No visit to London could be complete without a dip in its thriving cultural scene. Sure, the star-studded plays sell out months in advance, but you don’t necessarily have to shell out to get your culture fix here. From free stand-up comedy to tours of ancient Egyptian art, the city’s distinctive blend of high-brow and low-brow is accessible to everyone.
See the Bard’s plays as they were intended, or catch a glimpse of the next big thing in one of London’s plucky under-the radar-galleries. Here’s our guide for culture vultures on a budget.
This neon wonderland is open to the public – and free to visit – Friday to Sunday. Prepare to be dazzled.
Tick off Cézanne’s Bathers, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and more – it’s free to visit the permanent collections.
For the most authentic (and cheapest) way to see a play here, stand in the yard as a ‘groundling’ (£5).
Art without the entry charge: see the latest Turbine Hall installation, then climb the newer Blavatnik Building for extraordinary views.
This scruffy, underground Covent Garden club is famed for its free comedy nights, which star the odd big name.
Free to visit, the art and design collections are endlessly fascinating, running from delicate Qing dynasty teapots to edgy McQueen frocks.
See world class exhibitions without paying a penny – if you visit before noon.
Cinema tickets at the ’Plex are a mere £4.99 – almost unheard of in pricey London.
This iconic museum is crammed with treasures, from the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon marbles to its mummified cats.
This bijou gallery in Greenwich always scores the coolest art and design talents. Previous free shows have included a live flower installation by Rebecca Louise Law.
Image credits: © Trustees of the British Museum; © Trustees of the British Museum; © God’s Own Junkyard; © The National Gallery; © Getty; © Tate Modern; © Top Secret Comedy Club; © V&A; © The Photographers' Gallery; © Peckhamplex; © Trustees of the British Museum; © NOW Gallery