London has a reputation for being expensive — and hotels, transport and theatre tickets certainly can be. But it also has more world-class free attractions than almost any city on earth. Most of its national museums are free for everyone, its parks are among the most beautiful in Europe, and some of the best views of the skyline cost nothing but a free online booking.
This guide lists the best free things to do in London in 2026 — free museums with opening hours, free views, free ceremonies and performances, parks, markets and unusual free places — plus tips for finding free events this weekend and saving money on everything else. Opening times are taken from Visit London’s official free guide (March 2026); always check before you go, as hours can change.
Free museums and galleries in London
London’s national museums are free to enter (special exhibitions are usually paid). Booking a free time slot online is often recommended, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
| Museum | Highlights | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|
| British Museum | Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, Parthenon sculptures | Sat–Thu 10am–5pm, Fri until 8:30pm |
| National Gallery | Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, Turner, Monet, Leonardo | Sat–Thu 10am–6pm, Fri until 9pm |
| Natural History Museum | Dinosaurs, the blue whale in Hintze Hall | Daily 10am–5pm |
| Science Museum | Space, flight and hands-on galleries | Daily 10am–6pm |
| V&A | Fashion, design, jewellery, a beautiful courtyard café | Sat–Thu 10am–5:45pm, Fri until 10pm |
| Tate Modern | Modern art in a former power station, free viewing level | Sun–Thu 10am–6pm, Fri–Sat until 9pm |
| British Library | Treasures gallery (Magna Carta, Beatles manuscripts) | Mon–Thu 9:30am–8pm, Fri 9:30am–6pm, Sat 9:30am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm |
| Wellcome Collection | Medicine, art and curiosities | Daily 10am–6pm |
| Sir John Soane’s Museum | An architect’s house packed with antiquities | Wed–Sun 10am–5pm |
| Horniman Museum | Natural history, musical instruments, gardens | Daily 10am–5:30pm |
Hours from Visit London, 2026. Free extras: the National Gallery runs free one-hour tours at 3pm Tuesday to Thursday, Tate Modern has free 10-minute talks on iconic works, and the V&A hosts free lunchtime lectures, usually on Thursdays (source).
Tip: late openings on Fridays (British Museum, National Gallery, V&A) are calmer and feel special.
Free views of London
- Sky Garden — a huge indoor garden at the top of the “Walkie-Talkie” tower in the City. Free, but you must book a timed slot; tickets are released three weeks ahead and go fast. Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, weekends 11am–9pm (source).
- Horizon 22 — one of Europe’s highest free viewing galleries, in the City. Free booking; sunset slots are popular and only small bags are allowed (source).
- Tate Modern viewing level — free panoramic views over St Paul’s and the Thames.
- Primrose Hill — open 24 hours, one of the best free sunset views of the skyline.
- Greenwich Park — the view from the Royal Observatory hill over Canary Wharf and the river.
Free things to see in London: royal and historic sights
- Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace — usually Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11am. Check the official calendar and arrive early for a good spot.
- Westminster Abbey Evensong — a free, beautiful choral service (Sunday 3pm, Monday–Saturday 5pm). Arrive about an hour early (source).
- Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Bridge — free to admire from outside; visitors can also watch debates from the public galleries when Parliament is sitting.
- Trafalgar Square, Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall — all free to walk around.
- St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey from outside, or attend a free service.
- Tower Bridge and the Tower of London from the riverside — the outside views are free.
Want to go inside the paid landmarks too? Read Is the London Pass worth it? before you buy tickets.
Free parks and outdoor places in London
- St James’s Park — open 5am–midnight, with pelican feeding at 2:30pm (source).
- Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens — the Serpentine, the Diana Memorial Fountain and Kensington Palace gardens.
- Richmond Park — open 24 hours for walkers, with wild deer roaming freely (source).
- Regent’s Park and Regent’s Canal — walk the canal from Little Venice to Camden.
- Hampstead Heath — wild, hilly and with views from Parliament Hill.
- The South Bank — a riverside walk from the London Eye to Tower Bridge with street performers, book stalls and free events at the Southbank Centre.
Free markets to explore
- Borough Market — London’s most famous food market (Tue–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm); free samples are common (source).
- Camden Market — street food, vintage and music, daily 10am–7pm.
- Portobello Road Market — daily, with the full antiques market on Saturdays.
- Columbia Road Flower Market — Sundays 8am–3pm; go early for the flowers or late for bargains.
- Covent Garden — free street performers daily in the piazza.
Free performances and events in London
- Live at Lunch at the Royal Opera House — free 45-minute performances on selected Fridays at 1pm; collect a free token at least an hour early (source).
- Outernet — free immersive LED shows near Tottenham Court Road, daily 10am–11:30pm.
- Southbank Centre — free music, exhibitions and events all year.
- Free events this weekend: check the “free” filter on Visit London and local listings — many festivals, open-air screenings and museum lates are free.
Unusual free places to visit in London
- Leadenhall Market — a Victorian covered market used in Harry Potter films.
- London Mithraeum — the ruins of a Roman temple beneath a modern office building; book a free slot (source).
- Grant Museum of Zoology — jars of specimens and skeletons (Tue–Fri 1–5pm, Sat 11am–5pm).
- Crossbones Graveyard — a moving memorial garden in Southwark.
- Little Venice and Camden Lock — colourful narrowboats along the canal.
- Street art in Shoreditch and Brick Lane — an open-air gallery that changes every month.
Free things to do in London with kids
- Natural History Museum — dinosaurs, the earthquake room and the blue whale.
- Science Museum — interactive galleries (some extras are paid).
- Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens — a pirate ship play area.
- Pelican feeding in St James’s Park at 2:30pm.
- Covent Garden street performers and the Changing of the Guard.
- Horniman Museum — natural history, musical instruments and gardens with animals.
- Free playgrounds and splash fountains along the South Bank and in the royal parks in summer.
Children under 11 also travel free on the Tube and buses with a paying adult, which keeps family days cheap.
A free day in London: sample itinerary
- 10:00 – British Museum (book a free slot).
- 12:30 – Covent Garden street performers, then lunch.
- 14:00 – Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
- 15:30 – Walk Whitehall to Westminster and St James’s Park (pelicans at 2:30pm if you’re early).
- 17:00 – Westminster Abbey Evensong (Mon–Sat).
- Evening – the South Bank at sunset, ending with views of St Paul’s from the Millennium Bridge.
For a full plan with a mix of free and paid sights, see our London 3-day itinerary.
Cheap things to do in London (almost free)
- Ride the top deck of a London bus — routes like the 11 or 15 pass many famous sights for the price of a standard bus fare.
- Take a Thames river bus instead of a sightseeing cruise.
- Same-day theatre tickets and day seats at West End shows.
- Pub lunches and market food instead of restaurants.
- Use contactless so daily fare caps limit your transport costs — see Heathrow to central London for how capping works.
Save on the paid parts of your trip
Free sights keep your budget low, but your hotel is the biggest cost. Stay in a well-connected, good-value area like King’s Cross or Bloomsbury (see where to stay in London) and compare hotel prices in London. For flights, compare flights to London.
More London guides
- London in 3 days: the perfect itinerary
- London Pass: prices and is it worth it?
- Where to stay in London
- Gatwick to London: trains, coaches and taxis
- London travel guide
FAQ: Free things to do in London
What can you do in London for free?
Visit free museums like the British Museum and National Gallery, watch the Changing of the Guard, enjoy views from the Sky Garden or Horizon 22, walk the South Bank, explore royal parks and browse markets like Borough and Camden.
Are London museums free?
Most national museums are free, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A and Tate Modern. Special exhibitions usually cost extra.
Is the Sky Garden free?
Yes, but you need to book a free timed ticket online. Slots are released three weeks ahead and go quickly.
What are the best free attractions in London?
The British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, the Sky Garden and the Changing of the Guard.
What free things can you do in London this weekend?
Weekend favourites include Borough Market, Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday, Portobello Road on Saturday, museum visits, the South Bank and park walks. Check Visit London’s free events listings for festivals and one-off events.
What are some unusual free places to visit in London?
The London Mithraeum, Leadenhall Market, the Grant Museum of Zoology, Crossbones Graveyard and Shoreditch street art.
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