Things To Do In London Without Spending A Penny: Most London tourists assume that they will spend an absolute fortune on their visit to the capital. Although London is an expensive city, it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you expect. Sure, there are many paid attractions which cost around £20 each, but there are also plenty of free attractions which you can visit to keep costs down.
1 – Visit the top art galleries
The world famous Tate galleries are completely free to enter. London is home to two Tate museums, the Tate Modern and Tate Britain. As the name suggests, the Tate Modern is a contemporary art gallery which houses art from the year 1900 up to the present day. The Tate Modern is within the Bankside Power Station, designed by the man behind the iconic red telephone box. 4 million people visit the Tate Modern each and every year.
If you are more interested in art of the past, Tate Britain displays British artwork from the year 1500 up to the present day. The gallery houses its art in chronological order with each room focusing on a particular theme. Frequently, temporary exhibitions are put on which are generally free. Some temporary exhibitions require tickets.
2- Witness the Changing of the Guard
The Changing of the Guard is a quintessentially British thing to witness which does not cost a penny. The time of the Changing of the Guard varies. Between Monday and Saturday, the ceremony happens at 11am and at 10am on Sundays. You could also witness the Four O’clock parade which takes place every day at 4pm. To see the Changing of the Guard, head to Buckingham Palace. The ceremony is around 45 minutes long and includes classical music from a live band.
3 – Take a stroll around London’s markets
London has a wide range of world famous markets which are well worth a visit. It does not cost anything to have a wander, unless you fancy buying any items from the stalls. More than 100,000 people visit Camden market every weekend, making it one of the most popular attractions in the whole of London. Camden market is well known for independent designers and unique clothing. Alternatively, you could head to Portobello Road Market in the famous area of Notting Hill.
4 – Have a peek inside Westminster Abbey
Although there is a fee if you fancy a walk around Westminster Abbey, you can see inside the stunning Abbey for free. If you are religious, you are welcome to worship inside the Abbey for free. The Abbey has been the setting for many of the most important weddings in the history of the British monarchy, including that of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Cambridge.
5 – Visit the free museums
Not all museums charge a fee to enter. Many visitors flock to the better-known museums such as the British Museum and Natural History Museum, but the Museum of London is completely free to enter. The Museum of London focuses on the history of London, starting with the Roman period.
Sarah Rushton is a renowned author of all things travel and tourism. When getting the latest information on boat cruises in London, Sarah visits thame scruis. Share your view on “The 5 Best Things To Do In London Without Spending A Penny” in the comment section below.