London is easiest to plan by type of day rather than by landmark. This guide groups dependable options by the kind of experience you want, and points to each official page for current hours, prices and booking, because those change. It is the main hub for our things-to-do coverage and will link out to more specific guides as they are published.
Things to do in London by type of day
| Free art, science and history | British Museum, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern. Main collections are free; exhibitions are usually extra. |
| Big-name history | Tower of London. Ticketed, and worth allowing a few hours. |
| Food and markets | Borough Market, next to London Bridge station. Free to enter. |
| A day away from the centre | Greenwich: a mix of free museums, a ticketed observatory and a park with a skyline view. |
Details were checked against official pages on 2 October 2026. Always check the official page for your date before you travel.
Free museums and galleries
If you want one reliable, free, weatherproof option, start with a national museum or gallery. The British Museum says its permanent collection is free and recommends booking a free timed ticket in advance for priority entry, although walk-up visits are possible. The Natural History Museum says its galleries are free to explore, and warns of queues at weekends and school holidays. Tate Modern offers free entry to its collection and runs free guided tours on most days.
Three practical points apply to all of them. Special exhibitions are ticketed separately. Large bags and wheeled suitcases are restricted at several of these venues, so travel light. And each museum lists gallery rotations and one-off closures on its visit page, so check your date. For a wider comparison, including the V&A, Science Museum and National Gallery, see our guide to free museums and galleries for a rainy day.
History worth a ticket
The Tower of London is a ticketed attraction run by Historic Royal Palaces. The Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warder tours are part of a standard visit, and the official site recommends allowing at least two hours, with its FAQ suggesting three if queues are long. Tower Hill station is about a five-minute walk. There is no left-luggage service, and suitcases and large bags are not allowed inside, so plan where to leave them. Ticket prices vary, so use the official booking page.
Food and markets
Borough Market is free to enter and sits beside London Bridge station. The market describes three main areas: Three Crown Square for larger producers, the Green Market for small specialist traders and Borough Market Kitchen for street food. Its regular hours exclude Mondays, with different hours during bank holidays and the festive period. Saturday afternoons are the busiest time, so go on a weekday or early on Saturday if you dislike crowds. Parts of the estate are cobbled, which matters for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Greenwich
Greenwich works as a day on its own. The Royal Observatory is the home of the Prime Meridian, is ticketed and recommends booking ahead. The National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House, both part of Royal Museums Greenwich, are free, and booking is recommended for both. Greenwich station, Cutty Sark DLR, Maze Hill and Greenwich Pier all serve the area. Check the Observatory page for any closures to specific attractions before you go.
Choosing what to do
- On a budget: see our guide to free things to do in London.
- Wet weather: pick a free museum. Our guide to free museums for a rainy day compares six.
- Dry day outdoors: head to a Royal Park. Our autumn in London guide covers four.
- With children: see our guide to family days out in London.
- Off the main routes: see our guide to hidden gems in London.
- Parks: see our guide to the best parks in London.
- Leaving the city: try our day trips from London by train.
- Visiting around Halloween or early November: see Halloween in London 2026 and Bonfire Night in London 2026.
FAQs
Is the British Museum free?
General entry to the permanent collection is free. Special exhibitions are ticketed, and the museum recommends booking a free timed ticket in advance.
How long should I allow for the Tower of London?
The official site recommends at least two hours, and its FAQ suggests at least three if queues are long.
Is Borough Market free to enter?
Yes. Access is free and open to everyone; you pay for what you buy.
Sources checked
- British Museum: Visit
- Natural History Museum: Visit
- Tate: Tate Modern
- Historic Royal Palaces: Tower of London
- Borough Market: Visit us
- Royal Museums Greenwich: Royal Observatory
- Featured image: Fred Romero, Tate Modern Turbine Hall, licensed CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
