From world-class museums to hidden parks, here’s how to experience the best of London without spending a penny

Right, let’s be honest – London is ridiculously expensive. You’ve probably already discovered that a pint costs more than a decent meal back home, and don’t even get me started on how much it costs just to get on the Tube. But here’s something that might surprise you: loads of the best things to do in London are completely free.

I’m not talking about wandering around aimlessly looking at buildings (though there’s something to be said for that), but proper world-class museums, brilliant parks, markets, and cultural experiences that won’t cost you a penny. The British have this rather lovely tradition of making their best museums free to enter, which means you can see priceless art and historical artefacts without having to survive on beans on toast for the next week.

Whether you’re trying to stretch your funds until the end of term/your stay or just fancy doing something that doesn’t involve checking your bank balance first, Londonhomestays.com has got you covered. There’s something rather satisfying about having an incredible day out and only spending money on a celebratory coffee at the end of it.

The British Museum in Bloomsbury is probably the best place to start if you want to feel cultured without going broke. This place houses treasures from every corner of the world – Egyptian mummies, Greek sculptures, Viking hoards, the lot. The Rosetta Stone is here (the actual one that cracked the code for Egyptian hieroglyphs), along with enough Egyptian sarcophagi to stock a small pyramid. You could easily spend days here and still not see everything, which is brilliant value considering it costs nothing.

The Great Court with its glass roof is stunning, and perfect for those inevitable Instagram shots. Mind you, the museum’s absolutely massive, so grab a free map and pick a few highlights rather than trying to see everything. Your feet will thank you later.

Tate Modern on the South Bank is another absolute gem. Even if you think contemporary art is a load of pretentious nonsense (and sometimes it definitely is), it’s worth visiting for the building alone. It used to be a power station, which explains why it looks so industrial and cool. The Turbine Hall hosts massive installations that are often genuinely mind-blowing, though occasionally you’ll find yourself staring at something and wondering if the artist is having a laugh.

The views from the top floors over the Thames are spectacular, and the café on Level 6 is perfect for nursing a cheap coffee while pretending to be intellectual. The walk across the Millennium Bridge to get there is pretty special too, especially if you time it right and avoid the crowds of tourists taking selfies.

The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square houses some of the most famous paintings in the world. Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, works by Da Vinci, Turner – they’re all here, and you’ll recognise loads of them from art books or those posters people had in their university rooms. The building itself is gorgeous, and Trafalgar Square outside is perfect for people-watching, especially if there’s a protest on (which there usually is – this is London, after all).

Speaking of free entertainment, Trafalgar Square often has street performers, political demonstrations, and the occasional flash mob. The lions at the base of Nelson’s Column are brilliant for climbing on, though the police get a bit tetchy if you’re obviously drunk while doing it.

Hyde Park is 350 acres of green space right in the middle of London, which is pretty remarkable when you think about it. Speaker’s Corner on Sunday mornings is proper entertainment – people get up on soapboxes and rant about everything from politics to conspiracy theories. It’s been happening for over 150 years and it’s basically free comedy, though sometimes the comedy’s unintentional.

The Serpentine Lake is lovely for a walk around, and in summer there are often free events and festivals. If you fancy a swim, the Serpentine Lido is surprisingly affordable, though fair warning – the water’s bloody cold most of the year. The locals who swim there year-round are clearly mad, but admirably so.

Hampstead Heath in North London is like having proper countryside on your doorstep. The views from Parliament Hill over London are genuinely spectacular, especially at sunset when the whole city lights up below you. There are three swimming ponds if you’re brave enough for outdoor swimming – men’s, women’s, and mixed. The regulars swim year-round, even when there’s ice on the water. As I said, mad but admirable.

Borough Market near London Bridge is London’s oldest food market and a feast for all the senses. You don’t have to buy anything to enjoy it – just wandering around smelling the cheese, watching the fishmongers shout at customers, and seeing the incredible array of food is entertainment enough. Plus, many stalls offer free samples, especially the cheese and olive vendors. If you time it right and look friendly enough, you can practically have lunch on free samples. Just don’t take the piss.

Camden Market is touristy as hell, but it’s still worth experiencing at least once. The mix of alternative fashion, vintage clothes, street food, and general weirdness is quite something. Weekends are mental – proper heaving with tourists from every corner of the globe – but weekdays are much more manageable. The canal walks around Camden Lock are lovely too, and much quieter than the market itself.

The Southbank Centre always has something going on, and loads of it is free. The Royal Festival Hall often has free concerts in the foyer, and there are always exhibitions and installations scattered around. The book market under Waterloo Bridge runs every day and is perfect for browsing, even if you can’t afford to buy anything. The riverside walk from Westminster to Tower Bridge is one of London’s best free attractions, with street performers, brilliant views, and loads of free entertainment along the way.

If you’re feeling fancy but skint, the V&A in South Kensington is your best bet. It’s massive and slightly overwhelming, but in the best possible way. There’s everything from medieval tapestries to contemporary fashion, ancient sculptures to modern ceramics. The museum itself is a work of art – the Victorian architecture is stunning, and some of the newer galleries are brilliant examples of contemporary design. The café is in a gorgeous Victorian room and does reasonably priced food, which is handy when museum legs set in.

Greenwich is technically still London, but it feels like a proper day trip. You can stand on the Prime Meridian for free (the Royal Observatory charges entry, but the line’s painted outside in the courtyard), and the views from the top of Greenwich Park over London are brilliant. There are deer wandering around the park, and Greenwich Market is worth browsing even if you’re not buying.

Now, here’s something most people don’t know about – Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street. It’s London’s highest public garden with incredible views, and it’s completely free. You need to book online in advance though, and tickets are released three weeks ahead at 10am sharp. They go quickly, so set a phone reminder. The views are better than the London Eye and you’re not paying thirty-odd quid for the privilege.

The comedy scene in London is brilliant, and loads of venues do free nights. The quality varies wildly – sometimes you’ll see the next big thing trying out new material, sometimes you’ll want to hide behind your pint – but it’s all part of the experience. Check out places like The Cavendish Arms in Stockwell or The New Cross Inn. Just remember pub etiquette: if you’re watching free entertainment, buy a drink. Don’t be that person nursing a Coke all evening.

Summer in London is festival season, and most of them are free. Hyde Park hosts loads of events, there’s outdoor theatre in Regent’s Park, and food festivals pop up everywhere. The Mayor of London’s website lists all the free events, or just follow Time Out London on social media. Take a picnic and make a proper day of it – summer festivals with a few cans and some sandwiches are unbeatable.

Christmas markets and lights displays are brilliant for free entertainment too. Yes, the markets themselves are expensive, but wandering around soaking up the atmosphere costs nothing. Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Covent Garden all go completely over the top with their Christmas lights. Carol services in churches across London are usually free and properly atmospheric, though you’ll need to queue early for the famous ones like St Paul’s.

The British Library near King’s Cross is brilliant for a quiet study session. The reading rooms are beautiful, there’s free WiFi throughout, and nobody minds if you’re there all day. Plus, there are often free exhibitions on everything from literature to music history. Much quieter than university libraries, and the café’s reasonably priced.

Foyles bookshop on Tottenham Court Road has comfortable reading areas throughout the store where you can easily spend hours browsing. They regularly host free author events and book launches, often with free wine and nibbles. Even if you can’t afford to buy books, just being surrounded by them is quite therapeutic.

Columbia Road Flower Market on Sunday mornings is the most Instagram-worthy street in London. Even if you don’t buy flowers, the Victorian terraced houses with blooms spilling out of every doorway make for perfect photos. The market traders are proper characters too – they shout out deals and banter with customers in cockney accents you thought only existed in old films.

Notting Hill Carnival in late August is Europe’s biggest street festival and completely free. Over a million people descend on West London for Caribbean music, food, and dancing. Fair warning though – it gets properly crowded, especially on Monday. Sunday’s usually a bit more chilled, and yes, you will get covered in jerk chicken sauce and not care one bit.

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is ridiculously touristy but quite impressive if you’ve never seen it. Get there early for a decent view, or watch from St James’s Park where you can see them marching past without the massive crowds. The Horse Guards Parade ceremony is less crowded and equally impressive.

Right, that should keep you busy for a few months at least. The brilliant thing about London is that once you know where to look, you can have incredible experiences without spending any money at all. Some of my best London memories involve sitting in parks with friends, wandering through free museums, or stumbling across street performances that were better than anything you’d pay to see.

There’s something rather rebellious about having a brilliant day out in one of the world’s most expensive cities without spending a penny. Your bank balance will thank you, and you’ll discover parts of London that many tourists never see.

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