1
The Monument - built to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666 - this 202 foot high stone column contains 311 steps which lead to a balcony and spectacular views across the city in all directions. The Monument is open to the public every day from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Admission charge - moderate. Tube: Monument.
2
Tower Bridge - a lift will take you up to the high-level walkways for extensive views of the city plus an exhibition on the bridge's history. Tower Bridge is open every day but the hours may vary slightly according to the season. An entry fee is charged. www.towerbridge.org.uk
3
A Visit St Paul's Cathedral is very rewarding in itself but stunning views across London from the Stone and Golden Galleries are a bonus. St Paul's opening hours for visitors are from 8.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. daily except Sundays. Admission charged. Tube: St. Paul's.
4
Take a trip on the London Eye. It's a great place to see the skyline and the views of up to 40km in all directions. Prices and opening times can be found on the London Eye's website. www.londoneye.com
5
The restaurant at the Tate Modern .Request a table with a view.
6
High Points; head to - Alexandra Palace, Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Parliament Hill - all offer wonderful views over London - all for free!
7
The Portrait Bar, located in the National Portrait Gallery, offers views across some of London's best known landmarks. Sip a cocktail and take in the view - but, be warned the best seats with the best views are very much in demand and prices can be a bit expensive.
National Portrait Gallery,
2 St Martins Place,
London,
8
The campanile of Westminster Cathedral can be reached by lift for a bird's eye look at Westminster.(nearest Tube / London Underground Station: Victoria).
9
Millennium Bridge - A walk on the Bridge will take you between the City and Bankside and you will have great views of London all around you.
10
Cruise on The Thames - A trip on a Thames riverboat will take you past many of London's most iconic sights.
Top Free Places to see in London
Chinatown
Chinatown is in the Soho area of the City of Westminster, occupying the area in and around Gerrard Street. It contains a number of Chinese restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, souvenir shops, and other Chinese-run businesses. The nearest tube / London Underground stations are Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.
Opening hours: Daily 10am-6pm, Fridays 10am-9pm Closing commences at 5.55pm and 8.55pm. Closed all day 1 January and 24-26 December Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN The nearest tube / London Underground stations are Charing Cross, Leicester Square.
National Portrait Gallery Open daily 10:00-18:00Open until 21:00 Thursday and Friday.
Closing commences at 17.50 and 20.50. The Portrait Gallery is just off Trafalgar Square. The nearest tube / London Underground stations are Leicester Square and Charing Cross.
Barbican The Barbican is Europe's largest multi-arts and conference venue presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and education events
Barbican Centre opening times:Mon - Sat: 9am - 11pmSun, Bank Holidays: 12 noon - 11pm
BARBICAN ART GALLERY:Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun: 11am - 8pm Tue, Wed: 11am - 6pm Thu: 11am - 10pm
The nearest tube / London Underground station is Barbican.
Guildhall Art Gallery Guildhall Art Gallery is located on the east side of Guildhall Yard, adjacent to the historic Guildhall. Monday - Saturday: 10.00am - 5.00pmSunday: 12.00noon - 4.00pm
Guildhall Art Gallery is open on Bank Holidays, however visitors are strongly advised to consult the Guildhall Art Gallery closures information page if visiting on a Bank Holiday.Last admissions are 30 minutes before the advertised closing time.Due to Civic Functions, Events or Holidays the Guildhall Art Gallery & Amphitheatre will sometimes have closures or restricted access: Guildhall Art Gallery & Roman London's AmphitheatreGuildhall Yard (off Gresham Street)London EC2V 5AE The nearest tube / London Underground station/s are , Bank, St Paul's, Mansion House (Bow Lane exit), Moorgate.
Museum of London
An entertaining, educational way to learn everything about London's history in this great museum.
London Wall EC2
Open: 10am-6pm
Nearest tube/ London Underground Station: Barbican, St Pauls
Tate Modern Sunday - Thursday, 10.00-18.00Friday - Saturday, 10.00-22.00 Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
The nearest tube / London underground stations to Tate Modern are: Southwark (Jubilee Line, 600 metres approx.) Mansion House (District and Circle Line, 1,100 metres approx.)
St Pauls (Central Line, 1,100 metres approximate.)
Borough Market This famous London market is very popular with Londoners - you will find some seriously good food here on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Take the chance to taste the free food samples on offer from the farmer/stall-holders.
Borough Market is set beneath the railway viaducts between the river Thames and Borough High Street in South East London. Thursdays: 11am - 5pm
Fridays: 12pm - 6pm
Saturdays: 8am - 5pm The nearest tube / London underground stations: London Bridge or Borough.
Southwark Cathedral Southwark Cathedral is situated on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge.
The Cathedral is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 8.30 am to 6 pm. The Cathedral closes on Christmas Day (25 December) at 1 pm. The visiting times are 10 am to 5 pm. Nearest tube/ London Underground Station: Bridge station: Jubilee and Northern (City Branch) lines
Geffrye Museum Collections comprise furniture, textiles, paintings and objects displayed in a series of period rooms from 1600 to the present day. The Geffrye Museum is located in Shoreditch very close to the City of London Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays 12 - 5pm Closed Mondays (unless Bank ), Good Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day.
The herb garden and period garden rooms are open from 1 April to 31 October during museum hours.
136 Kingsland Road, City of London E2 8EA Travel: Tube: Liverpool Street, then bus 149 or 242 or Old Street (exit 2), then bus 243 or a 15 minute walk
Spitafields Market Opening Times:Open all year round.Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm and Sundays, 9am - 5pm.Monday to Friday, 11am - 11pm and Sundays 9am - 5pm.Monday to Sunday 11am-7pm.
Transport: Liverpool Street Station
Whitechapel Gallery 77-82 Whitechapel High StreetLondon E1 7QX
Nearest tube / London Underground Station: Aldgate East Liverpool St, Tower Gateway DLR
Old Royal Naval College Admission to the Painted Hall & Chapel is free of charge. The grounds are open daily 08.00 - 18.00. The site can be entered from Cutty Sark Gardens, College Approach, Romney Road Gate, Royal Gate and on Park Row.
The Painted Hall and Chapel are open daily 10.00 - 17.00. On Sunday the Chapel is open for public worship at 11.00 and open to visitors from 12.30.
Closed 24 to 26 December.
Greenwich SE10 9LW
Transport: Regular riverboat services are available to Greenwich from Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge, Bankside and Tower Piers. Thames Clippers run an express service.
By Docklands Light Railway - From Bank, Tower Gateway, Stratford, Beckton and Lewisham to Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich (5 minutes walk to the ORNC).
Queen's House The Queen's House is a part of National Maritime Museum. It was designed by Inigo Jones and was built in Paladian style. Romney Road, London SE10 9NF Nearest DLR stationto the Museum is Cutty Sarkfor Maritime Greenwich.
Royal Observatory The Royal Observatory, Greenwich is the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian of the World, making it the official starting point for each new day and year. Blackheath Avenue Greenwich, SE10 8XJ
Nearest DLR station to the Museum is Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich. (approx. 18-20 minutes' walk to the Royal Observatory and Planetarium).
London's top Ten Best Views and Top Free Things to See and Do in London
