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There’s plenty to do in London in England that doesn’t cost anything. We have the list for you to make the most of your break
We all have some sort of budget in place when we travel, or at least some idea of what we want to splurge on and what we are okay to cut back on. London is a city that calls for both – some experiences that you absolutely cannot miss (and must pay for) and an astonishing number of attractions that are free to visit.
The city is home to parks, museums, churches, markets and viewpoints that you can access without spending a penny.
Go To The Galleries
Home to one of the most impressive art collections globally, the National Gallery (above) houses masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, da Vinci, Renoir and van Gogh. The permanent collections are always free, and you can avoid the crowds by visiting on weekdays and on Friday evenings when hours are extended until 9pm.
At the Tate Modern on the south bank of the Thames, the free-to-visit permanent collection includes works by Picasso, Matisse, Warhol and Pollock.
Move On To The Museums
Free to visit, the British Museum brims with artefacts from across the world. Expect everything from the Rosetta Stone and Anglo-Saxon burial treasures to samurai armour and Egyptian mummies.
The Natural History Museum is another free-to-visit treasure trove. You will be welcomed into the gorgeous Gothic Revival edifice by a massive skeleton of a blue whale (main image), setting the stage for a huge collection of unusual and fascinating items.
Open since 1852, the Victoria & Albert Museum is regarded as one of the best decorative arts museums in the world. Free to visit, it’s worth a ramble through for its almost-unbelievable hoard of 4.5 million items.
Five storeys high and packed with interactive exhibits, the Science Museum (above) has something for both kids and adults.
Make Some Time For The Parks
The Albert Memorial, the Serpentine Gallery, the Round Pond, the Peter Pan Statue and the Diana Memorial Playground can be found in Kensington Gardens and are free to visit. There’s also a string of royal parks – Regents Park, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park – all of which are free to enter.
Greenwich Park (above) has a viewpoint from the hill at its centre that offers spectacular views over the city. The park is also ideal for a picnic.
Max Out The Markets
Enjoy free samples of food at Borough Market (above). The market is well over a century old and the place to go for cuisines from across the world. We can guarantee that you’ll go on to willingly put money down here. Go on a weekday to skip the crowds; keep in mind that the market is closed on Sundays.
Portobello Road Market is another market you must not miss. Sited in the charming neighbourhood of Notting Hill, the market’s stalls offer everything from antiques and vintage clothing to street food. Saturdays are most popular; avoid Sundays when the stalls don’t operate.
And, Of Course…
Witness the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 11am.
Images: Shutterstock
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