A London budget top ten walking tour is the best way to experience the iconic and historic highlights. One of the best things about London is it offers over 100 museums and galleries for no admissions charge. Yes, you read this correctly. Anyone in London can visit the best museums in the world for free! Plus, if you are on a budget, you can observe from outside for free iconic sites, such as, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.
During Christmas season, a friend and I had 3 full days in London, plus a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath. We walked nonstop taking in the famous sites in iconic districts, such as, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Soho and Bloomsbury. Another budget tip, I suggest purchasing an Oyster Card for efficient Underground/Overground trains. Also, bring good walking shoes and a raincoat. Now, let’s go…
London is especially festive in the Christmas season with lights and decorations everywhere.
London Top Ten Budget Attractions
Walking Tour
Day 1
1. Tower of London and Tower Bridge
We began our walking tour at the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. The historic Tower of London on the north bank is about 1,000 years old. This castle was the royal residence and even a prison at one time, and currently the home of the Crown Jewels of England. We didn’t take the inside tour guided by Beefeaters.
However, I was 1 of the 40,000 people that crossed the bridge each day. We walked along both sides of the suspension bridge, with its 2 towers across the Thames River in the late afternoon. This is a nice vantage point from which to take in London’s essence on its lifeline, the Thames River.
2. Tate Museum of Modern Art – Free Entry
Then, after the Tower Bridge we strolled along the Thames toward Westminster in the early evening. We stopped at the Tate Museum of Modern Art, with free admission. You can expect to see modern art from iconic masters, such as, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Afterwards, we walked by Shakespeare’s Globe nearby. Then, we strolled by the iconic London Eye, the large Ferris Wheel lit up in neon Christmas colors.
3. Piccadilly Circus and Soho
Next, we made our way to the bustling Piccadilly Circus, with its colorful neon signs and video displays, feeling a bit like Manhattan’s Times Square. The Christmas lights created an even more festive spirit! We then walked in vibrant Soho along Carnaby, Oxford & Regent Streets, with endless shops and restaurants, and also many theatres on Shaftesbury Avenue. Our evening ended at a Chinese Restaurant in the adjacent Chinatown.
Day 2
4. Buckingham Palace
On day 2 we started at Buckingham Palace and observed the Changing of the Guard, along with a massive crowd. Its Neoclassical architectural style blends Baroque elements. This is the official residence for the monarch of United Kingdom, King Charles lll and his wife. The palace is an iconic venue for important national events, including times of celebration and mourning.
5. Westminster Abbey
Next, we headed for Westminster Abbey, the royal church. Unfortunately, it was closed to the public on Sundays. I was disappointed to miss out on the Poet’s Corner, commemorating the British Poet legends. However, this historical Gothic landmark is gorgeous to wander by with a beautiful setting for the British Royal Weddings for more than 1000 years.
6. Big Ben
Nearby, we walked by one of London’s most famous symbols, Big Ben. This is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at Palace of Westminster. Completed in 1859, it has a Gothic style. This clock tower features decorations related to the 4 UK countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was wonderful to see, however, the tower scaffolding covered much of it for reconstruction.
7. National Gallery Museum – Free Entry
Then, we walked about a mile to the National Gallery, with 2,300 paintings from mid 13th century to 1900. This museum is unbelievably free and gloriously surprised me with the massive collection from so many masters. It’s easy to navigate as many of the paintings are masterpieces and in close proximity. I blissfully observed Van Gogh, Picasso, Monet, Degas, Gaugin, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Rubens, Da Vinci, Turner and Vermeer all within 3 hours.
Overall, it felt like being downloaded with centuries of creative genius, all within an implosive afternoon. I left feeling so grateful to have not missed this spectacular showcase of art history.
8. National Portrait Museum – Free Entry
The National Portrait Museum is nearby the National Gallery. We stopped in for just an hour. Overall, this museum showcases more than 11,000 portraits. They include paintings and photographs. This is a unique opportunity to learn more about the iconic people that shaped British history and culture. Exhausted, afterwards we wandered over to Soho for some delicious Italian food to end this awesome day.
Day 3 in Bloomsbury
9. British Museum – Free Entry
London Top Ten Attractions
Lastly, we spent our day at the British Museum in Bloomsbury, about a mile from The National Gallery. One can easily spend a whole day here! The colossal British Museum is home to more than 8 million artifacts and is considered one of the greatest museums of the world. However, it is not without controversy, as many of the artifacts were collected from around the world during England’s colonization years.
Many countries want their art back, for example Egypt and Greece. Most likely because of these circumstances, this spectacular worldly showcase is free admission. The highlights for me to see were the famous Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles from Greece’s Parthenon, Cleopatra’s mummy and coffin and the Enlightenment Gallery in King George III’s library.
Originally, the massive collections in the Enlightenment Gallery are largely the foundation from which this museum evolved. The Enlightenment Period from 1680-1820 was a time of reason and learning. By observing the natural and manmade world, mysteries were unlocked. Therefore, the trend was collecting objects, like fossils, flints, ancient scripts, & Greek vases to classify them for understanding.
The renowned Irish Physician, Sir Hans Sloane collected more than items on medicine and botany. I astonishingly observed part of the 256 volumes from his Herbarium.
Day 4
10. Stonehenge and Bath Day Trip from London
Lastly, we took a splendid day trip from London to both Bath and Stonehenge with Premium Tours Company. Another budget-friendly option, this day tour include transportation and entry fees to both sites for $72 Euros. It was a fantastic day!
Related: Stonehenge and Bath Tours – A Perfect Day Trip from London
Enjoy London!
Overall, London is such a treasure trove of history and culture. And it’s easy to navigate with its awesome public transit and intimate neighborhoods from which to experience all of its sights. However, the concrete can catch up to you, as my feet were sore, making me ready for a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath.
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