10 best things to do for free
Are you visiting London on a budget? Do you want to know 10 things to do for free? Here is a list of the ten best tourist attractions which can be enjoyed free of charge.
#1 – British Museum
The British Museum is home to our national treasures, from the controversial Elgin marbles to the Rosetta Stone. Opening times: Galleries - 10–5.30 (Mon–Wed, Sat–Sun); 10–8.30 (Thu–Fri); Great Court - 9–6 (Mon–Wed, Sun); 9–11 (Thu–Sat). Cost: Free.
#2 – National Gallery
The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square has 2,000 works from 1260 onwards. Some of the artists on display include Rembrandt, Renoir, Titian, Turner and Van Gogh. Opening times: 10–6 (Mon–Tue, Thu–Sun) 10–9 (Wed). Cost: Free.
#3 – Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum has 69 million specimens covering every aspect of life on Earth, from our prehistoric past to the present day. The towering bones in Dinosuar Hall are a particular favourite. Opening times: 10–5.50. Cost: Free.
#4 – Tate Modern
The transformed power station that houses the Tate Modern art gallery boasts work by a host of 20th-century greats – Dalí, Pollock, Picasso and Andy Warhol. Opening times: 10–6 (Sun–Thu); 10–10 (Fri–Sat). Cost: Free.
#5 – Free classical concerts
The National Theatre holds a free jazz, folk or classical concert every day at 5.45PM (1.45PM on Saturdays). You can also catch a classical music recitals at St. Martin-in-the-Fields church (usually at 1.05PM on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays).
#6 – Changing of the Guard
No trip to London would be complete without seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It starts at 11.30AM in the summer and every other day in the winter. Get there early if you want a position by the gate.
#7 – Victoria & Albert Museum
The V&A is London’s museum of art and design. The highlight is the Cast Room’s life-size replicas of world famous statues, like Trajan’s Column and Michelangelo’s David. Opening times: 10–5.45 (Mon–Thu, Sat–Sun); 10–10 (Fri). Cost: Free.
#8 – Tate Britain
The Tate Britain art gallery houses work from the 16th-century onwards – including paintings by Constable, Bacon, Blake, Hockney and the great J W Turner. Opening times: 10–6 (Sun–Thu); 10–10 (Fri–Sat). Cost: Free.
#9 – Museum of London
The Museum of London tells the history of the city from its Roman occupation in 50AD through the 17th-century plague, Great Fire of 1666 and Blitz of World War II. Opening times: 10–5.50 (Mon–Sat); noon–5.50 (Sun). Cost: Free.
#10 – National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum covers British naval history from the Spanish Armada all the way up to Nelson and the submarines of World War II. Opening times: 10–5 (Sep–Jun); 10–6 (Jul–Aug). Cost: Free.