London is an incredible city with endless things to do – but let’s be honest, it’s not always kind to the wallet.
The good news is you don’t need a king’s ransom to enjoy what London has to offer. In fact, some of the most fun experiences in the capital are surprisingly affordable or even free. If you’re looking for a day out in London that won’t break the bank, we’ve got you covered. This guide will show you how to mix a bit of mini golf (a brilliant budget-friendly activity) with other low-cost leisure options to craft a fantastic day in London on the cheap. Whether you’re a student, a family keeping an eye on the pennies, or just someone who loves a good deal, read on for tips on having a blast in London without blowing your budget.
Morning: Parks and Free Sights
Start your day with one of London’s greatest assets – its parks and green spaces. They’re completely free and absolutely gorgeous. For example, head to Greenwich Park in the morning: you can stroll through the flower gardens, let the kids run around, and hike up to the Observatory hill for arguably the best panoramic view of London (all for £0). Pack a simple picnic breakfast or grab a coffee and pastry from a local bakery on your way (plenty of spots in Greenwich do take-away croissants for a couple of quid). Enjoy it on a bench overlooking the city. Many of London’s parks also have free-entry attractions within them – Greenwich Park has the Maritime Museum (free) if you fancy a quick indoor look, and Regents Park has the stunning Queen Mary’s Rose Garden. London being 40% green space including over 3,000 parks, you’re spoiled for choice. Other great options: Hyde Park (wander by the Serpentine lake and watch the swans), Richmond Park (spot the wild deer roaming freely), or Holland Park (visit the serene Kyoto Garden). Breathing in some fresh air and enjoying nature is a lovely, cost-free way to begin your day.
Next, take advantage of London’s world-class free museums and galleries – they are not just for tourists, I promise you! The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, and many more offer free entry to their main collections. You could easily spend a whole day in one, but since we’re doing a variety, pick one or two highlights that interest you or your group. For instance, if you’re near Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House art gallery there are free and often not too crowded. If you’re in central, the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square lets you pop in to see Van Gogh’s Sunflowers or Turner’s landscapes at no cost – what a treat. Fun fact: London’s free museums draw millions of visitors each year – The British Museum had about 6.5 million visits in 2024 alone (that’s a lot of people not paying an entry fee for amazing culture!). Remember to grab a map at the info desk (free) so you can target a few key exhibits without getting lost. And don’t overlook smaller quirky museums like the Wallace Collection or Sir John Soane’s Museum – also free and full of charm, perfect if you’re already in the area. By midday, you’ll have gotten a good dose of London’s heritage and spent perhaps only a few quid on transport or a snack.
Midday: Budget Bites and Mini Golf Fun
Lunch in London doesn’t have to be pricey. One strategy is to seek out the city’s many street food markets or takeaway cafes where you can eat well for under £10. For example, if you’re around central and headed to mini golf soon (more on that in a sec), you might swing by the street food stalls on Southbank Centre’s Queen’s Walk (often there on weekends) or the bustling Leather Lane Market on weekdays in Holborn for global bites on the cheap. Or chain bakeries like Greggs and Pret often have meal deals where you can get a sandwich and drink for ~£5. If you’re really penny-pinching, supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsbury’s offer meal deals (~£3.50 for sarnie, crisps, drink). Take your lunch to a riverside or square for a pleasant alfresco dining experience. London has plenty of benches with a view (the river Thames path, Victoria Embankment Gardens, etc.).
Now, for the star budget activity: mini golf! London has several mini golf courses that are both fun and affordable. A round of mini golf typically costs between £5 and £12 per person, depending on the venue and time. Considering it gives you a good hour or two of entertainment, that’s great value. One of my top recommendations is Putt in the Park – they have courses in Wandsworth Park, Battersea Park, Acton Park, etc. For example, at Battersea Park it’s about £8-£9 for under-15s and ~£12 for adults, and often they have family or group deals. The setting is lovely (Battersea’s course is in the green park by the river) and you can combine it with enjoying the park itself (double leisure whammy for little extra cost). If you’re up by Bloomsbury after maybe visiting the British Museum, there’s Bloomsbury Lanes mini golf in the basement of Tavistock Hotel which is a simple 9-hole course only around £6 per adult.
Mini golf is one of those activities that feel special but doesn’t empty the wallet. It’s great for families (kids absolutely love it and it’s way cheaper than many attractions). It’s also hilarious with friends – and let’s be real, you’ll probably end up creating your own mini competition or trick shot challenges. The laughter-per-pound ratio is extremely high. Even MoneySavingExpert forums often cite mini golf as a top affordable day out suggestion. Keep an eye out for discount codes or off-peak prices too: some courses have weekday deals or late-afternoon specials. And if you’re a resident, a few local councils have really cheap mini golf in public parks (for instance, Camden’s Regent’s Park course, while not fancy, is just a few quid).
Afternoon: Free Views and Walking Tours
After the fun exertion of mini golf, continue your budget exploration with some free viewpoints or walking tours. A lot of London’s iconic vistas cost nothing: wandering across Tower Bridge (free pedestrian path) offers great river and skyline views. The Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street (the “Walkie-Talkie” building) has a famous free observation deck – you just need to book a slot online in advance. It gives you the kind of panoramas you’d pay £30 for at the Shard, but completely gratis! Even some of London’s rooftops – like atop the One New Change mall by St. Paul’s – have free public terraces. If you’re by Battersea after Putt in the Park, you can stroll onto the new Battersea Power Station development; they often have free events or at least it’s cool to window-shop and see the river from there.
Another option is doing a DIY walking tour of a historic area. For instance, print or download a free map of The City of London and do an “old city churches” or “Roman London” walk – seeing sights like the remains of the Roman Wall (free to view by Tower Hill), Leadenhall Market’s beautiful Victorian arches, or the outsides of Christopher Wren’s churches (popping inside is free too if open). There are also free walking tours led by volunteer guides in areas like Westminster (the company Free Tours by Foot London offers pay-what-you-like tours – effectively free if you’re skint). It’s a brilliant way to soak up stories and details that you’d never notice alone. London’s streets are a living museum; simply walking around costs nothing and can be incredibly enriching. I once spent an afternoon following the route of the old River Fleet (now underground) from King’s Cross down to Blackfriars, using a blog as my guide – totally free, fascinating, and gave me a new appreciation of the city’s layers.
Evening: Low-Cost Entertainment
When evening comes, you might think that’s when expenses rack up – but not necessarily. There are plenty of low-cost evening entertainments in London. If you fancy theatre or comedy, check out the upstairs pub theatres or fringe venues – many have shows for £10-£15, or improv comedy nights for a fiver. For example, Angel Comedy Club at the Camden Head pub is actually free entry (with voluntary donation) every night, hosting quality stand-up acts – a hidden gem for budget travelers and locals. There are also outdoor movie screenings in summer that are free or cheap, and during winter, things like free Christmas carol concerts or light displays to wander through. Another perennial freebie: just walking along the South Bank at night. It’s lively with street performers, and the city lights – Parliament, the London Eye, St. Paul’s – are gorgeous. You can grab a takeaway mulled wine or hot chocolate from a street vendor for a few quid to sip as you enjoy the atmosphere.
If you haven’t had dinner yet, fear not – London has you covered for budget eats in the evening too. You can often find cheap eats in Soho or Chinatown – e.g., legendary Wong Kei in Chinatown for a filling Chinese meal under £10, or Soho’s Pizza Pilgrims slice shop for a few-pound pizza slice. Even sitting down in some cafés that do evening service won’t set you back more than a fast food meal – look for places like Indian YMCA canteen (Central London) which does curry dishes at student-friendly prices around £7. Or hit a supermarket for some picnic dinner items (bread, cheese, deli bits – very European) and have an evening picnic on a bench with city views. There’s no shame in it; lots of savvy Londoners do this for a frugal night out with friends.
To cap off the night, one of my favourite freebies: watch the city skyline or find a quiet riverside spot to reflect. If you’re near Waterloo, the view from Waterloo Bridge at night is million-dollar (you see both east and west along the Thames, truly stunning). Or walk to the centre of Millennium Bridge and see Tower Bridge glowing to your east and the dome of St. Paul’s looming to your north. It’s moments like these when you realize London, even on a budget, is pure magic. You’ve played, you’ve learned, you’ve laughed – and your wallet is hardly any lighter.
A Note on Transport
A quick note to budget travelers: Use public transport smartly. A Zone 1-2 day of unlimited bus/tube travel caps at £7.70 with an Oyster or contactless card, so factor that in instead of pricey cabs. Buses especially are great for sightseeing on the cheap – hop on the front seat of the top deck and you’ve got a tour. Some specific routes (RV1, number 11, etc.) pass major landmarks and are often recommended for impromptu budget tours. Also, consider walking between activities if feasible – central London is quite walkable and you’ll stumble on hidden gems.
By planning a day blending free attractions, a cost-effective fun activity like mini golf, budget-friendly food, and careful transport use, you really can have a full London day out for very little money. In our outline: breakfast maybe £3, museum £0, lunch £6, mini golf £9, afternoon walk £0, cheap dinner £8, comedy £0 – that’s around £26 for an entire enriching day in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Not too shabby! And if you trim a bit (pack your lunch from supermarket for £3 instead, etc.), it can go even lower.
So next time you fancy a London adventure but your bank account groans, remember these tips. The city’s best things are often free or cheap – including the smiles and memories you’ll gain. Enjoy your budget London, and don’t forget: fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune, especially not in this town.
References:
– Wikipedia – Parks and open spaces in London (London is ~40% green space, ~3,000 parks; plenty of free outdoor space)
– ALVA (Association of Leading Visitor Attractions) – Visitor Figures 2024 (British Museum 6.48m visits, Nat Hist Museum 6.3m – highlighting the popularity of free museums)
– ActiveEnglandTours (2024) – British Weather Myth (259 dry days a year in London, meaning lots of opportunities for outdoor leisure without weather worries)
