Planning a trip to London with teenagers but don't want to spend a fortune? The good news is that there are plenty of brilliant free things to do in London with teens, and some of them are just as impressive as the expensive attractions.
Finding activities that teenagers actually want to do can be tricky, especially when so many London family guides focus on younger children. But London has loads to offer older kids, from immersive digital art and colourful graffiti tunnels to vintage markets, rooftop gardens and incredible skyline views.
And while London certainly isn't the cheapest city to visit, you really don't need to spend hundreds of pounds on attraction tickets to have a great day out.
I've rounded up 12 of the best free things to do in London with teenagers, including some lesser-known places alongside a few famous attractions that are genuinely worth visiting.
Whether you're planning a budget day trip, a weekend in London or just looking for something different to do with your teens, these ideas should help you make the most of the city without spending a fortune.
Just a quick note before we begin. Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products, services and experiences we've used ourselves or genuinely believe will help you plan your trip. Thanks for supporting Build a Break.
From incredible skyline views and immersive digital art to vintage markets and street art, these are 12 brilliant places to explore without paying for attraction tickets. Tap an activity to jump straight to the details.
All 12 attractions offer free entry or free activities, although advance booking may be required. Food, shopping and some special exhibitions cost extra. Always check opening times before visiting.
If your teenagers love technology, music or anything a bit different, Outernet London is definitely worth adding to your itinerary.
Located right beside Tottenham Court Road station, this incredible immersive experience features enormous floor-to-ceiling digital screens that surround visitors with colourful artwork, animations, music and interactive displays.
The exhibitions change regularly, so you might find yourself standing in a digital forest one minute and watching spectacular visual effects the next. It's particularly good for teenagers who enjoy photography and creating videos for social media.
Best of all, the screen experiences are completely free, and there's no need to book tickets.
Cost: Free
Nearest Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Top tip: Check the Outernet website before visiting, as the screen programme and opening times can change, particularly when private events are taking place.
If your teenagers enjoy street art, photography or exploring somewhere a little unusual, Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel is a brilliant free stop in London.
Hidden beneath Waterloo Station, this 300-metre-long tunnel is covered in colourful graffiti, murals and artwork created by street artists. The walls are constantly changing, so there's always something new to discover, and you might even see artists working on their latest designs.
It's a particularly good place for teenagers who enjoy taking photos, and it's just a short walk from the London Eye and South Bank, making it easy to include in a day of sightseeing.
Cost: Free, with no booking required.
Nearest Tube: Waterloo, approximately 5 minutes' walk.
Top tip: The tunnel is open 24 hours, but I'd recommend visiting during the daytime with teenagers. You can find directions on the official Leake Street Arches website.
God's Own Junkyard is one of London's most unusual free attractions and a brilliant place to visit with teenagers who enjoy photography, quirky experiences and discovering somewhere a little different.
Hidden inside a warehouse in Walthamstow, this incredible collection features hundreds of colourful neon signs, vintage advertising displays, fairground lights and props from famous films.
Every corner is packed with glowing artwork, making it feel like you've stepped into another world. There's also an on-site café, The Rolling Scones, if you fancy stopping for a drink or something to eat.
Cost: Free entry.
Nearest Tube: Walthamstow Central.
Top tip: God's Own Junkyard is only open Friday to Sunday. Mobile phone photography is allowed, but DSLR cameras aren't permitted. Check the official website for opening hours and occasional early closures before travelling.
Camden Market is one of the best places in London to explore with teenagers, particularly those who love fashion, music, street food and alternative culture.
The area is packed with vintage clothing shops, independent boutiques, quirky stalls and colourful street art. There's plenty to browse without spending anything, from unusual accessories and handmade jewellery to retro fashion and music memorabilia.
Camden is also famous for its incredible street food, with stalls serving everything from loaded fries and burgers to freshly made doughnuts and international dishes. While the food isn't free, it's a great place to grab an affordable lunch.
Cost: Free to explore. Food and shopping cost extra.
Nearest Tube: Camden Town.
Top tip: Camden gets extremely busy at weekends, so visit earlier in the day if possible. Don't miss Camden Lock and Hawley Wharf, where you'll find even more shops and food stalls.
Brick Lane is one of London's coolest areas to explore with teenagers, especially those interested in vintage fashion, street art and independent shops.
Located in East London, this colourful neighbourhood is famous for its ever-changing murals, quirky boutiques and vintage clothing stores. You'll find everything from retro trainers and second-hand designer pieces to unusual accessories and independent record shops.
The Brick Lane Vintage Market, housed inside the Old Truman Brewery, is particularly popular for browsing retro clothing and accessories. The surrounding streets are also packed with impressive street art, making it a great place to explore and take photos without spending anything.
Cost: Free to explore. Shopping and food cost extra.
Nearest Tube: Aldgate East. Shoreditch High Street Overground is also nearby.
Top tip: Sundays are particularly lively, with additional market stalls and street food, although it can get very busy. Visit during the week for a quieter experience.
Fancy seeing London from 58 floors up without spending a penny? Horizon 22 is London's highest free viewing platform, offering spectacular panoramic views across the capital.
Located inside the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper, the viewing gallery sits 254 metres above London, with enormous floor-to-ceiling windows and 300-degree views of famous landmarks including Tower Bridge, The Shard and St Paul's Cathedral.
It's a brilliant experience for teenagers, particularly those who enjoy photography, and the high-speed lift takes just 41 seconds to reach the top!
Cost: Free, but advance booking is strongly recommended.
Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street, approximately 5 minutes' walk.
Top tip: Free tickets can book up quickly, particularly during school holidays and weekends. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Sky Garden is one of London's most impressive free attractions, combining spectacular skyline views with a beautiful indoor garden high above the city.
Located on the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie building, this unique space is filled with tropical plants, landscaped gardens and enormous glass windows overlooking London. You'll enjoy incredible views of landmarks including Tower Bridge, The Shard and the River Thames.
It's a great place to visit with teenagers, particularly those who enjoy photography, and there's a café and bar if you fancy treating yourselves to something while you're there.
Cost: Free, but advance booking is recommended.
Nearest Tube: Monument, approximately 5 minutes' walk.
Top tip: Free tickets are released regularly and can disappear quickly, especially during school holidays. Try booking a morning slot for a quieter visit.
The Garden at 120 is one of London's hidden gems, offering incredible rooftop views without the queues and advance booking requirements of some of the city's more famous viewing platforms.
Located on the 15th floor of 120 Fenchurch Street, this beautiful open-air garden features colourful plants, seating areas and a long water feature, with 360-degree views across London.
Teenagers will love spotting famous landmarks, including The Gherkin, The Shard and the Walkie Talkie building. It's also a lovely place to take photos or enjoy a break from sightseeing.
Cost: Free, with no booking required.
Nearest Tube: Monument or Tower Hill, approximately 5 minutes' walk.
Top tip: You can bring your own picnic or snacks, making this a great budget-friendly lunch stop. The garden is closed on bank holidays, and opening hours vary throughout the year.
Borough Market is one of London's most famous food markets and a great place to explore with teenagers who love discovering new foods and international flavours.
Located close to London Bridge, this bustling market is packed with colourful stalls selling everything from freshly baked bread and artisan cheeses to chocolates, pastries and street food from around the world.
It's completely free to wander around and soak up the atmosphere, even if you're not planning to buy anything. However, there's plenty to tempt you if you've got a little money set aside for lunch or a sweet treat.
Cost: Free to explore. Food and drinks cost extra.
Nearest Tube: London Bridge, approximately 2 minutes' walk.
Top tip: Borough Market can get extremely busy at lunchtime and weekends. Visit earlier in the day for a more relaxed experience, and combine it with a walk along the South Bank or a visit to Tate Modern.
Greenwich Park is one of the best places in London for incredible skyline views, and it's completely free to visit.
This beautiful Royal Park is home to the famous Royal Observatory, with a hilltop viewpoint overlooking the River Thames, Canary Wharf and the historic buildings of Greenwich. It's a fantastic spot for teenagers who enjoy photography, especially with London's skyscrapers rising behind the Old Royal Naval College.
There's plenty of space to explore, relax or enjoy a picnic, making it an ideal break from London's busy streets. You can also combine your visit with a wander around Greenwich Market and the nearby riverside.
Cost: Free entry to the park. The Royal Observatory's ticketed attractions cost extra.
Nearest DLR: Cutty Sark, approximately 15 minutes' walk to the park entrance.
Top tip: Bring a picnic and head up the hill towards the Royal Observatory for the best views. It's a fairly steep climb, but the scenery at the top is worth it!
Tate Modern is one of London's most famous art galleries, and it's a brilliant free attraction for teenagers who enjoy creativity, photography and unusual experiences.
Housed inside a former power station beside the River Thames, the gallery is filled with modern and contemporary artwork, from colourful paintings and sculptures to thought-provoking installations.
One of the highlights is the enormous Turbine Hall, which regularly hosts large-scale art installations. Even teenagers who aren't particularly interested in traditional art galleries might enjoy exploring the unusual displays and discovering something completely different.
Cost: Free entry to the main collection. Some temporary exhibitions cost extra.
Nearest Tube: Southwark, approximately 10 minutes' walk.
Top tip: Combine your visit with a walk across the Millennium Bridge towards St Paul's Cathedral, or head along the South Bank towards Borough Market.
London's Science Museum is a fantastic free attraction for teenagers, particularly those interested in space, technology, engineering and discovering how things work.
Located in South Kensington, the museum is packed with fascinating exhibits, including real spacecraft, historic aircraft and incredible inventions that have changed the world.
The free Space gallery is a particular highlight, where you can see spacecraft, an astronaut's spacesuit and even a piece of the Moon. Teenagers can also explore the Flight gallery and discover the science behind modern technology.
There's easily enough to keep you entertained for a couple of hours, making it an excellent option for a rainy day in London.
Cost: Free general admission. Some experiences, including Wonderlab, Power Up and the IMAX cinema, cost extra.
Nearest Tube: South Kensington, approximately 5–10 minutes' walk.
Top tip: Book your free admission tickets in advance, especially during school holidays. The Natural History Museum is nearby if you fancy visiting two museums in one day.
London can be expensive, but a little planning can make a huge difference to the cost of your trip.
Save on transport: Children under 11 can travel free on most TfL services when accompanied by a paying adult. For teenagers aged 11–15, ask about the Young Visitor discount, which gives 50% off adult pay-as-you-go fares for up to 14 days on an Oyster card.
Plan activities by area: Try to visit attractions close together rather than travelling backwards and forwards across London. For example, Borough Market, Tate Modern and Leake Street can easily be combined into one day.
Take snacks and drinks: Exploring markets and shopping areas is free, but buying food throughout the day can quickly add up, particularly with teenagers!
Book free tickets in advance: Attractions such as Horizon 22 and Sky Garden can be very popular, especially during school holidays, so secure your free tickets as early as possible.
Looking for more ideas for your next London trip? Take a look at these guides:
10 Unique Afternoon Teas in London for Kids & Teenagers – perfect for birthdays, special occasions or a treat during your trip.
Halloween in London with Kids & Teens – spooky experiences, themed attractions and family-friendly events.
Christmas in London with Kids & Teens – festive activities, Christmas lights and seasonal experiences.
7 Best Spa Days & Pamper Experiences for Teenagers in London – Looking for a special treat? Discover teenage-friendly spa days, luxury pamper treatments, floating saunas and hot tub experiences in London.
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