Like most capital cities, there is a premium attached to some of the most famous London activities. However, there is also a huge amount of knowledge, information, and culture just waiting to be shared for free: you just need to know where to look:
Covent Garden
As with almost any city, a crowd gathers a crowd, and the heavy foot traffic in London attracts some of the most impressive street performers. From blowing incredible bubbles to balancing things on their faces, if you want to see what people can do, you can join the gathering and look on as they demonstrate their skills and you can throw some change in the hat if you are sufficiently impressed.
Because it is also the home of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden is also a great place to see some of the up-and-coming opera stars practising their performances in front of audiences from the famous market. A wander around this part of London can be a great way to have some free fun.
Casinos
There aren’t many attractions that you can go to and potentially come up having made money, but if you fancy your luck at a London casino there are plenty to choose from. Although a trip to a casino can be costly, if you know how to get the best discounts and special offers, you can stretch your cash and play for pennies.
Casinos are famous for their hospitality as they want you to stay and play, and even the highest paying online casinos offer a wide range of bonuses including welcome bonuses, special offers, and promotions to show their appreciation for their players. Some of the best casinos to visit for a chance at freebies include:
Napoleons, Leicester Square – Its central location makes this one of the most popular casinos in London and plenty of people pop in for a look, which means lots of freebies on offer to tempt them to stay. Visitors can enjoy free breakfasts when playing in the morning, free buffets in the evenings, and slots tournaments to increase your chances of winning a cash prize.
The Grosvenor Casino, Piccadilly – Another centrally located casino, this one is housed in a truly beautiful building, so if you are a fan of architecture, you can just enjoy wandering around and looking at the exquisitely constructed space. The casino hosts discounted nights for students and themed music nights which offer a chance to enjoy a little extra fun for free, and they also have a loyalty programme which gives rewards whenever you play.
Empire Casino, Leicester Square – This casino provides a slightly more relaxing environment than some of the bigger venues, offering players a chance to play in tranquil surroundings, shutting out the hustle and bustle of central London. The Empire hosts poker games where the buy-in is just one pound, making it a great place for punters that have a limited budget but still want the chance to win.
Museums
London is known for its many and varied museums, many of which are free. You can spend a day or more in some of the larger ones and still find things to look at and learn, so they make an ideal destination for anyone that wants a free day out.
Some of the best are:
The Natural History Museum – with everything from a gem gallery to an earthquake simulator, this museum is full of treasures to suit anyone’s interests. Animatronic dinosaurs lurk in the galleries alongside fossils and as much information as anyone could possibly want to know about these mighty and misunderstood beasts.
The Science Museum – perfect for fans of any branch of science, this museum has something to suit all ages including interactive exhibits and unique pieces of history. Visitors can learn about the history of the internal combustion engine and the future of bioengineering, and much more, all under one roof.
The National Gallery – art-lovers will be delighted at the magnificent collections housed in this free gallery, but it’s an incredible place to visit for anyone whether they are interested in fashion, history, science, literature or anything else.
London Parks
There is a surprising amount of green space to be found, even in the heart of London, and the parks are incredibly beautiful and packed with wildlife, beautiful plants, and trees. Wherever you are in London, there will be a park nearby where you can sit and relax with barely any clue that you are in one of the busiest cities in the world.
- Battersea Park
- Regents Park
- Hyde Park
- Kensington Gardens
- Hampstead Heath
- Richmond Park
- St James’ Park
- Alexandra Gardens and Palace
Whatever your budget, London can offer you a warm welcome with plenty to see and do. A little careful planning can result in a trip of a lifetime on a surprisingly small budget.
