Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.
Looking for more free things to do in London? Here are 102 of em! We've also compiled this epic map of free stuff in London, and have a helpful guide to where to see art in London for free, and where you can catch cheap and free comedy.
Take a lunchtime dip at Brockwell Lido
It's still pretty darned frigid out there, but if you've got a free lunchtime, a couple of quid — and ideally a wetsuit — Brockwell Lido (or to be more precise, the unheated Brockwell Lido) is doing £2 weekday dips throughout March. No need to book — just show up Mon-Fri, 12pm-2pm and take the plunge.
Free, until 31 March.
Get stuff fixed at London Repair Week
London Repair Week encourages Londoners to learn how to mend things they already own, rather than throwing them away and replacing with new ones. There are workshops and repair sessions going on at venues all over the capital, as well as chances to swap items you no longer need with someone who does. Many events are free, and cover everything from clothing, books, bikes, small electronic items, outdoor equipment such as tents — even seeds (that last one being a swap situation, rather than a repair job, obviously).
3-9 March.
Test your knowledge of Hollywood
Following the Oscars, the Golden Hinde (yup, the pirate-esque boat in Bankside) holds a pub-style quiz all about the awards ceremony. Swot up on Hollywood history and recent winners, to be in with a chance of winning Golden Hinde tickets, a round of drinks and other prizes.
£3 per person, 3 March.
Celebrate Pancake Day with free pancakes
Shrove Tuesday aka Pancake day falls on Tuesday 4 March. Several places, including Leadenhall Market and Guildhall Yard, have pancake races, where you can turn up and watch for free (though note that there may be a charge for taking part).
Elsewhere, Where The Pancakes Are is giving away free pancakes to the first 25 customers to visit each of its restaurants (Fitzrovia, Battersea Power Station and Flat Iron Square) on Pancake Day. It has extended opening hours on the day (7am-10pm) and isn't taking bookings, so you'll need to be up early to bag your freebie.
Free, 4 March.
Get the lowdown on carbon offsetting
We hear a lot about offsetting our carbon emissions these days, but does it really work? That's the topic of Tuesday's Gresham College lecture given by Professor Myles Allen who talks about why it's a controversial idea, who decides what counts as 'unavoidable' emissions, and what strategies we could adopt to offset future emissions. Watch in person at Barnard's Inn Hall, or online.
Free, 4 March.
Sip on a free marg
OK, it's only Tuesday — but no judgment here if you're already pining for the first cocktail of the week. If you happen to be in the vicinity of the Latin American-inspired Leaf & Cane bar between 5pm-6.30pm, you might be able to nab one of 150 free margaritas. It's a promotion for a new margs and tacos Tuesday deal, and it's first come, first served — one drink per person.
Free, 4 March.
Immerse yourself in a Windrusher's home
Woolwich Works opens a new free exhibition, The Windrush Front Room. The roaming display has previously been seen at venues including the Horniman Museum, recreating a typical Windrush Generation front room. Curated by Tony Fairweather, the son of Jamaican parents, it includes objects often owned by Windrushers, including a Bluespot gramophone and a pineapple ice bucket.
Free, 4-16 March.
Celebrate Nowruz, or Persian New Year
Lauderdale House in Highgate celebrates Nowruz Festival (Persian New Year) with a special programme of events. It begins on Wednesday, with two free exhibitions to enjoy. View works by of four UK-based Iranian illustrators in the Lower Gallery, or a display of Persian calligraphy in the Upper Gallery. Events later in the festival include live music and a family day.
Free, from 5 March.
Stay late at the Science Museum
South Kensington's Science Museum is closing its Exploring Space gallery this year, to be replaced by a new space-themed gallery, opening in autumn. The current gallery partially closes in April, and will be completely closed by June, so it's been given a send-off at this month's Science Museum Lates.
Watch pop-up debates about topics in space research, make your own spacelet (that's a space bracelet), dance at a silent disco in the gallery or simply view the gallery (and other parts of the museum) without the usual daytime crowds. Note that although entry is free, there is a small charge for some of the activities.
Free, 6 March
... or the Horniman Museum
Cyberdance is the theme of this month's free-entry Horniman Late. The Forest Hill museum hosts an evening of live music re-imagining the instrument collection with a new take on traditional sounds, along with a mask-making workshop and other activities.
Free, 6 March.
See this new exhibition full of childhood nostalgia
Burgh House in Hampstead opens new exhibition Helen Oxenbury: Illustrating the Land of Childhood on Thursday, the first ever solo exhibition of work by the children's illustrator.
View Oxenbury's original paintings and sketches, from books including We're Going On A Bear Hunt and Alice Through the Looking Glass, which may well be familiar from your childhood.
Free, 6 March-14 December.
Have a dance at a new inclusive club night
Grand Junction in Paddington teams up with Learning Disability Network London to launch new, inclusive event VIP Club Night. It's aimed at adults with learning disabilities, neurodiverse people — and everyone else — and takes the form of a club night with sets from DJ Yousife + DJ T!SCO, plus live music, a chill-out zone and a fashion show.
£4.50 in advance (goes up to £6 on the door), 7 March.
