Free Activities in Central London
Live, laugh and love in Central London without breaking the bank. We have scoured the Earth (internet) for some of the best and cheapest activities to keep you entertained during your free time, and give you that much needed break from studying while absorbing as much of the Capital as possible.
Laugh for a little
You can quickly find yourself paying through the nose to see a comedian at a large arena, but taking the time to venture to lesser known venues for either free admission or a fraction of the cost can often result in an equally enjoyable night and hearty laughs all round. Although some may say free entry, do be wary that they may expect a small donation at the end of the evening.
Angel Comedy
One of London’s most popular free comedy clubs, Angel Comedy is run seven nights a week at The Camden Head and usually features comedians on the open-mic circuit as well as seasoned professionals, including Eddie Izzard and Russell Howard who have dropped by to try out new material.
The Foundry Tickler Free Comedy Night
Always completely free, The Foundry has fantastic line-ups every Monday from TV names to open-mic circuit regulars.
The Comedy Grotto
Once a month, usually the last Tuesday, the Comedy Grotto puts together a side-splitting line-up to raise money for charity. However, if your budget is a little tight and you can’t afford to make a donation, nobody will look upon you with scorn.
Free music haunts in London
Forking out for gigs can quickly become obscene and unsustainable, so finding hidden gems offering free gigs around Central London is a must for die-hard music fans. If jazz and blues float your boat, Ain’t Nothin But Blue Bar in Soho has a great vibe, an exceptional line-up and if you pick your night right, it can all be for free. From Monday to Thursday and Sunday nights admission is free, and if you can muster up the strength to be an early bird, it’s free entry on Fridays and Saturdays before 8:30pm.
Stay in Soho for funk and Motown at Barrio Central, or head south of the river to Deptford; where you’ll find Buskers’ Night, an evening of aspiring singer-songwriters and musicians at the Bird’s Nest pub.
Art and History
London is packed to the rafters with hundreds of years worth of art, culture and history – millennia in the case of The Natural History Museum. You could easily spend each weekend making your way around the various galleries, museums and spectacular works of architecture throughout the Capital. For now, we have selected just a few of our must-see free sights to give you a taste of what Central London has to offer.
Royal Festival Hall
Located on the South Bank, the Royal Festival Hall was originally built for the 1951 Festival of Britain but has since become a home for major concerts, while the ground floor frequently hosts free concerts, exhibitions and workshops. Up on the fifth floor you’ll find a balcony area with striking views of the River Thames.
Somerset House
The impressive Georgian building and courtyard are enough of an enticement to Somerset House, add to this the basement gallery, balcony views, summer fountains and winter ice rink, and this is one free London attraction that you don’t want to miss out on.
A Student’s Guide to London
There is so much to do in London that even after whittling it down to the free activities, there is still far too much to list all at once. However, we at The Student Housing Company hope that our brief guide has enlightened you a little as to what to do and where to do it when you first arrive in the Capital.
Whichever of our London locations you are moving in to, whether it’s Depot Point, Magenta House or The Costume Store, all of our residences are in prime locations for transport links – wherever you need to get to throughout the city – so you should never be stuck for something to do on a rainy afternoon. If you would like to find out more about living in The Student Housing Company accommodation in London, please feel free to talk to us at any time or even organise a visit.