Top 10 Free Things to Do in London

London for Free Ideas

Tate Modern and Tate Britain are exceptional national art galleries housing some of the finest artworks in the world. Tate Modern focuses on contemporary art while Tate Britain displays British Art from the sixteenth century to the present day.

Other major London art galleries include the National Portrait Gallery and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. I would also recommend The Wallace Collection as it's just off Oxford Street so a perfect escape from a busy shopping spree.

And remember, many of the major art galleries and museums have late openings: London Art Galleries and Museums Late Openings.

All of London's major museums are free, but most offer some special exhibitions for a fee. My favorite is the Museum of London where you can learn the history of London from Roman times to today. Other great major museums are the British Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum, and the Natural History Museum. Oh, and I love the Geffrye Museum. And the Horniman Museum. Now I can't decide which is the best!

• Best Free London Museums

I regularly hear people tell me the Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in Regent's Park is their favorite spot in London, and who am I to argue? I would also recommend St. James's Park as it offers one of the best views of Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is enormous and includes the ever popular Diana Memorial Playground and the Peter Pan Statue.

There are often free talks and guided walks in the royal parks so do check the What's On section of the Royal Parks website.

No visit to London is complete without seeing this military tradition. The Queen's Guard in London changes in the Forecourt inside the gates of Buckingham Palace at 11.30am every day in the summer and every other day in the winter. Get there early and view the spectacle from outside the front gates.

• Changing of the Guard Photos
• When is the Changing of the Guard?
• Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace DVD Review
• Buckingham Palace

It really is amazing how many London landmarks you can see along this stretch of the River Thames including The London Eye, Tate Modern, The Globe Theatre, and so much more. You can download free walking tours of the South Bank area from Walk This Way.

Trafalgar Square is one of Britain's greatest visitor attractions. Trafalgar Square was designed by John Nash in the 1820s and constructed in the 1830s. It is both a tourist attraction and the main focus for political demonstrations. Every December, Norway donates a marvelous Christmas tree, to thank Britain for liberation from the Nazis.

This iconic square has many sights to see including Nelson's Column and the National Gallery.

The West Piazza of Covent Garden Market has street performers to entertain you every afternoon. Good acts can draw huge crowds and the performers love to get audience members to help them with their act. All performers are licensed and have passed an audition to perform here.

You will find more street performers at the weekend along the South Bank, particularly outside the National Theatre.

London is well-known for its popular street markets. The most popular are Camden Market and Portobello Market, following closely by Greenwich Market. Find out about these markets and more:

• London Street Market's Guide
• Camden Market Guide
• Portobello Market Guide
• Greenwich Market Guide
• Old Spitalfields Market Guide
• Brick Lane Market Guide (Sundays only)
• Petticoat Lane Market Guide
• Columbia Flower Market (Sunday mornings only)
• Borough Market

You can see inside Westminster Abbey for free. The Abbey never charges people who want to worship but they rely on admission fees from visitors to cover running costs. Evensong is the most beautiful of services where the Abbey choir sings. The Choristers of the Choir are educated at Westminster Abbey Choir School and are all extremely talented. Evensong is at 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, plus at 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.