A whole London evening for nothing

It is entirely possible to spend an evening out in London and pay for nothing but the fare, and it does not have to feel like an economy. Here is one that works.

Start with the view

Three viewpoints in this city are free and two of them are higher than most of the paid ones. Horizon 22 and the Sky Garden both cost nothing and both need a free ticket booked ahead. If you have not booked, the hills do the same job: Parliament Hill has a legally protected view across the whole city and never closes.

Then something to look at

Several museums stay open into the evening, and the monthly lates are the best of them: the same building with the lights down, a bar in it, and a crowd that is not a school party.

Then a walk that is worth taking on purpose

The South Bank between Westminster and Tower Bridge is the obvious one and deserves to be. For something quieter, Greenwich after the day trippers have gone is a different place, and the Royal Observatory hill gives you the best view back over the river in London.

The whole of the free list is here and it is longer than people expect. If you have children with you, there is a separate answer for that.