Frommers.com Community
No city in the world offers as many free museums and places to visit than London. Most major museums are open every day so there's no excuse not to admire a Renoir or delve into ancient history while you wander around London.
Photo Caption: Outside the British Museum in London, England
In terms of activities and attractions, Hyde Park is the clear leader. Picnic on the grassy lawns, stroll among the flower gardens, walk by the lake, spend the afternoon at one of the cafés, or join one of the free ranger-guided walks during the summer.
Photo Caption: Boating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park in London, England
The Buckingham Palace event has more pomp and circumstance than any other royal ceremony on earth, but the two daily changes at Horse Guards, the headquarters of the Queen's Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, is both more accessible and more fun.
When: 11am and 4pm Mondays to Saturdays; 10am and 4pm Sundays
Photo Caption: The Horse Guards at Buckingham Palace in London, England
The competition is fierce with the two Tates and newcomers like the Saatchi in town, but for sheer something-for-nothing value, the National Gallery still leads the way with its combination of art masterpieces, freebie talks, tours, and concerts.
Photo Caption: The National Gallery in London, England
The stats alone leave the competition in the dust: the British Museum has a collection of more than 7 million artifacts drawn from every major civilization in history. Admire the Rosetta Stone, stop by the domed Reading Room, and save time for the free talks and tours.
Photo Caption: The Egyptian section at the British Museum in London, England
Many museums now host after-hours events, lectures, and parties with bars. Perhaps the most evocative late opening is served up by Sir John Soane's Museum. Here, on the first Tuesday of each month, you can tour the great collector's hoard of art and antiquities by candlelight. Numbers are limited so arrive early.
Photo Caption: Sir John Soane's Museum in London, England
If you like your museums all-singing and all-dancing with lots of buttons to press, levers to pull, and computer puzzles to solve, then the Science Museum is the place for you. The Launchpad Gallery alone has more than 50 hands-on experiments.
Photo Caption: A night of free adults-only entertainment at the Science Museum in London, England
Photo Caption: Outside the British Museum in London, England
Photo Caption: Boating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park in London, England
When: 11am and 4pm Mondays to Saturdays; 10am and 4pm Sundays
Photo Caption: The Horse Guards at Buckingham Palace in London, England
Photo Caption: The National Gallery in London, England
Photo Caption: The Egyptian section at the British Museum in London, England
Photo Caption: Sir John Soane's Museum in London, England
Photo Caption: A night of free adults-only entertainment at the Science Museum in London, England