6 of the best foodie spots to grab a bite in London
From bustling food markets to hidden courtyards.
Big Ben, red phone boxes, Royal residences, and cosy corner pubs; London is up there as one of the world’s most visited cities, and it definitely tops a few bucket lists of faraway travel lovers.
As one of the most appealing but expensive cities on the planet, London can appear to be a destination that will leave a hefty hole in your pocket. But the truth is, London is actually one of the easiest places to explore without spending a penny. See England’s capital on a budget with these awesome free things to do in London; from classic sights and popular free activities to hidden gems that won’t have you digging into your pockets.
Table of contents
1. The classic sights
2. Museums
3. Street art
4. Markets
5. Parks
6. Walking tours
7. Views
8. Hidden gems
Now, I’m sure you know you can spot most of the city’s sights for free from afar, but I had to include them as they play such a big part in any visitor to London’s experience. As someone who grew up around London, leisurely walking around central is one of my favourite ways to explore London for free, and a lot of the classics are all within walking distance of each other! It never gets old - you’ll still catch me filling my camera roll with photos of the skyline and Tower Bridge every time I go into the city.
Once you’ve got the main sights under your belt, the city’s museums are some of the best free places to visit in London. The fact you can browse them for free ‘til your heart’s content means you could easily spend a day or two perusing their halls without even touching your wallet. There are heaps to choose from for all interests, but here are a few favourites.
If art museums aren’t so much your thing, perhaps you’d prefer to see artists express themselves on the streets of London itself. Despite graffiti being illegal in London (so don’t go thinking about joining in!) the city is actually one of the best places in the world to see creative, thought-provoking street art. With pieces from local, upcoming artists to international contributors and even the infamous Banksy himself, checking out the art on the city’s walls is a cool free way to see some colourful culture in London.
Some of the best places to see street art in London are Camden, Shoreditch, and Brixton; be sure to check out these vibrant neighbourhoods filled with both local and international talent, or hop on a free street art tour to see the best bits.
The city’s markets are some of my favourite places to visit in London for free. You’ll find an abundance of colourful markets in the capital selling everything from food, flowers, and produce to clothes, jewellery, and antiques, making great spots to look around for an afternoon as you take in the interesting sights and smells. A lot of the markets also offer up delicious street food for a very reasonable price, and with a lot of stalls offering up free samples, you might actually be able to get a good feed in if you loop around enough!
With too many to choose from, here are a few I’d recommend to get you going…
One of the best things about London is the green spaces that constantly pop up as you walk through the city, breaking up the concrete jungle and offering a place to chill in the sun or enjoy a picnic. Parks in London often aren’t just parks - you’ll find anything from landscaped gardens and lakes to museums and zoos within their walls, with a lot of things you can do for free once you’re done lying on the grass and - if you’re like me - shamelessly people watching. Going through all the parks in London would take me all day, so I’ve handpicked a few that give you more than just a lawn to lay on.
As lovely as it is strolling through landscaped gardens and beautiful parks, sometimes you just want to spice up that walk a little. Walking tours are one of the best free activities London has to offer, and in a city rich in history, culture, and famous locations - you can bet there’s a tour for just about anything. Seeing the city with a guide who knows what they’re talking about can add such an exciting, interesting element to your experience of a new city. And they’re totally free! The guide will expect a tip at the end as this is how they make their money - but it is always at your discretion.
See the city with a local expert on a sightseeing tour, or drink with the locals on a London pub tour. Feeling peckish? Jump on a London food tour. See famous filming locations on movie tours and if you’re a wizard at heart, the Harry Potter walking tour is the one for you. If you’re into history, London’s full of it; from the bone-chilling Jack the Ripper tour to the eye-opening World War II tour. A free walking tour in London is an amazing way to add a whole other dimension to your experience of the city, as well as meet locals along with visitors just like you.
If you’d rather not have a guide, there are also plenty of self-guided tours and picturesque walking paths around the city. The Thames Path is a great one which takes you along the - you guessed it - River Thames, passing by numerous landmarks, both old and new.
I think we’ve established by now that one of the best free things to do in London is simply just to look at it, so where are the best places to do that? While hopping on the London Eye or going up the Shard will cost you a pretty penny, you’d be surprised how many places offer up great views of the city for absolutely nothing.
In a city as big as London, you’ll bet there are heaps of gems hidden away in its charming streets. There is an abundance of neighbourhoods, activities, and experiences to discover that not many people know about but are totally free to enjoy. Even after years of exploring London I’m still discovering new spots, and I’m sure you’ll even discover some of your own - but here are a few that I love to get you started.
All that free exploring making you hungry? Check out 6 of our favourite foodie spots in London where you can grab a quick, casual bite with heaps of choice and good vibes.
Big Ben, red phone boxes, Royal residences, and cosy corner pubs; London is up there as one of the world’s most visited cities, and it definitely tops a few bucket lists of faraway travel lovers.
As one of the most appealing but expensive cities on the planet, London can appear to be a destination that will leave a hefty hole in your pocket. But the truth is, London is actually one of the easiest places to explore without spending a penny. See England’s capital on a budget with these awesome free things to do in London; from classic sights and popular free activities to hidden gems that won’t have you digging into your pockets.
Table of contents
1. The classic sights
2. Museums
3. Street art
4. Markets
5. Parks
6. Walking tours
7. Views
8. Hidden gems
Now, I’m sure you know you can spot most of the city’s sights for free from afar, but I had to include them as they play such a big part in any visitor to London’s experience. As someone who grew up around London, leisurely walking around central is one of my favourite ways to explore London for free, and a lot of the classics are all within walking distance of each other! It never gets old - you’ll still catch me filling my camera roll with photos of the skyline and Tower Bridge every time I go into the city.
Once you’ve got the main sights under your belt, the city’s museums are some of the best free places to visit in London. The fact you can browse them for free ‘til your heart’s content means you could easily spend a day or two perusing their halls without even touching your wallet. There are heaps to choose from for all interests, but here are a few favourites.
If art museums aren’t so much your thing, perhaps you’d prefer to see artists express themselves on the streets of London itself. Despite graffiti being illegal in London (so don’t go thinking about joining in!) the city is actually one of the best places in the world to see creative, thought-provoking street art. With pieces from local, upcoming artists to international contributors and even the infamous Banksy himself, checking out the art on the city’s walls is a cool free way to see some colourful culture in London.
Some of the best places to see street art in London are Camden, Shoreditch, and Brixton; be sure to check out these vibrant neighbourhoods filled with both local and international talent, or hop on a free street art tour to see the best bits.
The city’s markets are some of my favourite places to visit in London for free. You’ll find an abundance of colourful markets in the capital selling everything from food, flowers, and produce to clothes, jewellery, and antiques, making great spots to look around for an afternoon as you take in the interesting sights and smells. A lot of the markets also offer up delicious street food for a very reasonable price, and with a lot of stalls offering up free samples, you might actually be able to get a good feed in if you loop around enough!
With too many to choose from, here are a few I’d recommend to get you going…
One of the best things about London is the green spaces that constantly pop up as you walk through the city, breaking up the concrete jungle and offering a place to chill in the sun or enjoy a picnic. Parks in London often aren’t just parks - you’ll find anything from landscaped gardens and lakes to museums and zoos within their walls, with a lot of things you can do for free once you’re done lying on the grass and - if you’re like me - shamelessly people watching. Going through all the parks in London would take me all day, so I’ve handpicked a few that give you more than just a lawn to lay on.
As lovely as it is strolling through landscaped gardens and beautiful parks, sometimes you just want to spice up that walk a little. Walking tours are one of the best free activities London has to offer, and in a city rich in history, culture, and famous locations - you can bet there’s a tour for just about anything. Seeing the city with a guide who knows what they’re talking about can add such an exciting, interesting element to your experience of a new city. And they’re totally free! The guide will expect a tip at the end as this is how they make their money - but it is always at your discretion.
See the city with a local expert on a sightseeing tour, or drink with the locals on a London pub tour. Feeling peckish? Jump on a London food tour. See famous filming locations on movie tours and if you’re a wizard at heart, the Harry Potter walking tour is the one for you. If you’re into history, London’s full of it; from the bone-chilling Jack the Ripper tour to the eye-opening World War II tour. A free walking tour in London is an amazing way to add a whole other dimension to your experience of the city, as well as meet locals along with visitors just like you.
If you’d rather not have a guide, there are also plenty of self-guided tours and picturesque walking paths around the city. The Thames Path is a great one which takes you along the - you guessed it - River Thames, passing by numerous landmarks, both old and new.
I think we’ve established by now that one of the best free things to do in London is simply just to look at it, so where are the best places to do that? While hopping on the London Eye or going up the Shard will cost you a pretty penny, you’d be surprised how many places offer up great views of the city for absolutely nothing.
In a city as big as London, you’ll bet there are heaps of gems hidden away in its charming streets. There is an abundance of neighbourhoods, activities, and experiences to discover that not many people know about but are totally free to enjoy. Even after years of exploring London I’m still discovering new spots, and I’m sure you’ll even discover some of your own - but here are a few that I love to get you started.
All that free exploring making you hungry? Check out 6 of our favourite foodie spots in London where you can grab a quick, casual bite with heaps of choice and good vibes.
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