Top 10 Free Things To Do In London

Free things to do in London

Updated On: November 07, 2023 by   Ciaran ConnollyCiaran Connolly

Many people that come to London think how expensive the city is from eating out to visiting tourist attractions. But there are many great free things to do in London. You don’t have to spend lots to have a wonderful time in London and we will share with you the top 10 free things to do in London. So much to see and do, keep reading to find out…

Walk Across Tower Bridge

One of the free things to do in London is to check out one of the most famous features in the city; Tower Bridge. Take a lovely walk across Tower Bridge whether it is during the day or at night it’s pretty impressive to see. The Bridge was built over an incredible 120 years and has been considered an engineering marvel.  When people think of London this is one of those iconic features that is always remembered.

If you want to do more than walk across it, visitors are able to explore inside the Tower Bridge and learn about its fascinating History. People visiting can also check out the glass floor and amazing panoramic view from the high-level walkways. Also, you’ll want to see the amazing Victorian Engine Rooms.

Tower Bridge - London
Tower Bridge – London

Check out St. James Park

One of the free things to do in London is visiting St. James Park which is the oldest Royal Park located in London. The park is surrounded by three iconic London Palaces which are the Houses of Parliament, St James Palace and Famous Buckingham Palace. The park is full of beautiful trees and walkways that make it the perfect spot to get away from the busy city life.

Check out the beautiful lake and fountain found here and see if you can see the local pelicans at feeding time. Or check out St. James Cafe and enjoy a cup of tea and some lunch while you take in the lovely views.

The park covers over 57 acres so it is full of beauty to discover while you are here. Such as the variety of monuments, statues and memorials that are in honour of many famous and royal people. One we highly recommend checking out is the Princess Diana memorial walk which is seven miles long. Throughout this walk, you will come across 90 plaques that tell you about famous buildings and locations related to Princess Diana. St. James Park is great to explore and have some downtime.

St. James Park - London
St. James Park – London

Enjoy the Scenery at the Big Ben

Another iconic part of London is to visit Big Ben, which nearly every person coming to London will have heard of. It is recognised all around the world when people think of London – it’s definitely at top of their thoughts. Big Ben is actually the name given to the bell inside the tower which weighs more than 13 tons. It was originally called ‘The Great Bell’ before being renamed, Big Ben. At night time when it lights up is when it looks the best.

Although at the moment it is undergoing some renovations to re-glaze and repaint the clock which isn’t expected to be completed until the 2020s. The bells will be silent until work is completed. But don’t let this put you off as around Big Ben there is beautiful scenery to take in and you can still admire Big Ben.

Explore Parliament Square

Next on our list of the best free things to check out is Parliament Square which is located near the Palace of Westminster in the heart of London. The square features a large open green area that contains twelve statues of statesmen and other famous people. Some statues of famous people include Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela.

Parliament Square is a popular attraction in London. It is a popular and lively attraction worth checking out for its history alone, which spans centuries. Or just a great place to chill out on those sunny days.

Admire the Greenery at Kensington Gardens

A second royal park of London is the stunning Kensington Gardens which offers visitors a mix between new and old park pastimes and lots of green space. Kensington Gardens is huge and covers an impressive 265 acres.

There are lots you can see here from the Princess Diana Memorial Playground which includes a huge pirate ship that was inspired by her love of children. Children will love this playground where they can explore and play.  The playground was also inspired by the much-loved children’s book Peter Pan.

Then there is the Albert Memorial which is dedicated to Prince Albert after his death in 1861. The memorial itself shows Prince Albert holding a catalogue of the ‘Great Exhibitions’ which he actually inspired.

Kensington Gardens is a beautiful place to explore and walk around taking in all the different attractions found here and best of all it is free. So make sure it’s on your list of places to visit in London.

Take a walk around Hyde Park

Again this is another one of the eight Royal Parks of London and probably one of the most popular parks in London. It covers 350 acres and features over 4,000 trees, a lake and a variety of flower gardens. During the autumn time, it is lovely to walk around with all the leaves falling and the pretty colours. Also, perfect in the summertime when you want to chill out under a shady tree.

Hyde Park has a lot to offer different people and you can enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, cycling and skating. There are also pitches for football games, tennis courts and tracks for horse riding.  Also located at Hyde Park are two lakeside restaurants where you can enjoy a nice drink and some delicious food. The park also hosts a variety of events throughout the year from concerts to family days.

Hyde Park - London
Hyde Park – London

Visit Buckingham Palace

One might not expect a visit to Buckingham Palace to be one of the free things to do in London, but this has to be one of those attractions that have to be on your list of places to visit while in the city. Buckingham Palace is an iconic part of London and a place that many would associate with the Royal family.

You might even witness the famous changing of the guards and get yourself a photo standing in front of the iconic gates. As it is the tourist thing to do. Otherwise, how would anyone know you’ve been there? During the summer months, Buckingham Palace opens it for visitors to get a peek inside how the other side lives. You’ll get the amazing opportunity to explore the lavish staterooms and see some great royal treasures.

Buckingham Palace - London
Buckingham Palace – London

Explore the Supreme Court

This one is a bit different from your typical London attractions but still worth checking out.  The Supreme Court in London has a long and interesting history and has played a huge role in creating UK law. You can visit the court for free and watch different cases from the public gallery.

Or take part in guided tours where you can explore the history surrounding the Supreme Courts. You will get to see the courtrooms and visit the Justices Library which is usually not open to the public. Tours are available Mondays to Fridays and you can also check out the exhibition area and chill out in the cafe. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for free things to do in London.

Check out Art at The Tate Modern

This attraction is calling for all art lovers who wish to check out some amazing international modern and contemporary art. There is a variety of collections on display that is free to enjoy. The Tate Modern is located on the banks of the Thames and offers inspiring work from famous artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Dali. If you’re not sure who they are, we can tell you they are some of the best artists from around the world.

You could spend a few hours walking around the art museum and appreciating what’s on offer. The museum’s mission is to increase visitors’ enjoyment and awareness of British art from the 16th century to the modern day. A trip to London is not complete without visiting this place.

Tate Modern - London
Tate Modern – London

Walk Along the South Bank

South Bank is definitely a place you should explore while you are in London that is known as the cultural and creative district of the city. The area is full of amazing history, and cultural architecture where you could spend time walking around and seeing it all.

South Bank is also an area where you find different national centres such as the National theatres and the South Bank Centre. The famous London Eye is also found here so if you want to see more of the city that is one way to do it.

There are lots to see in South Bank so you won’t be disappointed and you can even check out the attractions while you are there. A must-visit in London.

South Bank - London
South Bank – London

London a Place You Must Visit

That was our list of the best free things to do in London but of course, there are plenty of more things you can see and do in London free or not. The city is huge and has something that will attract different people. It is one of those places you need to visit and take in all the great things it has to offer.

Have you visited any of these attractions we have mentioned? Or the attractions we missed? Be sure to let us know if there are other free things to do in London that we may have missed!

Check out some related London blogs: Sky Gardens| British Film Institute| Green Park| Natural History Museum| Trafalgar Square| Royal Albert Hall| St. Paul’s Cathedral|

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