- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (7)
Print
Save/SharePrices in London have dropped in the last six months because businesses are running many sales and because the U.S. dollar has gained in buying power against the British pound.
Yet London is still expensive.
What many visitors don't realize, though, is how much there is to do for free in the city—much of it in cosy, well-heated interiors. Here is an eclectic pick of our favorites from the tip of the winter iceberg.
Live music at The Bedford (77 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD, 011-44/208-682-8940, thebedford.co.uk, subway: Balham)
This giant pub in south London has made the reputations of leading new names in British music. KT Tunstall, James Morrison, and Paolo Nutini all built their following here. There are free shows four nights a week, 50 weeks of the year, most of them from new and upcoming musicians. And once a month on Sundays there's an afternoon event called 'More Tea Vicar,' where worn-out Saturday night party-goers can listen to acoustic music whilst getting a massage or shopping for vintage fashion.
Rembrandt and Rubens at the Wallace Collection (Hertford House, Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN, 011-44/207-563-9500, wallacecollection.org)
The Tate Modern, which is also free, may grab the limelight, but London is replete with free fine art galleries. And the Wallace Collection—a sumptuous collection of paintings, porcelain, and furniture housed in a grand mansion just off London's shopping central—is one of the best. Stellar European names include Hals, Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin, and Titian. And it is far less crowded than the aggressively marketed Tate Modern.
Tutankhamun and two million years of human history at the British Museum (Great Russell St., 011-44/207-323-8181, britishmuseum.org, subway Tottenham Court Road). The British Museum has a collection of antiquities and art to rival Paris's Louvre or New York's Metropolitan museum, but without their hefty entrance fees. Visitors pay only for the special shows at the British Museum. Tutankhamun, the sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens, Egypt's Rosetta Stone and a trove of treasures from Mesopotamia, Persia, Ancient Europe and Asia all come for free with admission.
A BBC show or concert in central London (bbc.co.uk/tickets)
Many of the BBC's TV and radio shows are recorded live. They include everything from classical concerts to comedy or celebrity chat shows and live jazz and rock to political discussion programmes. All tickets are free and can be booked through the website.
Al Gore or Kofi Annan at the Royal Society of the Arts (8 John Adam Street, London WC2N 6EZ, 011-44/207 930 5115, thersa.org)
This stately 28th century house offers one of the biggest free events programs in the capital, offering 150 free lectures, talks, screenings, and debates a year, many of them conducted by leading thinkers and intellectuals from the world over. Past speakers have included Kofi Annan, Al Gore, Vikram Seth, Tod Machover, and James Lovelock.
Have a question about an upcoming trip? Ask it on our new London City Page.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Very good suggestions. I would also add a visit to the Soane Museum, one of the most interesting museums in London. It's great for architecture buffs, history lovers, art fans.
Posted By Petulia Melideo on January 5, 2010, 8:14 AM
In addition to the British Museum, I would recommend the British Library. The "treasure room" is incredible!
Also, the Royal Society of the Arts is housed in a building from the 28th century? Did it belong to H.G. Wells?
Posted By Stephanie on January 5, 2010, 12:10 PM
Thank you for helpful suggestions. I was wondering if that kind of article could be made also my less known travel destinations, like cities in Baltic States. For example, Sigulda is known as a capital of activities in Baltic States (Aerodium, bungee jumping, Catapult, Tobogganing, Tarzan, bobsledding and many more).
Posted By Irma on January 7, 2010, 7:50 AM
We also enjoy The Museum of London- incredible & free!
Posted By Cande on January 11, 2010, 1:35 PM
The British Museum is fabulous, especially if you are an Ancient Egypt buff. The mummies and artifacts are just wonderful. It was a three to see the Rosetta Stone. It think the art museum is free too. My daughter and I spent about 3 hours there. Not enough time. Loved it!
Posted By Kathy on January 11, 2010, 7:28 PM
Last year, when I was in London, I also went British Museum. It was a great experience.
Posted By Macclain on January 16, 2010, 2:56 AM
I too was intrigued by the prospect of a 28th century house. Leave it to Al Gore, I suppose.
As free things in London go, I particularly enjoyed visiting the Parliament during question time; for me as a foreigner it seemed like a quintessentially British experience, with all the accents and schoolboy noises. The entrance queue was ridiculously long, though.
Posted By Dana Evans on January 29, 2010, 5:27 PM