What to See in London for Free

London is a great place to take a holiday. There’s a wealth of attractions that can be enjoyed without spending a penny. Saving on excursions means more money can be allocated for a nicer place to stay or more upscale restaurants. 

Whether you’re looking for a historical perspective, grand architecture, relaxing strolls in a garden, or exploring a local market, London has something to offer without opening up your pocketbook. 

This guide focuses on attractive markets, must-see gardens and parks, the best museums, and unique gems for those looking to escape classic tourist attractions. 

Markets

Exploring markets is a great, expense-free way to experience local culture, and London is well-known for them. Spending a few hours roaming between stalls and talking with local merchants in these famous markets is easy.  

1. Borough Market and London Bridge. Borough Market, the biggest market, is located just south of London Bridge, meaning you can see both famous spots in one day. At this market, expect to see stalls selling food from all areas of the world. Pop in for a leisurely stroll surrounded by tourists and locals, taking in all the cultural classics. It’s easy to get lost for many hours while exploring various foods, gifts, groceries, and strange ingredients. It’s free to walk around, but plan to grab breakfast, lunch, or coffee there. 

2. Columbia Road Flower Market. Full of old-fashioned charm, this market is a must-see experience for all the vibrant, beautiful flower, bush, bulb, tree, and houseplant vendors. Starting in the 1800s, this Sunday morning flower market was coupled with a Saturday market, which has since died out, but the tradition of flowers is still strong. The flower market is only open on Sunday from 8 – 3, but local, independent shops are open during the week. You’ll find a unique row of cafes, antique shops, gardening shops, and street performers. It’s a quaint, historical street perfect for taking in all the local traditions. If you’re coming from London City borough, the tube, train, and bus are transportation options. 

3. Leadenhall Market. In the heart of London, Leadenhall Market is a lively, airy open-space market known for its unique shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Dating back to 1321, this market is full of history, still showing through with original wrought iron hooks for hanging produce. While browsing, take in the Victorian-style building and colourful flags hanging from the roof. Add in the cobblestone alleys; any architecture fan will fall in love. 

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, this market served as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley during the filming of The Sorcerer’s Stone. Pull up the movie scene and see if you can find the famous filming spot. 

4. Camden Market. This market has everything: music, designer clothes, vintage finds, and food. There are more than 1000 shops, both indoor and outdoor. This area is known for its eclectic and hippie flair. In the Camden Lock Market side, you can find an alley covered with pink and yellow umbrellas. Shops are designed with unique, eye-catching features, such as giant silver robots, fantastic murals, and colourful displays. This market is also partly on Reagent’s Canal.  Find a map of the market online before heading out so you can make sure to see everything. 

Parks & Gardens

For a more nature-focused activity, visit one of London’s many parks or gardens. There are many to choose from, but here are some of the most popular ones. For a day out in the park, EcoFlow Portable Power Stations are perfect for keeping every device charged for the whole group. You won’t need to worry about low battery and missing the perfect photo opportunity. 

1. St. James Park. This is the destination if you want to see a lot without travelling all over London.  It’s located outside Buckingham Palace, and the Big Ben clock tower and Westminster Abbey are down the street. St. James Park is a leafy green park in the middle of London. It’s a classic spot to see all the famous landmarks, along with beautiful landscaping and a pond spanning the entirety of the park. In the centre of the pond, Duck Island provides a safe space for over 20 species of birds. You might even see an elusive black swan. The summer is a great time to picnic in the park- energise for the day with light snacks and recharge devices with one of EcoFlow’s RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Stations. Hop over to watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace while in the area. 

2. Skygarden. Although not a traditional garden or park, Sky Garden is a great gem to visit, and it’s right down the street from Leadenhall Market. Up 35 stories in the “walkie-talkie’ building, nicknamed because of the building’s exterior design, expect to see a wall of windows overlooking downtown London. Tickets are free to visit the garden but plan to book them in advance. It will save a lot of waiting time. Sit in one of the lounging areas, surrounded by a forest of indoor plants, to take in the breathtaking city views. For the best experience, go at sunset and watch London light up for the night. 

3. Hyde Park and Kensington Garden. These park and garden duo are right next to each other. Admission is free to both, but there is a fee to see Kensington Palace. If you plan to walk around this area all day, bring the portable, lightweight EcoFlow RIVER 2 to keep all your electronics charged. Weighing only 3.5 kg and offering 256 Wh battery capacity, you charge a phone up to 11 times. There are plenty of photo opportunities you won’t want to miss here. The gardens offer beautiful landscaping and classic monuments. Hyde Park, or the People’s Park, offers lake-side views and wildlife. 

4. Greenwich Park. There’s plenty to see and do for free to fill an entire day’s agenda. Greenwich Park, an open park with lots of green space to walk around, is in the Greenwich borough. Find cherry blossoms, ponds, and several statues. Near the park, walk through the underground tunnel connecting the River Thames’s North and South banks, which have been in use since the Victorian Era. Then, head to the Queen’s House, full of neo-classical architecture, to climb the famous Tulip Stairs built in 1635 with beautiful wrought-iron flower rails. 

Museums 

London is full of plenty to choose from for a fun day, and the free Museums in London offer just as much excitement as others. The weather in England can be hit or miss depending on the season, so head inside for a few hours with one of these free-admission museums. 

1. The Science Museum. This museum is located in South Kensington and is geared toward all ages. There is something for everyone. General admission is free, but some exhibits, like the Wonderlab, require a fee. There’s plenty to see and do for free, though, between the four levels of this museum. At level 0, walk through galleries of space exploration with spaceships, massive planet displays, and energy-focused technology. Learn about modern medicine, anatomy, and materials manufacturing in level 1. The clockmakers’ museum, atmospheric chemistry, and mathematics gallery are on Level 2. In Level 3, learn about engineering and aircraft with interactive galleries.

2. The British Museum. Visit the Mediterranean, Egypt, African culture, and Ancient Mexican civilisations without leaving London. With three floors housing unique pieces from the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Sculptures, and The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, you can take a whole day in the world’s culture and history. If you feel overwhelmed going in, the museum’s website offers self-guided tours, guided tours, and object trails. Pick from trials showcasing Greek Revival architecture, Tutankhamun’s story, and a three-hour trail to see the popular displays. Work at your own pace following the map, and check out their website for new exhibit postings and events. 

3. Natural History Museum. If you’re into science and history, this is your place. This museum covers botany, ecology, zoology, palaeontology, and mineralogy. The museum opened two hundred years ago and is divided into two sections. The Life Gallery side contains human biology, dinosaurs, and zoology exhibits. The Earth Gallery side focuses on mineralogy, geology, and Earth history. Upon entering, you’ll be greeted with a skeleton of a 126-year-old whale hanging from the ceiling. From there, explore history from billions of years ago. Expert-led tours are also available, or you can download the map online and build your own tour. Plan to spend about five hours here to see everything. 

Unique Gems

Getting away from popular tourist attractions is the best way to visit a city. Here are some unique sightseeing ideas if you’re looking for something more.

1. Primrose Hill. Another park, although slightly outside of downtown London, is worth the commute for the breathtaking view of the Central London skyline. Near the park, find a slew of colourful, pastel houses on Chalcot Crescent. Walk around some of London’s most beautiful streets. Keep an eye out for blue plaques detailing who lived there. Sylvia Plath lived at 3 Chalcot Square for a time. While out for the day, EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max is a great option for charging phones, tablets, and laptops. If you plan to picnic at the park, it can power grilling necessities. Or power photography equipment when capturing stunning skyline photos. This EcoFlow Portable Power Station weighs only 6.1 kg and has a battery capacity of 512 Wh. After visiting Primrose Hill, head over to the Reagent’s Canal. 

2. Regent’s Canal. Nestled between Primrose Hill and Camden, Reagent’s Canal offers a unique 13.8 km walking spot outside of downtown London. This canal walk starts in Little Vinence and goes to the Docklands. In Little Vinence, you’ll see quirky, eccentrically decorated houseboats. Then, you’ll pass the London Zoo and Camden Towers. While passing the zoo, some animal enclosures line the canal, so be on the lookout for exciting creatures.  Once at Regent’s Park, grand houses are more common, as some of London’s wealthiest live there. On the water, step into Word on the Water, a floating barge turned bookstore. 

3. East London Street Art. This area is packed with the best street art. The art museums are fantastic, but discover mind-blowing works of art away from all the tourist attractions. A good place to start is Shoreditch Overground Station. From here, any direction you take will end with fantastic murals. Chance Street, Ebor Street, and Sclater Street are great options for viewing quirky designs. On Chriso Street, find artwork from Banksy.  Spitalfields is another borough that is great for finding street murals. Free walking tours, maps, and guides can be found online to ensure you see all the great works. 

4. Historic Graveyard Tour. If you’re looking to tap into the creepy side of London, which there is plenty of, consider visiting an old graveyard. North of London sits Highgate Cemetery, which is full of history, nature, and architecture. You can pay for a guided tour or opt for a free self-guided tour. Karl Marx, George Michael, Douglas Adams, and Malcolm Adams are some of the famous people buried here. You can see terrace catacombs, the Circle of Lebanon, Egyptian Avenue, and Chapels inside the graveyard. Be careful; this cemetery serves as a sanctuary for urban foxes. They are safe from dogs inside the cemetery, so you might see a cute furry critter among the graves. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

While spending a holiday in London, you must visit fantastic, historical markets full of culture like the Borough Market. Or, plan to hit all the classic attractions like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben while walking around St. James Park. Learn about the Earth and life while at the Natural History Museum. 

For more uncommon sights, spend the day searching out street murals in East London or take a self-guided tour through Highgate Cemetery. 

Regardless of how you choose to fill your time, bring along a portable, compact EcoFlow RIVER 2 Series Portable Power Station to keep all your electronics charged and picture-ready.