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Budget friendly activities in London

4 January 2023

Living in London can be expensive, so we've put together a list of budget-friendly activities for you.

image of London

Museums, galleries, and exhibitions

There are many museums around London that you can visit for free! You may have to pay to view some exhibitions within the museums, but the entry won’t cost you a thing.

  • British Museum – located just minutes from UCL’s Bloomsbury Campus, the British Museum hosts collections spanning across two million years. Make sure to book your free time slot before visiting!

  • National Gallery – you can explore popular masterpieces at the National Gallery, located in Trafalgar Square.

  • Tate Modern – explore modern and contemporary art from around the world. The Tate is located just across the river.

  • Natural History Museum – travel through 4.6 billion years of our planets history (for free!). The museum is just a walk away from South Kensington tube station.

Parks in the city

London has some of the most beautiful parks made even better with company – why not ask your flat mate to join?

  • Primrose Hill – visit Primrose Hill and see some spectacular views of London at the summit.

  • Hampstead Heath – located in Zone 2, the Heath is a wild park of woodland and meadows.

  • Hyde Park – join one of the many events at Hyde Park or take a quiet stroll.

  • Richmond Park – visit the deer herds in South London at Richmond Park.

  • Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – see where Olympic history was made in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, located in Stratford.

Local landmarks

Be a tourist in your home away from home city! London has many landmarks that are free to see.

  • Battersea Power Station – the iconic Grade II listed Battersea Power Station is newly open with shops, bars and parks to enjoy.

  • Sky Garden – the Sky Garden offers one of the best views in London – make sure to book your free tickets in advance as they are very popular!

  • Hackney Wick – take a nice stroll along the canal and pop into a canal boat restaurant.

  • St Katharine Docks – a prestigious landmark with rich history and eye-catching innovation.

  • Leadenhall Market – visit the buzzy, beautiful, and airy market right in the heart of the City of London.  

  • Regents Canal – take a walk along the Regents canal, offering an oasis of calm in the capital.

  • Granary Square – visit Granary Square for the fountains, restaurants and people watching.