big Plant Giveaway (July)
190. Boogie your way around Notting Hill Carnival (August)
191. Kick back at Ruislip Lido, the beach you can reach on the Tube (Summer)
192. Watch the summer slip by from the Granary Square steps (and play in the fountains!) (Summer)
193. Cool off at one of the capital’s best wild swimming spots (Summer – or Winter if you’re hardy enough!)
194. Wander round London’s most impressive buildings for free at Open House London (September)
195. Challenge yourself to the mighty London Marathon! (October)
196. Marvel at Blackheath’s free fireworks display (November)
197. See the splendour of the Lord Mayor’s show (November)
198. Feel the festive cheer at one of London’s Christmas markets (November/December)
199. Join in the merry madness of Santacon (December)
200. Stroll beneath London’s dazzling array of Christmas lights (December)
Also published on Medium.
