10 Free Things to Explore in London
Whether you’re a lifelong Londoner or just arrived here yesterday, it's a well-known fact that the city can be pretty expensive. Sure a pint costs £8 these days, but there's also plenty of places in the capital that won’t break the bank - you just need to know where to find them. So tighten your purse strings because we've all the best free activities, from electric live music and hilarious comedy nights, to cultural museums and secret gardens - whatever your vibe, we know it's even better when it's free.
1. National Portrait Gallery
This infamous Gallery is home to the most extensive collection of photographic and painted portraits in the world, with a timeline from the 8th century to the present day. Here’s an added sweetener; even after all that extensive work, admission to their permanent exhibitions are still free so long as you book online - a great choice for a weekend in London.
Location: St Martin’s Place, London, WC2H 0HE
2. Angel Comedy Club
With two venues in The Camden Head and The Bill Murray, Angel Comedy Club are hosting free shows - you heard us right - without compromising on star performances. On Fridays and Saturdays, catch a stellar line-up of rising stand-up comedians, plus a few professionals (Tim Key, Nish Kumar and Joe Lycett among them) performing their funniest sets. On weekdays, the venues host new material spots, improv groups and solo shows. But what do these nights have in common? The inclusive, welcoming atmosphere, and a guaranteed hilarious time. Make sure to check it out if you know what’s good for you as this certainly does down as one of the top fun things to do in London.
Location: Various locations
3. The Barbican Conservatory
We couldn’t mention penny pinching without mentioning the Barbican Conservatory now, could we. This luscious botanical garden that rivals Kew Gardens is free to visit for a casual stroll. It’s also the second biggest tropical conservatory in London. Naturally a place this divine gets booked up in advance so, keep your eyes peeled for the next series of dates and play your hand at a time slot. Trust us when we say it’s as far as activities in London go, it's totally worth it.
Location: Silk St, London EC2Y 8DS
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4. BFI Mediatheque
What if we told you there’s a cool, hidden spot at the BFI where you can settle into a private viewing booth and watch your way through their curated film and TV archives? With 95,000 golden age titles on offer (including period dramas, silent movies, and documentaries), simply pick a programme and cosy up for an hour or two of screenings. What could be better when on the hunt for cool experiences in London? Oh, and you won’t spend a single penny here - thank us later.
Location: Belvedere Rd, London SE1
5. Hampstead Pergola & Hill Garden
Hampstead is no doubt a lovely spot, with lots of quaint shops, sophisticated cafes, and even John Keats former home. To add even more character, there’s a beautiful, secluded Pergola next door which looks like it came straight out of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream - or at least, we think so. Aside from offering stunning views over Hampstead Heath and Gardens, it also happens to be the perfect spot for a peaceful walk around the vine-entwined verandas, leafy pathways, and picturesque fountains. This is truly one of the hidden gems in London waiting to be explored.
Location: The Pergola, Inverforth Cl, London NW3 7EX
6. Gods Own Junkyard
This not-so-secret salvage yard in Walthamstow is home to the late neon artist Chris Bracey’s personal collection of work, plus a hip cafe and bar. God’s Own Junkyard features everything from his signage for Soho clubs in the 60’s to his work for the movies, including iconic pieces used in ‘Captain America’, ‘Eyes Wide Shut’, ‘Byzantium’ and more. So, it comes as no surprise that the art space is a vibrant, neon wonderland with an oh-so-grammable reputation. A must for anyone interested in art events in London!
Location: Unit 12, Ravenswood Industrial Estate, Shernhall St, London E17 9HQ
7. The Photographer’s Gallery
The Photographers Gallery has hopped onto the ‘Friday Lates’ trend with a twist. It’s a very popular exhibition in London that’s also free between 6-8pm every Friday. Tucked behind the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus, this three-floored Gallery is home to an ever-changing line up of exhibitions, starring talented photographers of the past and present. If you’re looking to admire some beautifully framed and often cultural photographs, whilst saving a few pounds from those after work drinks, then this is the place for you.
Location: 16-18 Ramillies St, London W1F 7LW
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8. The Old Blue Last
£4 early bird drinks before 6pm, free live music after 6pm. This old boozer might be a charm with the locals, but if you’re looking to catch an up and coming gig that won’t break the bank then get on down to The Old Blue Last. Their upstairs room is home to a lot of rising musicians, alongside the occasional Sunday jazz session that plays into the evening. For a cool music event in London, this is a must. Most tickets are free, some are cheap as nails, but either way you’re in for a good time as per usual in Shoreditch.
Location: 38 Great Eastern St, London EC2A 3ES
9. V&A
Located in the heart of South Kensington’s museum scene, the V&A is recognised for its world-renowned and modern art exhibitions in London, alongside permanent collections in historical art, sculpture, fashion, global culture and more (boasting 2.27 million artefacts, to be precise). But, the stunning baroque ceilings in their central art deco cafe makes the visit worth it alone. Make sure to check out the Medieval and Renaissance room for some seriously impressive sculptures, or the venue’s extensive fashion collection which is presented from the 1800s to the present day - for free, of course.
Location: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
10. The Science Museum
For some out-of-this-world exploration, the Science Museum has a whopping seven floors of educational and interactive exhibits including contemporary science, mathematics, and technology. But the real sellers are the Exploring Space galleries, which include a three-metre-high, Spacelab 2 telescope that’s starred on British space missions. Meanwhile, the Dana Centre is an adults-only centre that offers free lectures and performance events on contemporary scientific challenges, if that’s your scene.
Location: Exhibition Rd, London, SW7 2DD
Looking for plenty more things to add to your British bucket list things to do in London? Download the Bindy Street app and check out our Tourist’s Guide to London to find the best British pubs, iconic landmarks, stunning parks and more.
Continue exploring London on a budget… or take advantage of the sunny blue skies with our top Stunning Picnic Spots this summer.
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