6 FREE Things to Do in the City of London

A fun trip to the City of London doesn’t have to blow your budget… Did you know there are loads of fun things you can in the City of London do for free? Here, I’ve listed 6 free things you can do next time you visit, so you can really get your value’s worth from your Tube fare.

1.     Take a stroll around Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Tower Bridge is one of London’s most famous landmarks, so a trip to London isn’t complete without seeing this remarkable structure. The best place to see Tower Bridge and the London skyline in one place is by walking along the River Thames. You’ll also find green spaces, Hay’s Galleria, and City Hall too. Don’t let the market stalls and aroma of caramelised peanuts tempt you though.

2.     Recuperate at Tate Modern by seeing some inspiring art and incredible views

Coming to Tate Modern is a very relaxing and educational experience. Bring out the inner artist in you when you view the different art and sculptures here. Some of my favourite art here is the pop art. There were also some interesting exhibits too such as this sculpture made from cloth rags.

On the 10^th floor, you can see great views of London. You can also use my tap water hack and visit the restaurant on the 9^th floor as well. The best thing about all of this is that its FREE, although some of the exhibits might have to be paid for. Tate Modern is open daily from 10am-6pm, but open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

3.     See breath taking views of London at The Garden at 120

If you can’t get into Sky Gardens because its fully booked, then hope isn’t lost. Instead, you can visit The Garden at 120 on Fenchurch Street, which is another great viewing point. It’s open from 10am- 5pm during winter, but this is extended to 9pm during the summer months. Plus, you don’t even have to book it!

Sights you can see include:

• The Walkie Talkie
• Tower Bridge
• London’s famous skyscrapers such as The Shard and The Gherkin
• Canary Wharf

4.     See the City of London at night

If you thought the city looked great during the day, it looks even better at night! All the skyscrapers and bridges light up, and the lights reflect onto the Thames. There are so many sights to see that I couldn’t include them all. Along with the other tourists and professionals at night, I recommend sightseeing around:

• Tower Bridge and London Bridge
• Southwark Bridge
• Millennium Bridge
• Tate Modern viewing deck

5.     Watch street performers perform mind boggling tricks

Sometimes near the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern, you can watch street artists perform entertaining tricks.

6.     Capture great day and night photos then compare them

I got the inspiration to do this from a conversation with a tourist in Trafalgar Square. Here are some examples below:

Southwark Bridge

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Tower Bridge

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View from Tate Modern 9th Floor

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The Shard

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Summary

I hope these tips were useful, so when you next come to visit London’s largest financial district, it won’t leave you in a financial mess. I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below on what other free activities there are to do too. Want more tips on saving money when travelling? Read my post on 7 ways to save money on your next trip.