Even though London has acquired a reputation as one of the most expensive cities in the world – a reputation, by the way, that many think is well deserved, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t do anything in the city that is affordable or even free. But the truth is, you can do so many things in London and many of these activities can be done without paying a single pound.
Sundays are usually the day when families go out and have fun. It’s also the one day in the week when businessmen who are in London on business can have an actual day off and do some recreational activities.
Take a break! Free things to do in London for Business Travellers
Why not try some of these activities and have fun around London without denting your budget?
Mudlarking
One of the coolest activities you can do in London, especially if you’re staying near the River Thames is mudlarking. This activity is basically the same as beachcombing, but instead of doing it on the seashore you do it on the banks of the River Thames.
The River Thames is a huge archaeological treasure trove of items of various levels of historical value. And since it is a tidal river, a new layer of the shore is exposed every time the tides ebb. You’ll likely find a lot of interesting trinkets and small items when in the river like buttons, small toys, etc. Don’t be surprised if you find something that is centuries old. The mud of the Thames does not have oxygen so it will preserve anything that it covers. The thought of finding something that is many years old (even hundreds of years old!) is a very intriguing proposition.
There are some things you should remember if you want to go mudlarking. Check the tidal tables so you’ll know when the tide will ebb and flow. This is very important because the tide can enter swiftly and water levels can rise by up to 7 meters. You should also remember that you can only look at the surface and pick up anything that’s on the surface. If you dig anything, even turn over a piece of rock, you’ll need to file a mudlarking license. You also need to declare anything that has a potential to be of archaeological significance to the Museum of London.
Speaking of the River Thames, many of Clarendon’s extended stay apartments are located near the River Thames. Mudlarking is surely a free activity you’ll want to try since you’re already so near the river.
Go to The Speaker’s Corner
There is an area within Hyde Park where people can stand up and make speeches. They can talk about any topic they want and oftentimes they will engage in debates with other people. The Speaker’s Corner is one of those attractions that scream “London” – you should never leave the city without experiencing this.
Walking Tours Conducted by Yourself
Walking the streets of any city is truly the best way to experience it. While there are a lot of walking tours all over London all of them are paid tours. But if you think about it, you can actually go on a walking tour without having to pay anything.
There are a couple of ways you can do this.
You can go high-tech and download audio walking tours to your mobile device. Using GPS, the app will serve as your virtual tour guide explaining the history and background of places of interest as you approach it.
You can also eschew technology and just print out walking tour guides from the internet.
Visit Museums
We’ve mentioned this quite a few times but almost all of the museums in London can be visited without having to pay an entrance fee. This activity alone can occupy your whole Sunday and any succeeding Sundays because the city is home to a large number of museums. In fact, London has one of the most concentrated number of museums in a city in the world.
Enjoy London’s scenery
Another wonderful and free activity you can do in London during Sundays is to go one of London’s many parks and just relax. Enjoy life passing by, read a book and eat a snack. This is a popular pastime among Londoners and one that you’ll definitely love too once you experience it.