Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Tia
A day in London with 20 pounds? Are you insane? – I bet this is the first thing that came to your mind when you see my title haha! After all, London is glorious…beautiful..but expensive.
But there is actually a lot you can do for free and a lot you can do with 20 pounds if you just know where to go!
No city in the world has more or better free things to do than London. In addition to world-class museums – almost all of which have free admission – the city is home to beautiful parks, buzzing markets, stunning churches, and phenomenal viewpoints.
So without further ado, keep reading how to marvelously spend a day in London..with 20 pounds!
Table of Contents
A Day In London – Get into London by bus – 1.50
The tube might be easier, but taking the bus into London will save you money and reward you with a free tour of some of the city’s most iconic landmarks!
Keep your eyes peeled for the amazing views of London Bridge ( Not to be mistaken for Tower Bridge)
Grab a Coffee …For a Pound! – 1.00
A cup of filter coffee – aka the ”golden liquid” at Pret, will only set you back 1 pound, and give you heaps of energy to tackle the day!
A Day In London – Tate Modern Art Gallery
The Tate Modern is one of the city’s most loved attractions. And like most of London’s magnificent galleries and museums…it doesn’t charge an entrance fee!
The gallery – with works from Pollok and Matisse is absolutely free to enjoy, so spending a few hours marveling at some of the world’s finest art is a great idea.
The museum is located on the south bank of the Thames.
A Day In London – Marvel at views from St Pauls Cathedral (Free)
After you are done marveling at art in this futuristic gallery, head on up to the 10th-floor viewing deck of the Blavatnik Building.
it offers wonderful panoramic views over the Thames and beyond, and the building itself is amazing.
Walk to Borough Market and grab a bite – 5 pounds
Borough Market was established in 1885, making it the oldest in the city. It is also one of the most renowned markets in London for artisan prepared food and fresh organic produce.
Open Monday to Saturday, this gorgeous market is filled to the brim with lovely food featuring cuisine from all over the world.
After all, London is the no1 food capital of the world!
Take your pick from sausage on a stick, olive and cheese crusty pies, paella, Portuguese egg tarts, or a Spanish chorizo sandwich for a mere 5 pounds!
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A Day In London -Walk along the London Tower Bridge
After your lunch, keep on walking down the River Thames and particularly, towards the historic Tower Bridge.
Walking across the bridge will fill your eyes with wonder – so make sure you stop for pictures!
Tower Bridge and its Neo-Gothic architecture, is London’s most striking bridge and you can walk it for free.
If you wish, you can tile your walk to fall in time for the lifting of the drawbridge – which is ALSO free!
This event happens 2-3 times a day – and as often as 8 times daily during the summer. So it is definitely worth it ( click the highlighted link above to find the time schedule)
Try the Uber boat service – 7 Pounds
Next, walk on over to the London Bridge City Pier, and purchase a one-way ticket ( or use your Oyster card) to Greenwich Pier.
How cool is it, that you can travel by boat for a mere 7 pounds in one of the most magical cities in the world?
Not only that, but you will get incredible views of the city – and spot many famous monuments – for 1/4 of the price you would do in on land!
It is a great chance to sit back and enjoy a peaceful 30-minute cruise. The ferries pass by famous sights such as the London Eye, Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Big Ben.
Duration: 25 – 30 minutes with ferries arriving every 30 mins!
Click Here for More info on the Uber Boat Service
A Day In London – Walk through Greenwich Market – Free
After a lovely cruise, take a stroll through another iconic London Market – the Greenwich Market. It is fun, colorful, and packed with arts, crafts, and tasty food.
Antique lovers will adore finding unique pieces here – and some of the best collections of British designer-makers.
Other fantastic free markets
- Portobello Market. I love this market SO much, that i rented a flat there for a year! Located in the heart of London’s inconic Notting Hill, the eclectic and energetic Portobello Road Market sells everything from vintage clothes and sumptuous street food to antiques. On weekdays it is perfect as it is not packed full of people! But even on Saturdays, when it is at its busiest, Portobello is a whole vibe and whooooole mood! Now, it is free to visit, but good luck resisting the urge to buy a bunch of stuff Tia’s Tip: Avoid visiting on Sundays, because the stalls are all closed, and only the shops are open!
- Camden Market. Iconic, unique, eccentric! When i was studying for my SFX theatre and film makeup course, I had the pleasure of it being located right in the middle of Camden town! I have such gorgeous memories of this wacky place. I got several tattoos and a tongue piercing there (sorry mum). i also devoured my way through the Food stalls of the Camden market, and did a hell of a lot of people watching ( fabulous, unique, wacky individuals!) The market is gorgeous, with a canal in the middle, street food market, bars, cafes, and more!
Chill at Greenwich Park – Free
London is filled with numerous, incredible parks. You can have a picnic, play some sports, jog, or simply relax and take in the beauty of nature.
If you walk to the top of the hill of Greenwich Park, you can bask in the glory of the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. You’ll also see the 17th-century Queen’s House, the Thames, and all of Central London. Heaven!
A Day In London Watch a sunset with immense London views – Free
The view of London from beside the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park is immense, so it is inevitably busy!
On a rare but gloriously sunny day in London – the tourists swarm the place like a pack of hyenas haha!
If you want the view, without the obstructions, then head just ten minutes up the road to the Point.
The Point offers glorious sunset views, and comfortable benches, and some oh-so-needed peace and quiet!
Address: Point Hill, SE10. or click here
Grab a pint at an iconic London Pub – 6 Pounds
After an undoubtedly marvelous day exploring one of the greatest cities in the world.. you deserve a drink!
And of course, you can’t go wrong with a classic pink of lager at a classic British Pub.
( or a cheeky glass of wine if you are like me!)
You will find numerous pubs in every corner of London, so sit back, take a sip, and enjoy!
Other FREE things to do in London
- The Changing Of The Guards. Location: Buckinham Palace. ICONIC and an absolute must-see!
- House of Parliament – aka house of the iconic Big Ben
- East London Street Art in Shoreditch! Shoreditch is famous for having particularly impressive graffiti.
- Kensington Gardens. The delightful Kensington Gardens are home to a trove of treasures! Including the Albert Memorial, the Peter Pan Statue, the Serpentine Gallery, the Round Pond and the Diana Memorial Playground. All are free to admire or visit.East and north of here is a string of Royal Parks, all free to enter: Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park.
- Harrods -Needs no introduction, correct?
- Sky Garden – Offering perhaps the best free view of Central London! You can book a lunch/brunch at the indoor viewing decks and restaurants, or you can hang out for the view for FREE. It is open daily, but you MUST book your free visit in advance
Free Art Galleries and Museums in London
Free As I said before, there is a plethora of galleries and museums to visit in London! Here is a list of some FREE museums in the city:
- British Museum. Wander the galleries of the British Museum
- Grand Museum of Zoology
- The Library and Museum of Freemasonry
- National Gallery. Discover more than 2,000 paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th century at the National Gallery
- Museum of London
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Natural History Museum
- Science Museum
- IWM London
- National Maritime Museum
Thank you for sticking around for A Day In London for 20 pounds! I hope I have given you plenty of options of free things to do in the city!
There are SO many things worth paying for of course. But a whole day in London for 20 pounds is definitely a winner in my eyes too!
Save this post for your next London Visit
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- Best Fry Places around the world – Out of this world potatoes, you must eat.
- Winter Wonderland The best Christmas Markets and winter destinations around the world
- Responsible Tourism – A guide to traveling ethically with less damage to the planet
8 comments
Brilliant ideas for how to spend a day in Londo and only spend 20 pounds.
I love that there are so many free museums and galleries and London. Thanks for putting together this list of all the great free and cheap things to do in London. Sometimes the free activities are even better than the pricier attractions!
What a great post! It’s inspiring to know how much you can do with just a little bit of cash!
I always forget just how many free museums there are in London! I can’t wait to go back and explore them again! I love the idea of spending only £20 on a day in London…I might try this when I next go! Thanks for the great guide!
I would never have thought this possible.
I love that there are so many free things to do in the city, always love exploring here!
Hi Tia, impressed, I have lived here for 10 years and not done half what you did in a day. Excellent read so I am now coming to explore Cyprus. If its that nice I may not come back to London.
Hey Nigel! Well, I also lived in London for 10 years and hardly moved out of zones 1 and 2 haha! The city and pace of life, does have a way of sucking you in haha