Free Things to Do on Vacation in London

excerpted from http://www.londontourist.org

Free Concerts
There are of free concerts, open air films etc. along the river, at the National Theatre, Coin Street and near Tower Bridge by the 'Beehive' office of the London Council. There is a late cafe/bar/lounge at the National Theatre until 0100. Take a stroll from the Wheel to Tower bridge and pick up the brochures - the area is buzzing at night, especially on the far side of Tower Bridge.

Museums
Most of the Big museums are free - that includes the Science, Natural History and Imperial War Museums, The British Museum, The John Soane Museum Museum of London. The Department of Culture has invested millions - raised by gambling tax and other taxes, to keep Britain's museums free - don't miss out! Places that do charge usually have a free period or day eg. The Old Naval College in Greenwich is free on Sundays after 15:30. See our museums page for full details.

Galleries
Virtually all are free, including the National Gallery, Both the Tate galleries. Those that do make an admission charge usually have a free day (eg The Courtauld), or a free period (the Guildhall, from 15:30).

Houses of Parliament
Houses of Parliament have free admission when the house is sitting. You queue up outside but you won't get into Commons much before 16:30 - better to go later in the evening when the queues have gone down.

Theatre
From the street entertainers in Covent Garden (under the porch of the Actors' Church where Britain's first Punch & Judy show was performed) to the innumerable festivals, there's lots going on. Free foyer events at the South Bank Centre and Barbican are usually of the highest standard.

TV Shows
The BBC needs audiences for its shows - tickets are available for recordings of TV programmes at TV Centre, in White City and for radio shows at various venues. Email them with a list of dates and an address to send tickets to (this is pot luck) if you're booking way ahead tv.ticket.unit@bbc.co.uk or radio.ticket.unit@bbc.co.uk or fax them on 0208 576 8802. You can also look what's available and book online, for free BBC Symphony orchestra concerts, TV shows etc etc HERE. That said it has happened that the BBC has put adverts in the Job Centres (for unemployed people seeking work) offering money to attend some shows - mainly talk shows. Tickets for commercial productions (including those that end up on the BBC can be got from freetix@standingroom.com or tel: 8870 0111. You can also visit TV Recordings.com which allows you to book AND print free tickets for TV shows online. If tickets are available you can print them off at any time and just head off for the show, even on the day of the record. You know if you have got your tickets instantly...no waiting around to see if they turn up in the post. Some good comedy shows available.

Music
The BBCSO hold free concerts at the BBC Maida Vale studios -tickets for which can be obtained by calling BBC Audience Services on 020 8576 1227

The Royal Academy of Music runs a 'Free on Friday' programme of concerts with 'the performers of the future' ie: their students under the baton of some top conductors (viz: Sir Colin Davis, Sir Charles Mackerras and Barry Wordsworth). They start at 13:05 in the college on Marylebone Road, by Baker Street Tube. For details visit their Website.

The Evening Standard's 'free' entertainment guide 'Hot Tickets' has good listings of free Jazz concerts: state subsidies pay for top acts to appear at the Barbican (which has a redoubtable reputation as a Jazz venue anyway) and at the South Bank Centre - these and other free shows get a listing on the Jazz page. After 8pm on a Thursday you can pick up free copies of Hot Tickets from the closed-up vendors stalls - there are piles and piles of them lying in the street - try Charing Cross, London Bridge or Liverpool St Station, up Charing Cross Road - mind you the Evening Standard only costs 30 pence....
A good site with listings of free/nearly free events and things to do in London is The London free list

Let us know about your own experiences visiting these places and/or any other free things that you have found for this destination. Include a comment in the comments section below so that others may learn from your experience.