Free things to do in London

51 places in London with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 51.

SeePaddington-Maida Vale
Alexander Fleming Laboratory Museum
The laboratory in which Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928.
Mon-Thu 10AM-1PMfree
SeeBloomsbury
All Saints, Margaret Street
An attractive Gothic Revival church, completed in 1859 to a design by William Butterfield.
11AM-7PMFree
SeeBloomsbury
All Souls Church, Langham Place
Completed in 1823, this attractive church near Broadcasting House is one of John Nash's masterpieces, with a prominent spire and circular vestibule. As of May 2025, it accessible only for worship.
Sun worship 9:30AM, 11:30AM, 5:30PMFree (donations advised)
SeeCity of London
Bank of England Museum
Charts the history of the bank from 1694 to the present day. A highlight is the opportunity to handle a genuine bar of gold. Photography allowed, but no flash.
Mon–Fri 10AM–5PMFree
SeeCity of London
Barbican Conservatory
The second biggest greenhouse in London, containing over 2,000 species of tropical plants as well as birds and fish.
11AM–5PMFree
SeeBloomsbury
Bloomsbury Square
This garden square was established by Lord Southampton in 1665 and is the oldest square in London. It was opened to the public in the 1950s. The square is surrounded by a number of beautiful 18th- and 19th-century buildings and terraces.
Dusk-dawnFree
SeeBloomsbury
British Museum
A vast repository of the world's cultures, controversially including hundreds of items that were looted from their places of origin. Entire sections are devoted to Egyptian, Greek, and Middle Eastern artifacts, as well as the piece which united them all, the Rosetta Stone. Other items on everyone's list are the largest collection of mummies outside Egypt and the Elgin Marbles. The collection also includes some of the world's finest collections of Chinese and Sub-Saharan African art; perhaps the most famous of the latter are the Benin bronzes. A definite highlight of a trip to London. Temporary exhibitions are invariably excellent and meticulously researched, but can be expensive. It has a fine store, mainly selling replicas of items in the collection.
Sat-Wed 10AM-5:30PM, Thu Fri 10AM-8:30PM; Central Great Court remains open Sat-Wed until 6PM, Thu Fri until 11PMFree for permanent exhibits
SeeBloomsbury
Brunei Gallery, SOAS University of London
An exhibition space that hosts a programme of changing contemporary and historical exhibitions from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, aiming to present and promote cultures from these regions and to be a student resource and public facility. There are live music performances every last Wednesday of every month except December and July.
Tue–Sat 10:30AM–5PM, Thu 10:30AM–8PMFree
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
Bunhill Fields Burial Ground
First used to bury bones to make space at St Paul's, it was designated as a burial ground during the Great Plague of 1665. Notable interments include Daniel Dafoe, John Bunyan and William Blake. This small graveyard is a rarity in central London, and seems oddly tranquil in comparison to the nearby bustling streets of the City. Some 120,000 bodies are believed to be buried here: as the inscription reads, it is a burial ground for 'nonconformists'. Notably, Bunhill Fields contains the graves of William Blake, Daniel Defoe and John Bunyan. The watchful eye will notice that the paved way across the field is actually made up of tombstones.
Dawn-duskFree
DoWestminster
Changing of the Guard
Each morning between May and July at 11:30AM the guard changes outside Buckingham Palace. The rest of the year, the guard changes on alternate days, weather permitting. A board is placed outside the palace in the morning to say whether the Changing of the Guard ceremony will take place or not. There is no charge to view the Changing of the Guard—simply turn up and stand at the fence in front of the Palace, but it is worth getting there early to ensure a good view, particularly when the weather is fine.
May-Jul 11:30AM daily; for other times, see websiteFree
SeeSouthwark and Lewisham
Crystal Palace Park
While the Crystal Palace is no longer there, the 200-acre park is a lasting reminder of the grandeur of the scheme. There is a wide range of things to see and do, including a hedge maze, a sports centre with Olympic-sized pool, a boating lake, fishing, an athletics stadium and an open air concert bowl by a lake among other things. The park is a great place for a walk and also for cycling around. A significant attraction within the park is the Dinosaur Park. Large Victorian concrete and cast iron dinosaurs are scattered around widely. The dinosaurs, built by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins in the early 1850s to meet the emerging passion of wealthy Victorians for fossils and paleontology, they predated Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species by six years and were unique in the world. After falling into a state of disrepair in the 1980s and 1990s, they were splendidly renovated using a Lottery grant in the early 2000s and are now protected as a grade I listed structure. The dinosaurs were designed by the Victorians on their idea of what one would look like and differ somewhat from modern interpretations.
Free
SeeNotting Hill-North Kensington
Design Museum
A must for anyone with an interest in modern and contemporary design. The permanent exhibition follows the change in British homes from the early 20th century until present day, which is constantly updated to include new design classics. There are temporary exhibits which run for 3-4 months. The museum also runs Designer of the Year which awards a prize to a person or organisation that has produced an impressive piece of design. There is a small shop that has plenty of art and design books as well as designer goods to take home with you.
Mon-Thu 10AM-6:30PM, Fri Sat 10AM-9PM, Sun 10AM-6:30PMFree, except for temporary exhibitions
SeeWestminster
Elizabeth Tower
commonly referred to as Big Ben
Strictly limited numbers of tickets are available to climb the Elizabeth Tower, which was renamed from Clock Tower in 2012. It contains the Great Bell, commonly known as Big Ben. British visitors should write to their Member of Parliament to request tickets. Unfortunately there are no tours for overseas visitors.
Free
SeeBloomsbury
Fitzroy House
L. Ron Hubbard House
A historic house that was inhabited by playwright George Bernard Shaw, it is where writer L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, worked in the 1950s. The building is reminiscent of the time, complete with Adler typewriters, Grundig tape recorders, and Western Union telefax. Tours by appointment.
Free
SeeCity of London
Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre
The Guildhall Art Gallery houses the City Corporation's art collection, and also runs special exhibitions throughout the year. During construction of the modern gallery, workers discovered the ruins of London's Roman amphitheatre. The gallery was redesigned, and now the Amphitheatre is open to the public within the Guildhall Art Gallery itself and also free of charge.
Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM; Sun noon-4PMfree
SeeNotting Hill-North Kensington
Holland Park
Originally the private garden of Holland House, much of which was destroyed in the London Blitz, Holland Park is a mixture of woodland, European and Japanese-style formal gardens and leisure facilities. It includes a large field dedicated to football and cricket, as well as tennis courts. As you walk around the park, you can see bits of the house dotted around the place which give you some idea of how grand it used to be. In the summer this is a great place to catch outdoor opera. An ecology centre near the police station provides information about the ecology of the park and arranges various activities for children. There is a café in the park that sells ice creams and hot food. The park is a popular way to walk from Notting Hill to Kensington High Street.
Daily 7:30AM-duskFree
SeeCity of London
Horizon 22
London's highest viewing platform that is free to the public. Sitting at the 58th floor of an office building, and the tallest building in City of London proper, it gives visitors a 300-degree view of London.
Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-5pm, Sun 10AM-4PMFree entry (online ticket reservation recommended)
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
Hunterian Museum
Inside the Royal College of Surgeons. Exhibitions on the history of surgery, including medicine, natural history and art. The museum was established by John Hunter (1728-1793), the founder of scientific surgery.
Tue-Sat 10AM-5PMFree, booking recommended
EatWandsworth
Lahore Karahi
BYO, Halal. Pakistani restaurant serving great food at decent prices, albeit in very basic premises with cheap furnishing. No alcohol is served but you can bring your own at no charge.
Daily 10AM–11PMA meal for two is about GBP 30
SeeCity of London
London Mithraeum
Temple of Mithras
The London Mithraeum is a 3rd century Roman mithraeum that was discovered in Walbrook during construction work in 1954. The entire site was relocated several times before being returned to its original site as part of the new Bloomberg building. This temple of the mystery god Mithras became perhaps the most famous 20th-century Roman discovery in London. In addition to the temple structure, there is a display of Roman artefacts found on the site and a contemporary art exhibit responding to the site. Visitor numbers are limited and timed slots are often fully booked up several weeks into the future so plan well ahead.
Tue-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun and bank holidays noon-5PMFree, online booking required
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
Museum of the Order of St John
Museum in the former English headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller, covering the history of the order from crusading knights to modern first aid organisation. There are paid guided tours available to see the crypt.
Mon–Sat 10AM–5PMFree - donations welcome
SeeLeicester Square
National Gallery
Houses the British national collection of western European art dating from the 13th to 19th centuries. A truly awe-inspiring collection, notable works include Hans Holbein's The Ambassadors, Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Constable's The Haywain. The vast majority of art is free of charge to visit. Temporary exhibitions are generally fairly costly, but invariably well researched and presented. The audioguides are very comprehensive, have comments on most of the paintings in the museum, and are free though this fact is not advertised. A donation is suggested. In addition to courses, workshops, lectures and other events, the National Gallery has free talks and tours every day.
10AM-6PM daily except Fri until 9PMFree
SeeLeicester Square
National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is just around the corner from the National Gallery and is an entertaining way to learn about British history since the Tudors. Visitors walk around the gallery chronologically, viewing portraits of notable figures from British history - from Henry VII, painted by Hans Holbein, to Blur, painted by Julian Opie.
Sat-Wed 10AM-6PM, Thu Fri 10AM-9PMFree except some non-permanent exhibitions
SeeBloomsbury
Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
Formerly the teaching collection of Sir Flinders Petrie, one of Britain's greatest archaeologists, now preserved by University College London. Exhibits include beaded dresses, sculpture and wall reliefs, items of everyday use, papyri, cartonnage and pottery. Fascinating!
Tue-Fr 1-5PM Sat 11-5PMFree
SeeCity of London
Postman's Park
Postman's Park is three parks combined, bringing together the gardens of St Botolph's Aldersgate, Christ Church Greyfriars and St Leonard, Foster Lane. One of the largest parks in the City of London, Postman's Park contains the Memorial to Heroic Self Sacrifice; a memorial to ordinary people who died saving the lives of others and might otherwise have been forgotten.
8AM–7PM or dusk (whichever is earlier). Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's DayFree
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
Royal Courts of Justice
The building holds the High Court and the Court of Appeal, two of the highest courts in the United Kingdom, though only civil cases are heard here. Trials are open to the public, but tourists would probably be more interested in seeing the impressive entrance hall, and admiring the stunning Victorian Gothic exterior.
Mon-Fri 9AM-4:30PM (Aug-Sep: 10AM-2:30PM)Free
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
Sir John Soane's Museum
The former home of architect Sir John Soane, the building has been converted into a museum, displaying some of the objects he collected during his lifetime, including the alabaster sarcophagus of Seti I, and paintings by artists including William Hogarth. There is a display of some of Soane's architectural plans on the upper floor. Be sure to wait in the picture room until the guides open the walls up to reveal further paintings behind. The museum is a little-known tourist attraction, but well worth a visit. Admission free (but you're encouraged to leave a donation), you can walk in on the day.
Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM
SeeSouthwark and Lewisham
South London Gallery
Long-standing free art gallery consisting of two locations across the road from each other. The work on display changes regularly, depending on what exhibition is on show, featuring current British and international artists.
Wed noon-9PM, Thu-Sun noon-6PMFree (except for some events)
SeeCity of London
St Botolph's Aldersgate
A medieval church that was rebuilt in the late 18th century, noted for its well-preserved interior. The former churchyard was converted into a public space in 1880, called Postman's Park as it was frequented by workers from the nearby Post Office headquarters.
Mon-Fri 9AM-3PM, closed Bank Holiday MondaysFree
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
St Clement Danes
Church in the Strand designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1682 that is now used by the RAF.
Wed-Fri 10AM-noon, 1PM-4PM, Sat Sun 10AM-3PMFree (donations welcome)
SeeCity of London
St Dunstan in the East
The ruins of a church dating back to Saxon times, rebuilt by St Dunstan in 950, destroyed in the Great Fire of London, and then rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1697. Most of the church was destroyed during the blitz, leaving only the tower (dating from Wren's time) and hollowed-out walls (from an 1817 reconstruction). The ruins are now overgrown with picturesque vines and trees, and were converted into a public garden in 1967, complete with benches.
8AM–7PM or dusk, whichever is earlierFree
SeeCity of London
St Lawrence Jewry
Properly St Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall, it is the official church of the Lord Mayor of London.
Mon-Fri 9AM-5PMFree
SeeNotting Hill-North Kensington
St Mary Abbots
Although there has been a parish church on the site since the 13th century, the present building dates only from 1872. It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott (perhaps most famous for St Pancras station and hotel), who was a parishioner, and it has the tallest church spire in London. Imposing and formidable, without necessarily being beautiful, it is nonetheless Grade II* listed.
Mon-Sat 10AM-2PM, Sun 10AM-6PMFree
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
St Mary le Strand
Baroque church in the Strand completed in 1724 to a design by James Gibbs.
Mon-Fri noon-4PMFree (donations welcome)
SeeCity of London
St Stephen Walbrook
Constructed 1672-9 to a design by Sir Christopher Wren and regarded as one of the finest Wren churches. The 63 feet (19 m) high dome is based on Wren's original design for St Paul's Cathedral. The circular altar is by the British sculptor Henry Moore, and the kneelers are designed by Patrick Heron. Free lunchtime concerts at 1PM on Tuesdays (except August). Free Organ recitals at 12:30PM on Fridays. Occasional art exhibitions on Christian themes and other events.
Free (donations requested)
SeeWestminster
Tate Britain
This gallery houses the Tate collection of British art from 1500 through to contemporary art. A side wing collects together the gallery's collection of paintings by Turner, including some stunning seascapes. Temporary exhibitions are exceedingly varied: examples include exhibitions of Turner's paintings of Venice and the work of photographer Wolfgang Tillmans. The best known exhibition is the Turner Prize, consists of works by four artists shortlisted for the annual contemporary art prize, which runs from late October to January each year.
Daily 10AM-5:50PMFree (though there is a charge for temporary exhibitions)
SeeSouthwark and Lewisham
The Cuming Museum
Newington Library
The first gallery tells the story of the Cuming family and their collection the second gallery focuses on the history of Southwark and is split into three areas, settling here, a place to visit and world connections. The Southwark gallery looks at the people who have lived and worked here from Roman times to today. The third gallery in the museum is the temporary exhibition gallery - exhibitions change every four to six months.
Tue-Sat 10AM-5PMfree
SeeSouthwark and Lewisham
The Horniman Museum
A fine museum with an eclectic collection of stuffed animals, wonderful collection of world musical instruments, with interactive information. There is also an aquarium with an admission charge. A real hidden gem for those with an interest in the anthropology of African and Asian cultures. Pleasure gardens with a fine view over London, are adjacent to the Museum, perfect for a picnic on a fine day.
Daily 10:30AM-5:30PMFree
SeeHolborn-Clerkenwell
The Perimeter
Contemporary art gallery tucked away in a quiet cobbled mews. Hosts a couple of exhibitions a year, entry needs to be booked in advance.
Free
SeeSouthwark and Lewisham
Tsar Peter the Great Monument
Tsar Peter the Great Monument, which is located at the waterfront adjacent to Deptford Creek and paid for by the Russian government to commemorate the cultural exchange between two great seafaring nations (it could be argued that Deptford Docks inspired the birth of the Russian navy). The writer and gardener, John Evelyn (1620–1706) who lived at Sayes Court, (now run-down and neglected) hosted the young, rowdy Peter the I (1672–1725) as a guest for about three months in 1698; during his naval apprenticeship on his great tour of Western Europe. Sir Francis Drake was knighted by Queen Elizabeth I aboard the Golden Hind in Deptford Docks too. Unfortunately the statue of Evelyn who stood next to Peter was damaged during an attempted burglary in 2022 and is still covered by a wooden box.
Free

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to London (CC BY-SA 4.0).