It’s easy to lose control of the purse strings during silly season, AKA summer. Long, sunlit days mean one more drink in the pub happens without thinking, there’s live music to enjoy, and what feels like festivals every weekend stealing money from your Monzo, and of course, summer isn’t complete without a weekend getaway or maybe a week in the sun.

The cost of all these activities adds up. You wonder if you’ve been a victim of fraud before realising every transaction was you. But it’s possible to make up some mileage, so don’t worry too much. Simply seek out some free things to do.

And London during the summer has a variety of things that cost zero British pounds for you to get involved with. Whether it’s art exhibitions, markets, or a humble house party, these are the best, free things to do in London this summer.

Museums, galleries, and even a free exhibition or two

A free exhibition hates to see me coming. Many of London’s museums have areas of art or full exhibitions that are free to wander around, including:

Autograph

‘A Thousand Small Stories’ by Eileen Perrier is the first retrospective of the artist's work, which often examines how identity can be shaped by both geographical and cultural contexts. Autograph gallery brings together three decades of photographs in one exhibition, showing until 13 September.

Shoreditch, EC2A | autograph.org.uk

Wellcome Collection

'1880 THAT' is a new exhibition at Wellcome Collection, which explores sign language and the right to communicate. It brings together new and recent work by the artists Christine Sun Kim and Thomas Mader and explores the idea of language as a home and what it means to live with the threat of losing one's language. It’s exhibiting until 16 November.

Euston, NW1 | wellcomecollection.org

Free cinema

Everyman on the Canal

Head to Regent's Canal in King's Cross for the free pop-up cinema brought to you by Everyman. Hollywood favourites, cult classics, films you know the lines to. Screenings start on 30 June and will run until 17 August. Expect the likes of The Princess Bride, Black Panther, and Wicked.

King's Cross, N1C | everymandcinema.com

A little risky: Window-shopping at Markets

Put your window-shopping abilities to the test by browsing some local London markets. From food to fashion, these are three you won’t want to miss:

Saturdays at Spa Terminus

Discover where the makers make. Spa Terminus during the week is a food and drink production area under the railway arches of London Bridge. But on Fridays and Saturdays (it differs per producer), the businesses open their shutters to the public for you to browse, shop, and sometimes taste. From coffee to wine, the Fresh Fish Shop to Poon’s chilli oil, explore where items are made – and maybe save a couple of pennies to get yourself something from your favourite producer.

Bermondsey, SE1 | spa-terminus.co.uk

Chiswick Flower Market

This was the first new flower market to pop up in London in over 150 years. Running on the first Sunday of every month, Chiswick Flower Market welcomes locals and those from further afield to browse the flora. Over 35 traders bring their wares, including RHS Chelsea gold-winning nurseries. So, even if you’re not shopping for a bouquet, at least it will be a pretty photo op.

Chiswick, W4 | chiswickflowermarket.com

Old Spitalfields Market

There are over 50 shops and stalls at Old Spitalfields Market, pushing your no-spend browsing to its limits. But you can still spy handcrafted shoes by Cheaney, take a look at modern and vintage watches at Cybele London, explore Hazindak homeware, and eye up clothes with personality from Little Next Door Clothing.

Spitalfields, E1 | oldspitalfieldsmarket.com

Live music

Pubs across the city regularly welcome artists to the stage, and there’s not much better than live music, especially a gig that hasn’t cost a hefty portion of your month’s rent. Try out these locations to enjoy some free live music this summer:

The Dublin Castle

Home to some of Amy Winehouse’s first performances, The Dublin Castle hosts four live bands every night. So, no matter what day you drop by, you’re in for a musical treat. You can even choose your own tunes on the jukebox at the front of the bar.

Camden, NW1 | thedublincastle.com

The Old Blue Last

There’s over 300 years of East End history at boozer The Old Blue Last. Its gig back catalogue sounds like your Spotify Wrapped, and it hosts a mix of ticketed and free events, although being (apparently) haunted by the ghost of Shakespeare. Check out the schedule for free live music, if you dare.

Shoreditch, EC2A | theoldbluelast.com

The Windmill

Sounds of the Shack, blasting from Clapham’s The Windmill. Sit in the garden until you can’t take it anymore, and you join the makeshift dancefloor in front of the performers. Expect sing-alongs and feel-good vibes as the sun sets over this South London pub on the park.

Clapham, SW4 | windmillclapham.co.uk

A house party

This is my petition and argument to bring back the house party for Friday night fun. It’s free (except the drinks you’re bringing, but that’s when you reach right to the back of your cupboard and hopefully find a six pack of Estrella) and it’s fun.

We all know someone who claims to be a DJ who can get on the aux, there’s no queueing at the bar, and it’s where friends of friends meet and love blossoms. This is the summer we remember that the humble house party is a beautiful thing, and it’s pretty much free.

Get outside

Make your coffee at home in a to-go cup and head outside to the nearest green space or a walk or cycle along the river or a canal. From Hyde Park to tiny commons, London is packed with oases among the cityscape, and these are some of the best parks to enjoy a wander through:

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is ideal for a day reconnecting with nature. Among the green, you can spot wild deer cantering about, and there are also about 25 ponds and wetlands that can lie hidden in the park, with the most recognisable being the Pen Ponds. See how many you can spot.

Richmond, TW10

Greenwich Park

Right by the Thames, and home to some local London history in the form of the Cutty Sark, Prime Meridian Line, and Royal Observatory, Greenwich Park is a beautiful space to explore. March up to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the city and just take it in for a sec.

Greenwich, SE8

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