Free Things to Do in the City of London

The Ceremony of the Keys at The Tower of London is a 700 year old tradition that takes place every night. Essentially it's locking all the doors to the Tower of London and the public are allowed to escort the warden, as long as they apply in advance.

As the Tower must be locked - it houses the Crown Jewels! - they never miss a night because you can't leave the door open, can you?

• Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London

The Museum of London's mission is to inspire a passion for London. It documents the history of London from Roman times up to today.

• Museum of London Guide
• Museum of London: Permanent Galleries Photos
• Museum of London: Roman London Photos
• Museum of London: Medieval London Photos

The Bank of England Museum is a hidden treasure down a side-road, off the Bank of England. The absolute highlight for me is the opportunity to lift a genuine gold bar.

• Bank of England Museum Guide

St Paul's Cathedral in London sells tickets for visitors but there are ways to visit for free. If you are short on time or money, find out more...

• St. Paul's Cathedral Visitor Information
• Visit St. Paul's Cathedral for Free
• St. Paul's Cathedral Tour Options

Gresham College has no students and does not teach courses but is an educational institution of higher learning that exists to provide free public lectures. The free public lectures have been running for over 400 years.

• Gresham College Guide

Prince Henry's Room is one of the few houses in London which survived the Great Fire of London in 1666. The building was once a tavern (pub) and has some original oak panels and an ornate plaster ceiling. It is a private building but is open to the public weekday lunchtimes. This room was equipped in 1975 by the Samuel Pepys Club with materials illustrating some features of the life and achievements of Pepys.

• Prince Henry's Room Information

The London Stone is a fragment of a 3,000 year old piece of limestone that for years was considered to be the symbolic heart of London. Its age and original purpose are not known, although it has been suggested that it was the point from which the Romans measured all distances in Britannia.

• The London Stone

The Gallery was established in 1885 to house and display paintings and sculpture belonging to the Corporation of London. Located in the historic heart of the City next to the medieval Guildhall, the present building opened to the public in 1999. As of April 2011, the Gallery it is now free to visit the Gallery and Romam Amphitheatre.

There are free Friday tours of the Guildhall Art Gallery and the Roman Amphitheatre showing highlights of the Gallery's permanent collection. The tours take place every Friday at 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Booking is not needed.

Whitefriars Crypt in the City of London is the remains of a 14th century medieval priory that belonged to a Carmelite order known as the White Friars. Find out more including where to find it and how to see it for free.

• Whitefriars Crypt Information