London has an unusually large number of free things to do, but “free” comes in different forms: free to walk in, free with a booked ticket, or free to enter with extras that cost money. This guide sorts the dependable free options by type, and explains what to book, so you can plan a day without surprise charges. It is part of our wider things to do in London coverage.
Entry rules were checked on each official site on 2 October 2026. Policies change, so use the official links for your date.
Free things to do in London at a glance
| Free, no booking needed | V&A (general admission), Borough Market, the Royal Parks |
| Free, booking recommended | British Museum, National Gallery, National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Natural History Museum (queue-skipping ticket) |
| Free, booking required | Science Museum (free ticket), Sky Garden (free ticket) |
| Usually extra | Special exhibitions and some attractions inside the museums |
Free museums
The big national museums are the backbone of free London. The British Museum makes its permanent collection free and advises a free timed ticket for priority entry, although walk-ups are accepted subject to capacity. The Natural History Museum says its galleries are free, with queues possible at weekends and school holidays. The Science Museum is free but asks you to pre-book a free ticket, while its Wonderlab and IMAX are paid extras. The V&A says general admission needs no booking.
Our guide to free museums for a rainy day compares these in more detail, including late openings.
Free art galleries
The National Gallery is free to visit, with a charge for some exhibitions; a free ticket gives fast-track entry, but walk-up entry is available. Entry to the collection at Tate Modern is free, including the Turbine Hall, and the gallery runs free guided tours on most days. Paid exhibitions at both are separate, so decide in advance whether you want one.
Free views
Sky Garden says entry is free of charge, but you need a ticket booked online. Tickets are released weekly, up to three weeks before your visit, so plan ahead rather than assuming a same-day place. Check its page for operational notices before you go, as capacity can be reduced at short notice.
Free parks and walks
Walking in the Royal Parks costs nothing. For a long, varied walk, the Royal Parks suggest the 11 km Tamsin Trail in Richmond Park, which they say takes roughly two to four hours. For something flat and central, they publish a self-guided Hyde Park walk of about 4.1 miles. Greenwich Park has a high point with views across the London skyline. Our autumn in London guide covers these parks in more detail.
Free markets and Greenwich
Borough Market is free to enter; you pay only for food and drink. In Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House are free, and Royal Museums Greenwich recommends booking both. The Royal Observatory itself is ticketed.
How to plan a free day
- Book what needs booking. The Science Museum and Sky Garden ask for free tickets; several others recommend them.
- Choose one main stop and one extra. The big museums are large and busy at peak times.
- Check closures. Museums list gallery rotations and one-off closures on their visit pages.
- Pair places by area. Tate Modern and Borough Market are both on the south bank of the Thames; use TfL Journey Planner for your route.
- Outdoors: our best parks in London guide covers the Royal Parks.
- Leaving London instead? See our day trips from London by train.
FAQs
Are London museums really free?
The main collections at the British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A, Science Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern are free to enter, according to their own websites. Special exhibitions and some attractions cost extra.
Do I need to book free tickets?
It depends. The Science Museum and Sky Garden ask for a free ticket. The British Museum, National Gallery and Greenwich museums recommend one. The V&A and Borough Market do not require booking.
Sources checked
- British Museum: Visit
- Natural History Museum: Visit
- Science Museum: Visit
- National Gallery: Plan your visit
- Tate: Tate Modern
- Sky Garden: Plan your visit
- Borough Market: Visit us
- Royal Museums Greenwich
- Featured image: DeveshT, Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch St., CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
