The best free things to do in London

Back in 2001, the government made scores of museums across the UK totally free to enter. A couple of decades later, that decision has paid off with booming visitor numbers and diverse crowds flocking through the doors of London’s eclectic, world-class array of institutions. Whether you want to window shop through centuries of stunning fashion at V&A, find out how the world actually works at the Science Museum, admire slick architecture at the Design Museum, gaze in awe (or mild trepidation) at the Natural History Museum’s T-Rex or go searching for the Rosetta Stone among the countless treasures at the British Museum, you can do it without paying a penny. Here's our list of London’s best museums to check out.

Actually buying art is hella expensive. But looking at it? Pretty often, it's totally free. And although the blockbuster special exhibitions at galleries like Tate Modern, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery will involve emptying your pockets, their permanent collections are a brilliant starting point for cash-strapped art fans. Once you've got to grips with the basics, your next port of call should definitely be London's smaller galleries. Here's our list of the best free exhibitions to check out right now, compiled by our art editor Eddy Frankel.

London is one of the world's greenest cities, with more than 3,000 parks to explore – ranging from tiny pocket parks to massive, beautifully landscaped wonderlands you could easily spend all day exploring. Cool your feet in the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain at Hyde Park, marvel at views over the city from the hilly heights of Greenwich Park, or head for small but wildly atmospheric spots like St Dunstan-in-the-East. Here are the city's biggest hitters.

Animal-lovers, rejoice! You don't have to splash out a fortune in vet bills, zoo tickets or cat cafe coffees to get some quality time with four legged creatures. London's full of city farms, most of which you can enter for free or for a small donation. They were established in the radical 1970s and 1980s as a way for nature-starved townies to rediscover the wonders of the animal kingdom on small, community-run farms. Massive pigs, curious goats, fancy ducks, and fluffy rabbits... meet them all at these much-loved local spots. Here's where to start.  

London's finest crop of dead celebs is to be found at Highgate Cemetery, but you've got to pay to get in. So set aside that cash for your funeral (gotta pay at least two sexy ladies to weep on your grave) and head to Brompton Cemetery for a free afternoon of ghoulish delights. This historic Grade I-listed cemetery is the final resting place of more than 200,000 people, including staunch suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and public health pioneer Dr John Snow. Getting creeped out? There are also palette-cleansingly lovely gardens to picnic in once you've finished exploring.

This city's biggest sculpture trail is a must for both art fans and nature fans, leading walkers along waterways including the Royal Docks and the River Lea, as well as soaring over the Thames on the Emirates Air Line. Just download the map and you'll discover an ever-changing line-up of works by big names including Tracy Emin and Anthony Gormley: plus pretty parks, Egyptian geese, and plenty of spots to rest your feet with a craft beer or flat white. 

Fed up of endless superhero flicks at your local cinema? Take an enjoyable (and totally free) dive into cinematic history at BFI's mediatheque. You can pick from hundreds of historic flicks to watch in your own comfy private booth, amongst researchers and hardened film buffs. Just leave the popcorn at home, you oaf.

Zip up 35 floors of the Walkie Talkie's shapely layers and you'll be transported to a public garden with some truly spectacular views. Sky Garden boasts three storeys of landscaped gardens lush with South African and Mediterranean plants, observation decks, an open-air terrace, two restaurants, a bar and an uninterrupted panorama of the city's skyline. Entry is free, but visitors must book their 90-minute timeslot in advance on the website.

Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House is one of the city’s most iconic performance venues, pulling in crowds of more than 600,000 each year. But while tickets for its world-leading programme of opera and ballet productions tend to cost a pretty penny – top-price tickets for its biggest shows can set you back upwards of £250 – that’s not the case for its Live at Lunch performances. Taking place on select Friday lunchtimes throughout the year in the Opera House’s magnificent glass conservatory, the free 45-minute performances feature a surprise line-up of Royal Ballet, Royal Opera and guest artists. There’s no need to book; simply turn up nice and promptly on the scheduled date and pick up an entry token on arrival. Find out about upcoming dates here.

Visiting a National Trust-owned stately home involves having pockets almost as deep as the long-dead aristos who built them. But if you want to get your fill of historical grandeur for free, make for Fulham Palace: a fascinating spot where Catharine of Aragon was sequestered in Tudor times, and bloody deeds were done on the times of Mary 1. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds, and stroll down the nearby Thames-side walks like the king, queen, or jester you are. 

Transport yourself back to old Londonium with a trip to these intriguing ruins, hidden underneath a massive shiny tower block. 1,800 years ago, this space was the home of the men-only cult of Mithras, a place to drink, misbehave and worship the ‘god of Mithra’, a deity known for slaying a primordial bull. Nowadays, nosy punters of all genders can enjoy audio and light installations designed to bring these ancient stones to wicked life.

Every Sunday, Columbia Road turns into a blooming wonderland packed with fantastic flowers of every hue (plus houseplants lush enough to convince you that your 'green fingers' are not, in fact, dark fingers of doom for any monstera that darkens your doors). You can easily just soak up the atmos, but if you're tempted to dig into your near-empty pockets, aim for 2pm, when stallholders cut bargains to shift their remaining stock. 

London is packed with comedy talent, so don't rely on your friends to entertain you: show up to Angel Comedy's stellar line-up of free nights to laugh yourself silly at emerging stars or seasoned show-offs. Refreshingly, there's no need to a book a slot in advance, but make sure you arrive in good time to secure yourself a decent spot. 

If you love the smell of aerosols (in a non 'Talk To Frank' kinda way) you'll be in clover at Leake Street, an underground graffiti spot that's soundtracked by the constant hiss of technicoloured spray cans. This tunnel under Waterloo station is an authorised place for graffiti artists to create an ever-changing line up of tags and murals (and for rubberneckers such as yourself to get selfies in front of them).

Lovably low-key hangout spot Effra Social turns into a buzzing jazz den each Thursday night. The Junction Jazz Jam kicks off at 7.30pm with a session from the house band. Then, musicians get up from the floor to join in a free-form sesh that showcases their improvisational skills at their very finest.  

Wander for long enough among the Barbican's concrete angles and you’ll stumble into a gasp-inducing tropical paradise. The Barbican Conservatory opened in 1984 and houses 2,000 plant species, including towering palms and ferns. There are even koi carp and terrapins.

Make for the hallowed halls of Westminster and you can treat your eyes and ears to the inspiring sight of democracy in action (or snooze like a backbencher after a three hour liquid lunch). This majestic building has public galleries that are free to visit: the business within won't always be riveting, but book a slot in advance for Prime Minister's Questions at noon on Wednesdays to watch the top dog squirm. 

One of Southbank Centre's best kept secrets is its fab line-up of free performances. These are usually designed to tie in with the venue’s themed seasonal festivals, and have a loose, drop in feel. Turn up and you could catch anything from live music to hit fringe theatre to interactive dance workshops: check out the venue's teeming schedule to fix up your next free dose of culture. 

You won't find grand palazzos or twinkly-eyed gondoliers at London's optimistically-named Little Venice, but the reality is even more charming. This peaceful, canal-crossed corner of London is full of traditional narrowboats moored on tree-lined waterways: walk towards Camden Lock to get a fascinating glimpse into this city's boating life.