London - 8 activities you can do for FREE

What will you get to know in this article ?

"In this article, you will learn how to travel to London without breaking  into the bank. Among other things, you will get tips on 8 unique things you can do in London for free." 

Why London ? 

> Flights to London are very cheap all year round (tickets from Košice start from €14 and from Bratislava from €17). The United Kingdom is no longer a member of the EU, so you need a valid passport to enter. The Embassy of the Slovak Republic in London warns that from April 2, 2025, EU citizens will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the UK.

> You can find a piece of history here in the form of Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, and nearby you'll also find Stonehenge.

> There are many activities in London that will leave you with unforgettable memmories. If you want to experience other things and aren't worried about your wallet, continue to the article HERE!

> If you are a fan of Harry Potter and want to see the places where this iconic film series was shot, continue to the article HERE!

8 activities in London, which are for free

1) Outernet London butterfly trail

This attraction is located in 'NOW BUILDING'. The nearest subway station is Tottenham Court Road on the Elizabeth Line and Central Lines. It is just a short walk from Oxford Street. The installation is located in two open rooms. Videos are projected on all the walls, including the ceiling, on large screens, creating a 3D space and a truly surreal feeling.

A popular installation is the butterfly trail, where you can also download an app. After downloading it, you can see butterflies through your phone's camera, which will land on your hand, and you can take pictures with them.

You can find the opening hours HERE! 

Check the list of screenings HERE!

2) Museums and Galleries

• There are many museums and galleries in London where entry is completely free.
• British Museum: This world-famous museum exhibits historical and cultural treasures from around the world, including the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. 
• National Gallery: A gallery on Trafalgar Square with more than 2,000 works by artists such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Leonardo da Vinci. 
• Tate Modern and Tate Britain: Modern and classical art in two different galleries. Tate Modern is located by the Thames, while Tate Britain offers British art from the 16th century to the present
•  Natural History Museum: A natural history museum with huge exhibits of dinosaurs, meteorites, and other natural wonders. 
• Science Museum: An interactive museum full of exhibits in the fields of science, technology, and industry.
• We spent an prolonged weekend in London, and besides other activities, we managed to visit only the National Gallery. Although entry is free, you still need to have these free tickets. They can either be reserved online HERE! or you can wait in line at the site and go in. We waited for about 15 minutes, but we still recommend reserving the tickets in advance.

3) Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard

This palace is the residence of the royal family. You can admire the majestic building from the outside. The Changing of the Guard also takes place here. It is a grand ceremony accompanied by an orchestra, a horse parade, and squads of soldiers. This event is very popular, so if you want to get a good spot to watch, you need to arrive at least an hour in advance. If you don't want to see the Changing of the Guard, it's better to avoid the square in front of Buckingham Palace. There is limited traffic and large crowds.

Attention!! Tickets are free, but you need to reserve them in advance. This activity is very popular, just like everything that is free :) Therefore, reservations should be made at least a month in advance. You can secure your tickets HERE! I read in the comments that some people were able to get in without tickets after a short wait, but don't rely on that. 

5) Thames River Bank 

The Thames River Bank is one of the most iconic places in London, offering beautiful views and plenty of activities. The Thames is the longest river in England, flowing through the heart of London and is an important part of the city's history and culture. You will find many street performers along the riverbank. The Tate Modern is also located here, which is a modern art museum and has free admission. The riverbank provides great opportunities for walking, cycling, and exploring landmarks. The historical sites are described in the next point. Most of them are located along the Thames River Bank. 

6) Historical Landmarks and Bridges

London is home to many iconic buildings that you should see. Most of them are located in the city center, so you can walk around in one or two days.

Westminster Abbey and Big Ben: What would a visit be without seeing Big Ben, or rather, the Elizabeth Tower? This tower is part of the Palace of Westminster, where the British Parliament meets.

Tower Bridge: Walking across this iconic bridge offers breathtaking views of the River Thames and the surrounding landmarks. If you want to see the bridge in all its glory, be sure to take a stroll along the Thames riverbank. Tower Bridge is known for its lifting mechanism—its two massive bascules, weighing a total of 2,400 tons, can be raised to a vertical position to allow ships to pass. If you want to witness this fascinating movement for yourself, you can find the opening schedule for the bridge HERE!

Trafalgar Square: The main square in London features fountains and Nelson's Column, where you can also see the National Gallery mentioned above.

St. Paul's Cathedral: This building, dating back to the 17th century (the fourth St. Paul's Cathedral in London), is the largest Protestant cathedral and the fourth largest Christian sacred structure in the world. The interior of the cathedral is ticketed, but you can admire its imposing facade and beautiful dome from the outside. The cathedral is located in the city center, making it easily accessible and beautifully visible from various places, such as Millennium Bridge.

7) Parks and Gardens

We were in London for an prolonged weekend, so we managed to visit only Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, as they are neighbors and located near Buckingham Palace. We walked through both in about two hours.

Hyde Park: This is one of the largest and most famous parks in London, ideal for walks, picnics, or boating on the Serpentine Lake. You can find the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk, which ends at the Diana Fountain. There is also a rose garden here, which is a very romantic spot.

Kensington Gardens is connected to Hyde Park, forming a vast green space. It features the large Kensington Palace and various statues (e.g., the statue of Peter Pan).

St. James's Park: Located near Buckingham Palace, on the opposite side from Hyde Park, it offers beautiful views of the palace and the famous bridge over the lake, where you can observe flamingos.

Regent's Park: With its beautiful flower gardens, lakes, and open spaces, this park is great for relaxation.

Greenwich Park: Located outside the city center, it offers views of London and the River Thames. While visiting the Royal Observatory in Greenwich has an admission fee, the park is free to enter.

8) Brew dog brewery - Tasting Beer 

This tip is the last one in our article and is not completely free. If you read to the end, you'll understand why. BrewDog is a craft brewery that brews dozens of different types of beer, from lagers to IPAs, APAs, and even beers aged in wine barrels. There are several branches of this brewery in London. We visited BrewDog Waterloo, which is located right at the train station. Now you might be asking why this brewery is in an article about things to do in London for free. Well, in this bar, you can taste the beers. You can come in and ask for a tasting of any beer on the menu at the bar. It depends on your personality and how you choose to use this information. We are DuoTravelMonkeys, so we tasted almost all the types of beer and then ordered one each. However, keep in mind that the staff might not be thrilled if you handle it the way we did

This bar has two floors and features a slide, which adds a nice touch of fun.