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While many of London's major attractions do charge, at times, quite substantial entrance fees there are still a number of real gems where visitors can wander around at their leisure free of charge. Some take a little bit of forward planning (like the Ceremony of the Keys ritual at the Tower of London for example) but for most it's just a case of turning up and getting stuck in. From cathedrals to historic houses there's something here to suit most tastes.
 Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB Unfortunately, it does cost to visit the famous and historic Tower of London, however visitors can attend the Ceremony of the Keys, which takes place every evening in the grounds of the palace, for free. Every night the Tower of London is locked up by the Chief Warder who makes his way to the gates from the Byward Tower at exactly 21:53. Once all the Tower gates are locked, the Last Post is sounded by a trumpeter and the ceremony is concluded. This ceremony represents a 700-year-old tradition and lasts no more than 10 minutes. The Chief Warder represents the Yeoman Warders (more commonly known as 'Beefeaters') who have looked after the Tower since the 14th century. Today they perform the role of tour guide in addition to their ceremonial duties. You can't just turn up so this needs a bit of planning to pull it off. To apply send a SAE detailing names of attendees to: Ceremony of the Keys, HM Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB two months in advance. Address: Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB Phone: 0870 756 7070 Timing: Daily 9.30pm Nearest Station: Tower Hill Tube Tower of London - Information   Houses of ParliamentParliament Square, Westminster, St Margaret Street, SW1A 0AA Home to the two seats of Parliament – the Commons and the Lords – members of the public are allowed free access to the Public Galleries in both Houses where they can watch debates when parliament is in session. You don’t need tickets in advance, but may have to queue. For the chance to watch Prime Minister's Question Time (Weds 12 noon, when Parliament is sitting) you will need to obtain tickets in advance from your Member of Parliament or a Lord if you are a UK resident. Overseas visitors and UK residents without tickets can queue but ticket holders take priority. Now more commonly known as the Houses of Parliament, the building began life as the Palace of Westminster in 1042 as a royal residence under Edward the Confessor. The major structure to survive various fires, Westminster Hall was built between 1087 and 1100 and is one of the largest medieval halls in Europe with an unsupported hammerbeam roof. Address: Parliament Square, Westminster, St Margaret Street, SW1A 0AA Phone: 020 7219 5353 Timing: House of Commons, main chamber - Mon & Tue 2.30pm-10.30pm, Wed 11.30am- 7.30pm, Thu 10.30am-6.30pm, Fri 9.30am-3pm. Westminster Hall - Tue & Wed 9.30am-11.30am & 2pm-4.30pm, Thu 2.30pm-5.30pm. Prime Minister's Question Time - Wed from midday Nearest Station: Westminster Tube Houses of Parliament - Information  Kenwood House (Iveagh Bequest)Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR A rich collection of famous paintings are housed within the walls of this neoclassical villa perched by a lake on top of Hampstead Heath. Works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough form the property's famous Iveagh Bequest. Handed down to the state by the house's owner, brewing magnate Edward Cecil Guinness, admission to the house and its collection of artworks it totally free to the public. Remodelled between 1764 and 1779 by Robert Adam, Kenwood features a lavish library and elegant array of rooms which provide a fitting backdrop for this notable artistic collection. Spectacular views and woodland walks provide a fitting backdrop for the house itself. Despite opposition from locals, the house continues to host a series of outdoor music concerts during the summer. While tickets to the concerts are not free, you can often hear strains of music and glimpse the sparks of fireworks if you find a spot nearby. Address: Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR Phone: 020 8348 1286 Timing: Summer - Daily 11am-5pm | Winter - Daily 11am-4pm Nearest Station: Hampstead Tube Kenwood House (Iveagh Bequest) - Information  Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court)City of London, EC4M 7EH Universally known as the Old Bailey, this is probably the most famous criminal court in the world, and has been London's principal criminal court for centuries. The courthouses are built on the site of Old Newgate Prison. Although there is no public access to the precincts of the Central Criminal Court, public galleries are open for viewing of trials in session. There's no access to under 14s and big groups are advised to contact Head of Security in advance. Case listings can be found on the Court Services website. Address: City of London, EC4M 7EH Phone: 020 7248 3277 Nearest Station: St Paul's Tube Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court) - Information  Oxo Tower and Gabriel's WharfOxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, SE1 9PH As you stare across the river at this bustling, stylish, multi-faceted venue, it's hard to believe that this riverside warehouse was once a reprocessing plant for the Oxo Company, ripe for demolition only a few decades ago. The Oxo Tower now stands out, loud and proud, flanked by two green open parks and the colourful Gabriel's Wharf, with a riverside walk guiding amblers up to its refurbished doors. One of the main attractions is the free viewing platform on the 8th floor which provides spectacular panoramic views over the city. There's also free admission to the the.gallery@oxo exhibitions nd the Coin Street Festival every summer. Visitors now come in their droves to explore the shops, restaurants, free galleries, cafes and studios that populate this once barren area. The best way to experience the Oxo Tower and Gabriel's Wharf is as part of a leisurely riverside walk along the South Bank; taking in Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre and all the many pubs and sights that adorn the banks of the Thames. Address: Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, SE1 9PH Phone: 020 7401 2255 Nearest Station: Temple Tube Oxo Tower and Gabriel's Wharf - Information  Royal Mail Mount Pleasant Sorting OfficeFarringdon Road, EC1R 4SQ Mount Pleasant is one of the world's largest sorting offices, covering an area of 7.5 acres. It's home to an expansive set of train tunnels which run 70 feet under the streets of central London between Whitechapel and Paddington. The entire tunnel network was built to deliver the post and is 23 miles long. It was used up until May 2003. Free tours are offered around this amazing 23 mile underground network of postal trains. Phone in advance for details. Address: Farringdon Road, EC1R 4SQ Phone: 020 7239 2362 Nearest Station: Chancery Lane Tube Royal Mail Mount Pleasant Sorting Office - Information  Royal Opera House Covent GardenBow Street, Covent Garden, Westminster, WC2E 9DE Home of the Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, this impressive building in the heart of Covent Garden has been playing host to every major star of the classical music world since 1858. If you're heavily into ballet and opera then this is the place to come for high-quality performances in grand surroundings. If you're not, and just want to explore the building itself (especially Floral Hall - the building's dramatic glass atrium) and get a small taster of what goes on here you can wander around the spectacular construction for free during the day. There's also free chamber music every Monday, along with free jazz, free lunchtime concerts and recitals. Concerts start at either 12:00 or 13:00. Tickets are available from the box office on the day of the performance. In the summer, The Royal Opera House also broadcasts live opera and ballet to locations around London including Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden Piazza. The third theatre to be located on this site, most of the existing venue - with the exception of the auditorium, facade and foyer which are originals from 1858 - is the result of a detailed reconstruction in the 1990s. Address: Bow Street, Covent Garden, Westminster, WC2E 9DE Phone: 020 7304 4000 Nearest Station: Covent Garden Tube Royal Opera House Covent Garden - Information  Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu Temple)105/115 Brentfield Road, Neasden, NW 10 8LD Located in an unexpected and fairly barren area on the edge of north-west London, this amazingly spiritual and architectural gem is free to visit and well worth the trip out to the suburbs - in fact the bleak location makes the beauty and symbolism of the temple all the most spectacular. The first traditional Hindu Mandir in Europe, every one of the 26,300 individually carved pieces that make up its entirety were carved in India and shipped over to London. All of these pieces were then fitted together in just three years, between 1992 and 1995. Inside and outside this place is absolutely stunning. The stark white exterior, riddled with intricate detail and carvings, belies an opulent, colourful interior. Highly-fashioned pillars, domes, columns, carpets and ceilings provide the setting for some spectacular murtis rich with lavish thrones and royal attire. Please note: this is a place of worship so shoes should be removed and no shorts or skirts shorter than knee length should be worn. Address: 105/115 Brentfield Road, Neasden, NW 10 8LD Phone: 020 8965 2651 Timing: Daily 9am-6pm (Closed between 12.30pm & 3.30pm. The best time to go is at 11.30am for the ceremony at 11.45am. Nearest Station: Neasden Tube Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu Temple) - Information  Sotheby's34-35 New Bond Street, W1A 2AA Founded in 1774, Sotheby's is the world's oldest art auction house. Sales today command record sums for items. Notable sales range from 'Danseuse au Repos' (Degas' pastel of a ballet dancer) which set the world record for an artist at auction with a price of £17,601,500 ($27,930,020), to John Lennon's Gallotone 'Champion' acoustic guitar which sold for £155,500 ($251,700) at a Rock'n'Roll memorabilia sale. Check the website for dates and details of individual auctions and then head over to witness some of them in action. It's free to attend and you can often catch a glimpse of some truly historic items. Address: 34-35 New Bond Street, W1A 2AA Phone: 020 7293 5000 Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road Tube Sotheby's - Information  Westminster CathedralVictoria Street, SW1P 1QW London's only example of neo-Byzantine architecture and principal Roman Catholic church, offers a magnificent campanile that emerges 274 feet into the sky. While 12 million burnished terracotta coloured bricks adorn the exterior, parts of the interior remain poignantly bare - a potent reminder of the lack of funding which plagued construction in 1895. Plain walls and simple candlelight form a stark contrast to the colourful mosaics and marbles, and Eric Gill's nave detailing the fourteen Stations of the Cross. Walk or take the lift up the campanile for some spectacular views of the capital. Visitors are reminded that this is an active place of worship. Address: Victoria Street, SW1P 1QW Phone: 020 7798 9055 Timing: Mon to Sat 7:00-19:00, Sun 8:00-19:00 Nearest Station: Pimlico Tube Westminster Cathedral - Information |
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