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10 free things to do in London not including museums

London is expensive as everyone knows – the 5th most expensive city in the world, according to the information I just looked up. And especially at the moment, with the exchange rate hovering around $2 to the pound. A decent hotel room in London costs around $150 a night, and the “tube” – London's beloved but overcrowded subway system - is now the most expensive mass transit system in the world. With that in mind, here are 10 free things to do in London (not including major museums – many of which are still free)

1) Speaker’s Corner
At the corner Hyde Park near Marble Arch. A royal decree of 1855 guaranteed the right of free speech on this spot, to anyone. Go on a Sunday morning to see people lecture on just about anything they like. The hecklers in the crowd are all part of the fun. Past speakers here include Karl Marx and George Orwell.

2) London’s churches
There are many historic churches hidden away all over London, some by the famous architects Wren and Hawksmoor. Many offer free lunchtime concerts. Two of the most famous churches are St. Martin’s in the Fields, in Trafalgar Square – the model for many US colonial churches; and St. Paul’s Church in Covent Garden. This church is known as the actor’s church and has memorials to Noel Coward and Vivien Leigh, among others.

3) Highgate Cemetery
The most famous and picturesque of London’s several picturesque Victorian cemeteries. The eastern cemetery, containing the grave of Karl Marx is free to visit; the western part can be visited only on a guided tour. If Highgate cemetery looks familiar – it has featured in dozens of horror films.

4) Old Bailey
Anybody can come in here to see proceedings at what is probably the most famous court in the world. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. The building stands on the site of the infamous Newgate Prison and has featured in many books and movies – notably "A Tale of Two Cities" and "V for Vendetta".

5) Burlington Arcade
This beautiful Victorian shopping arcade just off Piccadilly offers some of London’s most delightful small specialist shops. (It costs nothing to window shop!) Burlington Arcade has its own rules – no running or whistling allowed. And at 5:30 pm every day, you can watch members of London’s oldest police force – the Beadles – ceremoniously ring a bell to close the stores.

6) Changing of the Guard
Takes place outside Buckingham Palace, daily from April to July at 11:30 am, otherwise on alternate days. Sometimes canceled due to bad weather or special events – and you have to arrive really early for a vantage point. Try watching the guards on Horseguard's Parade, where there are fewer crowds.

7) Ceremony of the Keys, Tower of London
A centuries old tradition – the nightly and ceremonial locking up of the tower by a Beefeater. To obtain free tickets for this event, you must apply in writing to the tower several weeks ahead of time.

8) Hampstead Heath
This huge expanse of parkland to the north of central London is popular with locals and tourists alike. The heath offers miles of trails, kite flying, picnic spots and a small boating pond – as well as excellent views over London. And you may see a celebrity or two – many famous people live in Hampstead.

9) Recordings at the BBC
It’s possible to get free tickets to see all sorts of shows being taped at the BBC TV centre in west London, and other venues throughout London. Check the BBC web site for details.

10) London’s Blue Plaques
They are everywhere in London – over 800 of them, and trying to spot them can be addictive. Distinctive blue plaques on many buildings indicate which famous person lived there at one time or another. The composer Handel and the rock musician Jimi Hendrix lived next door to each other in Brook Street, Mayfair – just not at the same time.

Check with the official London tourist board for details of these and other free things to do. Also, Time Out magazine has many listings for free events, etc.

Written by guest travel blogger, Mancunian

If you want to read some old blog entries on London, here you go: Sherlock Holmes' London, DaVinci Code tourism, London & Amsterdam travel plan, England travel plan, Harry Potter's England.

Posted by James Trotta at May 15, 2007 4:02 PM | TrackBack