London can be a very expensive city to visit. But what if I told you that it doesn’t have to be? In this blog post, you will find cool free things to do in London that will not cost you a kidney.

Quick answer:

What are the coolest free things to do in London?

Visit free museums in London, enjoy the skyline from high above, explore charming neighbourhoods like Bermondsey and more.

So here are the best free activities in London for adults that you should do when visiting London on a tight budget:

Cool Free Museums in London

National History Museum

A museum that I would highly recommend to anyone. Maybe this is due to my general interest in natural history, but I think this is something for everyone. Families, solo travellers, and people who are not really interested in natural history at all. Be ready to be stunned and amazed by huge skeletons everywhere and interesting facts about the history of many of those creatures. In particular, the blue whale fascinated me the most. Not only the inside but also the outside, with the building’s impressive architecture, is already a reason why you should at least walk past the Museum of National History in London. At least when I was in London, the lines in front of the entrance (they weren’t even in front of the entrance anymore) were endless and especially in the time that we were there the main exhibition was about the best photographs of the year which is known to be a highly visited event, impacted the mass of people and visitors even more, that is why I would recommend you to book a time slot online to skip the waiting lines. Even if there is no special exhibition at the time you are visiting, it saves a lot of time and worry beforehand because the museum is highly visited, no matter what exhibition there is.

British Museum

One of the most famous, if not the most famous, museums in the world: The British Museum. Free of charge and an unbelievable experience. Not only because of its great architecture by Norman Foster, which on its own is very famous, but also because of its home to many amazing artifacts like the Rosetta Stone.

Victoria and Albert Museum

We visited this museum due to a special reason for my beloved best friend. If you have read a bit more of our blog already, you already know that this often only means one thing. It has something to do with one direction, and of course, you are right. This museum is not only home to a wide range of fashion exhibitions and a beautiful interior, but also where the Harry Styles cardigan is portrayed. This museum is not as highly visited as the other two mentioned are, which makes it a perfect stop for you if you still need something in the area of Kensington (next to the Natural History Museum) spontaneously. If you are interested in fashion in particular, then you should definitely pay a visit to this museum. But I wouldn’t personally say that it is a must-visit.

More museums that are free and worth considering for your travels:

• Tate Modern
• National Gallery
• Science museum

Cool Free Viewpoints in London: Horizon 22 vs skygarden

While skygarden is the most famous building to climb and watch the London skyline from, after the London Eye, of course, it is Horizon 22 that has the best view in my opinion. The skyscraper is higher, so you will even have a better view than from Skygarden, and it is also free. Skygarden, on the other hand, does cater food and drinks (which are super expensive) and has a cool sort of garden as well, but if you are only going to see the skyline of London and want fewer people, try Horizon 22!

Tip: Both options have a timeslot to be booked online in advance (of course, free). For Horizon 22, the tickets are released every Monday for the following two weeks (https://horizon22.co.uk/book).

Cool neighbourhoods in London with free things to do in London

Bermondsey

This area, right across from the iconic Tower Bridge, always feels like a hidden gem spot. Because near Butlers Wharf, suddenly all the tourists disappear. I always come back to this area because I really enjoy the feeling of the Wharf and the old warehouse buildings, which feel like a local spot. You can also find a great spot when walking along the pier to take the perfect photos of the Tower Bridge.

On the other side, you will find more tourists because this is also where many people take their photos in front of the Tower Bridge. You already took yours with fewer people, so you can watch them and walk along the Thames next to the office buildings. This is a complete contrast to the wharf just a few meters before. I personally always enjoy those skyscrapers in cities, and this almost feels like a New York-style vibe in London.

Tip: If you are hungry, Pizza Pilgrims is not far and has very delicious tasting pizza.

Shoreditch

One of the coolest neighbourhoods is for sure Shoreditch. Known for its very edgy and creative vibe. You will find fantastic street art there, especially around Brick Lane, which is the trendy street featuring great graffiti and vintage shops as well as restaurants with lots of food from all around the world. This is also a perfect place to find many vegan food options, for example, the upmarket Brick Lane food hall, in one of the many cafes and restaurants you will find all around this area. I am a huge fan of graffiti, so I always try to seek them out wherever I go, and I feel like Shoreditch has a great selection of impressive ones.

Tip: I would recommend you come from X Station and wander down Brick Lane and then go through Spitalfields back into the centre of London. Spitalfields also has a famous market and a whole different vibe from Shoreditch because it is also the area where you can find many offices. If you are looking for a great Matcha, stop by Jenkis.

Marlyebone

In contrast, Marylebone feels like you are really between the homes of locals and diving into their daily life. This neighbourhood is quieter and less chaotic, with charming streets and more of a village feel, still in the centre of London. When walking through Marlyebone, you can find sweet cafes, beautiful bookstores and boutique shops along the High Street. More information about the bookstore and other hidden gems in London in our recent blog post: https://blog-lifetoremember.com/hidden-gems-london/ Spending your time there is a great way of relaxation and escape from the masses of people, as well as taking photos of beautiful houses and enjoying the vibes while sipping on a coffee and listening to Londoners chatting about life.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden is very lively, so there you will find many more people than you will see in Marylebone, for example, but it is still a must when visiting London. Of course, Covent Garden is also a famous place to shop, but also for watching people and musicians on the plaza. But also, to see many stunning houses with beautiful facades. In general, the area is of course laid out for spending money on shopping or food as well as souvenirs, but in my opinion, it is enjoyable also if you don’t want to spend any money.

Regents canal

Spending time at Regent’s Canal is something that I would recommend to anyone when visiting London. It is so peaceful to walk along the canal, where people are jogging with their dogs or cycling along. This feels like a new world when visiting London and is perfect for some peace and quiet. Necessary after some stressful days running around London from one place to another. While walking, you can look at the small houseboats on the canals.

Tip: This can be the perfect thing to do to connect sights with each other because Camden Market is directly located at the canal and could be your end destination, connecting Little Venice with Camden Market.

Neals yard

Neal’s Yard is getting more and more famous these days, but I think it is still worth the hype. Of course, now it is harder to get a seat at one of the restaurants, but if you want to save some money anyway and don’t need to sit and be there for longer, just walking through Neal’s Yard is something that you should do. You can find more hidden gems in London in our recent post: https://blog-lifetoremember.com/hidden-gems-london/ The colourful houses in this courtyard really look stunning, and the best thing is that it is located in the Seven Dials area, which is super close to Covent Garden and Leicester Square and therefore can be seen just on your way to another destination. It doesn’t cost much time and is a must!

Hyde Park vs. St. James ‘ Park

In a post about London free activities, parks are something that I need to include. When comparing Hyde Park with St. James’ Park, I would always pick St. James ‘. It is so much more beautiful and has more to offer in terms of beautiful plants, animals, trees and views. The best part is that it directly connects the Buckingham Palace with Westminster, and from there you can walk a bit more to London Eye. But be aware that the London Eye is further away than it seems…the way into the city and the London Eye, so a perfect thing to easily include in your London itinerary. I just fell in love with the view of the London Eye (as you can see in the picture).

Hyde Park is bigger, which automatically spreads the visitors more. Can be nice, but I think there is not much to see in the normal park, except for some trees, grass and a pond, that also isn’t really pretty. I would still recommend you to go to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens (they are connected), but not because of the park, but because of Diana, Princes of Wales Memorial Garden, offering a beautiful little secret area in front of Kensington Palace. A place built to honour her, designed as a white garden (so only white flowers that represent her kindness and her humanitarian work as well as her legacy). Also, the famous Speakers’ Corner is located in Hyde Park, right next to the Marble Arch. This is where people give free speeches and open debates about politics and other random topics.

Pop culture spots:

Notting Hill movie spots

Notting Hill is full of tourists but believe me when I say this is one of the most beautiful and charming neighbourhoods in London. Everyone knows the famous “Notting Hill” film, and it is also one of my most beloved films, especially because I find the characters so funny. Visiting the Bookshop and the door from it is completely free. Using the morning hours to visit Notting Hill is definitely something that should be considered if you want to see Notting Hill in his fully glory and to be able to fully reminisce about the film.

Tip: The key is to explore Notting Hill beyond Portobello Road and walk along different roads where the houses are as beautiful, but the streets are less busy.

Abbey Road Beatles crosswalk

Yes. It is just a crosswalk in London, and it isn’t even super close to the centre, but I do think that you should visit it. If you like the Beatles, then there is no question. But also, for other tourists who maybe aren’t the biggest fans, it is a fun thing to do. The morning is better to use the time efficiently and visit the “Abbey Road Studios and the Crosswalk early to have the space (almost) to yourself, and when fewer cars are driving. And I think it was a perfect morning run (even though it was a bit up the hill, and this impacted my looks in the photos a bit). I enjoyed the surrounding buildings and the neighbourhood as well. It is a bit further up, but worth a short visit if you have time.

Platform 9 ¾

The Warner Bros Studios are super expensive, but that doesn’t mean that you come short as a budget-conscious Harry Potter fan in London. At King’s Cross Station, you can find the infamous Platform 9 ¾. In my opinion, you can take pictures there if you pass by, but I am a huge Harry Potter fan and didn’t think that it was worth a visit because you must wait for a while to be able to take a picture, since it is so highly visited. But there is a good Harry Potter shop right next to it and a perfect place to find souvenirs for your Muggle friends.

Paddington Bear

Another film spot that you can visit for free is Paddington Bear, which portrays the bear entering Paddington Station with his little suitcase for the first time. If you happen to change at this station, then pay him a visit and maybe even give him a bread with marmalade. In the station interior, you can also find a very well-stocked Paddington Bear Souvenir shop.

One Direction Spots

There are so many spots featuring one direction. This would exceed this post’s possibilities, but no worries, we’ve got you covered! If you want to know more and are planning to make a one-direction trip to London, then check out our in-depth guide for one-direction spots in London: https://blog-lifetoremember.com/one-direction-guide-london/

Bridget Jones filming locations

Besides Notting Hill, Bridget Jones was also filmed in London quite extensively. You can find her Flat near London Bridge station. More exactly, above a pub called “The Globe Tavern”.

Tip: This is maybe where you want to splurge on some money by stopping at the Borough Market located right next to Bridget Jones’s Apartment. By the way also a great spot to find delicious vegan cakes!

The typical spots: Not to forget, of course!

Of course, we should also include just a short part (because you probably know all that) about the typical spots that you can all visit for free.

Spots like Westminster, which is known to have hosted the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton and many more royal weddings and funerals. Westminster Abbey is special and pretty, also from the outside, and Big Ben is hopefully something that you will visit anyway, when coming to London for the first time!

Tip: Go a bit further behind Westminster to find beautiful buildings and calming streets. Find out more in our recent blog post: https://blog-lifetoremember.com/hidden-gems-london/

To make it easier and see all of the most famous places, and even get a bit of background information for FREE. You can do this by taking part in a free walking tour. This is something that we say in almost all of our blog posts, but it is something that we very much like to do and which saves time while getting so much information in for the least amount of money and which is offered everywhere. How good it really depends on the guide, but because it is free, you can leave if you are not happy with the information or the guide given to you. It is a great way to see the city without spending a penny (even though we would encourage you to give a bit of money in the end), making it possible to see many of the most important sights in a city in a very short amount of time.

Honest opinion on the changing of the guards: We are very honest here, and I have to say that I wouldn’t really recommend you doing this. If you are bored, then sure, go ahead, but in general, it wasn’t something that you need to do when visiting. There are too many people watching it anyway, and the guards are really just changing their position. In my opinion not something special. This, of course, is my personal opinion and doesn’t mean that you couldn’t like it, but I didn’t think it was necessary to do.

So overall, it is now clear that London doesn’t have to be expensive if you know where to go. Wandering through charming neighbourhoods and exploring world-famous museums, London is also budget-friendly, and there is no more excuse to not immediately fly to London. So many cool free things to do in London, including many iconic film and show locations as well as Music locations. I think with all of those cool free things to do in London, you can fill the majority of your trip with completely free activities in London for adults.

Now that you know how to see London on a budget, here is a blog post that helps you prepare for your budget trip to London even more! Finding the right things to see in London is only the tip of the iceberg. First, you need to know many things beforehand, like how to get from the airport into the city the cheapest way or budget-friendly stays, etc., that can help you keep your budget in check: https://blog-lifetoremember.com/budget-trip-to-london/

Thank you for reading our new blog post, and we hope you enjoy the sun coming and make sure to comment with more ideas if you would recommend some cool free things to do in London. We are always happy to connect with you!

Xoxo Emma