THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in London
Best Free Things to Do in London
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Travellers' Choice Awards winners (including the "Best of the Best" title) are among the top 10% of listings on Tripadvisor, according to the reviews and opinions of travellers across the globe.
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- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Art Museums
Trafalgar Square / Embankment
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Admission tickets from ₹2,091
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Flea & Street Markets
Covent Garden
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Department Stores
Knightsbridge
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
St. James's
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Points of Interest & Landmarks
Covent Garden
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Fitzrovia
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Kings Cross
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Spitalfields
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What travellers are saying
- Manu O1 contributionIt's been an awsome experience. Very interesting place and surrounded by amazing green areas. Staff is helpful as well.Written 16 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- alfredo dManchester, UK3 contributionsI absolutely loved visiting Borough Market! The atmosphere was so lively, and the variety of food was incredible. I spent hours wandering around, tasting everything from fresh-baked pastries to unique cheeses and street food from all over the world. The vendors were so friendly and passionate about what they were selling, which made the experience even better. It’s the kind of place where you want to try a little bit of everything! If you’re in London and love good food, you can’t miss this market—it’s a true gem.Written 15 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter DrakeSydney, Australia34 contributionsThe Natural History Museum is a National Treasure and should be visited by everyone who comes to the city. It is beyond compare in my opinion There is so much to learn here and so much to see. My kids were fascinated from minute one to the point when we had to leave (we didn't want to!). It is unbelievable that the museums in London are free. What a great idea.Written 9 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sgmoggyWhittington, UK24 contributionsReally enjoyed our 2 days. The first day was spent seeing the Vincent Van Gogh exhibition, and we had a wonderful experience.Written 13 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- harshdeep k1 contributionThe scenic view is quite amazing to see .
From top of the building we can view london bridge and other skyscrapers.
I really like the food and beverages in cafe and bar .Written 15 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Peter DrakeSydney, Australia34 contributionsWe had heard a lot about Camden market and were keen to take a look. I'm glad we did as it definitely has a vibe to it. It is very crowded, however, and if you are someone who is not keen on hustle and bustle with some fairly leery characters, then this may not the be the place for you. There is lots to do - the market itself is fun and there are tons of pubs cafes etc where you can find refreshment. There is even a theatre about a pub (The Etcetera theatre) which has some fun drama on.Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Peter DrakeSydney, Australia34 contributionsI am a complete convert to museums in London as they are always free and very well stocked with good things to see. I confess that the V and A is one of my faves because the Bowie exhibition was held here some time ago which I went to and was blown away. Yes - go and have a look, it is fantasticWritten 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- sanju_222323New Jersey17,654 contributionsCovent Garden isn't all about plants and flowers, rather, it's a piazza and a collection of urban streets boasting numerous upscale stores as well as bars, restaurants, art installations and more. Covent Garden is one of the most vibrant parts of London. It is known for its lively markets, street performers, and world-class cultural attractions.
In 1630, the Earl of Bedford was given permission to demolish buildings on an area of land he owned north of the Strand for redevelopment. The result was the Covent Garden Piazza – the first formal square in London.
In other words, it's a bustling neighborhood within London's West End. Shops range from famous trademarks like Ralph Lauren and Mulberry to independent brands. In addition to conventional shops and boutiques, Covent Garden has a covered market area where vendors sell everything from antiques to crafts.
Similarly, dining options range from foodie destinations like Sushi Samba and Balthazar to casual pubs. Given Covent Garden's open-air orientation, there are appropriately more than 1,000 seats for al fresco dining.
Covent Garden is also home to the Royal Opera House. Even if you're unable (or disinclined) to see an opera, you can tour the lavishly appointed Royal Opera House.Written 14 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Seasider36 contributionsCant recommend this tour highly enough. It is exciting to actually go up this tower to see the workings as well as to see and hear Big Ben chime. We even walked round inside of the clock faces. The steps are not hard if you are reasonably fit and active
( we both retired a long time ago) and there are stops along the way where you sit down to hear about the tower. Gillian is a great guide - giving us good info in an entertaining way, keeping us all interested. Once booked, you will get good advice about the trip nearer the time. You need to book well in advance but it is a brilliant trip. Takes nearly 2 hours but the time flies.Written 11 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Sarah C6 contributionsThere is always somewhere in the park you can find peace, quiet and solitude. There is history, wildlife, architecture, culture and exercise available if you want it. I prefer to quietly walk around the serpentine and the gardens.Written 17 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MissMercury_1Wolverhampton, UK268 contributionsMy best friend and I visited Harrods for the first time yesterday. (Nov 28th 2024) It's hard to miss, especially now with their Workshop of Wonders themed Christmas decorations all over the building and in some of the shop windows.
It's definitely more an experience than a store! It was extremely busy and, although there were department signs by the ceiling telling you what was in that section, we didn't see a store map or list of departments. For someone unfamiliar with Harrods, I found the layout confusing and overwhelming. Luckily we had an idea of what we wanted to buy, so we asked a staff member who was able to point us in the right direction.
The staff are all very polite and smartly dressed, as you would expect from Harrods. There's so much to look at and waves of different aromas. It's all beautifully presented. You could easily have a day out here. We came across a restaurant with various eateries within it - including a chip shop.
I was surprised by the range of products that Harrods sell. They sell fresh produce like a supermarket does and items from all over the world that we'd never seen or heard of before, such as Japanese milk bread! You could even buy fresh pasta!
Unfortunately, the bags with Harrods written on them cost £20, so we weren't able to have one, but we'll certainly never forget shopping in there! It's another world and one which I think everyone should experience at least once. It's still fun to browse without making purchases and to take pictures outside the iconic frontage.Written 14 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Hendrik_NLVlaardingen, The Netherlands8,085 contributionsFrom Green Park cross the road to Buck Palace and enter St. James's Park. This park is a green oasis between Buckingham Palace and Whitehall, despite the untold amount of tourists, also enjoying the park (I presume). Foot paths, benches, a large lake with many interesting water fowls. Time goes by unnoticed sitting on a bench, watching the birds, squirrels and passing tourists. A beautiful park.Written 25 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Pam467Bognor Regis, UK56 contributionsA really good museum. Well laid out and some fascinating information. One or two exhibitions were not of interest to me but overall it was really good. The Ashcroft VC Collection is amazing!
Well worth a visit. Allow plenty of time…Written 15 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - BradHong Kong, China1,80,185 contributionsThis is one of the Royal Parks of London, situated just to the west of Hyde Park and separated by The Long Water and Serpentine. The park has a crisscrossing walking paths that run through grassy and slightly wooded areas, offering plenty of rural and leisurely green space for walking, jogging, dog-walking, picnicking.
In addition to the mentioned bodies of water above, there is also a large round pond at the western end of the garden in front of Kensington Palace. There are monuments found throughout the Garden grounds, including a most touching memorial to Princess Diana just to the south of The Serpentine.
Alas, you will find an exhibition gallery, boat rentals at The Serpentine, cafes, kiosks, public toilets within the Garden as well as the adjacent Hyde Park which can be easily combined during your visit to Kensington Gardens.Written 7 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LizLondon, UK104 contributionsI always love walking around my home patch: Greenwich, now decked out with Green Witch street signs, fun for your kids to spot!
You can find some unusual spots just beside the town centre and park:
i) St Alfege Park is the little park behind St Alfege's church, and usually is almost deserted. Did you know you walk up behind a small Tesco opposite the exit to the DLR and find a gate in the narrow street there, walk past tombs and linden avenues out into St Alfege's churchyard?
ii) in the main Greenwich Park all the trees have lost leaves except a gingko next to the White cottage building on the far south west corner by the main gates.
iii) Gloucester Circus can delude you that you are in Bath, I love the large plane tree in the centre of the crescent garden here.Written 28 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
