What are the best free things to do in London?

I'm planning a budget-friendly trip to London next month and want to make the most of my time without spending a fortune. I've already heard that most of the major museums have free entry, but what else is worth checking out? I'm particularly interested in hidden gems, great viewpoints, and nice walking routes.

You definitely need to check out the view from Primrose Hill! It's much quieter than Parliament Hill and offers an amazing panorama of the city skyline.

For a great walking route, try the Regent's Canal walk from Little Venice to Camden Lock. It feels a million miles away from the busy center.

If you want an incredible, completely free viewpoint, book tickets for the Horizon 22 or the Sky Garden well in advance.

The dynamos at Battersea Power Station are cool to see, and you can walk around the pier area for free without going up the elevator.

Make sure to walk the Thames Path from Westminster to Tower Bridge around sunset. The lighting on the bridges is stunning.

If you are planning a bigger trip across the continent after London, you might find this guide on the best 4-week backpacking route for a first-timer in summer super helpful for your itinerary.

Leadenhall Market is a gorgeous hidden gem in the financial district that inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Totally free to wander through!

St Dunstan in the East is one of my favorite secret spots. It's a medieval church bombed in WWII that's now a stunning public garden.

If you are flying in from far away, check out these tips on how to survive long haul flights to Europe so you arrive with plenty of energy to explore.

The Barbican Conservatory is amazing, but you have to book tickets a week in advance when they drop on Fridays. It's an indoor jungle in the middle of brutalist architecture.

Don't skip the pedestrian tunnel under the Thames from Greenwich to Island Gardens. It's a quirky, historic walk.

Postman's Park near St Paul's is a deeply moving and peaceful hidden memorial dedicated to ordinary people who died saving others.

You can watch the Changing of the Guard at Wellington Barracks and outside Buckingham Palace without paying a penny, just get there early.

Seven Dials in Covent Garden is lovely for a stroll, and Neal's Yard is a vibrant, colorful courtyard tucked away from the main streets.

Greenwich Park gives you that classic view looking down past the Old Royal Naval College toward the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.