London is an expensive city to visit, especially if you are dealing with an exchange rate that is not in your favor. Instead of spending all of your money on admission prices to various places or shows on the West End, you can check out some of the free attractions in London. Of course, you’ll still have to pay to ride the Tube to get there.
Here are 18 free things you can do in London. These are especially good if you are looking for things to do on rainy days in London.
1. British Museum – take in this collection of around 7 million items from various cultures around the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone and the Lindow Man.
2. Houses of Parliament – here’s where you can see Big Ben.
3. Museum of London – learn about this history of London.
4. National Gallery – see classic paintings by greats like da Vinci and Van Gogh.
5. National Maritime Museum – learn about the seafaring past of Britain.
6. National Portrait Gallery – this gallery is a who’s who of British history. You’ll also see other paintings and sculpture you may recognize.
7. Natural History Museum – see an awesome collection of history objects, including a T-rex skeleton.
8. Science Museum – seven floors of awesome exhibits.
After just finishing up in Kingston, The Chocolate Festival is making it’s way to London.
Regardless of what type of chocolate you prefer, you can find it here at The Chocolate Festival. You may even find some great Christmas gifts for friends and family.
The Chocolate Festival is only in London for one weekend in 2010. Attend it December 10-12, 2010. Admission is free.
Much like New York City, Christmas in London is a magical time. If you are spending any part of your Christmas holiday in London, you may not be familiar with all that there is to do during this time of year. Regardless of how long or short your stay in London for Christmas, there are some great things to do in London at Christmas that you can add to your itinerary.
London’s West End lights up with Christmas lights that you can venture out and see for free, or just the cost of a Tube ride. Harrods also lights up it’s store. Lights go up each year in mid-November. For more on London Christmas light displays, see Where To See Holiday Light Displays In London, England UK.
Harrods with Christmas decoration, London UK by beatbull
Do a little ice skating at one of London’s outdoor skating rings. The rinks open every year in mid-November and remain open until mid-January. Also see Christmas In London – Holiday Ice Skating Rinks.
See the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. Much like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York City, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is a large, lit up Christmas tree. The lights go on each year on the first Thursday of December. And the tree stays up until January 6th.
Get a photo with Santa at one of the department stores in London. Both Harrods and Selfridges feature a Santa’s Grotto where you can meet Father Christmas from late November until December 24th each year.
Go to a Christmas market in London. You’ll find Christmas markets and fairs that spring up all over the city during this time of year. But the Cologne Christmas Market on the South Bank is the one you won’t want to miss. Its usually open until December 23rd each year. Also see Christmas at Covent Garden in London, England UK.
See ‘The Nutcracker.’ It doesn’t matter what city you are in; you can usually find ‘The Nutcracker’ being put on at Christmas. In London, the English National Ballet carries on the tradition from mid-December through mid-January.
Attend the Great Christmas Pudding Race. Each December the Great Christmas Pudding Race happens on a Saturday. In it, contestants dress up fancy and race around Covent Garden Christmas pudding on a plate – and of course there are obstacles. It’s all good fun in the name of charity.
London is known as a great picnicking city thanks to their many great public parks. If you are in London and itching to get your picnicking on and don’t know where to start there are some great place to go. If you place an order in advance, there are several places in London that can prepare an entire picnic basket for you. But if you are playing it spontaneous, here are a few places you can stop by for some gourmet picnicking items to fill your basket.
Villandry
170 Great Portland St
Paddington, Greater London, W1W 5, U
Spend a minimum of £40 and you can get free central London delivery of an online order.
Sally Clarke
Old Church St
Kensington, Greater London, SW3 6, UK
This place is well known in London for the baked goods.
Inn the Park
St James’s St
London, Greater London, SW1A 1, UK
This is actually located in St. James’ Park! Starting at £15 per person you can get one of their picnic hampers. It will come with a variety of finger sandwiches, smoked salmon, nice salads, English cheeses, strawberries and clotted cream, with or without wine. Also comes with a Scottish wool rug, glasses, cutlery, crockery and all the condiments you will need.
Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly London W1A 1ER
They offer a range of hampers for all occasions, including picnics, at various prices.
Daylesford Organic
44 Pimlico Rd
London, Greater London, SW1W 8, UK
With just 24 hours’ notice this place will make you a basket with your choice from a scrumptious selection of organically grown and prepared foods and biodynamic wines. Then they will deliver it if you are in central London!
Carluccio’s
Market Pl
Paddington, Greater London, W1W 8, UK
You can order a picnic hamper from this chain and get some quality foods for your picnic in the park!
Are you planning a trip to London some time soon? If so, you can take advantage of some free London travel maps from VisitLondon.com. They also sell maps if you can’t find what you are looking for under the freebie section.
You can also download some free London movie maps on the site. So if you are wondering where The Bourne Supremacy or your fave movie filmed in London then this is a good place to look.
