Free walking tours in London and what to see

Must-sees

London is best explored neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Westminster has Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the abbey where monarchs are crowned; a short walk away are Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. To the east, the City holds St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London, with the Crown Jewels, next to Tower Bridge.

Many of the great museums are free: the British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern, the Natural History Museum and the V&A. Between visits, it is worth strolling through Hyde Park, along the South Bank by the Thames, around the markets of Camden, Borough and Portobello, and through Covent Garden and the West End theatres.

Free tours and guided visits

London has several free walking tours covering Westminster, the City or neighbourhoods such as Camden, Notting Hill and Greenwich, plus themed routes on Harry Potter, Jack the Ripper or the Beatles. For the paid sights, a guided visit with tickets is worthwhile, such as the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. Day trips leave the city for Stonehenge, Windsor, Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds.

How long to spend

Three days are enough for Westminster, the City and the main museums at a good pace. With five there is time for markets and neighbourhoods such as Camden, Shoreditch or Greenwich, a West End musical and a day trip out of town. Use a contactless card for the Tube and buses: the daily fare is capped.

Where to stay

For a first visit, the most convenient place to stay is between the West End, Westminster and Bloomsbury, with almost everything on foot. Kensington is elegant and close to the museums; the City and Shoreditch get cheaper at weekends. On a budget, look near a Tube stop in zones 1 and 2 rather than a distant airport hotel.