Free things to do in London

Free Theatre

Feel like taking in some theatre? Well if you’re under 26 years of age this can quite easily happen without ever reaching for your wallet. “A Night Less Ordinary” is a scheme run by the Arts Council England in association with the Metro newspaper. It offers free tickets to a range of live stage events in over 200 venues across London. So take a gander at the tickets available for the taking on the site!

The Changing of The Guards

If you’re going to call this place home, even for a short while, going to see the changing of the guards is absolutely necessary. This military tradition takes place daily at 11:30 during summer and every other day during winter. See the calendar to find to organise your next date. If only to be able to say you’ve done it.

Art and Culture

Visit the many museums peppered throughout town. There’s the Tate Britain, the Tate Modern, the National Portrait Gallery, the Barbican Gallery, the Serpentine Gallery, The Photographers’ Gallery and the British History Museum to name but a few – and I could easily go on.

Live Music

Saturdays at Nottinghill Arts Club hosts Rough Trade Records showcase, with plenty of live acts. Always the label with its finger on the pulse, not long after you’ll begin to hear the band’s name being whispered all over London. Just listen.

Film Screenings

The Roxy Bar and Screen holds free film screenings from Sunday through to Wednesday. We recommend getting there around 7pm as seats are on a first come first served basis. Hop on the Northern Line and get off at - Borough station and if you want a sofa get in early! If you’re in the mood for a more recent movie Wednesday is also Orange Wednesdays. If you don’t have an Orange phone simply ask a friend who does to forward you the text with the Orange Wednesday code and then enjoy your 2 for 1 cinema tickets! Bargain.

Last but not least sign up to London’s weekly culture newsletter LeCool. Every week you’ll receive information on what’s happening with art, music and innovative events. It offers a bevy of free and affordable social activities that are happening all over the city. It’ll open your eyes sans the penny pinching!