Top 10 Free Things to Do in London
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Xslam
Jun 5, 2008, 11:13:27 PM6/5/08
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Visitors worry that London is an expensive city but there really is so
much to do for free from museums and galleries to free music and
walking tours.
1) Art Galleries
Tate Modern and Tate Britain are exceptional national art galleries
housing some of the finest artworks in the world. Tate Modern focuses
on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British Art from the
sixteenth century to the present day.
Other major London art galleries include the National Portrait Gallery
and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. I would also recommend
The Wallace Collection as it's just off Oxford Street so a perfect
escape from a busy shopping spree.
And remember, many of the major art galleries and museums have late
openings: London Art Galleries and Museums Late Openings.
2) Museums
All of London's major museums are free, but most offer some special
exhibitions for a fee. My favorite is the Museum of London where you
can learn the history of London from Roman times to today. Other great
major museums are the British Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum, and
the Natural History Museum. Oh, and I love the Geffrye Museum. And the
Horniman Museum. Now I can't decide which is the best!
More: London Museums
Visitors worry that London is an expensive city but there really is so
much to do for free from museums and galleries to free music and
walking tours.
1) Art Galleries
Tate Modern and Tate Britain are exceptional national art galleries
housing some of the finest artworks in the world. Tate Modern focuses
on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British Art from the
sixteenth century to the present day.
Other major London art galleries include the National Portrait Gallery
and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. I would also recommend
The Wallace Collection as it's just off Oxford Street so a perfect
escape from a busy shopping spree.
And remember, many of the major art galleries and museums have late
openings: London Art Galleries and Museums Late Openings.
2) Museums
All of London's major museums are free, but most offer some special
exhibitions for a fee. My favorite is the Museum of London where you
can learn the history of London from Roman times to today. Other great
major museums are the British Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum, and
the Natural History Museum. Oh, and I love the Geffrye Museum. And the
Horniman Museum. Now I can't decide which is the best!
More: London Museums
3) Royal Parks
I regularly hear people tell me the Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in
Regent's Park is their favorite spot in London, and who am I to argue?
I would also recommend St. James's Park as it offers one of the best
views of Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is enormous and includes the
ever popular Diana Memorial Fountain and the Peter Pan Statue.
There are often free talks and guided walks in the royal parks so do
check the What's On section of the Royal Parks web site.
4) Changing of the Guard
No visit to London is complete without seeing this military tradition.
The Queen's Guard in London changes in the Forecourt inside the gates
of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am every day in the summer and every
other day in the winter. Get there early and view the spectacle from
outside the front gates.
5) South Bank
It really is amazing how many London landmarks you can see along this
stretch of the River Thames including The London Eye, Tate Modern, The
Globe Theatre, and so much more. You can download free walking tours
of the South Bank area from Walk This Way.
More: South Bank Photo Tour
6) Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is one of Britain's greatest visitor attractions.
Trafalgar Square was designed by John Nash in the 1820s and
constructed in the 1830s. It is both a tourist attraction and the oil
protrail and painting from the photo for political demonstrations.
Every December, Norway donates a marvelous Christmas tree, to thank
Britain for liberation from the Nazis.
This iconic square has many sights to see including Nelson's Column
and the National Gallery.
More: Trafalgar Square Sights
7) Street Performers
The West Piazza of Covent Garden Market has street performers to
entertain you every afternoon. Good acts can draw huge crowds and the
performers love to get audience members to help them with their act.
All performers are licensed and have passed an audition to perform
here.
You will find more street performers at the weekend along the South
Bank, particularly outside the National Theatre.
8) Street Markets
London is well-known for its popular street markets. Have a look at
these copy point and classicality from Spitalfields Market in east
London and Borough Market in south London.
More great London markets include:
Camden Market
Portobello Market
Columbia Flower Market (Sunday mornings only)
Brick Lane Market (Sundays only)
Greenwich Market
9) Westminster Abbey
You can see inside Westminster Abbey for free. The Abbey never charges
people who want to worship but they rely on admission fees from
visitors to cover running costs. Evensong is the most beautiful of
services where the Abbey choir sings. The Choristers of the Choir are
educated at Westminster Abbey Choir School and are creation tone and
emulsion stuff extremely talented. Evensong is at 5pm on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, plus at 3pm on Saturdays and
Sundays.
For more information on the services at Westminster Abbey see their
web site: www.westminster-abbey.org and click on Services on the left-
hand list.
10) Free Music
You can hear Commuter Jazz on Fridays at the Royal Festival Hall on
the South Bank from 5.15pm.
The Royal Opera House offers free Monday lunchtime recitals.
There are regular free lunchtime concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
Also, check out the Barbican.
There are loads more free things to do in London. Keep an eye on the
London for Free section as it is regularly updated.
OK, one more for luck...
Watch a Trial at the Old Bailey
The Old Bailey is probably the most famous criminal court in the
world. You can watch the proceedings from the public galleries from
10am, Monday to Friday.
London for Free
Do you have a favorite free London activity? Let us know so we can
share with everyone.
much to do for free from museums and galleries to free music and
walking tours.
1) Art Galleries
Tate Modern and Tate Britain are exceptional national art galleries
housing some of the finest artworks in the world. Tate Modern focuses
on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British Art from the
sixteenth century to the present day.
Other major London art galleries include the National Portrait Gallery
and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. I would also recommend
The Wallace Collection as it's just off Oxford Street so a perfect
escape from a busy shopping spree.
And remember, many of the major art galleries and museums have late
openings: London Art Galleries and Museums Late Openings.
2) Museums
All of London's major museums are free, but most offer some special
exhibitions for a fee. My favorite is the Museum of London where you
can learn the history of London from Roman times to today. Other great
major museums are the British Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum, and
the Natural History Museum. Oh, and I love the Geffrye Museum. And the
Horniman Museum. Now I can't decide which is the best!
More: London Museums
Visitors worry that London is an expensive city but there really is so
much to do for free from museums and galleries to free music and
walking tours.
1) Art Galleries
Tate Modern and Tate Britain are exceptional national art galleries
housing some of the finest artworks in the world. Tate Modern focuses
on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British Art from the
sixteenth century to the present day.
Other major London art galleries include the National Portrait Gallery
and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. I would also recommend
The Wallace Collection as it's just off Oxford Street so a perfect
escape from a busy shopping spree.
And remember, many of the major art galleries and museums have late
openings: London Art Galleries and Museums Late Openings.
2) Museums
All of London's major museums are free, but most offer some special
exhibitions for a fee. My favorite is the Museum of London where you
can learn the history of London from Roman times to today. Other great
major museums are the British Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum, and
the Natural History Museum. Oh, and I love the Geffrye Museum. And the
Horniman Museum. Now I can't decide which is the best!
More: London Museums
3) Royal Parks
I regularly hear people tell me the Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in
Regent's Park is their favorite spot in London, and who am I to argue?
I would also recommend St. James's Park as it offers one of the best
views of Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is enormous and includes the
ever popular Diana Memorial Fountain and the Peter Pan Statue.
There are often free talks and guided walks in the royal parks so do
check the What's On section of the Royal Parks web site.
4) Changing of the Guard
No visit to London is complete without seeing this military tradition.
The Queen's Guard in London changes in the Forecourt inside the gates
of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am every day in the summer and every
other day in the winter. Get there early and view the spectacle from
outside the front gates.
5) South Bank
It really is amazing how many London landmarks you can see along this
stretch of the River Thames including The London Eye, Tate Modern, The
Globe Theatre, and so much more. You can download free walking tours
of the South Bank area from Walk This Way.
More: South Bank Photo Tour
6) Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is one of Britain's greatest visitor attractions.
Trafalgar Square was designed by John Nash in the 1820s and
constructed in the 1830s. It is both a tourist attraction and the oil
protrail and painting from the photo for political demonstrations.
Every December, Norway donates a marvelous Christmas tree, to thank
Britain for liberation from the Nazis.
This iconic square has many sights to see including Nelson's Column
and the National Gallery.
More: Trafalgar Square Sights
7) Street Performers
The West Piazza of Covent Garden Market has street performers to
entertain you every afternoon. Good acts can draw huge crowds and the
performers love to get audience members to help them with their act.
All performers are licensed and have passed an audition to perform
here.
You will find more street performers at the weekend along the South
Bank, particularly outside the National Theatre.
8) Street Markets
London is well-known for its popular street markets. Have a look at
these copy point and classicality from Spitalfields Market in east
London and Borough Market in south London.
More great London markets include:
Camden Market
Portobello Market
Columbia Flower Market (Sunday mornings only)
Brick Lane Market (Sundays only)
Greenwich Market
9) Westminster Abbey
You can see inside Westminster Abbey for free. The Abbey never charges
people who want to worship but they rely on admission fees from
visitors to cover running costs. Evensong is the most beautiful of
services where the Abbey choir sings. The Choristers of the Choir are
educated at Westminster Abbey Choir School and are creation tone and
emulsion stuff extremely talented. Evensong is at 5pm on Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, plus at 3pm on Saturdays and
Sundays.
For more information on the services at Westminster Abbey see their
web site: www.westminster-abbey.org and click on Services on the left-
hand list.
10) Free Music
You can hear Commuter Jazz on Fridays at the Royal Festival Hall on
the South Bank from 5.15pm.
The Royal Opera House offers free Monday lunchtime recitals.
There are regular free lunchtime concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.
Also, check out the Barbican.
There are loads more free things to do in London. Keep an eye on the
London for Free section as it is regularly updated.
OK, one more for luck...
Watch a Trial at the Old Bailey
The Old Bailey is probably the most famous criminal court in the
world. You can watch the proceedings from the public galleries from
10am, Monday to Friday.
London for Free
Do you have a favorite free London activity? Let us know so we can
share with everyone.
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