Free things to do in London this summer

If you’re in London on business this summer and looking for a way to relax in the evenings or at weekends it can end up being an expensive experience. There is no shortage of things to do, but it can be hard to know where to look if cost is an issue. Fortunately, there are numerous free things to do in London, from museums to urban walks, many in close proximity to some of the capital’s prestigious London serviced offices.

London Museums & Galleries

• Tate Modern – Famous the world over, this national (and international) museum of modern art is worth a visit no matter what the time of year. This museum is also conveniently located across the river from multiple London serviced office centres in The City.
• The National Gallery – This London gallery houses the national collection of Western European painting from the 13th to the 19th centuries, and is open practically all year round. There are always interesting exhibitions to see, with this summer’s being “Close Examination: Fakes, Mistakes and Discoveries”; very interesting, and worth a visit if you’re working at either of our St James’s Square or Pall Mall serviced offices.
• Horniman Museum – Specialising in anthropology, natural history and musical instruments, this fascinating museum in South East London is home to over 300,000 objects.

Outdoor Activities & London Walks

• London For Free: Walks – The London For Free website has 10 walks crisscrossing London, complete with text directions, location facts, maps, a quiz and much more for each individual walk. Why bother with an official sightseeing walk when you can do this for free?
• Take a Stroll in a London Park – Hosted on our Argyll Business Centres blog, our guide to the best London parks incorporates all of the major green spaces in the heart of London, including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens and St James’s Park. There’s also an embedded map to help you find your way around.
• Window Shopping at the Markets – London has countless markets appealing to both locals and tourists alike. From the sprawling and popular Camden, to the tastes and smells of Borough food market, there is something for everyone. Try the guide on the London For Free website for more market locations.

London Cultural Activities

• Royal Opera House – Every Monday afternoon at 1:00pm, the London Royal Opera House puts on free lunchtime recitals for those lovers of opera and/or classical music amongst us. Bookings open nine days before the event, and as these are free recitals, it’s essential you act quickly as places tend to get snapped up fast.
• Be Part of a BBC Audience – Tickets to certain BBC shows are free, and with its handy online booking form, applying for tickets is very easy. Simply find the TV or radio show you’d like to be in the audience for, and click ‘Apply Now’. You can also filter results by location or date to make searching easier.
• Gresham College Lectures – With a calendar of lectures on a whole host of various and engaging topics, Gresham College’s free lectures are popular London cultural events. The next lectures start in September, on topics including ‘The Victorians: Time and Space’ and ‘Sustainability: Root Problems in Finance’.

What are you favourite free things to do in London? Why not leave us a comment below and let us know.