Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 30 September-6 October 2024

Last Updated 30 September 2024

Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 30 September-6 October 2024

Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.

Two terriers sitting on a bench, with a market taking place behind them
Have a canine-centric day out at Chelsea Dog Day

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.

See this wildlife art exhibition

Wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation holds an exhibition of work by pencil artist Gary Hodges. Taking place at Mall Galleries, it features around 100 photo-realistic works depicting lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, and polar bears. Entry is free 2-5 October, though if you've got deeper pockets there's an exclusive fundraising preview event on 1 October.

Free, 2-5 October.

Stay late at the British Museum

Coinciding with its recently opened Silk Roads exhibition, the British Museum stays open later on Friday night for a 'barter and bazaar' evening, themed on the communities and cultures that shaped centuries of exchange along the Silk Road route. Keep an eye on the website for the full programme when it's announced, including origami sessions and a new trail through the galleries. Age 14+.

Free, 4 October.

A painting of a pink building on a corner in Spitalfields, with Christ Church visible in the background
Spitalfields in 2023. Image: Doreen Fletcher

Follow in the footsteps of the East London Group

Ever heard of the East London Group? They were an historic collection of artists, mainly from working class backgrounds, recreating the streets of the East End. The Nunnery Gallery in Bow has a new exhibition of works by 22 painters from the Urban Contemporaries group, who were inspired by the East London Group, showcasing how the city has changed in the intervening years.

Free, 4 October-22 December.

Take part in a free Black History Month walk

Book ahead for Hammersmith's Black History Month guided walk, led by guide Guy, and focusing on topics including the founder of Afrobeat, a poet who inspired Gandhi, a famous concert venue and a Caribbean music record label. Begins outside Shepherd's Bush Market, and lasts around an hour.

Free, 5 October.

Discover the sounds of the future

In the latest edition of Southbank Centre's futuresense series, Sofia Gillani and Naia perform in the Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer from 5pm-6pm this Saturday. Gillani is known for her bold and invigorating avant-garde pop sound, while Naia's style is described as rooted in jazz, with touches of neo-soul, funk, and Latin rhythms.

Free, 5 October.

A cup of frothy coffee
Get your hands on a free oat milk coffee in Spitalfields this weekend

Take your pooch along to Chelsea Dog Day

A dog-themed market is the centrepiece of Chelsea's Dog Day, where you can buy all manner of canine food, drink and accessories. Talks on dog behaviour, handling and training are also part of the fun in Duke of York Square, and there's a giant sausage dog bench for photos.

Free entry, 5 October.

See inside artists' studios

Artists working across several different mediums open their doors for Lambeth Open Studios, inviting the public inside for one weekend only to see their work spaces and get an idea of their creative processes. Venues in Oval, Stockwell, Herne Hill and Streatham are among those confirmed to be taking part so far. Check the website for the full map.

Free, 5-6 October.

Sip on a free oat milk coffee

There's a free oat milk flat white, banoffee, or strawberry and coconut matcha latte with your name on it this weekend, if you're passing through Bishops Square in Spitalfields. Alpro are handing out caffeinated freebies from 9am-4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Free, 5-6 October.

An ornamental camel, part of the Silk Roads exhibition
Attend an evening themed on the Silk Roads exhibition on Friday. © The Trustees of the British Museum

Catch the final week of this Rembrandt exhibition

Last chance to see New life: Rembrandt and children, a special display at the British Museum showcasing a drawing of a sleeping child. It's the first work by Rembrandt to be added to the British Museum's collection for decades, after being owned privately  for more than 200 years. It's displayed alongside other drawings of children in Dutch and Flemish art.

Free, until 6 October.

Dive into an exhibition of underwater photos

No goggles required for the Underwater Photography of the Year Exhibition, which you can view for free on Glasshouse Street (just north of Piccadilly Circus) until the end of this week. Orcas, jellyfish and seals are among the creatures captured in the photos, some of which are brought to life using AR filters.

Free, until 6 October.

Watch the annual Hampstead Heath Conker Championships

It's autumn, which means it's conker season. Hampstead Heath is one of few places in the capital which still hosts a conker championship each year, with participants competing as per the rules set by the Grand Conker Meister. There are prizes to be won, as well as nature activities, stalls and live music.

Free to watch/donation to take part, 6 October.

Bob along to Fulham Palace's Apple Day

Elsewhere in the 'quintessentially autumn' category, Fulham Palace holds an Apple Day to celebrate the orchard harvest. Expect a market with autumnal goods, a tombola, and a baking competition, among other entertainment.

Adult £3/child £1, 6 October.