Your Trip to London: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Things to Do With Kids London's Best Parks Museums in London Theater in London Live Music in London Shopping in London One Week in London: Itinerary Day Trips From London London's Best Tours Beaches Near London The Best Fish & Chips in London London's Top Restaurants Eating With Kids in London London's Best Bars Craft Beer in London The Best Time to Visit London Weather & Climate London's Airports Hotels in London Neighborhoods to Know Driving in London Public Transport in London London's Top Attractions Free Things to Do Your Trip to London: The Complete Guide close Overview Europe England London Top Free Things to Do in London By Laura Porter Laura Porter Facebook Twitter Laura Porter is an experienced UK travel writer specializing in all things to do with London. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/02/19 Share Pin Email At first glance, visitors to London might worry that the city is prohibitively expensive. And while they're not wrong—dining and other excursions in this British capital can quickly add up—many of London is an expensive city but there really are so many free things to do in the capital. These ideas should get you started but if you're already familiar with these suggestions you need the super list of 100+ Free Things to Do in London. Now, there's got to be something new to you on there! And if you're traveling with a family, the Free Things to Do in London with Kids feature should come in handy. If you'd like to stick with central London have a look at the Free Things to Do in Westminster article. 01 of 12 Visit the Tate Modern TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address Bankside, London SE1 9TG, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 7887 8888 Web Visit website Tate Modern and Tate Britain house some of the finest pieces of art in the world. Tate Modern focuses on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British art from the 16th century to the present day. 02 of 12 Visit the British Museum TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 7323 8299 Web Visit website 03 of 12 Spend Time Outdoors at St. James's Park EURASIA PRESS / Getty Images View Map Address London SW1A 2BJ, UK Get directions Phone +44 300 061 2350 Web Visit website I regularly hear people tell me the Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in Regent's Park is their favorite spot in London, and who am I to argue? I would also recommend St. James's Park as it offers one of the best views of Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens (side by side) are enormous and include the ever popular Diana Memorial Playground and the Peter Pan Statue. 04 of 12 Watch the Changing of the Guard TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address London SW1A 1AA, UK Get directions Phone +44 303 123 7300 Web Visit website No visit to London is complete without seeing this military tradition. The Queen's Guard in London changes in the Forecourt inside the gates of Buckingham Palace at 11:30 am every day in the summer and every other day in the winter. Get there early and view the spectacle from outside the front gates. Changing of the Guard Photos When is the Changing of the Guard? Continue to 5 of 12 below. 05 of 12 Walk Along the South Bank for a Free Tour of London's Landmarks TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address Westminster Bridge, London SW1, UK Get directions It really is amazing how many London landmarks you can see along this stretch of the River Thames. Take a stroll from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and you'll pass the London Eye, the Royal Festival Hall, the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, the Oxo Tower, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, Southwark Cathedral and Borough Market. 06 of 12 Hang Out at Trafalgar Square TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 7983 4750 Web Visit website Trafalgar Square is one of Britain's greatest visitor attractions and was designed by John Nash in the 1820s and constructed in the 1830s. This iconic square has many sights to see including Nelson's Column and the National Gallery. It is both a tourist attraction and a focus for political demonstrations. Every December, Norway donates a marvelous Christmas tree, to thank Britain for liberation from the Nazis. 07 of 12 Watch Street Performers of Covent Garden Market TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address 14 James Street, London WC2E 8BU, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 7420 5856 Web Visit website The West Piazza of Covent Garden Market has street performers to entertain you every afternoon. Good acts can draw huge crowds and the performers love to get audience members to help them with their act. All performers are licensed and have passed an audition to perform here. You will find more street performers at the weekend along the South Bank, particularly near the London Eye. 08 of 12 Stroll Through a Famous Street Market TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address 54-56 Camden Lock Place, London NW1 8AF, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 3763 9900 Web Visit website London is well-known for its popular street markets. The most popular are Camden Market and Portobello Market, followed closely by Greenwich Market. Find out about these markets and more: London Street Market's Guide Camden Market Guide Portobello Market Guide Greenwich Market Guide Old Spitalfields Market Guide Brick Lane Market Guide (Sundays only) Petticoat Lane Market Guide Columbia Flower Market (Sunday mornings only) Borough Market Continue to 9 of 12 below. 09 of 12 See Inside Westminster Abbey TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre View Map Address 20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 7222 5152 Web Visit website You can see inside Westminster Abbey for free. The Abbey never charges people who want to worship but they rely on admission fees from visitors to cover running costs. Evensong is the most beautiful of services where the Abbey choir sings. The Choristers of the Choir are educated at Westminster Abbey Choir School and are all extremely talented. Evensong is at 5 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and at 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 10 of 12 Attend a Free Concert at the National Theatre TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 7452 3060 Web Visit website The Southbank Centre has lots of free music events and there's Free foyer concerts at the National Theatre, also on the South Bank. You can enjoy free Monday lunchtime recitals at the Royal Opera House and regular free lunchtime concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. See Free Music in London for full details. 11 of 12 Visit the National Portrait Gallery TripSavvy / Gautier Houba View Map Address Saint Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 7306 0055 Web Visit website Other major London art galleries include the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. I would also recommend The Wallace Collection as it's just off Oxford Street and makes a perfect escape from a busy shopping spree. And remember, many of London's major art galleries and museums stay open late. 12 of 12 See London from a New Perspective at Greenwich Park's Observatory Doug McKinlay/Getty Images View Map Address 131 Greenwich South Street, London SE10 8NX, UK Get directions Phone +44 20 8691 8637 Head to Greenwich Park for awesome views of London's skyline from the observatory. Best Ways to Spend the Day in London With Children Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit