Free skyline views, world-class museums, a new Turbine Hall commission, Changing the Guard and the Christmas lights. The best free things to do in London right now.
Free things to do in London this autumn and winter
London can be expensive, but some of the best things here cost nothing. These are the free ones worth your time this autumn and winter, starting with the views.
Free views over London
- Horizon 22, 22 Bishopsgate. A free viewing gallery on level 58. Booking is recommended, with a few walk-in spaces each day. Open every day: Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday until 5pm, Sunday until 4pm.
- Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street. Free, but you need to book and bring photo ID that matches your booking. One lift is out of service at the moment, so there are fewer slots.
- The Garden at 120, 120 Fenchurch Street. A free roof garden on the 15th floor, no booking needed.
Free museums and galleries
The big national museums are free to walk into. The British Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm. A free timed ticket is recommended but you can still turn up. The National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Tate Modern, Wallace Collection and Sir John Soane’s Museum are all free too. Some ask you to book a free ticket first.
What to see in each: the big London museums you can visit for free.
A new Turbine Hall commission
Tarek Atoui’s Hyundai Commission fills the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern from 13 October 2026 until 11 April 2027.
Changing the Guard
At Buckingham Palace on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 11am, and on some other days too. The schedule changes, so check the Household Division calendar the day before.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Every Sunday from 8am to about 3pm in east London. Free to wander.
Free events coming up
- Diwali on the Square, Sunday 25 October, Trafalgar Square. Details.
- Christmas lights: Covent Garden switches on on 12 November. All the dates.
- The Lord Mayor’s Show, Saturday 14 November in the City. Our guide.
- Christmas markets: most are free to walk into. Dates.
More free and cheap ideas every week in things to do in London this week.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best free attractions in London?
The British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Tate Modern are all free, along with free viewpoints like Horizon 22, Sky Garden and the Garden at 120.
Which free places to visit in London need booking?
Sky Garden needs a free booking and photo ID. Horizon 22 recommends booking. The Science Museum asks you to pre-book a free ticket. The Garden at 120 needs no booking.
What can I see in London for free this winter?
Free things to see in London this winter include Tarek Atoui’s Turbine Hall commission at Tate Modern, the Christmas lights, the Christmas markets and the Lord Mayor’s Show on 14 November.
Sources
- Horizon 22
- Visit London: Horizon 22
- Londonist: Horizon 22
- Sky Garden: booking terms
- The Garden at 120
- Time Out: Garden at 120
- British Museum: visit
- Tate: Tarek Atoui
- Household Division: Changing the Guard calendar
- Visit London: Changing the Guard
- Columbia Road Flower Market
Last checked: 20 October 2026. Dates and prices can change, so check with each venue before you go. Photo: GCampbellHall / Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
