You have no money in London. Quite a large amount.
In addition to world-class museums, the city is also home to beautiful parks, buzzing markets, stunning churches and incredible viewpoints. There are many free things to do in London.
Make your travel budget go a little farther with insider tips from our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.The National Gallery houses masterpieces by painters including van Gogh, Renoir, da Vinci and Michelangelo and is visited by over six million people a year. You can avoid the hordes by visiting on weekdays. The permanent collections are always free even when you're not there.
The National Gallery is open after hours until 9pm on Fridays.
One of the top attractions in London is the British Museum. It's bursting at the seams with fascinating artifacts from all over the world, from Egyptian mummies to samurai armor. Only 1% of the eight million objects in the museum are on display at any one time.
Tate Modern is one of the most popular attractions in the city. You can enjoy the permanent collection for free. Winter is a good time to visit museums and galleries in London.
If you want to hop between Tate Modern and Tate Britain, you can take the RB2 boat from Bankside Pier to Millbank Pier.
You can get a great view of the city from the top of the hill in the middle of the park. It is a great place for a picnic in the capital.
The Houses of Parliament, also known as Big Ben, is a neo-Gothic wonder built in the 19th century. UK residents can get a free guided tour of the UK parliament, while the rest of us can pay for one online.
Visitors are encouraged to attend debates when Parliament is in session. The Prime Minister's Question Time is the busiest time of the day and only available to UK residents. Anyone can attend other debates without paying a fee.
It's hard to say where you'll find a specific display at any one time. Some areas of East London are known for their graffiti. Some decent artwork can be found on the side streets around brick lane.
It is fair to say that Borough Market is one of London's more well known spots. Located under a maze of Victorian railway arches and open on Mondays to Saturdays, the market is filled with lovely food and food lovers, featuring cuisine from all corners of the world. It's a great place for a grab-and-go breakfast or lunch, but also a great place for a stroll.
If you want to avoid the weekend crowds, go on a weekday. It's open all the time except Sunday.
One of the city's great attractions is the Museum of London, which provides a walk through London's various versions, from the geological history of the Thames Valley to the Anglo-Saxon inhabitants.
When you are done with the sights, you can take a stroll along the tree lined paths. Regent's Park is one of the Royal Parks that are free to enter.
If you're visiting between May and September, it's a good idea to bring a bathing suit.
Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 11am, there is a ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. The King's Guard will stomp around in time to music as they switch responsibilities with one another.
Windsor Castle has its own Changing of the Guard if you miss the Buckingham Palace ceremony.
The National Portrait Gallery has closed due to essential building works, but the British came to put a face to the names of famous historical figures from the country's past. The subjects of the paintings are more important than the artists. There are portraits of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth II.
The Victorians were fond of collecting and cataloging. One of the most compelling results is that the Natural History Museum has an outrageously large collection of all things nature in a beautiful Gothic Revival building. There is a large blue whale skeleton in the main hall.
The V&A has been open since 1852 and contains 4.5 million items. There are Asian swords, ancient Chinese ceramics, and plaster casts made from Michelangelo's David on the first floor of the museum. The oldest carpet in the world is from Iran in the 1500s.
The indoor viewing decks and restaurants on the top three floors of 20 Fenchurch Street are a great place to hang out without spending a lot of money. You can just book your visit in advance.
Don't delay if you want to get tickets for this attraction. Up to three weeks in advance, they are available on a weekly basis.
Not to be confused with St Paul's Cathedral, the church on the western flank of Covent Garden Piazza is also known as the actor's church. The first Punch and Judy show was held here in 1662.
Portobello Road Market is located in the heart of one of London's best neighborhoods, and it sells everything from vintage clothes to antiques. There is always something going on on Saturdays and Sundays.
Some vendors at the market do not accept credit cards.
There are five floors of the Science Museum. The first steam locomotives, which date from the early 19th century, can be found in the Energy Hall, while the third-floor exhibits include old gliders, hot-air balloons and flight simulation equipment.
If you're traveling with young children, you can take them to the fun-filled basement and the Garden on Level 1, which has a play zone and water play area.
One of London's most atmospheric and fascinating sights is the museum housed within the actual home of Sir John Soane. The house is mostly the same as it was when Soane left it in the late 18th century.
This enormous, ancient parkland is one of the best places to escape the city and catch a great view of it: the vista from Parliament Hill is so impressive it is actually protected by law. There is a zoo, three swimming ponds, and plenty of quiet places to picnic in the park.
In the winter, the pond is usually open from 7am to 2:30pm, while in the summer it is open until 8:45pm. In the winter, the pond closes.
The Wallace Collection is located just north of Oxford Street and is one of London's best small galleries.
The best day trips from London include 9 unusual sights hidden in the city and films to see before you go.
The article was first published in January.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
