English pleasures that money can't buy

Everything is more expensive in London. Yeah, unluckily, the English capital city is one most expensive cities in the world. So, how is it that more than 25 million tourists can afford visiting this city per year? If you want to be one of those, read this list:



Changing of the guard-Buckingam Palace

TOP FREE THINGS TO DO IN LONDON:

Changing of the guard

Inside the gates of the Buckingham Palace, every day at 11.30 a.m. during the summer (check for winter hours), the guards swap places. If you arrive early and get a good position you will be able to see how these English icons perform this military ceremony.

Trafalgar Square

Although London is full of different squares, this is, undoubtedly, THE square. It is full of historical monuments, statues and buildings. It is named after
the Battle of Trafalgar, remembered also by the Nelson's column where everybody poses a photo sitting on the lions that surround it. Other main attraction is the National Gallery. The square is not just a touristic attraction but also a cultural, educational, artistic and sporting spot. Several ceremonies and festivals are held here.

Markets

Who didn't wish to walk, as Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant did, through Portobello Market in Notting Hill? This is just one among the bunch the city offers, others are: Camden Market, Borough Market, and Brick Lane Market. Almost everything is to be found: new and used clothing, antiques, jewelry and accessories, food.  It's up to you to buy or not, but for sure you have to spend some hours at least walking around. Neither rain nor thunder cancel them.

Houses of Parliament

Set in the Palace of Westminster, are open to the public without booking required. It's possible to visit the galleries or even attend a debate or a judicial hearing. If you are willing for even more, get there any Wednesday and hear the Prime Minister's questions. Otherwise, if you aren't really into politics, the Palace is a great example of gothic revival architecture.



House of Commons-Palace of Westminster

Museums

Art is mostly free in London, must-sees museums cost nothing and there is a bunch of them. The British Museum, the National Gallery, The Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the Victoria & Albert design museum, the British Library and the Museum of London are waiting for you!

Parks

Thanks to London's rain, lots of huge beautiful green parks are all around the city. Although the Queen Mary's Rose Gardens in Regent's Park is the favorite spot in London of lots of people, St James, Royal and Hyde Park are very recommendable too. They are a scape from the metropolis, where people rest, exercise, make a picnic or just sit down and watch the squirrels around.



What else can you enjoy for free? Street performers every afternoon at Covent Garden; walks along the South Bank along the Thames or cross the Millennium Bridge while you admire landmarks such as London Eye and Tate Modern (download free walking tours here); a visit to St Paul's Cathedral ground floor; free music at the Royal Opera House or at St. Martin-in-the-Fields (check schedules).

Street performers in Covent Garden

So..what are you waiting for? Definitely, money can't be a reason.