Are you looking to visit London on a budget? London is one of the world’s most vibrant cities. As the capital of the United Kingdom, London is rich in culture, history, restaurants, markets, art, and theatre to enjoy!

It’s no secret that London can be pricey, but many of London’s activities and memorable experiences are free. Read on for the top 5 things to do in London for free! 

Markets 

Walking around vibrant markets is always a great way to spend the day. London’s are some of the most amazing, and nearly all are free to attend! 

Get down to Camden Market; a unique melting pot of culture, fashion, top-notch street food and music. Camden Market is north of the Hamstead Road Lock of the Regent’s Canal. Walk to the market, and enjoy the canal boats, buskers and street art en route. Or, get the tube to the nearest stations, Camden Town (Northern Line), Chalk Farm (Northern Line), or Camden Road (Overground). It’s best to avoid driving, as parking is extremely limited. 

Browse the gorgeous vintage, boho jewellery, fashion, lamps and tapestries and enjoy the atmosphere. Camden also hosts a range of incredible food stalls and restaurants with very reasonable pricing. Magic Falafel has to be a personal favourite, serving the most delicious falafel salad bows and pittas! 

If markets are your thing, also look into Portobello Road Market, renowned for its antique stalls and Borough Market, famous for its great street food.

Museums 

You might not know, but many of the museums in London are free to attend. There are three famous museums you can visit on Exhibition Road in Kensington.

Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)

The V&A is one of the world’s largest museums of applied arts, decorative arts and design. The museum attracts all generations with one of the largest fashion collections in the world. Throughout all collections, the museum has over 2.7 million permanent objects. The V&A is typically free, however temporary exhibitions sometimes have a small fee of around £10 to £15.

Natural History Museum 

One of London’s most famous museums is the Natural History Museum, hosting a spectacular collection of specimens from throughout history. Dinosaur fans are in luck as the Natural History Museum boasts an impressive range of dinosaur skeletons, including the Diplodocus cast! This museum also acquired the largest collection of work by and about Charles Darwin, so there’s lots to enjoy. 

Science Museum 

The Science Museum is an unmissable interactive experience, home to award-winning exhibitions and stories of groundbreaking scientific achievement. 

Best known for its interactive models that bring science to life, visitors can experience lightning strikes at Wonderlab, and space enthusiasts can enjoy the Command Module from Apollo 10! 

General admission to this museum is free, however you must book the ticket in advance. Like the V&A museum, some temporary exhibitions cost around £10 -£15. 

Gardens and Parks

Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park

The gardens in London are stunning. Kensington Gardens of Kensington Palace is one of London’s eight Royal Parks, spanning 265 acres. The historic garden is in the West End, yet feels like it’s miles out of London! There are many installations to view so it’s perfect for a stroll or picnic. The gardens are also connected to Hyde Park, so, you can enjoy a long walk through both! 

Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park is another favourite! Designed by John Nash in the early 1800s, the park is renowned for its landscapes, gorgeous green space, roses, and architecture. If you are visiting in summer, expect over 40,000 roses in bloom! The London Zoo is located on the northern edge of Regent’s Park so you could stop in on your walk, but please note, that the tickets are not free. 

Tourist Sites 

Visiting tourist sites has got to be one of the best ways to spend your time in London! Not all attractions are free to enter, but many are still fantastic from the outside.

Buckingham Palace 

Buckingham Palace is one of the only working palaces in the world, so it’s one to add to the list! See the home residence of countless past and current royals, including Elizabeth II, Prince Phillip, Edward VII, King George V and Queen Victoria. Take a walk around the grounds, and even see the change of the guard! To see inside the palace, you can book a tour of 19 of the famous rooms, at £27.10 for children and £42.30 for adults.

Big Ben 

Big Ben is the famous nickname for the bell in London’s iconic clock tower, but people use the name to refer to the clock tower itself. Big Ben is attached to the Houses of Parliament and reaches 96m tall, with four illuminated clock faces. The clock tower is worth visiting even just from the outside! However, if you’d like to see the inside, the next set of tour dates will be released on the 14th of August 2024, at £30 per ticket. 

St Paul’s Cathedral 

St Paul’s Cathedral should be on your list if you’re interested in churches, history, architecture and a Shakespeare-esque Whispering Gallery! This cathedral was burned to the ground in the Great Fire of London in 1666. However, this edition has been standing since 1708 in the English Baroque period and has lasted through 12 British Monarchs and two wars! Experience its most famous tourist attraction, The Whispering Gallery! The gallery is a circular room, with a special acoustic design that allows one to hear a whisper from the opposite side. A service at this cathedral is free, but a full guided tour costs £25 per person. 

Exhibitions and Trade Shows

Finally, London is home to two of Europe’s most significant exhibition and trade show venues, Olympia, London and ExCel London. Many of the events in these venues are free entry, and the exhibitions change every few days, so it’s always worth looking for consumer shows while you’re visiting. 

For example, at Olympia, London upcoming shows include the Jewellery Show, Speciality & Fine Food Fair and the Luxury Travel Fair. While at ExCel London, shows include For the Love of Fantasy and The FRIENDS Experience (not free). Consumer shows can be great fun. Try samples, find new brands and products, gain industry insights and see some of the most impressive exhibition stand designs! 

Conclusion

London doesn’t have to be an expensive trip when there’s so much to enjoy for free. We hope this guide has given you some fun ideas, whether it’s the V&A museum, Hyde Park or Camden Market!