15 Fun and Free Things to Do in London

One of the best free things to do in London is taking a trip to the British Museum. It's the best gallery in the world, and admission is free. However, since it has over 8 million objects which date back to more than 2 million years housed within it, it can get very overwhelming to tours for first-time visitors.

If it's your first time here, then start with the Rosetta Stone. It has writings in three ancient languages on it tracing back to 196 BC - Hieroglyphic, Green, and Demotic. You will find it in Room 4 on the ground floor. Visit the upper floor, Room 41, to have a glimpse of the Sutton Hoo Mask and other archaeological wonders of 1939 Britain.

The Enlightened Gallery, located on the ground floor, will give you an overview of the museum and contains many beautiful paintings, books, and artworks from the period of 1823 to 1827. You can also try out the guided tours which are hosted inside the museum for a more organized trip here.

British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG

10:00-17:30, extended to 20:30 on Friday. The Great Court is open from 9:00 to 18:00 on Friday. It will be closed on January 1 and December 24-26

Located between the 34th and 37th floors of the Walkie Talkie Building, visiting the Sky Garden is one of the top free things to do in London. It's a perfect spot for romantic dates and couples go there to get a view of the magnificent city from the top.

Although admission is free, we recommend booking tickets in advance so that you can make the most of available visiting slots. The queues can get long if you're deciding to walk-in, and the ideal time to walk-in is after 6 pm on weekdays and 9 pm on weekends.

Visit the terrace for the best views of the city, and if the skies are clear, you will be able to see incredible detail right from the Canary Wharf, the Shard, London Eye, and beyond. If you're feeling hungry and want to splurge, do check out the Darwin Brasserie. You'll find many restaurants and bars here for every budget in the building.

20 Fenchurch Street | 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF, England

Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Sat-Sun 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Platform 9 3/4 is located inside the King's Cross Station building, albeit a bit discretely, which means it can be hard to find if it's your first time there. But don't worry, the staff in the building will help you out.

If you're a huge Harry Potter fan, then a visit to Platform 9 3/4 is a must and one of the best free things to do in London. Outside, you will find a luggage trolley leaning onto the brick wall, which is an ideal spot for taking photographs. There is a small Platform 9 3/4 shop beside it, and you can buy some very cool merchandise from there. The atmosphere is pretty fun and casual here, and you can even get professional photographs taken for just below £10 too.

If you want to stay away from the long queues, visit this place before 9 am in the mornings and skip during school holidays. There are VIP passes available to visit the Harry Potter shop, but you'll have to pay around £20 for those. If you are traveling by bus, you can reach King's Cross Station by taking the routes 10, 17, 59, 63, 390, 259, and 476.

Euston Road, London N1 9AP, England

One of the best free things to do in London is attending the House of Commons and the House of Lords during the times they are in session. Just 2 minutes away from Big Ben is the Portcullis House, which boasts of unique architecture. There are regular tours hosted here, and there are plenty of spaces for enjoying casual meetings. The atrium is a must-visit, and it even has wheelchair access facilities. For an enjoyable time, head over to the Westminster near Big Ben, which is just 3 minutes away. Take a walk at night and see many world-class attractions. A must-see attraction is the Changing of the Guards; however, that normally takes place every other day of the year (except daily in the summer months of May, June, and July).

Elizabeth Tower - Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA

Sun-Sat 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

From the two giant naval guns sitting in front of the museum to the First World War Gallery that chronicles the tales of the soldiers who tried to end all wars by dedicating themselves to the frontlines, the Imperial War Museum is a treasure trove of art, history, culture, and more. You will find the Spitfire Aircraft housed within the museum, which was flown by the likes of 'The Few' who were chosen by Winston Churchill there. The museum is popular for its famous 20th-century holocaust exhibition and even has surveillance drones from the past inside it.

Take a tour of the museum with one of their in-house guides and explore relics from the Second World War and beyond. The admission is free, and a trip to the Imperial War Museum is one of the best free things to do in London if you're in the city.

Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ

Sun-Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

If you like art and a lot of space to move around without facing the crowds, then the Tate Modern is one of the best free things to do in London for you when it comes to exploring the city. To get there, take the route from St. Paul's Station and cross the Millennium Bridge. The view of the River Thames from the museum is simply stunning from this vantage point. Some escalators and elevators take you to different floors, and the best way to explore is to start from the ground floor, going all the way up. You'll find modern and classical paintings housed here and the exhibition pieces are pretty huge, which means there's no chance of getting the art obstructed by the people in front.

There is a gift shop on the 3rd floor of the museum, and you will find a smoking balcony there from where you can see St. Paul's clearly.

Bankside, London SE1 9TG, UK

Sunday-Thursday 10:00-18:00, Friday-Saturday 10:00-22:00

If you're a bookworm or you want to develop a passion for reading, then a visit to the British Library is a must. It houses over 150 million books, literary works, notes, biographies, and so much more. From Leonardo Da Vinci's sketchbooks to manuscripts, stamps, and magazines from the era of figures such as Jane Austen and Beatles, there's something to read of every kind for all here. You'll even find many famous novels and comic books here too.

The library is the best part of the city and one of the top free things to do in London. You find it just a few meters away from King's Cross Station, and when you get past its entrance, the Newton Statue, which is an iconic masterpiece there will greet you.

It was known as the largest public library in the UK back in the 20th century, and the building spans over 14 floors.

96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB, UK

Sun 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Mon - Thu 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM, Fri 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

If you're heading over to St. James Park, be sure to take a walk across the Blue Bridge since you'll get fantastic views of the lake as well as the Buckingham Palace. The Horse Guards Parade Ground is another spot you want to visit once you're done. The park has many flowerbeds and acres of wide-open green spaces, making it a treat for nature lovers and one of the best free things to do in London.

Be sure to check out the park's official website since they're known for hosting many events. If you're in the mood for a long walk here, head down the route of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, which will take you from the park onto others such as Hyde Park, Green Park, etc. If you want to witness the daily pelican feedings, head over to the park between 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. And if you need any help or assistance, talk to one of the park attendants who hang around the children's playground.

London SW1A 2BJ, UK

Sun-Sat 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Over five million visitors flock to the Natural History Museum every year, and there's a good reason why. It's one of the best free things to do in London, and there's no telling what piece of history you'll encounter when you walk in. The museum is divided into four zones, namely - the Blue Zone, Green Zone, Red Zone, and the Orange Zone. At the Central Hall, you will find the famous Dippy the Diplodocus skeleton hanging from the ceiling. If you go to the Blue Zone, you will find many species of dinosaurs, amphibians, mammals, etc. The Wildlife Garden in the Orange Zone is open only between April and October, which is something to keep in mind.

The oldest relic of the museum is the Wold Cottage Meteorite, which is a sight you don't want to miss. And if you want to know what a real earthquake feels like, then head over to the Earthquake Simulator Room for some fun.

Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD

Sun-Sat 10:00 AM - 5:50 PM

If you're going to London for the paintings, then the National Gallery needs to be in your list of top free things to do in London. A guide is available for assistance who takes visitors from room to room around the gallery to explore the paintings. You will find the works of the likes such as Van Gogh, Monet, Canaletto, Turner, and Constable adorning the walls of this gallery.

There are also exhibits of the XVI and XVII centuries held by the museum, and you will find the works of Tiziano and Michelangelo featured too. If it's your first time, we recommend you drop by the Sainsbury Wing and return to Room 9 later once you finish touring the main hall.

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK

Fri 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Sat - Thu 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The Victoria and Albert Museum is prized for its collection of decorative arts and fashion, although there's more to it than what meets the eye. If it's your first time here, head over to the main entrance by walking through the Cromwell Road. When you enter the museum, you will be greeted by a blown-glass chandelier made by the famous Dale Chihuly. There are light and open spaces inside the museum decorated with renaissance sculptures such as the Paul and Jill Ruddock Galleries.

On the first floor of the museum, you'll encounter the Cast Courts, and if you're hungry for dessert, head over to the cafe. The lighting and layout are superb, and the Jewellery Room in the museum boasts of many famous contemporary and precious items.

The museum is open to everyone and one of the free things to do in London, and it also accepts donations from its visitors as well.

Cromwell Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW7 2RL, UK

10:00-17:45, extended to 22:00 on Friday, and cleared 15 minutes before closing. It will be closed from December 24th to 26th.

Get to Trafalgar Square fast by traveling through the nearest tube stations - Leicester Square and Charing Cross. There are many free things to do in London when it comes to visiting this place, such as touring Nelson's Column, sightseeing at the St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and visiting the Canada House, which is located on the Westside. A remarkable statue base known as the Fourth Plinth is located in the northwest corner of the area where you'll find many international and national works of art showcased.

Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN, UK

10:00-17:45, extended to 22:00 on Friday, and cleared 15 minutes before closing. It will be closed from December 24th to 26th

Open all-day

There are so many free things to do in London when it comes to River Thames, and it's considered the "heart" of all attractions in the city. If you want a free tour, try the Fulham Palace, which was home to the Bishops of London since 704. There is also an urban beach and a sculpture garden nearby.

Taking a walk by the riverside with your loved one is a must, and the stretch of the river is clustered with many famous buildings and monuments that you'll never run out of sights to see. Try out one of the boat rides here when you can.

River Thames, United Kingdom

Open all-day

London is known for its museums, and three of the very best ones lie next to the Kensington Gardens. Visit the 'Kate and Wills' House' and enjoy a walk inside the garden as you admire the greenery and flowerbeds.

Harrods is a very famous luxury store and considered the very best in London here, a perfect spot for window shopping. Many pristine sculptures adorn the Albert Memorial, which you will find inside the gardens. You'll also find the very famous character "Peter Pan" brought to life inside.

London W2 2UH, UK

Opens the door every day at 6:00, refer to the official website

Hyde Park is just next to Kensington Parks and rated one of the top attractions, being amongst the best free things to do in London. Spanning over 350 acres of greenery, it has lake is known as the Serpentine, which was built in the 1730s and ideal for boat rides and swimming.

The Speakers' Corner holds many debates and interesting events on free speech and is worth visiting.

If you're planning to stay near Hyde Park, some of the best places are the Park Grand London Lancaster Gate, Hotel Moonlight, Ridgemount Hotel, and The Milestone Hotel and Residences.

Hyde Park, London W2 2UH

Sun-Sat 5:00 AM - 12:00 AM

London is home to many famous attractions, and if you're visiting the city, then you'd be glad to know that there are still many more free things to do in London. Visit this place with your family and friends. Have fun visiting Museums, beautiful Gardens, parks, etc.