15 Unique Free & Cheap Things to Do in London
I spent two months living in London, and it’s no lie when people say London is expensive. Things like almost $4 tube rides and $20 bowls of Vietnamese Pho have me at a loss for words sometimes.
In the midst of mind-boggling expenses, I went on a full-on hunt for cheap things to do in London and, better yet, free things to do in London.
With that said, some of the best unique things to do in London can’t just be free, but I did find a way to make them cheap or find less expensive options.
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How I Found the Best Cheap and Free Things to Do in London
There are a lot of things I want to do in London: eat well, bop to live DJs, experience the theatre scene, and socialize.
And all of that can either be very expensive or found cheaply when you get creative. Especially being here for two months, I needed to find ways to cut financial corners but still uphold a quality experience.
I’ve found out how to eat cheaper with local apps, grab last-minute theater tickets, and find free events around the city.
My Instagram also transformed into London-related content, which helped me find a lot of cool cheap and free things to do and pop-ups around London.
Right, enough London-on-a-budget storytime; let’s get into this list.
Best Cheap Things to Do in London
Hit Up a Theatre (& Get Amazing Seats with ‘Cheap’ Rush Tickets)
One of the best unique cheap things to do in London is to go to see a show at one of the many theaters! And to do it right while saving money, check out RushTicket options.
When I arrived in London, I saw ads for Trainspotting the Musical all over and knew I had to go as a fan of the movie. Ticket prices ranged from about £15 to £70+.
And while the £15 tickets did align with my budget, they were some of the worst seats, far up and back in the Haymarket Theatre.
I used SeatPlan to see the seating layout of the theater, and downloaded TodayTix to keep an eye on rush tickets. I suggest downloading it beforehand to make sure the show you want to see is on the app, and then sign up for the rush notifications.
Rush notifications came out every day at 10 AM UK time the day of the show. When I was ready, I managed to book £70 seats for only £29.50!
London’s Floating Sauna
I’m not gonna lie, a floating sauna experience in London for just over $20 is one of the most unique cheap things to do in London. I definitely would not expect to find such a deal.
The floating sauna is along Canary Wharf, which has stellar water views among towering buildings.
In one 75-minute session, you can enjoy both a wood-fired sauna and then challenge yourself to a cold plunge. If you want something to do for health and wellness in London on a budget, this is perfect to add towards the end of your trip.
Try Brick Lane Bagels (Salt Beef is the Famous Style to Try!)
I’m a bagel snob. I grew up in a small town with incredible bagels slathered in cream cheese, and spent years in Philly and NYC.
My bagel expectations are high. And I get lowkey kinda mad when I see a £6/7 bagel with just plain cream cheese on offer in London.
Now the bagel shops on Brick Lane are the place to go. They have incredible prices and quality bagels.
Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop are two places I’d always be down to grab a bagel in London. They’re made on the spot, and a bagel with cream cheese costs £3 or less.
With that said, the famous local style to try is the Salt Beef Beigel. But it’s hard not to be a creature of habit as I love a good poppyseed bagel with cream cheese.
Join a Local Event or Show (For Long-Term Stays)
Since I went full delulu-mode and decided I’d spend a whole two months in London, I had to get beyond the touristy things to do and immerse myself more locally.
I love trying to make new friends and also finding hard techno and DnB events. Not long after I started the hunt, my whole IG feed became social events and shows.
If you’re planning to spend a longer time in London, I highly recommend checking out events like CityDaze Walks, which include a lovely nature walk and social connections.
Another fun and budget thing to do in London is to check out upcoming music events.
Lots of shows are either free or cost between £10-20. I check Resident Advisor and always find a variety of shows I never would have found otherwise.
Just as I was going to share the link here, I found a Rinse FM live show tonight with free entry before 9 PM. I used to listen to their mixes on SoundCloud, so you know where I’ll be tonight!
Learn Something at Pints of Knowledge
Pints of Knowledge kept popping up on my Instagram, and as I wanted to find more local social events, I knew I had to make it to one.
The concept: come learn from an expert delve into a subject for an hour at a pub.
The tickets are about £20, so it is a bit more expensive among these cheap things to do in London, but the talk might just change your life. Plus you can take the chance to explore a new neighborhood in London you might not have been to yet.
I went to a talk on how our brains get hijacked by social media and our phones, and it definitely had its impact on my perception. I also sat next to a stranger, and it was nice to get to know another person’s story as we waited for the talk to begin.
Keep an eye out for their socials or even sign up for notifications, as they do offer deals on early-bird tickets.
Delve into London’s Dark History on a Ghost Tour
I’m not kidding when I say damn, London has a gruesome and dark history. Even the “normal” tours are filled with wildly dark stories all around.
One of my favorite experiences in London with dark history sprinkled in has to be Gin Tasting at Greenwich. But let’s get back on topic.
If you want a cheap London tour that is purely ghostly and historic stories, don’t skip this London ghost walking tour. It’s less than $20, which is a steal!
Unlimited City Cruise Pass
One of the best ways to see London is on a cruise. I’ve personally done the Afternoon Tea Cruise (more expensive), but even just a general sightseeing cruise is a great deal.
But this all-day hop-on-hop-off cruise pass?! You can get on and off at four different piers, and it’s only about $11. People pay that amount for the one-day Uber boat rides in London, so it’s quite the cheap London steal.
If you want to mix cruising along the Thames with city exploring and save money while doing it, this is the way to go.
Join a Walking Tour & Support the Unhoused
Walking Tours are at the top of the list for cheap things to do in London that get you into the history and culture of the city.
My friend recommended Unseen Tours, which offers walking tours led by people impacted by homelessness. The tours also sprawl across the city, including areas like London Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Brixton.
Get Some Work Done at the Garden Room at Middle Temple
This one is a true cheap hidden London gem. I was visiting the Inner Temple Garden across the alley (a peaceful park and garden) when I found this cafe.
The coffee was a bit more affordable than most other cafes, and the working area?! They have booths you can sit at to work, cozy couches, and even a shaded outdoor lawn-facing section.
Place an Order on Too Good to Go
I had to be a bit cheeky with this one cause Too Good to Go is such a great app to save money on meals in London.
It’s the food that needs to be sold as it can’t be sold the next day, and the discounts can be massive. I’ve gotten massive salads, bagels, sourdough bread, and sushi on some of my favorite finds.
Not every Too Good to Go is amazing, but some I’ve had really hit the spot. I highly recommend the ones from Salad Project, B.Bagel, and Tortilla. And it’s even better if you’re traveling on a budget in London with someone, as it can be quite a lot of food.
When you download the Too Good to Go app, be sure to set your location to the UK, so you get the local offers.
Best Free Things to Do in London
Visit the Parks (Especially Hampstead Heath)
Of all the cities in the world I’ve been to, the parks in London are in the top tier.
There are so many around the city; no matter where you’re staying, you can find a green plot to find peace in.
My favorites outside of the famous Hyde Park are Greenwich Park and Hampstead Heath.
Hampstead Heath in particular is like a park, estate, and forest all in one. I was craving wooded trails one day and found it right there. You could spend an afternoon laxing around the meadows and winding around trails easily.
Don’t forget to bring a little blanket and an extra bag to pick up a picnic from Sainsbury’s or Marks & Spencer’s.
Join a Salsa Night
Salsa dancing is huge in London, and there’s no shortage of free classes and socials around the city.
If you’re looking for free beginner classes + socials, you can check out BoxHall on Friday nights; just be sure to register ahead of time!
There’s also Rueda Libre, which offers some free classes (check the Monday night social) + a free massive Cuban salsa social on Wednesday nights near King’s Cross Station.
Salsateca is another organization in London with plenty of classes (paid) and free socials through the week.
If you’re a beginner, do check out the class and social information to make sure the level is a good fit for your skills.
Walk Along the Canals
Aside from a walk in one of London’s many free parks, a stroll along the canal is just as lovely.
My favorite canal walk starts from the Hackney Wick Footbridge and continues West all the way to Victoria Park.
Another that’s easier to visit with other London Tourist sites in the mix is Regent’s Canal, starting from behind St. Pancras Station, and heading to Regent’s Park/Primrose Hill (with an amazing skyline view).
Visit the Free Museums in London
London is one of the best cities for top museums because many of them are FREE. Free museums in London include:
- The British Museum
- The Natural History Museum
- Tate Modern
- Bank of England Museum
- Anesthesia Heritage Museum
Check out this extensive free London Museum list for even more.
Explore City Farms
Visit pigs, chickens, sheep, ducks, and more farm friends at one of London’s many free city farms.
I’ve been to the Mudchute City Farm (the pigs are massive), as well as the Spitalfields City Farm.
The farms, of course, love donations, and you might even be able to give some feed to some of the animals for a small fee.
Walk Under the Thames
One of my favorite free things to do in London was an unexpected surprise for me: the Greenwich Tunnel that connects Cutty Shark and Greenwich.
If you visit the Mudchute Farm, then the obvious next thing to do is walk the under-river tunnel over to Greenwich.
When I went, it was a blazing hot day, and the tunnel was like stepping into a refreshing AC. The vibe is a bit eerie, but I love those sorts of things, so it was a favorite of mine to pass through if I need to.
Visit a Morning Market (Usually Sundays)
Passing through a morning market is one of the free things to do in London entrance-wise, but let’s be honest, we know you’ll have to indulge in something.
Cheeses, coffee, fresh bread and pastries- take your pick.
I unashamedly will ask for cheese samples (if the stall isn’t busy, of course), and at least pick up an iced latte to take along as I peruse.
Depending on the market, you might also have hot and pre-prepared food you can pick up and bring along for a picnic in a nearby park.
One of my favorite markets is the Victoria Park Market every Sunday from 10 AM until about 3-4 PM.
Some others include the Marylebone Farmers’ Market (Sundays 10 AM – 2 PM) and the Columbia Road Flower Market (Sunday 8 AM – 3 PM).
Explore More Things to Do in London
By now, I’m sure you’ve gotten a whole list of ideas on cheap things to do in London and how to save money without leaving behind any experiences.
Here are more of my UK and London guides to make your trip even smoother:
