Five free things to do in London | UK

London is undeniably one of the most expensive cities in the world. But don’t despair! There are many great attractions that you can visit for free. The list below should provide some inspiration.

Changing of the guard/the Four O’Clock Parade

A tourist favourite, the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace takes place every day throughout the summer at 11.30am. The ceremony involves the changing of five regiments of foot guards and takes about 45 minutes. It also features a band playing popular classical music.

If getting up early in the morning is too much of a struggle, consider the Four O’Clock Parade (also known as the Dismounting) that takes place at the Horse Guards building. All of the guards line up in formation and are inspected, before taking the horses back to the stables for the night.

Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, London / edwin.11

Street performers in Covent Garden and a walk through China Town

Covent Garden is a vibrant area with numerous bars and boutique stores. It’s great to wander around, but if you fancy some entertainment, the square is famed for its street performers and buskers. Covent Garden is centrally located and just a stroll from nearby China Town, which is worth exploring to take in the smells and vibrant atmosphere.

Art galleries

London features some of the world’s greatest art galleries and fortunately many of them are completely free. London’s best known gallery, the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square houses one of the finest collections in the world. The gallery’s permanent collection contains western European paintings from 1250 to 1900. It’s a vast building and takes at least a day to explore.

The Tate Modern, probably the second most famous gallery in London, is housed in a defunct power plant.  The gallery exhibits an expansive collection of modern art, the quirks of which are mirrored in the unusual building.

Museums

Dubbed ‘one of the world’s best museums of human history and culture’, the British Museum hosts some of the world’s most famous objects, such as the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures – as well as Egyptian mummies and other fascinating artefacts. The museum is so large that it’s impossible to cover in one day, so it’s worthwhile picking up a map and planning what to see in advance.

South Bank

Home to the Tate Modern and the Southbank Centre, the South Bank has been regenerated into one of the most creative areas in London, hosting numerous festivals and events.  Most weekends the area is also home to very a popular street food market selling international cuisine.

There’s often live music being played outside of the Southbank Centre, as well as many buskers and street performers keeping crowds entertained. If you’re into photography, the underground skate park is a must-visit for some action shots.

There are many great things to do for free in London and the best way to find many of them is to explore the places you don’t know on foot. Summer is the best time to visit, with London serviced apartments available all season. If you don’t fancy any of the above, consider relaxing in one of the many parks London has to offer.

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Category: Cities, Cities