Discover London on a Budget: The Best Free Places to Visit in London

Have you always dreamt of visiting London, but hesitated because of the British capital’s pricey reputation? Well, don’t be, as for those in the know, there are tons of unbelievable free places to visit in London – if you know where to look, of course.

From the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace to visiting the famous British Museum – whether it’s for a low-cost family vacation away or you’re solo traveling on a shoestring, the City of London is bursting with must-see free London activities that won’t cost you a penny.

Free things to do in London: Where to Start

Where better to start than with a morning stroll along the bustling hub of the South Bank and the tree-lined banks of the River Thames. Not only is the South Bank a vibrant cultural hotspot in town, but it also offers spectacular views of many of London’s world-famous attractions, including the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben.

Next up, we highly recommend heading to see one of the most iconic British institutions by visiting Buckingham Palace to watch the traditional Changing of the Guard for free. Here, you can enjoy the pomp and ceremony of this century-old British spectacle, which takes place four days a week at precisely 11 am outside the palace.

The city is also home to countless world-class art galleries and free museums in London, including the Tate Modern, the National Gallery, the British Museum, and, of course, the London Science Museum. Ideal for visitors of all ages, here you can see the artworks of Picasso, Dali, and Warhol, or the historic Egyptian mummies and the Elgin Marbles.

London’s Free Parks and Celebrated Markets

If there’s one thing London is also famed for, it has to be the bounty of beautiful parks located in the heart of the city. On your trip to the capital, be sure to check out the free-to-enter Hyde Park to wander around Serpentine Lake and the Diana Memorial Fountain, before heading over to Regent’s Park to smell the roses in Queen Mary’s Garden.

Additionally, make sure you take in the stunning views of the London skyline from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park, where other free activities include stepping over the Prime Meridian Line that divides the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Also, just outside Greenwich Park, you can gain free entry into the insightful National Maritime Museum as well as explore Queen’s House.

Another top free thing to do in London is to discover the celebrated centuries-old markets located across London. These include the legendary Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Borough Market in Southwark, and Camden Market in Camden Town, which make ideal locations to try the amazing street food and soak up the atmosphere of these legendary trading hubs in London.

Budget Hacks: When and What to Do in London for Free

It doesn’t matter what time of year you choose to visit, all of these remarkable free places to visit in London will be open to you. However, a great travel hack if you’re looking for the best time to visit London is to always aim for a weekday – only because Londoners also love to visit the free events in the city on the weekends.

For those of you who are thinking of coming over to participate in the big events and occasions, there are lots of free things to do in London that you’ll never forget. After all, there is nowhere better in the world to spend New Year’s Eve than watching the fireworks on the South Bank overlooking the Thames at midnight, and for summertime visitors, the world-famous Notting Hill Carnival is another free must-see cultural festival you shouldn’t miss.

The best part about the capital is that, just by walking around, you’ll end up bumping into a famous London landmark at every turn, from the Lions of Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, the Tower of London, and even St Paul’s Cathedral. Furthermore, for those of you looking for more places to visit in London for free, don’t forget to attend this great city’s other hidden treasures, such as movie nights in the park and free walking tours all led by passionate locals.

Where to Stay in London

As with any city break, finding a nice hotel in London can be expensive, but given that the capital has such fantastic transport links, we highly recommend basing yourself on the outskirts of Central London. In fact, one of the best places to stay in London is the stylish Mornington London Kensington, BW Premier Collection, located just south of Kensington Palace and Hyde Park, in Earls Court.

Finally, wherever you go and whatever you see, with so many free places to visit in London, you can easily create an action-packed vacation itinerary for this great city without spending a dime. And, as anyone who has been to London before will tell you, once you’ve been, you’ll be booking your next trip back before you leave