Top 5 FREE things to do in London
A favorite fixture in many Bollywood movies, London enjoys the top position on “the best places to visit” list of most travellers. Despite being one of the most exciting cities in the world, London is also touted as being the most expensive one where even a bottle of water could cost INR 60-70. However, there are abundant things to do here for free!
Budget Trippers, it is time to tick these off your bucket list without burning ANY holes into your pocket:
1. Window Shopping in Borough Market
Perennially throbbing with crowds, it is the most popular tourist stop that runs all week, except on Sundays. The market offers exotic options of fresh pasta, coffee, cured meats as well as a range of beauty products, fashion accessories and bakery goods. As tempting as it may seem to splurge on these items, simply wandering and curiously exploring the market is a whole lot of fun and completely free.
2. Take a stroll along Camden Lock
Famous as the hub of London’s artisanal creativity and trading, Camden Market is packed with stalls trading in handmade souvenirs – ranging from clothes and jewellery to music memorabilia and authentic food. Spend a lazy day casually strolling along this waterside retail site that costs as good as nothing.
3. Watch the Change of Guards ceremony at Buckingham Palace
The ‘Changing the Guard’ ceremony starts at 10.45 am. Since this display of British pageantry is extremely popular & complementary, ensure to arrive early to grab a good spot for the viewing.
Visit the Household Division website for the full schedule of dates and timings. There is no ‘Changing the Guard’ in very wet weather.
Refer this link for timings and the map for the location of the ceremony:
https://www.householddivision.org.uk/index.php?action=changing-the-guard
4. Take a picnic and relax at any of the Royal Parks
Well known for being one of the world’s greenest cities, London is a host to eight Royal Parks that offer impeccably clean and green spaces, serene water bodies and plenty of leisure activities. So, reconnect with nature & spend a relaxing day at any of the parks, without shelling any precious pounds. Although Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are most popular with tourists, many of the rest such as Victoria Park can be easily accessible if you are staying in less expensive suburbs of London.
5. Visit the Sky Garden
Located on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie, the Sky Garden offers swanky views over London from its lush green, leafy atrium. A perfect place for some botanical experience while remaining indoors, it also hosts a full bar and restaurant for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Although visiting Sky Garden is free, it has to be pre-booked online due to limited-entry tickets. An incredible space to grab a drink and dinner if you want to splurge a bit, or you can choose to just enjoy the splendid views of the city.
Happy Tripping!