romance, minus the bill
Free London Date Ideas
A good date in London does not need a big bill behind it. The best ones are a sunset view you booked for nothing, a slow walk by the canal, a tiny garden hardly anyone knows about and a poke around an alley of old bookshops. Here are the most romantic free things to do in London, whether it is a first date or the hundredth.
FREE
Free London Date Ideas
LONDON FREE GUIDEThe list
1
Sky Garden
The City · Monument
A jungle in the sky on top of the Walkie Talkie, the highest free public viewpoint in London. Book a slot and go up for nothing.
Daily, timed entry · book a free slot onlineFull details →
2
Horizon 22
City of London · Liverpool Street
London's highest free viewing platform, on the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate in the City. Entry is free with a timed ticket from horizon22.co.uk, and walk-ins get in when there is space.
Mon to Fri 10am–6pm · Sat 10am–5pm · Sun 10am–4pm · free timed ticketFull details →
3
Little Venice
Maida Vale · Warwick Avenue
A tranquil canal basin where Regent's and Grand Union meet, free to stroll, lined with willows, painted narrowboats, a floating cafe and a puppet theatre on the water.
Towpaths always openFull details →
4
Kyoto Garden
Kensington · Holland Park
A genuine Japanese garden in the middle of Holland Park, with a tiered waterfall, a koi pond and peacocks wandering the paths. Free, and almost absurdly serene.
Daily · roughly 7:30am to dusk with the parkFull details →
5
St Dunstan in the East
City of London · Monument
A bombed-out City church left as a public garden, with climbing plants threading through the ruins. Free, peaceful and pure magic.
Daily · roughly 8am to duskFull details →
6
Cecil Court
Covent Garden · Leicester Square
A gas-lit Victorian alley between Charing Cross Road and St Martin's Lane, free to wander, lined end to end with antiquarian booksellers and old print and map dealers.
Always open · shops daytimeFull details →
7
Columbia Road Flowers
Bethnal Green · Hoxton
An ordinary East End street that erupts into a wall of flowers and cockney banter every Sunday. Free to wander, a bargain by closing.
Sundays only · 8am–3pmFull details →
8
Leadenhall Market
City of London · Bank
A jaw-dropping Victorian covered market in the heart of the City, all painted ironwork and cobbles. It played Diagon Alley, and on a weekend you can have it to yourself.
Covered market open daily · shops and pubs Mon–FriFull details →
More guides
Guide
Free
The stories hiding above Clerkenwell's pubs
A free ~45-minute walk from Angel to Farringdon past six Clerkenwell pub signs, each hiding a story you'd never guess from the street: a prince replaced by a Tamil king, a freed slave in chains, a mystery mural, the man who funded England's first atlas, and a 400-year-old typo. Every stop is free to look at, this is about the signs, not drinking.
Guide
FreeEvery weekend
Go East Vintage Flea: a free vintage market in Bermondsey
Go East Vintage runs a free vintage flea market most weekends at Maltby Street in Bermondsey, plus an indoor edition inside the railway arches on selected weekends. Free entry, no ticket, dog-friendly, just turn up. Expect 40 plus vintage sellers with furniture, vinyl, cameras, fashion, jewellery and odd little treasures, right by Maltby Street Market's food stalls. Dates move around a little, so check Go East Vintage's Instagram for the exact weekend before you go.
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