London’s High Culture on No Budget: Free concerts, art, and theater
London is awash with culture, from music and art to theatre and talks, especially now that fall has arrived. But often the question for budget travelers isn’t what, but how much?
Luckily there are plenty of great freebies on offer, if you know where to look. Here are five of our free favorite London cultural attractions, along with nearby affordable hotels.
1. Museums: So many, so free!
Okay, we’re breaking our own numbering scheme from the off. Most of London’s main museums and galleries are completely free to enter, and it’s impossible just to pick one favorite. But, rather than direct you towards the British Museum or the National Gallery, which will probably be on any cultural itinerary anyway, let us highlight a few of the lesser known gems that are well worth a visit.
Related: 20 free museums in London
First up is the Sir John Soane’s Museum – the eccentric 19th-century home, museum, and gallery of an architect. On the first Tuesday of each month, there’s even a special candle-lit evening.
Or try the Wallace Collection, for a seriously impressive collection of art and decorative arts housed in a historic townhouse. This fall, also look out for the Museums at Night event, taking place from October 27 to 29 for special events inside these historic buildings.
Nearby budget hotels: Celtic Hotel and Ridgemount Hotel both put you just steps from the British Museum and within a 10- to 15-minute walk of Sir John Soane’s Museum.
2. Theatre: The Scoop
Theatre for free is a little harder to come by in London, although there are plenty of ways to get hold of discounted tickets. (Read our tips to find cheap and free theater tickets.) However, the happy exception to that rule is The Scoop, located outside City Hall. It comes alive in the summer, but events keep going until the end of October. Check the calendar for upcoming performances.
Nearby hotels: Premier Inn London Southwark Borough Market is about a 15-minute walk away from The Scoop along the Thames River.
3. Art: First Thursdays
On the first Thursday of each month, 150 galleries in the East End open their doors, offering events, talks and private views. Doing a gallery crawl is a great way to spend an evening getting to know this vibrant district. You can use the map available at the Whitechapel Gallery to navigate your way.
Nearby hotels: Ibis London City and Qbic London City are both located close to Whitechapel Gallery, so you can explore the art walk just steps from your hotel.
4. Music: Union Chapel
Finding world-class music for free in London is a lot easier than you’d think. We’ve done a round-up of the best places to find classical music here. However, for music of all genres, we’d recommend a visit to the beautiful Union Chapel on Upper Street in Islington. Their Daylight Music Saturday events host two hours of free music, from a diverse and exciting range of acts.
Nearby hotels: Alhambra Hotel and Crestfield Hotel are both just a block from King’s Cross St. Pancras, where you can hop the Tube one stop to Union Chapel.
5. Free talks
To really expand your mind on a trip to London, drop in on one of the many talks taking place around the city. University College London hosts lunchtime snippets of their latest research, free for anyone to drop in, while London School of Economics hosts an amazing array of speakers from around the world.
Competing with the universities is Conway Hall, which has a long history in hosting talks and debates, many of which are free.
Nearby hotels: Astor Museum Inn and Seven Dials Hotel are both within walking distance of London School of Economics and Conway Hall.
Your culture tips
Any great culture on the cheap tips of your own? Let us know in the comments. Find more great budget hotel deals in our London hotel guide.
About the author
Hi Frances, my name is Jack Sanders. My art collective is called Homosurrealism. We are having a big bash Sunday night at Resistance Gallery from 8-12pm. I would like to invite you and your friends to this important event. The famous underground filmmaker will be our DJ for the evening and it will be an awesome event. We will probably be interested in visiting some of the places listed on this site. If you like, i can send you the e invite and our interactive poster. This is probably a long shot but please answer this message if you think it might be cool. Regards. Jack Sanders . Homosurrealism movement and Homosurrealism Magazine in its 41st issue.