Days out can be expensive! There’s so much to do in South London that doesn’t cost a penny, whether it’s snapping a picture of an iconic landmark or feeling inspiring at a local museum. In this list, we’ve handpicked some of our favourite free things to do in South London that we think locals will love!
Go To Museum
Visiting your local museum can be a fantastic family day out, with fascinating information for the adults and fun models to explore for the kids! They can immerse you in the history of South London and give you a day full of rich culture for often no admission fee. Some of our favourite museums are the Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill for a well rounded museum experience; or perhaps try some unique museums like The Cinema Museum in Kennington or The Fan Museum in Greenwich. Check out our full list of the best museums in South London here!
The Fan Museum
Go For a Run
With the tube system being so convenient, it can be easy to forget how pleasant it is to go out for a run in and around South London. With the weather hopefully on the mend in the coming months, it’s the perfect time to get some comfortable shoes on and enjoy the breathtaking views South London has to offer. In our list of our favourite running routes, we’ve included running along the Thames, as well as running around some of the local parks. And of course, going for a run doesn’t cost a thing!
Alberto Pascual
Pop Brixton
49 Brixton Station Rd, Brixton, London SW9 8PQ
Pop Brixton is a hip celebration of independent businesses in South London that we think is well worth the visit - even if you don’t want to splash the cash - it’s a great opportunity to meet the small businesses that reside in Brixton and hear their inspiring stories. There are also plenty of events taking place at Pop Brixton that are free to attend, including the Brixton Vintage Kilo Sale, a Youth Market and lots of themed music nights. Check out our list of some of our favourite street food spots here if you fancy treating yourself!
Pop Brixton
Battersea Power Station SW8 - Giclée Art Print
Peckham 90s Style Unisex T-Shirt
Visit a food market
We also recommend you take a trip to any of the local food markets in South London. These are small business hotspots, where food vendors and pop-up greengrocers will display their proudest creations. This can be a fantastic opportunity to get some free inspiration and advice from local people who love food and know how to make it right. If you want a more detailed look, here’s some of our favourite food markets in South London we can’t get enough of.
Surrey Street Sundays
Peckham Levels
F1-F6 Peckham Town Centre Carpark, 95A Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST
Similar to Pop Brixton, Peckham Levels is the home to nearly 100 independent businesses for you to explore. Peckham Levels is also host to dozens of free events each month that are a perfect way to get involved with the local community and spend an evening out. Some of our favourites coming up include their weekly film screenings, a live music event to celebrate International Women’s Day, the Made in Peckham Youth Market and much more!
Peckham Levels
David Bowie Mural in Brixton
On the 10th January 2016, the world lost singer and icon David Bowie. Love him as much as we do? Then you can head down to Brixton and visit his stunning and inspiring mural for free. Loyal fans often leave flowers and other memorials in honour of this inspiring individual that touched the hearts of so many South Londoners. The mural itself features artwork from Bowie’s 1973 album ‘Aladdin Sane’.
Ungry Young Man
Visit a park
There are dozens of parks in South London that make us proud to call this side of the river home. From big sites like Crystal Palace Park or Greenwich Park, to quainter spots like Wandle Park in Croydon, visiting your local park is a completely free way to relax and switch off, whether it’s for the whole day or during a lunch break. Many parks also have free events and clubs you can attend to get involved, including community garden clubs to try out growing your own fruit and veg! Check out some of our favourite parks in Croydon borough here.
Images George Rex
Visit a landmark
We are big advocates of exploring some of the local gems in South London that have the most incredible and unique history. There are so many landmarks to explore South of the river for completely free, whether it’s to gawk at the grand Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, feel at peace when visiting The Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park or feel empowered at The Bronze Woman Statue in Stockwell. Each landmark has its own story and can be a valuable reminder of what wonders there are in South London.
(subherwal)
Andrew Bowden
Deptford Market Yard
SE8 4BX
Deptford Market Yard is an exciting marketplace where most independent businesses in Deptford reside. You can browse along the railway arches and meet the passionate people that have set up their small businesses there. Even just being in Deptford Market Yard, you can feel the buzzing atmosphere and get excited for all the food and activities you can be planning. But, remember not to feel pressured to spend money, the rustic railway arches can make a great free photo spot too! Check out our in depth tour of Deptford Market Yard here!
Crystal Palace 90s Style Unisex T-Shirt
Deptford Anchor SE8 - Giclée Art Print
Croydon Disc Golf Club
Lloyd Park, Coombe Road, Croydon CR05RD
Love disc golf or want to give it a try? If you bring along your own disc, you can actually play a game for free with a bunch of friends at Croydon Disc Golf Club! It is set in the grounds of Lloyd Park and if you want some help getting started, they offer free beginners sessions on Sundays upon request. Across the grounds there are 18 permanent baskets, with a short 9-hole beginner course to get you started. Get involved in a unique sport this 2020 for free and check out disc golf!
Croydon Disc Golf Club
Visit a castle
There are some truly breathtaking castles and palaces in South London, made for amazing pictures to fill your Instagram feed! Some of our favourite castles include Severndroog Castle in Greenwich for an intense Gothic feel and Eltham Palace, a site full of decades worth of history. Visiting these castles can be a great excuse to get outside for when the sun comes out and wow the kids!
stu smith
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road London, SE1
The Southbank Centre is well known in the South London entertainment scene and it’s easy to see why! There’s so many free events that are hosted by the centre that locals flock to, from unique art exhibitions, local music festivals, orchestra performances, live broadcastings of special interviews and many more. It is a hub of entertainment and excitement, with so much to do, even if you just fancy a wonder down the southbank on a sunny afternoon. Check out their website for their full list of free events you can attend!
Southbank Centre
Visit and Join your local library
Despite being around for centuries, many people often forget the wonder of libraries. With thousands of books at your disposal completely free of charge, they are literary paradises that we think locals should take more advantage of. Lots of libraries in South London, including West Greenwich Library pictured below, have stunning decor both inside and out, so whether you’re looking for your next exciting read or simply want to find a quiet, warm space to sit, we eagerly recommend checking out your local library!
West Greenwich Library
Find all the blue plaques in your borough
There are hundreds of blue plaques scattered across South London, and all of them are completely free to see! An activity we really enjoy is exploring the different blue plaques in our South London boroughs, learning about the extraordinary people that lived there and how South London has become part of their history. Check out our feature on what blue plaques you can find in Croydon borough to start off your exploration!
Spudgun67
Look out for South London Film Locations
Love movies as much as we do? One of the fantastic - and free - things we think you should do is take a tour of all the filming locations that can be spotted in South London. In our list on South London Films, we had an in depth look at some films that were actually shot in South London, from Croydon to Wimbledon. If you take a trip down to Crystal Palace Park, you may not have known before that you were on the film set of The Italian Job!
Karen
Visit a Petting Zoo
Many of the petting zoos and farms in South London are actually completely free to visit and enjoy! They can be a great way to escape city life and interact with some furry friends; not to mention they’re a perfect solution to entertaining the kids during a weekend or school holiday. In farms like Vauxhall City Farm and Crystal Palace Park Farm, you can interact and pet an array of different farm animals, as well as attend some exciting events!
Capel Manor College
Backstage High Level Walkway @ National Theatre
Upper Ground, Bishop's, London SE1 9PX
We know the National Theatre along the Southbank is a popular spot to see inspiring and exciting live performances, but did you know that you can do something even more exclusive there for free? Walk in anytime when the theatre is open and try their Backstage High Level Walkway! Visitors that walk through here will get a free glimpse into the behind the scenes of a production, from painting to prop making. It’s a great opportunity to peek into the production workshops and get an inside look as to how these incredible productions make it to the stage.
Tony Hisgett
What Is The South London Club?
The South London Club is a local discount card to help support small independent businesses across South London whilst saving all who live, work & play in South London money! With over 850+ local discounts to choose from, you will discover & explore all the best hidden gems in South London. Join over 7,000 of us & celebrate all that's independent & South London!