Free Attractions and Things to Do in London
London is one of the best cities in the world to visit if you want to see and do a lot without spending a lot of money. Many of the city’s best museums, parks, markets, viewpoints and famous landmarks are completely free, which makes London surprisingly good for budget travellers.
Some of the most famous places in London, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Hyde Park, St James’s Park, Sky Garden, the South Bank, and many historic landmarks, can all be visited for free. You could easily spend several days in London and visit world-class museums, walk past famous landmarks, explore markets and enjoy great views without paying for many attractions.
One of the best ways to enjoy London for free is simply walking around central London, especially along the River Thames, Westminster, Covent Garden, Soho, Notting Hill and Greenwich. Many of London’s most famous sights can be seen from the outside without buying tickets.
This guide covers the best free things to do in London, including museums, parks, markets, viewpoints and walking routes so you can plan your trip and save money while still seeing the best parts of the city.
Free Museums in London
London has some of the best museums in the world, and many of them are completely free to enter. This is one of the reasons London is such a great city to visit because you can see ancient history, science, art, natural history and world cultures without paying for museum tickets.
The British Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world and contains historical objects from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and many other civilisations. The Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies are some of the most popular exhibits.
The Natural History Museum is one of the most popular museums in London, especially for families and children. The building itself is impressive, and inside you will find dinosaur skeletons, animals, fossils and space exhibits.
The Science Museum, located next to the Natural History Museum, focuses on technology, space, engineering and inventions. These two museums are located in South Kensington, so they are easy to visit on the same day.
The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square is free to enter and contains famous paintings from artists such as Van Gogh, Monet and Leonardo da Vinci. Art galleries like the Tate Modern, located near the River Thames and St Paul’s Cathedral, are also free to enter and are located in interesting parts of London for sightseeing.
Many visitors are surprised that these museums are free because in many cities museums are very expensive. Visiting a few of London’s free museums is one of the best free things to do in London, especially if the weather is bad or you want to spend a few hours indoors.
Free London Parks and Gardens
London is a very green city with many large parks and gardens that are completely free to visit. Visiting London’s parks is a great way to relax, walk, and escape the busy city streets for a while.
Hyde Park is one of the largest and most famous parks in London. You can walk around the lake, visit Kensington Gardens, see Kensington Palace from the outside, and walk along tree-lined paths through the park. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are connected and together form one of the largest green spaces in central London.
St James’s Park, located near Buckingham Palace, is one of the most beautiful parks in central London and has great views towards Buckingham Palace and Westminster. This park is easy to visit when exploring Westminster, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
Regent’s Park is another large park and is located near Camden and Primrose Hill. If you walk up Primrose Hill, you will get one of the best free views of the London skyline.
Greenwich Park is another excellent park with great views over London and Canary Wharf, and it is also close to the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian line.
Visiting parks like Hyde Park, St James’s Park, Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park is one of the easiest and most relaxing free things to do in London, especially on a sunny day.
Free London Markets
London has many markets that are free to visit and are great places to walk around, try street food, and explore different areas of the city. Even if you do not buy anything, markets are still interesting places to visit and experience London’s atmosphere.
Borough Market, located near London Bridge, is one of the most famous food markets in London. You can walk around the market for free and see food stalls, bakeries, street food and international food stands. It is a great place to visit when exploring the South Bank, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London area.
Camden Market is one of the most famous markets in London and is known for street food, shops, music, and the canals around Camden. This area feels very different from Westminster and central London and is worth visiting if you want to see a different side of the city.
Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill is famous for antiques, street markets and colourful houses. The area is very popular for walking and photography, especially on market days.
Greenwich Market and Spitalfields Market are also popular markets that are free to visit and are located in interesting parts of London.
Visiting markets like Borough Market, Camden Market, Portobello Road Market and Greenwich Market is one of the most enjoyable free things to do in London, even if you are just walking around and not buying anything.
Free London Views and Viewpoints
London has many excellent viewpoints that are completely free, and some of them offer views just as good as paid attractions like the London Eye or The Shard. Visiting viewpoints is one of the best free things to do in London because you can see the skyline, the River Thames and many famous landmarks from above.
One of the most popular free viewpoints is Sky Garden, which is located at the top of a skyscraper in the City of London. Entry is free, but you usually need to book a time slot in advance. From the top you can see Tower Bridge, the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and the River Thames.
Another free viewing platform is Horizon 22, which is one of the highest free viewing platforms in London and offers excellent views across the city. Like Sky Garden, you normally need to book a free ticket in advance.
If you prefer outdoor viewpoints, Primrose Hill near Regent’s Park offers one of the best skyline views in London, especially at sunset. Greenwich Park also has a great view over Canary Wharf and East London.
You can also get great views from bridges such as Waterloo Bridge, Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, and from walking along the South Bank of the River Thames.
Visiting viewpoints like Sky Garden, Horizon 22, Primrose Hill and Greenwich Park is one of the best free things to do in London and gives you some of the best views in the city without paying for observation decks.
Free Walking Routes in London
One of the best ways to see London for free is simply walking through the city. Many of London’s most famous landmarks are relatively close together, and walking allows you to see historic streets, parks and river views that you would miss if you travelled everywhere by Underground.
One of the best free walks in London is the South Bank walk, which runs along the River Thames from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. Along this walk you will pass the London Eye, Southbank Centre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, St Paul’s Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, Borough Market and Tower Bridge. This walk alone includes many of London’s most famous sights.
Another great walk is from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square, walking along The Mall and then continuing to Covent Garden and Soho. This route takes you through some of the most famous central London areas.
You could also walk around Notting Hill and Portobello Road, along the canals between Little Venice and Camden, or around Greenwich and the River Thames in East London.
Walking routes like the South Bank, Westminster, Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Greenwich are some of the best free things to do in London and also help you see a lot of the city without spending money on transport.
Free Historic Buildings and Landmarks
Many of London’s most famous landmarks can be seen for free from the outside, and walking around these historic areas is one of the best ways to experience the city.
You can see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London all without buying tickets to go inside. Even if you do not visit the paid attractions, seeing these famous landmarks from the outside is still one of the main reasons people visit London.
Areas such as Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Soho and the City of London are full of historic buildings, squares and streets that are free to explore. Walking around these areas is often more interesting than visiting individual attractions.
You can also watch the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace, which is free to watch and one of the most popular traditional ceremonies in London.
Exploring historic areas like Westminster, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden is one of the easiest and most popular free things to do in London.
Free Things to Do in London at Night
London is also a great city to explore in the evening, and many of the best nighttime activities are completely free. Walking around London at night allows you to see many famous landmarks lit up, which often looks even more impressive than during the day.
One of the best free evening activities is walking along the South Bank at night, where you can see the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, Tower Bridge and the River Thames illuminated. This is one of the best free evening walks in London.
You can also walk around Westminster at night to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament lit up, which is one of the most famous night views in London.
Areas like Covent Garden, Soho and Piccadilly Circus are also very lively in the evening and are interesting places to walk around, with street performers, theatres, restaurants and busy streets.
Exploring Westminster, the South Bank, Covent Garden and Soho at night is one of the best free things to do in London in the evening and is a great way to finish a day of sightseeing.
Free Things to Do in London with Kids
London is actually a very good city to visit with children because many attractions and activities are free. Several of the major museums in London are very family-friendly and have interactive exhibits that children enjoy.
The Natural History Museum is one of the most popular places for families, especially the dinosaur skeletons and animal exhibits. The Science Museum is also very popular with children because of the space, technology and interactive displays. Both museums are located in South Kensington, so they are easy to visit on the same day.
London’s parks are also great for children. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park all have large open spaces where children can run around, and some parks have playgrounds and cafés.
Walking along the South Bank is also a good activity with children because there are often street performers, food stalls and open spaces along the river.
Visiting museums, parks, markets and riverside walks are some of the best free things to do in London with kids, and you can easily fill several days in London without paying for many attractions.
Tips for Visiting London on a Budget
London can be an expensive city, but there are many ways to reduce costs if you plan carefully. Visiting free museums, parks, markets and viewpoints will already save a lot of money compared to visiting only paid attractions.
One of the easiest ways to save money is by walking between attractions in central London instead of using transport for very short journeys. Many attractions are closer together than they appear on the map.
Using contactless payment on public transport will make sure you get daily fare caps and do not pay more than necessary for transport.
You can also save money by eating street food from markets, buying food from supermarkets, or eating lunch deals from supermarkets and cafés rather than eating in restaurants for every meal.
Many of the best things to do in London, such as walking along the South Bank, visiting museums, exploring markets and walking through parks, are completely free, so it is possible to have a great trip without spending a lot of money.
Planning your itinerary so that you visit attractions in the same area on the same day will also reduce transport costs and save time.
- Most major museums in London are free, so visit at least one during your trip.
- Walk along the South Bank for one of the best free sightseeing routes in London.
- Visit Sky Garden or Horizon 22 for free views over London.
- Explore London parks like Hyde Park, St James’s Park and Greenwich Park.
- Markets like Borough Market and Camden Market are free to visit and great for walking around.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Free Things to Do in London
Are museums free in London?
Yes, many major museums in London are free, including the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern.
What are the best free things to do in London?
Some of the best free things include visiting museums, walking along the South Bank, visiting parks like Hyde Park, exploring markets like Borough Market and Camden Market, and visiting free viewpoints like Sky Garden.
Is Sky Garden free?
Yes, Sky Garden is free to visit, but you usually need to book a free ticket in advance.
Can you visit Buckingham Palace for free?
You cannot enter Buckingham Palace for free, but you can visit the outside of the palace and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony for free.
Further Reading & Related Guides
If you are planning your trip, make sure to read our London Attractions Guide, which covers the main attractions and landmarks across London and helps you plan which areas to visit.
You should also read our London Itinerary Guide, London in 1 Day, London in 2 Days, and London in a Weekend guides to help you organise your time and group attractions together so you travel less and see more.
Our Getting Around London and Oyster vs Contactless guides will also help you understand how to use public transport and the cheapest way to travel around the city.
Reading these guides together will help you plan your trip and find even more free things to do in London while visiting the city.
Last Updated
April 2026
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