I recently had a friend come to visit me in London while she was backpacking through Europe.
She was on a super-tight budget but had three days in London and wanted to see as much as possible.
I sort of took this as a challenge and I put together an itinerary jam-packed with things to do that literally cost us NO money!
I've decided to publish my itinerary to help you, and anybody else who likes to travel on the cheap, make the most of your time in London.
I am warning you now: these are very busy and very long days but I believe it's a great way to pack a lot in - and my friend Anna agreed!
Of course, we couldn't do everything so at the end of the post I have added some additional recommendations and some free things to do with kids in London, too.
I will also link to more in-depth pages that I've written previously, to help you learn more and to plan your time (and watch your budget).
Keep in mind that we did travel between locations.
Anna and I both used our contactless cards for the bus and Underground to get the cheapest rate/daily price cap!
If you want to know more about that I have an entire post on the subject you might find helpful.
Of course, we did have to eat at points during the day but we kept to snacks I brought from home and Meal Deals from Tesco!
Day One
My friend actually flew in the evening before, so on our first full day together we met up bright and early (7:30!) at High Street Kensington.
My friend Anna and I are big walkers and we enjoy a stroll through the park so we decided to begin our day with three of them!
Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and St. James's Park
London has a plethora of beautiful landscapes for you to explore and I always recommend a stroll through at least one of them, no matter what time of the year it is.
We started off in Kensington Gardens to see Kensington Palace from the outside.
I am a big fan of British history and Kings and Queens so I always love a royal palace!
I also love the swans in the little pond outside.
From there, we walked to see the Albert Memorial that my friend Anna was interested in.
Built by Queen Victoria to commemorate her husbands' death, it's topped with real gold leaf which I always think is cool.
My fellow guide at Tours by Foot London, Sinead, takes you on a video tour of the gardens.
Then, we crossed into Hyde Park which was nice and quiet since it was early in the morning.
It's usually pretty busy (especially when they have their summer concerts or Winter Wonderland at Christmas) so it was great to see it so peaceful.
Aside from some hardcore joggers I saw, getting their steps in and making me feel quite lazy.
I took Anna underneath Wellington Arch and then we walked down Constitution Hill (the first stop on my Westminster Tours), past Buckingham Palace and into my favourite Royal Park, St. James's.
It's my favourite because it's home to a family of swans, and a family of pelicans (dependents from those owned by King Charles II), that all belong to His Majesty, King Charles III.
I always take my groups to the park on my Westminster Tour and oftentimes we get a chance to see these royal birds ourselves.
Anna and I got a nice visit from the pelicans and I can't tell you how hard I laughed when one of them bit her leg. (Don't worry, she's not hurt!)
As an aside, there are other Royal Parks in London to visit: Regent's Park, Green Park (where we start the Westminster Tour), and Henry VIII's old hunting grounds at Richmond Park.
All are run by the Crown Estate and are free to enjoy.
There are dozens of great London parks to visit.
And in this video, Sinead takes you on a virtual walk along much of our Westminster Tour route, including spotting the swans.
The Changing of the Guard
No trip to London would be complete without taking in all the pomp and glory of the Changing of the Guard Ceremony!
Anna had never seen it before and I was very excited as this is one of my favourite things to share with my guests on my walking tours.
This spectacle is free to watch and requires no ticket or reservation.
However, it does require some planning to do it right.
Be sure to read my post on planning your visit, including an explanation of the ceremony, where to stand (you can't see the whole thing), and when to get there.
Note that I never watch it from outside the gates of Buckingham Palace!
Anna and I watched it from my favourite spot, right on the Mall opposite Clarence House.
And in the video below, Sinead shows you how those in the know experience the ceremony:
The Changing of the Horse Guards
Did you know there is another guard change that takes place here in London? Anna didn't!
So I surprised her by walking from the Mall to Horseguard's Parade.
There, we watched the Changing of the King's Life Guard in a ceremony conducted by the mounted Household Cavalry.
This is one of my favourite "secret" things to do in the city because I find that so few people have heard of it.
Also, who doesn't want to see more over-the-top pomp and ceremony when they visit the UK?
I took Anna to line up right as the guards came past (where I go with my groups on my Westminster Tour) so we got a prefect view and some great photos of the incredible horses.
And yes, Sinead has done a video on this ceremony as well.
This ceremony takes place every day at 11:00 am (10:00 am on Sundays). It too has no costs or tickets. Just show up.
I have a post detailing the ceremony and how to best witness it if you want to do it for yourself.
The Houses of Parliament/Palace of Westminster
Next, Anna and I walked past Downing Street (and had a sneaky peak through the gates although we didn't see anything) to the Palace of Westminster, which holds the Houses of Parliament.
Incidentally, this is where I had my first ever job as a tour guide!
I find that most visitors know this building because it is connected to Big Ben, rather than because of its importance to the country.
Although I'll give Anna some credit as she knew what it was and had asked me to take her.
Now, you can get a paid ticket to tour the Palace - as well as Big Ben as of 2025.
But, what you may not know is that you can go inside without having to pay a thing!
Any time the House of Lords or the House of Commons is at work inside the Palace, it is free for the public to enter the building and sit in the public galleries to watch the political debates as they take place.
So that is exactly what Anna and I did.
We walked through the incredible Westminster Hall, and then queued up to visit the House of Commons.
It was a quiet day so we only had to wait about 5 minutes.
After that, I took her across to sit in the House of Lords where there was no waiting at all.
I always like to visit both chambers as they are so incredibly different (think gold and leather for the Lords and green and wood for the Commons).
We had a chat with some of the staff while we were there.
I remember when I worked at Parliament I always enjoyed talking to the people who came in and sharing my knowledge so it was nice to have that experience with my friend.
In total we spent just over 30 minutes inside although I have seen people spending hours there. We had a paced itinerary, though, so there was no time for that!
(I also successfully avoided buying anything in the gift shop which doesn't always happen...)
I led a virtual tour of the Palace of Westminster for our YouTube channel that you can see here:
Read my post on how to visit the Houses of Parliament, which contains information on when you can go, security and prohibited items, and much more.
Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery
Next, Anna and I took the short walk up Whitehall to see Trafalgar Square and do a quick visit to the National Gallery.
We just walked through Trafalgar Square, getting some photos of the lions.
It used to be popular to climb them, and to feed the pigeons in the square but both are illegal now.
So we just strolled through and went into the National Gallery.
The National Gallery's collection of 2,300 paintings includes works by some of history's most well-known artists, as well as works from all over the world.
(I also want to give a shout out to the National Portrait Gallery, which is connected to the National Gallery!
It is not as well known but holds portraits of famous people from across the world and throughout history - like the six wives of Henry VIII! It's my favourite of all the London art museums.)
Its permanent galleries are free and there are also special exhibits that usually have a cost.
Anna really just wanted to see Sunflowers so we saw that and, one of my favourites, The Ambassadors and had a light look at some others on our way in and out of the building.
I was just showcasing the highlights this day but I have spent hours here in the past so you might want to, also!
Here is a brief list of some of the most notable works in the collection:
- Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh
- Snow Scene at Argenteuil and The Water Lily Pond by Claude Monet
- The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger
- The Fighting Temeraire by J. M. W. Turner
- The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck
- Marriage-a-la-mode by William Hogarth
- The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci
- Boy Bitten by a Lizard by Caravaggio
- The Judgement of Paris by Peter Paul Rubens
- Belshazzar’s Feast by Rembrandt
- The Entombment by Michelangelo
Get some tips for visiting the National Gallery in my blog post.
A Concert at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields
From there, I took Anna right across the street to St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, which occasionally holds classical concerts are performed here that are totally free to attend!
I have been to many of these over the years and they are fantastic so I wanted to share that with my friend.
The longest concert I attended here was 60 minutes, but some are shorter.
Anna and I spent 30 minutes in there when we went together and enjoyed some pieces by Mozart.
I am a big fan of going early to secure a good seat.
But, I never need to arrive more than 15 minutes ahead of time to get a nice spot at St. Martin's, which was great as I was trying to pack as much into this day as possible!
Number 15 Public Bus Tour
The London Underground is excellent and very convenient but I always think our buses deserve some love, too!
London buses are cheap (£1.75) and easy to use.
And, once you know where you’re going you’ll find that you can do some sightseeing whilst riding the bus – at no extra cost!
Anna and I both used our contactless cards and boarded the Number 15 bus as it stops just around the corner from the church.
We rode past St. Clement Danes Church, the Royal Courts of Justice, Temple Bar, St. Bride's Church, St. Paul's Cathedral all the way to Monument.
I always like to sit on the top deck as I love the views so it was great to chill up there for a bit and sigh see as we travelled to our next destination.
And in this video, Matilda, also a guide with Tours by Foot London, takes you on this free bus tour route (though it was called Bull 11 then).
For your own planning, take a peek at routes 11 and 9 which pass some of the most popular sites in town: Kensington Palace, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, and Somerset House just to name a few.
I detail a few of these recommended routes on my London bus tour comparison page.
Horizon22
We are spoiled in London as there are quite a few good places to go to get a free view of the city.
I've made a post that details them all, which you might find helpful.
I think the Sky Garden is definitely the most popular, and is also my favourite.
I love the atmosphere and have been there when they had live music which was fantastic.
But, Sky Garden tickets can be tricky to get so for Anna's visit I managed to nab some for London's newest observation deck: Horizon22.
On the 58th floor of 22 Bishopsgate, Horizon 22 is now the tallest free viewing platform in Europe.
Honestly, I'm not in love with Horizon 22. This is mostly because I find the atmosphere to be a bit...well, nonexistent.
Before I explain, I want to mention that the views from Horizon 22 are just as good as those you will get ANYWHERE else in town.
But when I think about where I'd like to spend some time, it's not my first choice.
For a start, there is nowhere at all to sit. There's no gift shop (and I love a gift shop), no bar, and currently no restaurant.
There is a small kiosk selling drinks and nibbles like packets of crisps, but that's it.
Although, to be fair, if you're not visiting for food or souvenirs - and neither Anna and I were - none of that will matter to you!
So, for Anna's visit this was actually perfect.
The views are incredible and it wasn't too busy when we were there so we had some clear shots for photos which was nice.
While it is free to visit, advanced booking is advised, as only a small number of walk-ups will be available each day.
Book on the Horizon 22 website. Or visit virtually with Sinead below:
A Free Street Art Walk
London is one of the world’s premier cities to view street art and there is no better place to see it than in London’s East End.
Renowned artists as well as the anonymous hit the streets in Shoreditch and other areas to put up some of the most impressive pieces of artwork.
I think what makes this truly special is that the art is all ephemeral - you've got to enjoy it now because you never know when it will be gone!
So I was excited to walk the streets of the East End with Anna as I hadn't been in a couple of months.
I wasn't disappointed, either! There were plenty of new pieces to see - including a Banksy!
Of course, my colleagues run an excellent Instagrammable East End Street Art Tour, but that didn't fit in with my schedule this day so Anna and I explored on our own.
Jam-packed full of eclectic, interesting, shocking, and beautiful street art, this area of London is practically blanketed in some of the most famous street art in existence.
You can easily visit the East End and see some Street Art on your own but you are may want to consider joining us on our Instagrammable East End Street Art Tour.
Our expert team will show you both major pieces of art as well as small and hidden gems you would never find on your own.
And in this video, Jessica, also a tour guide with Tours by Foot London, takes you on a virtual tour of some of London's best street art.
Platform 9 3/4
If you've read any of my previous posts, you know I am a big Harry Potter fan so I'm sure seeing this entry on the list won't come as a surprise!
From the East End, Anna and I headed up to King's Cross Station to visit the most famous train platform in the world.
Delighting Potter-heads for years now, Platform 9 3/4 is tucked away in the back of King’s Cross Station and visitors can take a photo as they push their trolley through the magical barrier to the other side!
However, the last time I was at King's Cross, the wait to get to the trolly for the photograph was 45 minutes and I just do not have the time or patience for that.
So Anna and I went in at night and found just a handful of other people there which meant we had all the time we needed.
For more information on visiting, I have an entire post about Platform 9 3/4 as well as a blog listing all the Harry Potter film and book locations in London.
For those big time Harry Potter fans, consider taking a guided Harry Potter Tour with us - and get your chance to enjoy some Butterbeer (that you can't find anywhere else in London!).
Whew! And that was Day One done.
Day Two
The Natural History and The Victoria & Albert Museums
London’s museums are always worth visiting and the majority of them are free (read my guide to free London Museums).
Although exhibitions may cost additional money, entrance to the museums and into the primary gallery spaces come at absolutely no extra cost.
(Note that my favourite, the London Museum, I shaving a huge refurbishment and will not open again until 2026. I cannot wait!)
Now, Anna and I could have easily spend her entire visit here exploring all the museums and galleries London has to offer.
But, in the interest of time we limited ourselves to two of the most popular, and just a few rooms at each.
I consider it a museum "taster" rather than a full visit!
We met up in South Kensington, where the Science, Natural History and V&A Museums are all located next door to one another.
Firstly, we went to the Natural History Museum because I wanted to show Anna the animatronic dinosaur and the section with gemstones that I have to visit every time I go!
And then we went to the Victoria & Albert Museum where I showed Anna my favourite rooms dedicated to 16th and 17th century Britain before a quick whirl around the section with statues so we could see the exact replica of Michelangelo's David.
Westminster Abbey
I know that both St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey have a hefty price tag for those wishing to buy tickets to go inside.
(Although entry to both is free with the purchase of several tourist concession passes.)
But for those who are traveling on a budget - like my friend Anna - it is worth noting that both churches hold services on weekday evenings and throughout the day on Sundays that are free for the public to attend.
Anna was super excited to hear that we were going to be able get inside Westminster Abbey!
We went for the 15:00 (3:00pm) Evensong service.
Now, Anna and I weren't allowed to wander throughout the building, as that is the rule for those who are visiting for worship.
However, we did get to sit in the main body of the buildings and partake in a church service being held in one of the most breathtaking religious sites in the country.
I showed Anna where the King most recently had his coronation and we also got to walk past the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior which was wonderful.
The Evensong service we attended was sung by the Westminster Abbey Boys Choir which was absolutely spectacular.
Although, in the interest of total honesty, I have attended Evensong at St. Paul's and was even more impressed by their choir.
Now, of course, Anna was on a very tight budget.
But, if you are considering maybe splashing out for an entry ticket to one of the churches, I usually recommend getting the ticket for Westminster Abbey, and enjoying the evensong at St. Paul's cathedral.
The Beatles at Abbey Road
Anna is a huge Beatles fan so I knew straight away that I would want to take her here!
Of course I know how to get there but if it's your first time, you'll find it super easy to find.
Just go to St. John's Wood Underground Station and follow the signs.
Anna really wanted to recreate the famous album cover by the Fab Four.
Actually, the Beatles recorded their material at the Abbey Road studios, located right beside the most famous traffic crossing in the world.
Of course, we weren't the only people there doing this!
It was actually pretty helpful that there were more people around because we were all able to take photos of one another.
A note for you who are visiting, though:
Make sure to be mindful of the traffic - I have seen many visitors get on the wrong side of motorists by dallying too long trying to get that perfect shot.
We also took some time to look at Abbey Road Studios (from the outside) and read some of the graffiti that people have left on the walls throughout the years.
Be sure to read my post on planning a visit to the world's most famous pedestrian crosswalk.
Little Venice and Camden Town
Just around the corner from Abbey Road Studios is the charming neighbourhood of Little Venice.
This lovely area, located at the confluence of Regents and Paddington Canals, used to be relatively little known.
I think it is becoming more popular thanks to social media, however, as the views are totally unique and picturesque.
Lately I have found more and more guests on my tours asking about this beautiful neighbourhood.
So, visit it now before everybody knows about it!
I told you that Anna and I like walking so we set out to stroll along the Regent's Canal.
We walked along the path through Regent's Park (and googled at the back yards of some incredible mansions) and got very lucky to see some of the monkeys at London Zoo in the area that backs onto the canal!
We finished our walk in Camden Town, which is primarily famous for its' market.
Anna was on a tight budget (as you know) so we just had a quick walk through the Stables Market to look for some treasures.
You can enjoy it virtually with Sinead in the video below:
A Free Comedy Show
I confess that I have a personal connection to these ones as the venues is right next to my flat, but I would recommend them, regardless!
The Angel Comedy club began as a free comedy night in the upstairs of a pub near Angel Underground Station.
These comedy shows still run and are still free and this is where I took Anna at the end of her second day.
Entrance and seating is on a first-come-first-served basis so I always factor that in.
Anna and I arrived about 45 minutes ahead of showtime and were first in the queue.
I have seen both big names and up-and-coming comedians at this venue so you never know what you might see.
The night Anna and I went we saw an Alex Haddow and a few newcomers which was fantastic.
But the Angel Comedy Club now also operates in a second venue: The Bill Murray.
This theatre is a place where on selected evenings, comics can test out their material.
The last time I went, the comic on stage (Simon Amstell) had written a book and was looking for feedback.
It was great as he would read parts of the book, gauge our reactions, let us ask questions, etc.
It gave a great insight into the world of comedy and it cost me literally nothing.
And since the pandemic, some of the Angel Comedy Club shows also stream live over the internet so you don't even need to leave your room to enjoy them!
And with that, we wrapped up Anna's second day.
Day Three
Portobello Market
Few cities in the world can compete with London's impressive market scene.
From handcrafted goods to vintage clothing to antiques to flowers to jewellery, or simply an incredible bite to eat, London's markets have something for everyone!
Anna and I had already visited Camden Market but she wanted to see the most famous one of all!
The largest antique market in the entire world, Portobello Market in Notting Hill showcases over 1,000 dealers in one localised area in the west of London.
Because the goal wasn't to spend any money, we knew we weren't going to buy anything.
So, I had us meet there first thing in the morning - even though some stallholders open a bit later, and bargains can be better found toward the end of operating hours.
I wanted to avoid the crowds so the early start worked perfectly for us.
Consider coming along with one of my colleagues on our Portobello Market and Notting Hill Tour to make the most of your visit.
Other markets to consider visiting:
- Columbia Road Flower Market
- Spitalfields Market
- Brick Lane Market and Truman Brewery Markets
- Covent Garden Market
- Camden Market
- Borough Market
The British Museum
The British Museum's permanent galleries are completely free to visit and there is SO MUCH to see here.
This includes exhibition areas dedicated to art, culture, and other topics from Africa, the Americas, Ancient Egypt, Greece/Rome, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
And most of the free galleries include some of the museum's weirdest items.
These galleries are open daily from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m. (10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an extended closing on Fridays until 20:30). (8:30 pm).
I could easily spend an entire day in this museum but Anna really wanted to see one thing in particular: The Rosetta Stone.
Although that was what we primarily went there for, we did have a meander through some of the other rooms but we limited ourselves to just 1 hour because we had so much more to squeeze into our day.
Check out this video by my colleague Jessica, showcasing her favourite exhibits at the British Museum:
I have a blog post with tips on visiting the British Museum that details these exhibits as well as special presentations
Magna Carta at The British Library
The British Museum Library is one of the largest libraries in the world and houses a collection of antique and contemporary books, manuscripts, and periodicals, both British and foreign.
This collection houses almost anything imaginable, including six manuscripts written by John Lennon, including lyric sheets for In My Life, Strawberry Fields Forever, and She Said She Said, original pamphlets from the 17th century mocking the mistresses of King Charles II, and an original Gutenberg Bible.
Arguably its most important artefact is the roughly 800-year-old Magna Carta, the great charter of English liberties.
This is what Anna and I came to see! It was on display in their fantastic Treasures Gallery, which is accessible to the public.
When I was studying for my degree I did a lot of research here so it was nice to come back without any deadlines hanging over my head.
A Free Lecture at Birkbeck
This was our "intellectual" day so after the British Museum and The British Library, we went to a fascinating free lecture.
Birkbeck University in London’s Bloomsbury area operates a constantly changing calendar of interesting lectures and talks.
I find that most of these events take place in the evening so I like to use this as a way to finish a busy day after all the 'regular' tourist attractions have closed for the night!
Talks here take in a wide variety of subjects and topics and I have personally attended some focused on history, science and literature as well as politics and psychology.
The one Anna and I went to was about black holes. Honestly, some of it went over my head but it was fascinating to listen to.
I always find the staff to be very warm and inviting and they always give us time to ask questions at the end so don't be afraid to speak up!
See what talks are on during your London visit on their website.
If this is up your street, then I will also mention that I've gone to free talks at Gresham College, too.
Located in the centre of London, it's been putting on public lectures for around 400 years.
From topics like history and philosophy to art and modern life, the lectures here are aimed to entertain and educate members of the public.
The last one I went to was a history of sartorial cartoons and it was excellent!
Also, I have been lucky a few times because some of the lectures are not only completely free to attend, but also take place in Barnards Inn Hall.
That's one of the oldest surviving parts of the College that has been in existence since the 16th century and I am able to enjoy it without paying any money through these fantastic lectures.
For a list of upcoming topics, check out their website.
Tate Modern
By now, of course, it was night time but that doesn't mean all the museums were closed for the night!
Quite a few London museums have late evenings on one or two days of the week (for example, The National Gallery is open until 21:00 (9:00pm) on Fridays).
On this day, we took advantage of Tate Lates when the Tate Modern was open until 22:00 (10:00pm).
Situated on the southern bank of the River Thames, the Tate Modern features modern and contemporary art from artists from all over the world.
They have themed exhibits, such as one that examines how media and modern society impact the world and exhibits based on specific artists.
Like the British Museum, the Tate Museum's permanent galleries are free.
It's another place where the art is often temporary so repeat visits are a must!
My favourite part is to see the current work being showcased in the giant turbine hall.
I'm not particularly wild about modern art but Anna is so we spent a fair amount of time inside before heading out to take a nice night time walk along the River Thames.
Public Performers and The Southbank Centre
Anna and I had a lovely walk along the River, and even came across some street performers along the way. Or should that be river performers..?
London is full of people making a living by performance art!
I see them most often in places like the Covent Garden Piazza, the north side of Trafalgar Square, or the Southbank near the London Eye - where Anna and I were headed.
I've seen human statues, break-dancers, magicians, and even some cartoon characters come to life.
On the evening Anna and I were having our walk, we came across a jazz saxophonist. It was fantastic!
After stopping to listen (and, I admit, I threw some money into his hat), we carried on to the Southbank Centre.
All throughout the year, the Southbank Centre showcases exhibitions, art installations, films, and events.
They are almost always all free and they stay open well into the evening hours.
There is such a variety of different showcases, it would be impossible to list them all.
I have been to an interactive LED Lightroom, watched independent films, walked through a water fountain and attended a jazz festival - all for free!
On the night I went with Anna, we got to explore some interactive light sculptures which were beautiful and very surreal.
Find out what’s coming up when you visit on their website.
The Iconic Lights and Piccadilly Circus
Anna and I then took a lovely walk over the river and into the West End to visit Piccadilly Circus.
Famous the world over, Piccadilly Circus is a large traffic junction in the middle of London, linking Haymarket, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, and Regent’s Street.
And it was here just over 100 years ago that the first electric lights in the capital were put on display.
The bright lights here still draw visitors from all over the world who have come to enjoy some of the most famous lights on earth.
Anna wanted to see the l lights because of their notoriety but I was excited to go because recently the screens have been replaced by a singular giant LED screen, showcasing an ever evolving assortment of images.
We stopped to watch the adverts, some of them looked like animals were crawling right off the screens!
It was truly a cool way to finish another busy day.
And with that, Anna's three days in London had come to an end!
Of course, there was plenty more to see and do so I've got a list set aside for her next visit.
Until then, I am going to put my suggestions of other free things to do in London below so you can use it to plan YOUR next visit.
Visit a Victorian London Cemetery
The "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries in London are works of art in and of themselves.
And Highgate Cemetery is widely regarded as the best.
This historic cemetery in North London is the final resting place for over 170,000 people.
You can visit it virtually with Sinead below:
Former Lord Mayors, beloved musicians, including George Michael, notable writers, important philosophers, including Karl Marx, and others are all buried here.
Highgate Cemetery is also considered a de facto nature reserve due to the variety of wildlife that can be found here.
BUT Highgate Cemetery is not free! It costs £10.00, which I think is a reasonable amount, but may still be out of your budget.
If you are determined to make your visit cost free, the other Magnificent Seven don't have an entry fee.
The other six are Brompton Cemetery (easy to get to), Abney Park Cemetery, Kensal Green Cemetery (my favourite), Nunhead Cemetery, Tower Hamlets Cemetery, and West Norwood Cemetery.
Walk London's Literary Trail through Hamstead and Hamstead Heath
For centuries, great literary authors have called London home.
There are locations throughout town associated with various authors and their works, but one hotspot is Hampstead in north London.
I have put together a self-guided walk so you can walk in the footsteps of some of London's literary masters.
Even if literary London is not of interest to you, consider visiting Hampstead, anyway.
This charming London neighbourhood is almost like a village, perched on the northern side of the city.
My favourite time to go is in the Autumn when the leaves are changing and it's a crisp walk through the Heath (from which you can see all of the London skyline down below).
I like to visit the quirky shops on Flask Walk, walk through the Heath, then finish with a drink at the Spaniard's Inn or Holly Bush. It's the perfect London day!
It's also said to be one of the most haunted areas in our city so keep an eye out for ghosts if you go (I always do).
Guide Yourself Through Greenwich
Greenwich is fast becoming one of the most well-known boroughs of London, both for visitors and locals.
I have many friends who have moved there over the past few years.
I always think of Greenwich as more like a village than a part of London.
Encompassing over 4 centuries of royal influence, naval regalia, and enough museums to keep you busy for weeks, Greenwich is also home to one of the best London markets - which is open 7 days a week!
My favourite way to visit Greenwich is by taking the UberBoat from Westminster or the Tower and then heading out East.
I put together a self-guided route that showcases all the highlights of the neighbourhood that you can follow for free.
If you need help deciding how to travel to Greenwich, I go over the various boat options in this post.
Quite a few of the things I planned for my time with Anna are doable after dark.
Free museums, viewing London from above at Horizon22 or Sky Garden, or taking a public bus to tour the sights at night, are all mentioned above in the itinerary I created.
It also may surprise you to know that the public galleries in the Houses of Parliament are often open to 22:00 (10:00pm), and most people don't realise that!
When I worked there we would go hours without somebody coming in which means you can even get the galleries all to yourself, so consider that as a late night choice, too!
Check out my master things to do in London at night post for even more ideas of nighttime activities.
Neither Anna nor I have children so our itinerary wasn't necessarily family friendly (particularly the sheer length of time we spent on the go).
But, I am a loving auntie and have plenty of experience with taking my niece and nephews around the city!
Below are my picks for family-friendly activities in London. Of course, this depends on the ages of your children.
Many of the items in the other sections are also great for families, for example: Harry Potter sightseeing, the Changing of the Guard, and too many others to list here, so be sure to browse those sections, first!
Be sure to also read my master post on things to do with kids in London.
Diana Memorial Playground
The Diana Memorial Fountain is great for kids and adults. I like to visit especially in the summer months, when I can take my shoes off and walk through the water.
I find that the memorial fountain is quite famous, but the playground next door is less well known.
I always recommend this as a place for those with young children to visit!
There's a climbing frame, a climbable pirate ship, a sensory trail, sandboxes and even teepees.
In my opinion, it's the best playground in the capital and it's right in the centre of town in Kensington Gardens.
The Science Museum
The Science Museum is worth visiting even for those traveling without children – but for those with little ones, the Science Museum is full of hands-on educational activities.
Here children can create science-based art, construct their own crafts, and take in a fun film in the Science Museum IMAX theatre.
One of my favourite programmes they have is Early Birds which is "a sensory friendly event" for those with family members who need quieter time.
My nephew with autism really thrives on these mornings so I always encourage guests with similar needs to take advantage of them.
The Young V&A
Run by the brilliant heads of the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Young V&A (formerly known as the Museum of Childhood) is aimed at visitors of all ages, with special events and programs for children - even as young as under 5s!
I have easily spent an entire day here before.
There are multimedia interactions, displays and installations, play areas and arts and crafts stations.
It's open 7 days a week and I try to go on the weekdays when I can as it can get VERY crowded on the weekends.
But, in my opinion, it is worth the visit no matter when you go.
City Farms
London is one of the biggest and most sprawling metropolises in the world – but we also have our fair share of green spaces and wild animals!
I am an animal lover so these are some of my top picks for family things to do.
City farms exist throughout London and they all offer a great way for children to get hands-on experience with farm animals as well as speaking to their caretakers and learning about running a classic British farm.
Hackney Farm (I just went to see their new baby goats!), Vauxhall City Farm, / Spitalfields City Farm, Kentish Town Farm
Crystal Palace Dinosaurs
I see this suggestion pop up on all kinds of lists - not just those with children and families in mind!
Crystal Palace is a lovely neighbourhood in the south east of the city and is home to a beautiful park: Crystal Palace Park.
But the real treat is that the park is home to over 30 statues of dinosaurs, designed by artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins.
I love these statues because they don't all necessarily look like the dinosaurs we would recognise today.
Sculpted in the 19th century, they were made before archaeologists and scientists had a real grasp of what dinosaurs actually were which means some of these sculptures are actually hilarious.
Listed by English Heritage as a Grade 1 Monument, the dinosaurs are loved by the local community and are a fun way and unique way to entertain youngsters.
I'd also personally recommend grabbing a bite or a drink at the Triangle while you're there (I always do!).
The Natural History Museum
I took Anna here, which you will have already read, but it's so good I wanted to include it twice!
The Natural History Museum currently has on display fossils, bones, and re-created statues of dinosaurs on display…including a moving, ‘breathing’ T-Rex!
Also at the Natural History Museum is the wonderful section on bugs and insects, giving children a chance to get up close and personal with creepy crawlies.
I have nieces and nephews of all ages and this is one of the only places I can take them all at the same time and have them all be equally entertained.
So, for those of you travelling with multiple children, I say keep this at the top of your list!
Feeding the Ducks
I've already mentioned the swans and (biting...)pelicans of St. James's Park, but there are plenty of waterfowl to be found in Regent's Park, too.
I used to love feeding the ducks as a kid (and who am I kidding? I still do today) and I like to bring my young family members to these two parks in particular to do the same.
I used to always feed the ducks with bread but I've recently learned that this is a no-no and frozen peas, rice and sliced grapes are recommended.
The birds in both parks are tame and will even take food right from your hands...but keep a close eye as the swans in particular can give a nasty bite if they feel so inclined!
