Budget
Cheap things to do in London
London has a reputation for being expensive, but some of its best plans cost about the same as a round of drinks. Board game cafés, river boats, cable cars, pub quizzes and dance socials are all cheap.
Everything here costs little or nothing beyond the odd drink. For plans that cost nothing at all, see our free things to do in London.
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Uber Boat by Thames ClippersCommuter boat as cheap sightseeing
Emirates cable car (IFS Cloud)Cross the Thames by cable car
Take on the Monday pub quiz at a riverside pub in LimehouseA long-running Monday-night quiz at The Grapes, an old pub on the Thames in Limehouse; turn up early because tables for the quiz can't be booked.
Angel Comedy (free)Free nightly stand-up at The Bill Murray. Home venue The Bill Murray N1; also programmes The Camden Head N1.
Swing / Lindy Hop classSwing Patrol & SwingdanceUK teach Lindy Hop from scratch across London; drop-in beginner class then a social. ~£8-12 class+dance. No partner needed. See Swing Out London for all listings.
Borough Market grazing wanderFree to wander London's most famous food market (Mon-Sat; full market Wed-Sat, fewer traders early week). Go early to beat crowds. London Bridge tube.
Greenwich foot tunnel + ObservatoryWalk under the Thames; stand on the Meridian
Pick from 500 board games and play the night away with friends under Brixton stationBook a table at a board-game café in a railway arch and work through a library of party and strategy games, with sourdough pizza and drinks brought to the table. A small hourly table fee goes towards the games library.
Bowl, then grab a private karaoke booth with friends on Brick LaneSix retro bowling lanes plus private karaoke booths, arcade games, two cocktail bars and an American-style restaurant in one East London venue. Book a lane for the group, then add a karaoke hour.
Hampstead Heath bathing pondsMen's/Ladies'/Mixed; year-round cold swim
Indoor mini-golf marathonPerfect wet-weather group planFrisbee golf + picnic comboCheap relaxed date; bring food
Accessible cycling (Wheels for Wellbeing)Adapted bikes & inclusive cycling sessions
Improv – Hoopla drop-in jamTurn-up improv jam; no experience needed
Join a Deaf social clubRemark!'s Remarkable Club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2pm–5pm, at the Remark! Lounge, 18 Leather Lane EC1N 7SU. Suggested donation £2.Local running club (England Athletics)Find a club; structured training + races
Swim laps in a Victorian reservoirSupervised open-water swimming in a former Victorian reservoir in Stoke Newington, with marked 100–300m courses.
Join a Deaf parents and children's groupMonthly meet-ups for Deaf parents, hearing parents of Deaf children and CODA families, with weekly advocacy support on Tuesdays 9am–5pm.
Capel Manor GardensLondon's only specialist horticultural college gardens
Try archery without relying on sightVisually impaired archery uses a tactile sight — a stand you touch to line up the same shot each time. Metro Blind Sport can connect you with clubs running it.Croquet clubSurprisingly tactical; clubs welcome beginners
Cycling club (road / social)Find a club; chaingangs to social spins
Tai chi / qigong in the parkFree/low-cost morning classes in parks citywide; turn up. Gentle, all ages.
Punting / pedaloCheap, classic summer date
Community orchestra / band (beginners)Dig out that school instrument; play together
Sit in a hide and learn to tell birds apartA 100-acre wetland reserve inside Zone 3 with hides, walkways and a bird-of-the-day board.Stand-up comedy of sport: kabaddi / sepak takraw clubsDiaspora sports clubs welcome curious beginners
Sign up on the night to read five minutes of poetry at a monthly open mic off the StrandVeteran poet Mr Gee hosts a monthly spoken-word open mic at RSA House: arrive at 6.30pm, put your name down in person, and read for about five minutes.
Croydon Airport visitor centreWorld's first international airport; open select days
London Fields LidoHeated 50m outdoor pool, year-round
Conway Hall / IQ2 talksPublic lectures & debates; humanist home
Loading Bar (gaming cafe)Retro video + board games + drinks. Dalston site on Kingsland Road E8; second venue in Stratford E20.
Black women's networking / socialNetworking, brunches & business events for Black women; search current organisers on Eventbrite.Skateboarding lessons / SouthbankAdult beginner lessons exist; or watch at Southbank. The Undercroft skate space is at the Southbank Centre SE1; lessons also run in parks citywide.
Throw social darts with your crew in a Victorian-fairground bar in VictoriaBook a semi-private oche for seven auto-scored multiplayer darts games, with cocktails, pizzas and sharing plates brought to you. There is also a large garden bar.
Hire a karaoke booth between games at a 24-lane Finsbury Park bowlRowans is an old-school two-floor bowling alley with 24 lanes, 13 pool tables, arcades and six private karaoke booths that each take 12-15 people. Book a booth by the hour, then bowl.
Black-owned wellness / yoga sessionYoga, sound baths & wellness run by/for the Black community; search current sessions.
Folk / shanty night – Cecil Sharp HouseHome of English folk; clubs, sessions & shanties
Book a Deaf children's holiday playschemeSchool-holiday activities built around Deaf children's communication and access needs, 10am–4pm, for ages 6–16. North and south London sites. Suggested donation £2.Questions people ask
- What are cheap things to do in London?
- Board game cafés, pub quizzes, the Uber Boat along the Thames, the cable car at Greenwich, swing dance socials, market grazing and free comedy nights are all cheap.
- What's the cheapest way to see London from the river?
- Ride the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, the commuter boat, which costs far less than a sightseeing cruise. Sit outside for the views.
- What can you do in London on a budget with friends?
- Book a table at a board game café, take on a pub quiz, bowl a few frames at a retro alley or go to a free comedy night. All are cheap and work for groups.
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