Fun Facts: Top Ten Free Things to do in London

The best things in life are free, so the saying goes, and nowhere is that more true than in the vibrant capital city of London. Commonly thought of as one of the most expensive cities to live in in the world, there is an alarming amount of fun things to do for free, or next to nothing. Whether you're a student at one of the Kaplan London schools, or you're simply travelling to the city soon, keep those pennies safe with our favourite free activities..

Laugh out loud with award-winning comedy
Angel Comedy at Camden Head is consistently one of the most popular free comedy clubs in London. Running seven nights a week, the club mixes carefully selected new comics alongside long-standing professional acts. Get there early! The room is likely to become busy, and they have a first come, first served policy.

Relive the London 2012 Summer Olympics
A new heart for east London, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the city’s newest park. With acres of parklands, fountains, play areas, and gardens, there is lots for everyone to explore. If you’re feeling brave you can climb the UK’s tallest sculpture, the iconic 114.5 metre ArcelorMittal Orbit.

Meet the walrus at The Horniman Museum
An anthropological museum set in 16 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, the Horniman has a traditional natural history gallery, an aquarium, a permanent gallery dedicated to African, Afro-Caribbean and Brazilian art, and a collection of around 1,600 musical instruments. Take a picnic and enjoy the music emanating from the museum’s Sound Garden.

Meet the Horniman Museum's stuffed walrus

Get up early to see Columbia Road in full bloom
Every Sunday, Columbia Road in the heart of the East End, is transformed into an oasis of foliage and flowers. If flowers aren’t your forte, there are also sixty independent shops, small art galleries, and vintage clothes and antiques stores to explore. All that shopping can be thirsty work, so head to one of the many nearby pubs and cafes for a tasty beverage.

Party your way round Notting Hill Carnival
Europe’s biggest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival is a vivid yearly spectacle representing London’s multicultural past and present. Since 1964 the streets of West of London have come alive with this this two-day festival of fantastic live music, jerk chicken, and colourful costumes.

The streets of West London come alive with colour at Carnival

Discover the tranquil Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Spread across 54 acres, Holland Park is a little gem, tucked away behind the hustle and bustle of Kensington High Street. In this park lies the Kyoto Garden, which was designed and built by a Japanese garden designer and his team to celebrate the Japan Festival in London in 1991. The garden is a tranquil place where you can find koi carps, waterfalls, Japanese plants and majestic peacocks.

Marvel at world-famous street art
The streets of London have been a canvas for famous artists spanning across many years, some of the art is hard-hitting and political, some more comedic. Discover the best street art London has to offer in the heart of Shoreditch. Street artists from all over the world leave a colourful kaleidoscope of energy and creativity on the walls here. Our top tip - check out the giant Phlegm mural on Heneage Street (off Brick Lane) that Global Street Art arranged.

Powerful street art in the heart of Shoreditch

Admire the city from the top of Primrose Hill
The posh area of Primrose Hill is home to a wide range of celebrity residents – from Ed Milliband, to Kate Moss. The main attraction of this luxury neighbourhood is the hill itself, at the top is one of the six protected viewpoints in London. Head up there on a clear day to take in all the sights of London.

Feed a llama at a city farm
Get up close and personal with creatures great and small at one of many city farms in London. Mudchute Park and Farm is one of London’s largest farms, covering 32 acres in the Isle of Dogs. A taste of the countryside in the big city, the farm is full of animals, and has a petting zoo and a duck pond.

Feast on great food at Borough Market
Borough Market is one of the oldest and most renowned food markets in London, a source of exceptional British and international produce. Look out for the great cheese and bread stalls offering free samples. From here you can spot The Shard towering off in the distance.

Celebrating 1000 years in Southwark, Borough Market is a London institution

If you have any tips for free activities in London, we'd love to hear them! Please get in touch at the comments box below.

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