Northern line
A free day out on the Northern line
11 genuinely free places across 8 stops. The Northern line splits into branches, so these run roughly north to south rather than as one single ride.
790 acres of wild-feeling heath, woods and ponds run by the City of London Corporation — swimming ponds charge a small fee, but the heath itself is free and open all day.
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Archway
A Georgian mansion on the edge of Hampstead Heath, free to enter under the 1929 bequest that gave it to the nation — Rembrandt, Vermeer and Gainsborough on the walls, and free grounds to picnic in.
A grassy summit at the north edge of Regent's Park with an open, bench-lined skyline view over central London — free any time, day or night.
Camden Lock, Stables Market and Hawley Wharf beside Regent's Canal — free to wander for the stalls, street art and canalside crowds; you only pay if you buy.
Over 2,000 Western European paintings on Trafalgar Square, from Van Gogh's Sunflowers to Turner — free entry to the permanent collection; only some loan exhibitions charge.
Next door to the National Gallery — portraits of Tudor monarchs, the Brontës and contemporary Britain, free to visit; the Taylor Wessing Photo Prize and some shows are ticketed.
Nelson's Column, the fountains and the rotating Fourth Plinth commission — London's civic square, free and open around the clock.
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.
London's oldest food market, under the railway arches by London Bridge — wandering the stalls and sampling is free; closed Mondays.
200 riverside acres opposite Chelsea, with a lake, the Peace Pagoda and a free children's zoo viewing area — boating and the zoo's animal enclosures are the only paid parts.
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.