Top 5 things to do in London for free

So you’re thinking of visiting London or have already booked a trip to London, but where do you visit? I’m sure you’ve looked at going on the London Eye, visiting Harrods and perhaps the Tower of London. These attractions will cost you anything from £25.00 plus per person – that adds up to quite alot, especially if you’re travelling as a couple or a family.

There are so many amazing places to visit and explore in London without the price tag. This is the list of my top 5 attractions and things to do in London for free! First things first, if you’re coming to London from elsewhere in the UK or another country and are looking to stay just outside of London, it’s worth looking into an Oyster card.

What’s an Oyster card? An Oyster card allows you to travel on the underground and buses for a slightly cheaper rate than buying a ticket. All you need to do is top your card up with money and you’re ready to go! I always use an oyster card, it generally makes your journey cheaper – or you can use a contact less credit card which is the same thing as an Oyster card. To order your Oyster card , visit: https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do or for visitors travelling from outside the UK: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/visiting-london/visitor-oyster-card 

 

Just walk around and explore!

I would really recommend simply walking around different streets in London, you’ll come across some amazing buildings, shops and restaurants. Just make sure you have a map and in this weather wrap up really warm! I think the best places to do this are Chelsea, Kensington, Covent Garden, Holborn and Shoreditch.

The best places to find Graffiti are: Southbank, Brixton, Camden, Shoreditch and Brick Lane – you’ll also find the 24 hours bagel shop on Brick Lane, where they sell rainbow bagels!

Walk along these places

Again, walking around London is one of the best things to do – why not walk along Southbank where you’ll find the London Eye, views of Westminster Abbey, street art and street performers. Walk along Southbank up to Tower Bridge or the Millennium bridge as seen in Harry Potter. You have the Tate Modern museum also along Southbank which is another free entry exhibition – perfect for art lovers! If you walk down far enough you’ll also see the HMS Belfast ship – originally a Royal Navy light cruiser, permanently moored in London on the River Thames and operated by the Imperial War Museum.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is the biggest park in the city – there’s usually always something going on in the park, whether it’s a festival or Winter Wonderland. Winter Wonderland is really beautiful in the winter, open from the 18th November to 2nd January – best time to go is in the evening so you can experience the beautiful lights – there’s ice skating, markets, rides and mulled wine! Hyde Park is 350 acres and is home to a number of famous landmarks including the Serpentine Lake, Speakers’€™ Corner and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. There’s also plenty of facilities in the park, from cafes to toilets and sports including playgrounds, water swimming, boating, cycling, tennis and horse riding.

Watch the daily Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace
The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes and usually takes place daily at 11:30 from April until the end of July and on alternate days for the rest of the year. Remember if you’re near a palace guard, don’t piss them off, they will point their gun at you and shout. If you’re too near the fence, they will shout get off the fence, if you’re in their way when marching be warned they may move you out of the way or shout for you to move. If you come too close to a guard they will tell you to move away – Don’t mess with the Queen’s guards.

(dpa file) The file picture dated May 2006 shows the Band of the Coldstream Guards march during Changing the Guards at Buckingham Palace of London, United Kindom. Photo by: Uwe Gerig/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Meet the stone lions at Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is home to Nelson’s Column, iconic stone lions, the famous Fourth Plinth and a lot of pigeons – make sure you have a hat or umbrella! Trust me do not get any sort of food out in Trafalgar Square or you will be terrorised by pigeons. You’ll often find cultural events, performances, shows and other special activities going on in the square by the fountains. At Christmas you’ll find the biggest Christmas tree in London, an annual gift from the city of Oslo, Norway. Here’s a fact for you: Nelson’s column was repaired from years of damage from pigeon poo at a massive cost of £140,000!!

Enjoy your trip to London! Oh, and don’t forget to bring an umbrella, whatever time of year you’re visiting it may rain.

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