With more than 20 million visitors each year, London is one of the most visited cities in the world, and among the best places to visit in Europe. Known for its world-class museums, magnificent art galleries, heritage architecture, film festivals, high-end fashion, delectable cuisines, quirky shopping markets, and dazzling nightlife, the buzzing capital city of England has long been regarded as one of the most expensive cities in the world. But there’s plenty to do in the capital without spending a penny. If you are still in shock and wondering about the things which can be enjoyed without spending any money, then here’s a quick list of some of the free things to do in London as part of Europe tour packages.
Witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
A trip to London is incomplete without visiting Buckingham Palace and taking in all the pomp and glory of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Built in 1837, it is one of the top places to visit in London. It serves as both the office and London residence of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria’s accession. The palace is known for the city’s most popular display of circumstance, the Changing of the Guard which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 11 AM, and every day in the summer outside Buckingham Palace. The Change of Guard ceremony is performed by the Queen’s Guards who are entrusted with the protection of Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace finish their guard watch and hand over to the new guard. The ceremony is performed by trained infantry soldiers and is one of the best free things to do in London as part of England tour packages.
Stroll the South Bank for a Free Tour of London’s Landmark
When you are in London, don’t miss taking a stroll along the South Bank of the Thames River for a free tour of London’s Landmarks. Stretches from Westminster Bridge (Houses of Parliament) to Tower Bridge (Tower of London), it is a beautiful tree-lined promenade dotted with arts and cultural venues, stylish restaurants, historic pubs and cafes, and popular attractions. While walking along the South Bank, one can witness sweeping vistas of London’s most famous attractions including the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, The Savoy Hotel, the Tate Modern, Borough Market, London Bridge, and many other sites without spending a penny.
Visit the British Museum
Looking for free museums as part of your London tour packages? Well, there are so many including the city’s biggest museums – the British Museum, and the National Gallery. With the 80,000 objects on display making up for only 1% of the 8 million objects in the Museum’s possession, the British Museum is the first national public museum in the world, and among the best museums in Europe. One can see all kinds of stuff displayed here right from Egyptian mummies to the famous Rosetta Stone to ancient Anglo-Saxon treasures from pre-medieval Britain. With over 6 million visitors every year, this museum has been the most visited museum in England and makes for one of the most exhilarating free things to do in London. The National Gallery is home to an art collection spanning the Middle Ages to the 20th century where you can admire works from Da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Van Gogh.
Explore the Street Art of London
London is one of the premier cities to view the best collections of street art in the world. Street art can be found almost everywhere in London, and it’s free for everyone to enjoy. But much of it is concentrated in East End neighborhoods such as Shoreditch and Spitalfields where local and internationally renowned artists have decorated the streets of London with a staggering array of creative works, from miniature bronze statues to painted murals several storeys high. One can also discover contemporary sculpture, abstract art, modern murals, and quirky installations dotted across the city. Besides, Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel is London’s largest legal graffiti wall and also one of the coolest street art spots in the city. This dingy old railway tunnel was transformed into a riot of colour by Banksy, who organized a street art festival down here in 2008.
Wander Around Borough Market
Sitting in the heart of London, Borough Market is one of the well-known food markets in London, among the top places to visit in England. The market is stuffed with lovely food and food lovers, featuring cuisine from all corners of the world. Borough Market has been a place of food and commerce for over 1000 years as the quality and range of fresh produce and street food is ridiculously high here. Open seven days a week, the market is spread across a series of spectacular Victorian buildings in the shadow of Southwark cathedral and surrounded by railway viaducts. Buying it isn’t free but so much of the Borough Market experience revolves around having a mooch, soaking up the atmosphere, and having a cheeky sample or two.
Snap a Picture of the Houses of Parliament
This is an obvious one because you simply cannot finish your London trip without snapping a photo of the iconic House of Parliament. This is the oldest parliamentary democracy which is housed at the Palace of Westminster, a neo-Gothic building that was built in the 18th century. The spectacular building holds the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and the famous clock tower Big Ben in the complex. For the perfect snap, just walk to the south side of Westminster Bridge and you’ll enjoy the ideal vantage point. Visitors may attend debates when Parliament is in session, but expect long waiting times. The best and busiest time to go is during the Prime Minister’s Question Time at noon on Wednesdays, though this is only offered to UK residents. Anyone may attend other debates free of charge.
See Live Music at Wembley Park
Known for its vibrant live music scene, Wembley Park is one of the most iconic locations in London. Spread across 85 acres, the park is home to some of the most iconic music venues in the city, including the famous Wembley Stadium, SSE Arena, and the Troubadour which regularly host a variety of music genres, including rock, pop, indie, hip hop, and electronic. Wembley Park is not only a hub of live music, but it also offers a range of free live music events throughout the year. From music festivals to street performances, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy live music in Wembley Park without spending a penny as part of your London tour packages. One of the most popular free music events in Wembley Park is the Wembley Park Summer of Play which takes place throughout the summer, with a range of free music performances, as well as theatre and dance shows.
Watch Street Performers at New Covent Garden Market
Located north side of Trafalgar Square in London, Covent Garden is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and one of the highlights of any visit to Covent Garden is the street performers who showcase their talents to audiences throughout the day. The street performers here come from all over the world and offer a wide range of acts right from musicians and singers to dancers and acrobats for free. Musicians are the most popular here and you can find everything from classical musicians to jazz bands, pop singers to folk artists, and more. In addition, Covent Garden also hosts a range of special events throughout the year that features street performers that attract large crowds to London, among the most popular cultural destinations in Europe.
Visit Platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station
Platform 9 3/4 is a fictional platform at King’s Cross Station in London where Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry students catch the Hogwarts Express train to the wizarding school in the Harry Potter series. The platform was first introduced in the first book of the Harry Potter series, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” where Harry and Hermione make their way to the platform and through a secret portal that leads them to the train. To access the platform, they have to run straight at the barrier between platforms 9 and 10, disappearing into the wall and emerging onto the hidden platform. Though Platform 9 3/4 does not actually exist in the physical world, fans have created a fun and exciting tribute to this iconic location that can be visited in person. The tribute consists of a half trolley embedded in the wall as if it were ready to be pushed through to the wizarding world. Visitors can take photos with the trolley and the platform sign, which is inscribed with the platform number and the name of the wizarding school. One can also purchase souvenirs and merchandise from a nearby shop, including Hogwarts scarves, wands, and other memorabilia.
Guide Yourself Through Greenwich
If you’re looking for a day out amidst the green environs, then Greenwich Park is the perfect place. London’s version of New York Central Park, the park covers an area of about 74 hectares overlooking the Thames River, London, among the top places to see in the world. Greenwich is the oldest enclosed Royal Park and is home to historic buildings, blooming gardens, wildlife, lakes, and more. Besides, there will be various concerts within the park and the children’s playground offer a lot of entertainment to the young ones during summertime. Also, one can get a spectacular view of the city from the top of the hill located in the center of the park. It is one of 8 Royal Parks in London and is visited by millions of locals and tourists every year as part of the London Tour.
Hang Out in Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a beautiful public square located in Westminster of Central London. Surrounded by several iconic buildings and landmarks, this square was built to commemorate Lord Horatio Nelson’s victory over the French and Spanish in 1805. The square has a 56-meter granite monument, Nelson’s Column overlooking the square’s fountains and bronze reliefs, which were cast from French cannons. This square also hosts a range of events throughout the year that are supported by the Greater London Authority. It is one of the famous places to visit in London for free.
Book a View from the Sky Garden
Another famous free things to do in London is goo to Sky Garden, and get some spectacular views of the bustling capital of England. This is the London’s highest public garden that occupies the top three stories of the Walkie Talkie building. This skyscraper features the famous enlarged glass dome of 20 Fenchurch Street, exquisitely landscaped public gardens and London’s most exclusive social spaces, including observation decks and an open air terrace. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the Sky Garden’s viewing gallery on the 43rd floor offer fantastic views of the famous rooftops of London, with an open-air terrace providing views across the Thames. And access is completely free of charge, seven days a week. However, space is limited, so be forewarned that tickets are released every Monday.