Free Things to Do in London That Are Actually Worth It
London can be expensive, but some of its most impressive experiences do not cost anything.
This guide is for our au pairs, and anyone else who wants to discover London more deeply without spending too much. The city is full of free days out that still feel special: skyline viewpoints, world-famous museums, hidden gems, beautiful markets, street art, riverside walks, historic buildings, and neighbourhoods made for wandering.
These are the free things that are genuinely worth your time, so you can enjoy London properly while being more intentional with your money: saving on some days, choosing when to spend on special experiences, and keeping more aside for bigger adventures further afield.
Pack snacks, grab a pastry or market bite along the way, bring something to sit on in the park, and make the most of one of the world’s most exciting cities without turning every day off into an expensive one.
1. See London from above for free
Sky Garden at Sunset
London has several free viewing platforms where you can see the skyline without paying for the London Eye, The Shard, or expensive rooftop bars.
Sky Garden is one of the best-known free viewpoints. It gives you big views across the Thames, Tower Bridge, The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the city. It feels more like a sky-high indoor garden than a normal viewing deck. Entry is free, but you should book a free ticket in advance, especially on weekends.
Horizon 22 is another incredible option. You’ll find it at 22 Bishopsgate and is London’s highest free viewing platform, with views from Level 58. It is one of the best free “main character in London” experiences, but booking is required and availability can change, so check the official website before planning around it.
The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate is another free viewing gallery, located on the 50th floor. It has panoramic views over the city and is a strong alternative if Sky Garden or Horizon 22 are fully booked.
For a more relaxed option, The Garden at 120 is a free rooftop garden at 120 Fenchurch Street. It has 360-degree views, planting, seating, and a long water feature. It feels less formal than the observation decks and is especially nice on a sunny day.
2. See world-famous museums with no entry fee
Hidden cafe in the V&A Museum
London’s free museums are genuinely one of the best parts of living there. These are not small, low-effort museums. Many of them are world-class.
The British Museum is free to enter and is one of the most famous museums in the world. It is best if you like history, ancient cultures, beautiful objects, and dramatic architecture. Here you can see world-famous pieces like the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian galleries. The Great Court alone is worth seeing. The museum recommends booking a free ticket in advance, though walk-up visits are usually possible.
The Wallace Collection is one of London’s most beautiful free museums. It is housed in a historic townhouse near Marylebone and feels more like walking through a private palace than a normal museum. The permanent collection is free and unticketed, and it is especially good if you like ornate, colourful rooms, paintings, armour, decorative arts, and that old-world London feeling.
The National Gallery is free to visit and sits right on Trafalgar Square. It is a brilliant one to combine with Covent Garden, Soho, or a walk down to the river. Even if someone is not usually “a museum person”, it is worth going in to see famous paintings by artists like Van Gogh, Turner, and Monet.
The V&A in South Kensington is another favourite, especially for anyone interested in fashion, interiors, jewellery, photography, theatre, design, and beautiful objects. Entry is free, and you do not need to book a ticket for general entry. Don’t leave without a stop at the spectacular museum café - pictured above. The courtyard garden is also a nice place to pause between galleries.
Tate Modern is ideal for contemporary art and a more creative, cool London day out. It is free to visit the main collection, and the building itself is impressive. You can combine it with a walk along the river’s South Bank, Millennium Bridge, St Paul’s from the outside, and Borough Market.
The Natural History Museum is also free and has one of the most dramatic museum buildings in London. It is a good choice even if you do not know much about science, because the architecture, dinosaur displays, minerals, and huge central hall are all memorable. Free entry tickets can be booked in advance, which helps during busy periods.
3. Find London’s free hidden places
Leadenhall Market
Some of London’s best free spots are not the obvious tourist attractions. They are the places that make you feel like you have discovered something.
St Dunstan in the East is one of the most beautiful hidden corners in the city of London. It is a ruined church garden with climbing greenery, old stone walls, benches, and a peaceful atmosphere. The church was badly damaged during the Blitz and later turned into a public garden. It is free to visit and feels like a secret little pocket of old London.
Leadenhall Market is a beautiful covered arcade with ornate Victorian architecture, cobbled walkways, painted details, and a very cinematic feeling. It is also known for its Harry Potter connections, but even without that, it is worth visiting for the roof, colours, shopfronts, and atmosphere.
Middle Temple Lane Archway is a stunning carved stone archway near the Temple area and Victoria Embankment. It has sculptural details, statues, and a historic London feeling, but it is easy to miss if you do not know to look for it. It is a great free stop if you love architecture, old stonework, hidden lanes, and photo-worthy details.
Leake Street Arches is a tunnel near Waterloo where graffiti and street art are allowed and celebrated in designated areas. It is colourful, gritty, creative, and changes constantly. It is perfect if you want moments, or photos, that feel more urban and less polished than classic sightseeing.
The British Library Treasures Gallery is free and much more impressive than people expect. You may see treasures connected to Magna Carta, Shakespeare, Leonardo da Vinci, Mozart, sacred texts, maps, literature, music, and major cultural moments.
Sir John Soane’s Museum is one of London’s strangest and coolest free museums. It is the preserved home of architect Sir John Soane, filled with art, architectural models, sculpture, antiquities, and unexpected rooms. Entry is free and usually walk-in, though it is small and popular, so you may need to wait.
Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station is a fun free stop if you are a Harry Potter fan. You can see the famous trolley built into the wall and take the classic photo, or simply stop by to see one of London’s most recognisable pop-culture spots. There is also a Harry Potter shop beside it, which is free to browse.
Word on the Water is one of London’s most unusual bookshops. It is set inside a canal boat on Regent’s Canal near King’s Cross, selling books from the water. It is a lovely stop if you like books, quirky hidden places, canal walks, or small London discoveries that feel a little different from the usual tourist sights.
Final thought
London can be expensive, but it does not have to be. With a bit of planning, you can fill your days off with art, views, history, rooftops, markets, gardens, and hidden corners, while saving your money for the experiences and adventures that matter most to you.
