10 Free Things To Do In London
I may be slightly biased, but if you ask me, London is one of the best cities in the world! The major con is that London is also a very expensive place to visit, so I thought I’d put together a list of 10 free things to do in London that won’t cost you a penny.. PS – Always remember to cash in on gift cards and vouchers! Asking for gift vouchers for your birthday or Christmas is a great way to have a free day out later in the year, find the perfect place to use them on Square Meal UK.
1. Watch a free show at Covent Garden
Covent Garden is lively at all times of the day.. here you can watch a number of street performers, buskers and sometimes magicians, acrobats and even flash mobs! There’s always some kind of activity going on that you can sit and watch for an hour or so!
2. Visit A Museum
There are so many museums in London that are completely free to visit. My favourites include the British Museum and the Natural History Museum. There’s so much to see that you could easily spend a full day taking a leisurely stroll around these places and soaking up all the history.
3. Have a Picnic in One Of Many Parks
When you think of London, most people think of Hyde Park but I have to say that is one of my least favourite green spaces in London. It’s always far too crowded when the weather is warm. Instead, I’d recommend Holland Park in Kensington – a little further out, quieter and so beautiful. Make sure to visit the Japanese gardens there to see the gorgeous peacocks that reside there.
4. Visit one of the city farms
Vauxhall City Farm and Mudchute Farm and Park are free to visit in London – a great activity for adults and kids alike! You can get close to all the animals including sheep, pigs, rabbits, ducks and even alpacas!
5. Watch a Performance at the Royal Albert Hall
A performance at the Royal Albert Hall is not only about great music. It’s about the atmosphere, the architecture, and the history.
So you might imagine that these elements all add up to make for a memorable experience. But if you’re not a classical music fan, then sometimes it can be hard to really appreciate what’s going on in front of you.
This is because classical music relies heavily on a sense of structure and form – which can be hard to get your head around if you’ve never studied it before. And it’s even harder if you don’t know what the different types of instruments are called or how they’re used!
6. Stroll Through the Royal Botanical Gardens
The Royal Botanical Gardens are the oldest botanical gardens in the country, and contain over 8,000 different types of plants.
There are also events that take place in the gardens to help educate the public on gardening. The programs include ‘Touring on a Stick,’ where participants can tour different sections of the garden through a series of walking tours.
I would recommend visiting these gardens if you have any interest in nature or even just want to explore some beautiful scenery.
7. Watch the changing of the guard
You can’t visit London without a trip to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guard ceremony. This happens daily, at 10.45 am and lasts around 45 minutes. The actual handover takes place at 11 am and it’s great way to spend an hour or so in London, particularly if you’ve never seen it before.
READ MORE: Why Dishoom is such a great restaurant to visit in London
8. Visit Oxford Street & Regent Street
Okay, so this isn’t necessarily a free thing to do, unless you’re window shopping. Oxford Street is a major thoroughfare in London. Regent Street is a London street, noted for its expensive and exclusive shops. They’re both great for Fashion, Jewellery, and Shoes. You could even be able to pick up a personalised necklace or a special locket to remember your trip bey. Kensington’s High Street for Antiques, Art& Crafts, and Art Galleries
The Oxford Street shopping area is the busiest shopping destination in the world, with over 300 stores. With the vibrant atmosphere and energetic crowds, it’s difficult to resist this shopping mecca.
Regent Street has also become one of London’s most popular destinations for shoppers thanks to its internationally recognised brands.
9. Visit the Saatchi Gallery
If you enjoy contemporary art then head to the Saatchi Gallery. The gallery houses the private collection of Charles Saatchi and was opened in 1985 (though has moved location several times)
The gallery also has excellent exhibitions including recently the ‘Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh’ For special exhibitions such as this a fee is chargeable.
10. Walk around Chelsea
While you’re at the Saatchi Gallery, you can make a day of it in Chelsea alone. There is so much to do and see in the area, including King’s Road – great for shopping and people watching, Chelsea Physic Garden, National Army Museum, Royal Court Theatre and Battersea Park. You can even walk around in search of the most instagrammable places in Chelsea or go in search of wisteria, depending on what time of year it is.
