First time in London — free things to do
A free-first starter guide for first-time visitors: the canon of must-see free spots, how London transport works, what tourists overpay for, and an honest FAQ.
The free must-sees
- British Museum — Bloomsbury, nearest tube Tottenham Court Road. Two million years of human history and it has been free to walk into since 1759. The Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummies, the lot.
- National Gallery — Trafalgar Square, nearest tube Charing Cross. Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Monet, Turner and a thousand years of painting, hanging on the wall for nothing right in the middle of town.
- Tate Modern — Bankside, nearest tube Southwark. A giant power station turned modern art gallery. Ride the lift to the viewing level for one of the best free views of St Paul's and the river.
- Natural History Museum — South Kensington, nearest tube South Kensington. The blue whale skeleton, the dinosaurs and a building that looks like a cathedral. Free, and a proper lifesaver when it rains.
- The South Bank walk — Riverside, nearest tube Waterloo. Walk the river from Westminster to Tower Bridge past the London Eye, the skate spot and the second-hand book market. The best free afternoon in London.
- Sky Garden — The City, nearest tube Monument. London's highest free viewpoint, a jungle in the sky on top of the Walkie Talkie. The view costs nothing, you just have to book ahead.
- Changing the Guard — Buckingham Palace, nearest tube Green Park. The bearskins, the band and the whole ceremony outside the palace for free. Get there for 10:30am and stand near the gates or by the Victoria Memorial.
- Greenwich Park — Greenwich, nearest tube Cutty Sark (DLR). Climb the hill by the Observatory for a free view straight down the river to Canary Wharf. The park, the meridian courtyard and the foot tunnel all cost nothing.
- Primrose Hill — Primrose Hill, nearest tube Chalk Farm. The best free skyline view in London, no queue and no ticket and never shuts. Come at sunset with something cold.
- Borough Market — London Bridge, nearest tube London Bridge. London's best food market under the railway arches. Free to wander and the samples are generous if you look interested enough.
- Brick Lane & street art — Shoreditch, nearest tube Shoreditch High St. Curry houses, vintage rails, salt beef bagels at 2am and the best free open-air street art gallery in the country.
A free day in London
- 9:30 – 12:00 —
- 12:00 – 2:00 —
- 2:00 – 5:00 —
- 5:00 – late —
FAQ
Is London actually free?
More than you would think. The big museums, the royal parks, the markets and the best views all cost nothing. You pay for transport, food and the big-ticket tourist traps, and this whole site is about skipping those.
Do I need an Oyster card?
No. Just tap a contactless bank card or your phone on the yellow reader. It finds the cheapest fare and caps your daily spend automatically, exactly like an Oyster but with nothing to buy or top up.
Are the museums really free?
Yes. The British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tates, the Natural History Museum and the V&A are all free to walk into. You only pay for the special ticketed exhibitions, and the permanent collections are the best bits anyway.
What's the best free view in London?
Primrose Hill at sunset for the classic skyline, or Sky Garden if you book a free slot a few days ahead. Both beat the paid viewing platforms and cost nothing.
How do I get in from the airport without getting ripped off?
Skip the black cab and the express trains if you are watching the money. The tube or the Elizabeth line gets you into the centre for a few pounds on the same tap-in card.
When is the best time to visit for the free stuff?
Spring and early summer for the parks and the in-bloom streets. For anything popular, go on a weekday morning and you will beat most of the crowds.