London For Free
Museums
Galleries
Attractions
Markets
Music
Parks
Cathedrals and Churches
Cemeteries
The British Museum
One of the most important attractions with an amazing collection of items from cultures around the world | Great Russell Street, London, WC1 | Holburn Tube | www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
The Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art
Has possibly the finest collection of ceramics outside China – approximately 1.700 pieces from Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties | 53 Gordon Street, London, WC1 | Russell Square Tube | www.pdfmuseum.org.uk
The Science Museum
A very large museum devoted to modern science and technology and well worth a visit | Exhibition Road, London SW7 | South Kensington Tube | www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
The Natural History Museum
The UK’s national museum of natural history is sited in one of the most impressive buildings in London. Recommended. | Cromwell Road, London, SW7 | South Kensington Tube | www.naturalhistorymuseum.org.uk
The Victoria & Albert Museum
The world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, not to be missed | Cromwell Road, London SW7 | www.vam.co.uk
The Bank of England Museum
The Museum is housed in The Bank of England and tells its history | Bartholomew Lane, London EC2 | Bank Tube| www.bankofengland.co.uk
The Imperial War Museum
Exhibitions of aircraft, artillery and weapons used during the two world wars | Lambeth Road, London SE1 | Waterloo Tube | www.iwm.org.uk
The National Army Museum
Tells the history of the British Army from the 15th century to the present day | Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 | Sloane Square Tube | www.nam.ac.uk
The Royal Academy of Music Museum
A world class collection of musical instruments and memorabilia, as well as an on-site workshop | Marylebone Road, London NW1 |m Regent’s Park Tube| www.ram.ac.uk
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Over 20,000 architectural drawings, antiquities and works by famous painters like Hogarth, Turner, Canaletto and Piranesi | 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2 | Holborn Tube | www.soane.org
The Museum of London
Traces the growth of London from prehistoric times up to the present day using a combination of models, artefacts and reconstructions | 39 Wellington Street, London WC2 | St Paul’s Tube | www.museumoflondon.org.uk
The National Maritime Museum
The largest martime museum in the world which shows the history of Britain at sea | Romney Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 | Cutty Sark DLR | www.rmg.co.uk
The Geffrye Museum
Specialises in the history of Englsih domestic household interior, founded in 1914 | 136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London, E2 | Hoxton Tube | www.geffrye-museum.org.uk
V&A Museum of Childhood
Showcasing a collection of childhood related objects including lots of toys, some as old as 1600 |Cambrdige Heath Road, London E2 | Whitechapel Tube| www.museumofchildhood.org.uk
The National Gallery
The home of one of the greatest collecityons of paintings in the world | Trafalgar Square, London WC2 | Charing Cross Tube | www.nationalgallery.org.uk
The National Portrait Gallery
The most comprehensive collection of portrait art in the world | St Martin’s Place, London, WC2 | Charing Cross Tube | www.npg.org.uk
Tate Modern
A magnificent collection of modern paintings and sculptures. The building itself, formerly a power station, is well worth a look | Bankside, London, SE1 | Southwark Tube | www.tate.org.uk/modern
Tate Britain
The national gallery of British art from 1500 to the present day | Millbank, London SW1 | Pimlico Tube | www.tate.org.uk/britain
The Saatchi Gallery
A gallery for contemporary art | Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London, SW3 | Sloane Square Tube | www.saatchigallery.com
Somerset House
A major arts and cultural centre in the heart of London | Strand, London, WC2R | Temple Tube | www.somersethouse.org.uk
The Photographer’s Gallery
Exhibits contemporary work buy photographers | 5-8 Great Newport Street, London, WC2 | Leicester Square Tube | www.photonet.org.uk
The Wallace Collection
Has perhaps the finest collection of paintings, furniture and antiquities (check out the swords) ever donated by a private individual | Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1 | Bond Street Tube | www.wallacecollection.org
Camden Arts Centre
A community arts centre with contemporary exhibitions | Arkwright Road, London, NW3 | Finchley Tube | www.camdenartscentre.org
The Serpentine Gallery
One of London’s most loved exhibition sites for modern and contemporary art | Kensington Gardens, London, W2 | Knightsbridge Tube | www.serpentinegalleries.org
Dulwich Picture Gallery
The oldest public gallery in Britain, it has a magnificent collection of old masters by Rembrandt, Gainsborough and many more. You will need a student card to enter for free and there are free public tours on Saturdays and Sundays | Gallery Road, Dulwich Village, London SE2 | West Dulwich Overground Station | www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
ICA Gallery
Where Picasso, Moore, Ernst among others had their first London exhibtions, and shows all kinds of contemporary art – NOT FREE – £1 entry | The Mall, London SW1 | Charing Cross Tube | www.ica.art
Kenwood House
A stunning neo-classical villa on the edge of Hampstead Heath. It includes a permanent exhibition of an outstanding collection of paintings and other art objects | Hampstead Lane, London NW3 | Golders Green Tube | www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/kenwood
Hogarth House
The only remaining building actually associated with William Hogarth (1697-1764) the father of British painting and satirical humourist. The attractive gardens are also worth a visit | Hogarth Lane, Great West Road, Lodnon W14 | Turnham Green Tube or Chiswick Overground | https://williamhogarthtrust.org.uk/?page_id=705
Whitechapel Gallery
One of Europe’s premier public art galleries, presenting an international programme of contemporary and 20th century art |77-82 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 | Aldgate East Tube | www.whitechapelgallery.org
Southbank
An eclectic and creative part of London by the river. Shops, restaurants, markets, galleries, music and much more | Southbank, London, DE1 | Waterloo Tube | www.southbanklondon.com
The Changing of the Guard
An impressive 40 minutes spectacle every day from mid April to the end of July at 11:30am and then at 11:30am alternate days from August to April | Buckingham Palace, London, SW1 | Victoria Tube | www.changing-the-guard.com
Speaker’s Corner
Occurs every Sunday at the Marble Arch end of Hyde Park and involves people from all walks of life getting up on a “soapbox” to air their views | Marble Arch, Hyde Park, London, W2 | Marble Arch Tube | www.speakerscorner.net
Houses of Parliament
Tours available on Saturdays during the summer months |Houses of Parliament, London, SW1 | Westminster Tube | www.parliament.uk
Daily Unlocking of the Tower of London
Visit the Tower before it opens and witness the official unlocking of the heavy wooden doors by the duty Yeoman Warder |Tower of London, London, EC3 | Tower Hill Tube | www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon
Street Theatre
Takes place regularly at Covent Garden and involves jugglers, fire-throwers, mime artists, clowns, singers and comedians all performing for nothing more than a tip |Covent Garden Plaza, the Market, London, WC2 | Covent Garden Tube | www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/culture/street-performers
The Royal Courts of Justice
Vistors can take a seat in one of the courts and watch the British justice system in action. Open Monday to Friday 9:30am-4:30pm | Strand, London, WC2 | Temple Tube| www.justice.gov.uk
Portobello Road Market
An amalgamation of several different markets, specialising in antique jewellery, coins, etc.. fruit and vegetables, clothes and even records and books | Portobello Road and Goldborne Road, London, W10 | Ladbroke Grove or Notting Hill Tube | www.portobelloroad.co.uk
Covent Garden – Jubilee Market
British handmade arts and crafts for sale. Open every day | 1 Tavistock Street, London, WC2 | Covent Garden Tube | www.jubileemarket.co.uk
Bayswater Road Market
Original crafts, sculpture and art | Southside of Bayswater Road, from Clarendon Place to Queensway, London, W2 | Lancaster Gate Tube| www.bayswater-road-artists.co.uk
Camden Market
A number of different markets stretching from Camden Lock to the Stables Market | Camden High Street, Camden Town, London, NW1 | Camden Town Tube | www.camden-market.org
Brixton Market
Europe’s biggest and best collection of Afro-Carribean foods and produce, with a few craft shops and lots of delicious places to eat |Electric Avenue, Brixton Station Road, Pope’s Road, London, SW9 | www.brixtonmarket.net/brixton-village
Borough Market
London’s oldest food market | 8 Southwark Street, London, SE1 | London Bridge Tube | www.boroughmarket.org.uk
Harrods Food Hall
Worth a look and there are usually free samples of something delicious | Knightsbridge, London, SW7 | Knightsbridge Tube | www.harrods.com
Greenwich Market
Junk shop paraphernalia, second-hand clothing and crafts. Different markets open different days | Greenwich Market, London, SE10 | Cutty Sark DLR | www.greenwichmarketlondon.com
Spitalfields Market
An eclectic range of markets, sjops and restaurants. “Style Market” on Saturdays, exhibits London’s finest most creative young designers | Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 | Liverpool Street Tube | www.spitalfields.co.uk
Columbia Road Flower Market
Visually stunning, selling various types of fresh flowers and herbs, amongst independent galleries and pottery shops. Open Sundays | Columbia Road, London, E2 | Hoxton Overground Tube | www.columbiaroad.info
Brick Lane Market
A very fashionanable and vibrant market where you can find leather goods and cheap jewellery. Fruit and vegetables are also sold, as are household goods, discount books, and much, much more. Open Sundays |Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 | Aldgate East Tube | www.visitbricklane.org
Merton Abbey Mills
A lively riverside market where you can buy antiques (on Thursdays) and crafts. Open Saturdays and Sundays | Merantun Way, London, SW19 | south Wimbeldon or Colliers Wood Tube | www.mertonabbeymills.org.uk
The Royal Academy of Music
Britain’s oldest music college welcomes visitors for its many free concerts and events on Fridays |Marylebone Road, London, NW1 | Regent’s Park Tube | www.ram.ac.uk
Royal Festival Hall
Free lunchtime concerts on Fridays and Sundays | Belvedere Road, London, SE1 | Waterloo Tube | www.southbankcentre.co.uk/venues/royal-festival-hall
Notting Hill Arts Club
Every Saturday, from 5pm to 8pm, expect anything from indie-pop, alt country, avant folk, pop noise, electronica, new wave, post-punk, off-kilter hardcore and some of the stranger stuff in between | 21 Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 | Notting Hill Gate Tube | www.nottinghillartsclub.com
Dover Street Wine Bar
Blues and jazz music. Free entrance before 10pm| Dover Street, Piccadilly, London, W1 | Green Park Tube | www.doverst.co.uk
Ain’t Nothing But the Blues Bar
Great blues music – very small and gets busy so get there early! Well worth a visit | 20 Kingly Street, London, W1 | Oxford Circus Tube | www.aintnothinbut.co.uk
St Martin-in-the-Fields
Free lunchtime classical concerts | Trafalgar Square, London, WC2 \ Charing Cross Tube | www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org
St James’ Piccadilly
Free lunchtime recitals. Classical | 197 Piccadilly, London W1 | Piccadilly Circus Tube | www.sjp.org.uk
St Giles-in-the-Fields
Free lunchtime recitals between February and July | 60 St Giles High Street, London, WC2 | Tottenham Court Road tube | www.stgilesonline.org
Hyde Park
The most central open space in London and very close to Oxford Street. It’s the kind of place where people go and picnic, horse ride, rollerblade or just walk | Hyde Park Road, London WC2 | Hyde Park Tube | www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park
St James’s Park
At the heart of the nation with royal palaces and government buildings all around | the Store Yard, horse Guards Approach Street, London, SW1 | St James’s Park Tube | www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/st-jamess-park
Regent’s Park
Busy, especially during the summer with boats, three playgrounds, bandstand music, tennis courts and an open air theatre | Chester Road, London, NW1 | Regent’s Park Tube | www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/the-regents-park
Kensington Gardens
New merged with Hyde Park, visitors can admire the sunken garden, stop for a drink at the Orangery and appreciate the paintings at the Serpentine Galleries | High Street Kensington, London W8 | High Street Kensington or BayswaterTube | www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington-gardens
Green Park
Was a royal ground in origin. It is more rural in design than the other Royal Parks amnd has mature trees and grassland | The Storeyard, Green Park, London, SW1 | Green Park Tube | www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/green-park
Richmond Park
Used to be a royal hunting fround. It is home to much wildlife, including red and fallow deer, and there are outdoor theatre performances. A great place to rent a bike and cycle | Richmond Tube then catch the 371 or 65 buses to the pedestrian gate at Petersham| www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park
Hampstead Heath
A large, ancient London park with great views | Gordon House Road, London, NW5 | Hampstead Heath Overground Tube | www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/hampstead-heath
Battersea Park
An inner city park with lots of variety and wildlife next to the River Thames |Battersea Park, London, SW11 | Battersea Park Overground | www.batterseapark.org
Wimbledon Common
A large common with ponds, a nature trail and a beautiful old windmill | Windmill Road, London, SW19 | Wimbeldon Tube then catch a 93 bus up the hill | www.wpcc.org.uk
St Paul’s Cathedral
Church of England. One of the world’s great buildings with its instantly recognisable dome. Services are free, at other times the admission price is £16.50 | St Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4 | St Paul’s Tube | www.stpauls.co.uk
Westminster Abbey
A magnificent example of gothic architecture, a church dedicated to regular worship, the setting for every Coronation since 1066 and ultimately where the toyal and famous finally come to rest. The nave is always free, but there is a charge of £15 for students to enter the Abbey | 20 Deans Yard, London, SW1 | Westminster Tube | www.westminster-abbey.org
Westminster Cathedral
Catholic. Famous for its Byzantine brick structure and interior of marble and mosaics | 42 Francis Street, London, SW1 | Victoria Tube | www.westminstercathedral.org.uk
All Hallows by the Tower
Church of England. An ancient Anglican church on Byward Street in the City of London over looking the Tower of London | Byward Street, London, EC3 | Tower Hill Tube | www.allhallowsbythetower.org.uk
Brompton Cemetery
A tranquil and pleasantly laid out cemetery and the last resting place of the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst | Finborough Road, London, SW10 | West Brompton Tube | www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/brompton-cemetery
Kensal Green Cemetery
Well worth a trip just to admire its splendid Victorian monuments. It is the resting place for many famous Londoners including Isambard Kingdom Brunel, William Makepeace Thakeray and Anthony Trollope | Harrow Road, Kensal Green, London, W10 | www.kensalgreen.co.uk
Highgate Cemetery
London’s most famous and exotic burial ground. Magnificent graves and tombs perfectly reflect high Victorian taste. The East Cemetery is notable as the final resting place of Karl Marx. There is an admission charge of £4 |Swain’s Lane, London, N6 | Archway Tube | www.highgatecemetery.org
Abney Park Cemetery
An eerie, tranquil Victorian Gothic graveyard. General Booth, founder fo the Salvation Army is buried here | Stoke Newington high Street, London, N16 | Stoke Newington Overground | www.abneypark.org