You may already know that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to be in, but what you may not know is that the city has some of the freest attractions in the world.
Both Londoners and visitors alike who are on a strict budget will find loads of interesting stuff to do and places to see without breaking the bank or spending a single penny.
From visiting free museums to attending free events and taking leisure walks around any of the many free parks in the city, there’s so much you can do in London to make your stay worthwhile. So, who says the best things in life have to come at a price?
5 Free Things to Do in London
Watch the Changing of the Guards at the Palace Gates
What’s a visit to London without witnessing the changing of the guards at the Buckingham palace gates? The time when the old guards hand over the responsibility of guarding the palace to the new guards is a ceremony that you will be excited to witness.
The ceremony usually starts at 10:45 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It is a spectacle that attracts most visitors and is completely free to watch. You should probably try to get there early enough to secure a great spot from where you can clearly view the whole parade.
Visit Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station
Harry Potter fans will be enthralled to visit the famed train station. Head to King’s Cross station to get free pictures taken with the luggage trolley pushing into the wall under the platform 9 ¾ sign.
There’s also a Harry Potter gift shop in case you need to purchase a magical souvenir from your visit.
Bear in mind that you might have to be on a queue for a while before you have your pictures taken. But in the end, it’s worth the wait.
Explore Various Museums and Galleries
You will find an array of museums and galleries in London with most of them free to visit. Most of the main museums in London are run majorly on donations, so they’re open to all for free.
Notable museums and galleries to visit include the British Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, the Imperial War Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum, V&A Museum, and the British Library.
While entrance to the museum and main gallery spaces may be free, exhibitions may come at an additional cost.
Attend Free Events
Many free events are held year-round in many locations in London. There’s a free classical concert held every week in the historic St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields church that lasts about 45 minutes. It’s easy to find a great seat upon arrival, so you don’t have to get there hours earlier before the show starts.
You might also want to look out for other free weekly events at held at Tate Modern, Leicester Square, the Trafalgar Square, the Covent Garden Piazza, and Southbank Center.
The odds are you will get to see people performing art on the streets from musicians to dancers and magicians when you head to such places. You will even spot human statues and kids’ favorite cartoon characters.
Observe the Stars in Hampstead
Every year from September to April, the Hampstead Scientific Society allows the public access to its observatory for a stargazing experience. Visitors are educated on the different telescopes on site. And as they watch the skies, they are informed about the astronomical objects they see.
This is one of the most phenomenal free things to do in London. If astronomy sounds interesting to you, this is one free activity you will revel in. You can visit their website to find out when their next stargazing event is.
