Free things to do in London for students on a budget

Discover the best free things to do in London for students, from museums and parks to libraries, running clubs and clothes swaps.

London is an incredibly diverse and bustling city; there is always something going on. From shopping to trying new food spots and making the most of London’s nightlife, there is something for everyone. Unfortunately, a student budget and London prices are not exactly a match made in heaven. The good news is, there are plenty of great free ways to enjoy what London has to offer. Here's my guide as a SOAS student living and studying in the city.

Free museums, cultural centres and galleries

London boasts over 200 museums - many of which are free! Perfect for an introspective solo date or an outing with friends, browsing inspiring artworks is a great way to enjoy culture without breaking the bank. I recently went to the free ‘Hyakkō’ exhibition at Japan House featuring pottery from over 100 artists. Followed by a wander around the art galleries and shops scattered around Kensington, it made a great day out.

Here's your guide to exploring art and culture in the city for free:

• The British Museum               
• The National Gallery
• Natural History Museum
• SOAS Gallery
• Japan House
• The Japan Centre
• The October Gallery
• Tate Modern
• Victoria & Albert Museum
• Tate Britain
• National Maritime Museum (Greenwich)

Best parks and gardens

Just a 20-minute walk from SOAS, you can take a study break by going for a stroll in Regent’s Park. If you’re feeling energetic, you can wander up Primrose Hill and admire the views. I love going there at the end of a study session or around lunch time to reset my concentration and get some fresh air.

Beyond Regent’s, there are many other parks to enjoy nature away from the hustle and bustle of the city:

• St James’s Park
• Richmond Park
• Greenwich Park
• Battersea Park
• Clapham Common
• Hyde Park
• Kensington Gardens
• Green Park
• Hampstead Heath

Running clubs

If you love being active and meeting new people, running clubs can be a great way to make new friends and discover new parts of London. Run clubs are rumoured to be emerging as the new dating apps, perhaps explaining their booming popularity.

I have recently been to a couple of ‘Runners’ High’ run club events. It was really easy to meet new people at this women-only running club, as many people came alone. It did not have a competitive vibe at all, with slow pace groups and a ‘run/walk’ group. For girls looking to make friends in London outside of university, I couldn’t recommend this more!

• SOAS Running Society
• Midnight runners: runs interspersed with workouts, playing loud music
• Parkrun: weekly 5 kms that are held in most parks
• Pure Sport
• Runners’ High: has women-only events
• London social runners

Libraries for studying

Fancy switching up your study spot? In an under-20-minute walk from SOAS, you can find yourself at The British Library. If you sign up for a free library card, you can access their beautiful, silent reading rooms. 

Even closer to SOAS, you can head to Senate House and study with friends from other universities who can’t access the SOAS Library. I love going to the Senate House study area by the café to get some work done with my UCL friends. A little further afield, there is also Battersea Library, Barbican Library, Marylebone Library and Victoria Library, amongst others.

Clothes swaps instead of shopping

If you want to refresh your style without the fear of overspending, there are clothes swap shops and events around London. Exchange a piece of clothing at an event or for tokens to spend in the store. Friendly to your wallet and the environment, it’s a win-win. UCL run regular clothes swaps, and some thrift shops will accept exchanges. Look out for events on Eventbrite for up-to-date information.

Header image: Adam Bignell via Unsplash.