Let’s be honest—London has a bit of a reputation. Big city, big prices. You grab a coffee, blink, and suddenly you’re ten pounds down. But here’s the thing most people don’t realise: some of the best things to do in London are totally free. Like, zero pounds. And no, we’re not talking about boring stuff. We’re talking museums, parks, views, weird tunnels, and random street performers that are somehow more entertaining than Netflix.
So whether you’re visiting London or you live here and just want to avoid spending £18 on a sandwich again, here’s a list of actually fun places you can visit without touching your wallet.
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Alright, this one’s obvious, but it’s too good not to include. It’s huge. And when we say huge, we mean you-could-spend-a-week-here kind of huge. There are Egyptian mummies, Roman coins, samurai armour, Viking swords… and a bunch of stuff that makes you go, “Wait, how did the UK even get this?”
It’s free to get in, but you might want to bring snacks unless you enjoy paying £4 for a flapjack at the museum café.
London has parks. Lots of them. But Hampstead Heath hits different. It’s wild and hilly and feels like a forest more than a city park. Climb up Parliament Hill, and you get this postcard-perfect view of the London skyline. It’s peaceful, messy in a good way, and full of locals walking dogs that are fancier than most people’s cars.
Also, if you’re brave (or slightly mad), there are swimming ponds. Not heated. You’ve been warned.
Want rooftop views without the rooftop price tag? The Sky Garden is in one of those shiny skyscrapers in the City, and it’s completely free—though you do need to book ahead online. Inside, there’s a massive glass dome filled with plants and palm trees, and the views? Unreal. You can see the Shard, Tower Bridge, all of it.
People think it’s fancy, but once you’re up there, it’s just a bunch of tourists like you holding phones and saying “wow” a lot.
Even if you don’t care about art, this place is still worth going to. It’s in Trafalgar Square, super central, and full of famous stuff you’ve definitely seen on a puzzle or a fridge magnet at some point. There’s Van Gogh’s sunflowers, giant portraits, angels, swords, horses—basically a crash course in “famous old art” without the boring bits.
Also, it’s warm in winter and quiet when your brain needs a break.
This one’s less of a place and more of a vibe. Start near the London Eye and just follow the river east. You’ll pass skateboarders, food trucks, second-hand book stalls, people blowing giant bubbles for kids, and sometimes a guy dressed as a golden robot. It’s chaotic in the best way.
Keep walking and you’ll hit the Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, and eventually Tower Bridge. That’s like five sightseeing spots in one go—for free.
Speaking of the Tate… it’s weird, wonderful, and also free. Some of the stuff inside might confuse you (“Is this a bin or is it art?”) but that’s part of the fun. Plus, there’s a viewing deck up top with solid city views. And there’s air conditioning. Never underestimate the power of free air con.
Want to see tradition in action? Head to Buckingham Palace around 11am (but check the schedule online first). The Changing of the Guard is very official, very British, and involves men in huge bearskin hats doing choreographed marching with shiny instruments.
It’s oddly entertaining. And yes, the guards really don’t flinch. Not even if you wave.
Covent Garden is great for people-watching, even if you’re not buying anything. Outside the main building, there’s always someone performing—singers, magicians, dancers, human statues, you name it.
The shows are genuinely good. Some of these performers have been doing this for years and could easily headline a theatre. Just don’t stand in the front row unless you’re okay with being picked on.
Sure, the market is full of stuff for sale, but you don’t need to buy anything. The area is beautiful—cobbled streets, pastel houses, and loads of random antiques you didn’t know you needed. Like vintage diving helmets or 1950s telephones that don’t work.
Saturdays are the busiest, but it’s fun even when it’s packed.
Camden is loud, colourful, and a little bit bonkers. The market smells like every cuisine in the world smashed into one alleyway (in a good way), and you’ll hear street music that sounds way better than it has any right to be.
Head behind the market and walk along the canal for a quieter moment. You’ll see boats, graffiti, and maybe even a swan doing its thing.
Greenwich is like stepping into a chilled-out village inside the city. The park is massive, full of flowers and old trees, and at the top you’ll get a view of Canary Wharf that looks straight out of a movie. Oh, and you can stand on the line that divides the world into east and west. It’s weirdly satisfying.
This one’s a bit of a secret gem. It’s in a fancy townhouse near Oxford Street and has rooms full of shiny things—paintings, armour, porcelain, you name it. It’s quiet, not usually crowded, and feels like stepping into someone’s very rich living room from 200 years ago.
Bonus: clean, free toilets.
Want something with edge? Leake Street Tunnel is under Waterloo Station, and it’s completely covered in graffiti. Not the bad kind—the cool, Instagram-worthy kind. It’s a legal graffiti zone, so it changes all the time. Some of it’s art. Some of it’s just words like “Jeff was here.” Either way, it’s fun.
Near Paddington, this peaceful little spot has cute canals, narrowboats, and leafy walks. You can sit on a bench with a sandwich, watch ducks float by, and feel like you’re in a completely different city. From here, you can follow the canal path all the way to Camden if you fancy a longer walk.
Look, you don’t need to spend big money to have a good time in London. The city gives you world-class museums, parks, views, and entertainment—all without charging you a thing. Some of it’s beautiful, some of it’s weird, and all of it is worth your time.
Next time you’re skint, bored, or just looking for something new to do, grab this list and head out. No tickets, no stress, no guilt. Just real London stuff—free and fun.
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