District line
A free day out on the District line
9 genuinely free places across 6 stops. Listed in line order, so you can ride it end to end and stop off as you go.
The UK's largest antiques market, plus food and fashion stalls further down the hill in Notting Hill — free to browse; antiques and vintage stalls trade mainly on Saturdays.
The blue whale skeleton, dinosaurs and 80 million specimens in South Kensington's cathedral-like galleries — permanently free; only ticketed touring exhibitions charge.
Stephenson's Rocket, the Apollo 10 capsule and hands-on galleries next door to the Natural History Museum — free permanent collection; the IMAX and some interactive galleries charge.
The world's largest museum of art and design, free since 2001 — fashion, sculpture, the cast courts and the Chinese and Islamic galleries all included; only special exhibitions are ticketed.
The oldest of the Royal Parks, between Buckingham Palace and Whitehall — a lake with pelicans (fed daily, free to watch), deckchairs and skyline views over the palace.
Free riverside stroll from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge — street performers, book market under Waterloo Bridge, and skyline views.
A Victorian covered market in the City, with ornate ironwork and cobbles — the public arcade is free and open 24/7, even though individual shops keep their own hours.
Free 360° views over the City from the top of the 'Walkie-Talkie' — but you must book a timed ticket online in advance (released a few weeks ahead); turning up without one usually means no entry.
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Mile End
'The People's Park' — London's oldest public park, opened in 1845 for the East End — lakes, a deer enclosure and wide-open grass between Bow and Hackney.
Ride a different line from the Tube map of free things to do, or check costs, parking and opening times in the full London guide. Straight-line station matches, not walking-route promises — use TfL for the journey itself.