London is expensive, and everyone loves a freebie, so I have made this list of things you can do for free in the UKs Capital.
1. Buckingham Palace
The house belonging to the head of the Kingdom. Gated off forecourt means you can’t quite pop in for a cup of tea with the Queen, but turn up at 11:30 every day (in summer, every other day in winter) and you can see the traditional changing of the guards.
2. Parks and Gardens
Next to Buckingham Palace you’ll find Green Park. In addition to this in London you can walk though Hyde Park, St James Park, Kensington Gardens including the Princess Diana memorial walk which is very well decorated and stretches into 4 of these parks.
3. Art Galleries
Art gallery and London in the same sentence is usually followed by Tate Modern or Tate Britain; but don’t forget to check out the National Art Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Somerset House, Wallace Collection, and the Serpentine Gallery. There are other paid for ones and a few other small places you might be able to find too.
4. Museums
London has a few good museums, all offering free sections. The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are especially good. Other ones include The British Museum, Bank of England Museum, Foundation of Chinese Arts and Imperial War Museum.
5. Trafalgar Square
Many features including Nelsons Column, this 1830s square is a famous attraction and also center of political demonstrations if there is one happening.
6. Street Performers
You can find a large variety of these in South Bank and the West Piazza of Convent Garden Market.
7. South Bank
As well as the street performers, South Bank has a great view of the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Tate Modern and other London landmarks.
8. Tower Bridge Lifting
Due to the requirement for ships to pass through, Tower Bridge raises the road after stopping traffic to let tall ships pass, check out the schedule here.
Anyone else have suggestions on freebies in London? Just walking around brings up many things I found.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the fact the so many things in London, like galleries and museums were free or by donation only. I think The British Museum might be the coolest museum I’ve ever visited, and I was only able to make through a couple sections.
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London is an amazing city I think, and just like you say there are plenty of things you can do there that don’t cost any money. I love the fact that so many of the museums have free entries! I think more countries should adopt that! One museum that I rather like is the Victoria & Albert museum, they have LOTS to see!
Then something else I personally like to do in London is visit Harrods. Of course, Harrods is NOT cheap, but just going there is a really nice experience in itself I think! :D
There is this book that I bought before my summer in the city called “London in a Lunchtime” which I think is currently out of print, but I loved it! It was filled with quick and cheap things to do in the capital.
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Alouise – I’ve not actually been to the British Museum, but a lot of people rate it, there is always next time I suppose!
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Aurora – Ah yes, Harrods is great to shop around (especially around Christmas time) Hamlets the toy shop is good also. No need to put your hand in your pocket to enjoy them.
Rebecca – I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a big book, there is more things here for free then people realise.
strolling in hyde park! (hi rob! how r ya.. u owe me a guestpost ! LOL)
Hi Ciki, yes I know I’ll get on it this week hopefully, I’ve not forgotten!
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Very good article! You might also be interested on something we wrote on our blogsite http://bookitnow.com/london-in-a-nutshell
And just in case if you’re all not busy here, might you join us at World Wide Travel Blog Party. Invite every one who travels, writes, blogs and all of that.
Kudos to you! :)
Wonderful images… just subscribed to your RSS
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Best Travel Deals – Great, I’ll check it out :-)
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Ralph – thanks very much :-)
I love free! Just checking in on your travels since I have been MIA too long on my own travels :)
Hi Amiee, long time no see, new website too I see ;-)
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