A trip to London doesn’t need to be expensive, in fact, there are loads of places to visit and activities to take part in at no cost whatsoever!
Amongst the iconic landmarks, you’ll find free festivals, exhibitions and some skyscrapers where you can soak up the incredible views for free.
Free theatre tickets for West End Kids Week
24th July – 6th September
Like the summers of our childhood, ‘Kids Week’ really does seem to last forever. And in this case, it really does – the offer of free theatre tickets for children under 17 runs from late July to early September. Every full paying adult at select shows and performances is entitled to a free child ticket, as well as half price tickets for an additional two children. From stories of triumph over adversity to the downright daft, there’s a huge range of shows on offer for toddlers to young adults.
Many West End shows are included in the offer, with highlights including Wicked, Horrible Histories and Back To The Future The Musical.
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Taylor Swift Songbook Trail Exhibition
27th July – 8th September – V&A South Kensington
…Ready For It, Swifties? The V&A South Kensington is inviting you on a special adventure to celebrate Taylor Swift. This free exhibition will take you on a winding path through the museum’s grand halls, where you’ll encounter sixteen iconic outfits worn by the pop superstar herself. It’s a rare chance to see the dazzling creativity behind Taylor’s music up close, from her signature country look to the dramatic gown in her latest music video ‘Fortnight’.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! Instruments, awards and even unseen treasures from her personal archive will be on display, giving you a peek into her incredible journey. Long Story Short, this exhibition promises to be an unforgettable experience! So, are you ready to see what’s on The Other Side Of The Door?
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The National Theatre’s River Stage
5th – 28th July
Sunshine, fresh air and free entertainment? Sounds like a perfect summer plan, doesn’t it? The National Theatre’s River Stage is back in July, turning the South Bank into a festival zone for four whole weekends. Expect everything from dazzling drag queens and breakdancing battles to singalongs and family workshops. There’s delicious street food to grab too, so come ready to fuel your fun.
So ditch the telly and head on down – River Stage is the place to be for a dose of summer magic!
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Summer Screens at Canary Wharf
30th May – 8th September
Summer Screens returns with a bigger and better line-up than ever before! Catch all the thrills of live sports – from F1 races to Wimbledon matches and even the Paris Olympics.
Not a sports fan? No worries! There’s a massive selection of movies on the big screen too, including family favourites, recent blockbusters and cult classics. There are even fun live gaming sessions throughout the summer, so there’s truly something for everyone. Best part? It’s all completely free! Just pack a picnic and settle in for an unforgettable summer experience.
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Get the perfect picture at God’s Own Junkyard
God’s Own Junkyard is home to Europe’s largest collection of vintage neon signs. Here you will find signs from a number of movies which have appeared next to some of Hollywood’s greatest stars. This is an ideal spot for those who want to get that perfect Instagram shot in a unique and quirky setting.
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Summer on the Square
1st August – 1st September
Looking for a fun way to soak up the summer in London? Then check out Summer on the Square! It’s this totally free art festival happening in Trafalgar Square, right next to the National Gallery. There’ll be workshops you can jump into, cool art installations to check out, and a chance to unleash your inner artist. It’s a great way to spend a day with friends and family, or even just for some creative me-time.
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Pet the animals at Vauxhall City Farm
A hidden treasure among the bustling streets of London, Vauxhall City Farm is one of the oldest and most central farms in the city. This is a great place to keep the whole family entertained. You can simply pet the animals that approach the fences or purchase food to feed them.
There is also an on-site cafe for the hungry humans! Vauxhall City Farm is open 10:30am – 4:00pm and entry to the farm is free, although donations are encouraged.
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The Now Building – Outernet
Immerse yourself in a dazzling world of light at the Outernet. Located next to Tottenham Court Road Station, this free, public space boasts stunning LED displays in its expansive 4-storey high venue.
Known as the Now Building, this vibrant hub is packed with captivating light and visual displays, cultural experiences and even some entertainment thrown in for good measure. Made up of 5 connected LED screens, the 4k east, west and north walls and 8k ceiling make this space 16k+ resolution!
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Find the original Roman City Walls
The walls which protected the original City of London were built by the Romans around 1800 years ago. While little remains of the original wall which stretched almost 3 miles long, parts of it can still be found across London at no cost. Glimpse the original ruins in the grounds of the Museum of London (which you can also enter for free), the Barbican Estate, a hotel courtyard on Coppers Row in St Alphege Gardens and just off Wood Street. Surprisingly, the most impressive location to explore the Roman ruins is Tower Hill Tube Station.
On the westbound platform, you can find a small cutting in the modern station wall, revealing a section of Roman wall beneath. Above ground, you’ll find a large chunk of the wall looms over the tube station entrance and in the garden, there’s an original Roman statue.
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Find hidden treasures at The British Library
As the UK’s national library, The British Library has a collection of more than 170 million items, from all ages of written civilisation. Here you can find everything from Jane Austen’s notebooks and handwritten lyrics by the Beatles, to Leonardo da Vinci’s manuscripts and the Magna Carta. There is plenty to keep anyone entertained, whatever your interests.
Whilst in the area you can also visit Platform 9 ¾, where you can push a trolley into the magical world to board the Hogwarts Express!
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