After being in London for about a week now, I am totally in awe of all that there is to do. I had no idea how huge London was and all that there was to explore. The best part? Most of the experiences I’ve had are free! Here are some of my favorite free activities in London that I’ve found so far.
1. Walk around Hyde Park
Hyde Park is about 3 times the size of New York’s Central Park at 2,500 acres. Within the park is a beautiful lake, a rose garden, the Princess Diana Memorial, and Kensington palace – pretty crazy for a park. There are also many concerts and events that take place within the park at any given time.
I recommend grabbing lunch at a nearby cafe and sitting by the lake to eat. Then, you can walk it off around the park.
2. Visit the Portobello Market
The Portobello Market is in Notting Hill and is the biggest street market I’ve ever been to. The market has fresh fruit and veggies, antiques, clothing, prepared food and more. The pricing is super affordable, and I found that a lot of the fresh food was cheaper than at markets in the States.
I recommend going on a Saturday; it’ll definitely be the most crowded, but it’s also the day when all stands and vendors are there. If you arrive closer to 9:00 AM when the market opens, you’ll avoid some of the traffic!
3. Stop by famous sites from movies in Notting Hill
A bunch of famous movies, including “Paddington” and “Notting Hill” were filmed in Notting Hill. Look up the stores/locations that different parts of the movies were filmed, like the Blue Door and the book shop from “Notting Hill.” Being exactly where something was filmed is a super cool experience, and totally free.
4. Take a trip to Little Venice
Wanting to get out of London? Take a trip over to Little Venice, right by Paddington station. A canal is lined with little houseboats and restaurants, and it is a great place to get your steps in and snap some nice photos. You aren’t exactly getting out of London, but it kind of feels like it!
5. Head to the Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in London that stretches over the Thames, and it is seriously beautiful. You can take the tube to the Tower Hill station and spend the day right by the bridge at St. Katharine’s Docks Marina, an adorable area with lots of boats and flowers.
If you are looking to spend a little bit, you can also tour the Tower of London. It was a really cool experience to tour it, but a bit on the pricey side. Either way, pass by so you can see all of its beauty.
6. Check out Covent Garden
Covent Garden is in the West End of London and is full of street performers, cafes, and shopping. I recommend walking around the area, seeing the local shops, and grabbing a bite at one of the pubs or cafes. Overall, it’s just a super cute area to hang out in! If you go, bring some coins with you because all of the bathrooms there cost 20p!
7. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
Every day at 11:00 AM, there is a Changing of the Guard at the Buckingham palace. It is jam-packed with tourists and people trying to get a nice family photo in front of the Castle — but it’s definitely an experience that I needed to have. You can check out the schedule to see ceremony specifics for each day. Get to the castle a bit early so you can secure a nice spot!
If you want to avoid the traffic of the ceremony, head over to the palace around 2:00 PM… it’s much less crowded and just as beautiful.
8. Take pictures of The Churchill Arms
Churchill Arms is a pub that’s one the places I wanted to visit most in London — but not even for the food. This pub is completely covered in the most beautiful flowers and is featured in a ton of London articles and magazines.
A lot of pubs in London are very elaborately decorated in pretty plants, so if you can’t make it to this pub, definitely find a pub by you to check out the flowers.
9. Visit Harrods
Just a few blocks away from Hyde Park is the world-famous luxury department store, Harrods. It has over 300 departments, including clothing, home decor, restaurants, markets, and more — and it’s crazy beautiful!
If you’re hungry, I definitely recommend the bakery shops on the 1st floor. I tried both the carrot cake and red velvet cake, and they were absolutely amazing.
10. Walk along the Thames River
The Thames is the main river that runs through London, and along it are a bunch of shops and places to eat. You can also get a great view of historic and famous landmarks from the Thames, like the London Eye, Big Ben, and various bridges across the river. You’ll also be able to see a bunch of cruises and boats along the river, with some hosting dance parties and some hosting dinner.
Overall, walking along the river gives a really good feel for the city overall, and helps to start feeling immersed in London life.
11. Check out the Westminster Abbey
Besides being one of the most stunning buildings in London, the Westminster Abbey has an extremely rich history and has been standing for over 1,000 years. You can visit and tour (which costs money), or you can attend a church service for no charge at all. Either way, I recommend getting over to the Abbey to at least take pictures!
There’s a ton to do in London at whatever price-point you have in mind. Whatever you do, just make the most of your time in London. I’m so excited I’ve had the chance to see and do so many awesome things, and I can’t wait to keep exploring and see what comes next!
