London is Europe's most visited city, attracting tens of millions of visitors each year. At first glance, England’s capital appears to be an expensive city to visit. If you're visiting this world-class destination on a budget, you'll be surprised to learn that there are numerous free attractions available, ranging from fantastic museums and stunning street art to beautiful parks and gardens waiting to be explored. Here are 8 cool places to visit and things to do in London, UK that will not cost you a single cent.
8 amazing free attractions in London UK
Museums
Arts and culture are among the many things that London excels at – the number of museums in the city is impressive. With so many world-renowned institutions to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which to visit first, especially since around 26 of them are entirely free. The British Museum, the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, and Imperial War Museum are among the ones that offer free admission. Check out the complete list of free museums in London.
Image: The British Museum
Tour at Somerset House
Somerset House, located on the banks of the Thames River, is a former riverside palace that has been transformed into a culture and arts hub housing a significant collection of old master and impressionist paintings and works from other arts organizations. At first glance, the building appears to be just another Neoclassical Georgian structure, but the stories behind it tell a different tale. Somerset House is free to enter except for specific exhibitions and events. Visitors can take an audio-guided tour of the locations mentioned in each story. To access individual episodes, scan QR codes located throughout the building. Don't forget to bring your headphones!
Changing of the Guards
They say that if you do not witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony with your own eyes, you will not truly experience London. The Changing of the Guard is the official ceremony in which the Foot Guards currently guarding the monarchy are relieved of their duties and replaced by new soldiers. The King's Guard has protected St. James's Palace and Buckingham Palace since 1689 and 1837, respectively. The guards' attire typically includes traditional black bearskin hats and red tunics in the spring, autumn, and summer or a long grey great coat in the winter.
The ceremony occurs at three locations: Buckingham Palace, St James's Palace, and Wellington Barracks. There is no single location from which you can see the entire Guard Mount. Find out more about the dates and times and the best places to watch it.
Sky Garden
This leafy indoor garden, perched atop the Walkie Talkie building, features floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering visitors spectacular 360-degree views of the iconic London skyline. Start strolling through the beautifully landscaped gardens before heading to the observation decks and open-air terrace.
Sky Garden also provides the ultimate drinking and dining experience. Dine at one of its luxury restaurants or have a drink while enjoying the views in a relaxed atmosphere at one of its bars. The Sky Garden in London is completely free to visit. Still, it is best to book your ticket ahead of time, if possible several days in advance, at Sky Garden's website.
Sky Garden also provides the ultimate drinking and dining experience. Dine at one of its luxury restaurants or have a drink while enjoying the views in a relaxed atmosphere at one of its bars. The Sky Garden in London is completely free to visit. Still, it is best to book your ticket ahead of time, if possible several days in advance, at Sky Garden's website.
Greenwich Park
Some of London's most iconic views can be found here. Overlooking the River Thames, this royal park provides visitors with an incredible blend of 17th century landscapes, impressive gardens, and a rich history dating back to Roman times.
Set aside enough time when visiting Greenwich Park to explore the National Maritime Museum and The Royal Observatory, which houses the Great Equatorial Telescope, the largest of its kind in the UK. Remember to take a selfie on the historic prime meridian line, where you can stand with one foot in the east and the other in the west.
Leadenhall Market
Leadenhall Market, which dates back to Roman times and was nearly destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, is a thriving ornate Victorian-covered marketplace in Central London. Its cobblestone walkways and glass roof make it a popular destination for shopping, dining, or simply relaxing in the city.
If this place looks familiar to you, you may recognize it from the scene in the first Harry Potter film where Hagrid takes Harry through the atmospheric Diagon Alley via the Leaky Cauldron to do some shopping.
Little Venice's charming canals
A picturesque neighbourhood where you will find colourful houseboats floating on its beautiful canals and waterways Little Venice is located just north of Paddington, where the Grand Union and Regent's canals meet. Originally known as Paddington Broadwater, the neighbourhood's current name may have been inspired by Margery Allingham's 1934 detective novel Death of a Ghost, which gave the name 'Little Venice' to a house overlooking the canal.
There are numerous things to do in the area. Visitors can take a boat ride through the canals, visit one of the quirky waterside cafes, cozy pubs, and charming restaurants, have a picnic at Rembrandt Gardens, and see a live Muppet performance aboard a barge.
The Churchill Arms Pub
Built-in 1750, the Churchill Arms is one of London's oldest pubs. The interior of the this pub is predominantly British. It has a dark interior, which is made cozy by warm lighting and an intimate space. The walls are crammed with old trinkets, vintage lights, and Churchill and wartime memorabilia. However, what draws visitors' attention is the exterior's opulent ornaments. During the summer, the pub's exterior is covered in flowers, and during the winter, with Christmas trees. According to Secret London, a website that tracks down the best things to do in the city, the floral façade of the pub costs a whopping £25,000 per year.
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