London has a reputation for high prices, and much of it is deserved — but the city also offers an unusual amount for free, above all its national museums. Combine those with the royal parks, the riverside and a fair bit of walking, and you can fill several days without paying for admission to anything. It is one of the great budget-friendly capitals hiding inside an expensive one.
Free things to do
The great national museums
Many of London's leading museums have free general admission, among them the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Temporary special exhibitions may charge, but the vast permanent collections are open to all, and any one of them can happily absorb half a day.
The royal parks
Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park, Green Park and St James's Park form a chain of green space across the centre of the city. They are ideal for a walk, a picnic or simply a rest between sights, and each has its own character.
Walk the South Bank
The riverside path along the south of the Thames links a string of landmarks and open views, running from the area near Westminster past the cultural venues of the South Bank and on towards Tower Bridge. It is one of the best free walks in London, day or evening.
Changing the Guard
The traditional ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, with its guardsmen in full dress and accompanying music, is free to watch. It does not run every day of the week, so it is worth checking the schedule in advance and arriving early for a good spot.
Markets and neighbourhoods
Wandering markets such as Borough (a magnet for food lovers) or the busy areas around Camden and Covent Garden costs nothing beyond what you choose to spend, and gives a real feel for the city's many different characters.
The view from Greenwich
The hill in Greenwich Park, home to the Royal Observatory, offers a fine free panorama back across the river towards the towers of the city — a rewarding end to a day spent exploring the historic riverside area.
More that costs nothing
The list barely runs dry. You can watch the debates from the public galleries of Parliament, wander the historic halls and courtyards of the legal district around the Inns of Court, or take in the grand architecture of the City of London on a quiet weekend when the financial district empties out. Many of the city's smaller museums and galleries, and its churches, are also free, and simply walking between neighbourhoods — Soho to the South Bank, or along a stretch of canal in the north — is a fine way to understand how the city fits together.
Getting around
London is large, so pair walking with public transport; a contactless payment card or an Oyster card is the usual way to pay on the Underground and buses. Central attractions are spread out, so it saves time to plan your route by area and cluster nearby sights together. Museum free-entry policies, ceremony timings and transport fares can all change, so confirm current details before you travel.