Free Things To Do In London

Every weekend we publish ‘London on the Cheap‘ with suggestions of things to do for < £5 or free, for every day of the forthcoming week. But there are many things that are always free to enjoy in the capital.

London For Free…Mapped:

London is blessed with hundreds of fantastic, free-admission places to go to for culture, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. We’ve mapped them for you.


View London For Free…Mapped in a larger map

This is a work in progress so please let us know what we’ve missed – email tips @londonist.com, subject line FREE MAP.

If maps aren’t your thing:

The permanent collections of all the institutions listed on our Museums and Galleries page are free entry (with the exception of London Transport Museum and the Royal Academy) and many of them run regular late openings with special events programmed.

Smaller museums and galleries that are free admission are:

If you like art there are hundreds of small private galleries to visit. Check out our Art page for reviews and previews, browse the map or just go for a walk along Vyner Street in E2 and Cork Street in the West End. You can also try all the stops on the South London Art Map or the First Thursdays East London art map.

The Barbican Centre is a concrete maze with elevated walkways, surprising gardens and water features, an unexpected conservatory, a special library and the free Curve Gallery. You’ll often find free music or performance in the foyers and there’s plenty of space to sit and people watch.

The Royal Institute of British Architecture building on Portland Place is free entry and they run an active public programme of events including exhibitions, talks and a monthly Last Tuesday late opening.

Bishopsgate Institute Library is an expert on London history and gets all the London periodicals your heart could desire. The institute is a peaceful refuge from the madness of Liverpool Street Station and the bustle of Spitalfields.

The Royal Festival Hall runs a series of free events in the Clore Ballroom as well as exhibitions in its many foyer spaces. There’s lots of seating, tables and sofas and good views across London from the upper floors.

City Hall by Tower Bridge is where the Mayor works, and where the London Assembly are based but it’s also a public building and you are welcome to visit. There’s usually a Londony exhibition to see and the building itself and its riverside location is marvellous. Just outside is the More London Scoop which is home to free outdoor theatre, film and performance during the summer.

Classical music is available to all through free lunchtime recitals at St.Martin in the FieldsSt Olave’s, St James’s Piccadilly and the London Symphony Orchestra. Royal College of Music musicians perform numerous free concerts at lunchtime and at rush hour. St Paul’s Cathedral hosts free organ recitals on Sunday afternoons between 4.45-5.15pm.

City Farms are brilliant places to visit with the whole family. There are 13 on our map, all free entry, so you’re bound to find one convenient for you.

Walks and fitness:

Talks and lectures:

Check out these links to great institutions which run regular free public lectures

Also, check ‘what’s on’ at the free museums and galleries and at your local library.

Volunteering

 

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  • Anonymous

    Interesting article. Thks

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    Goo 

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  • saurabh pandey

    Nice post so thanks.

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    How about FREE speed-dating at Bar Kick, 127 Shoreditch High St this Sunday 12th Feb?!

    • Stephanie

      From 7pm!!!!