Best Cheap Things To Do In London

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By Kiera Chapman Editor Food, drink and nightlife specialist with 8+ years in journalism, including bylines at The Sunday Times and Marie Claire. Last updated on 30th July 2026

We all know that London can be an expensive city, thanks to its soaring rent prices and pints creeping towards the £10 mark. But not everything has to be, and that's why we've created this guide on affordable things to do in London.

We've rounded up the very best cheap activities and experiences this fun city has to offer, from outdoor adventures to themed nights and comedy. Everything below comes in between £5 and £25 per person.

Find out more about how we create our guides in our Editorial Policy.

Best Affordable Activities In London




Cheap Indoor Activities London

Ballie Ballerson London

Discounts available on certain events

After cheap activities in London? Head to Shoreditch where Ballie Ballerson is offering you entry from as little as £5 for the ball pit and £11 for parties, as well as themed cocktails and pizza slices without breaking the bank.

Neon Naked Life Drawing

If you want to take part in a quirky activity that won't break the bank, Neon Naked Life Drawing is the event for you. The affordable art class will have you playing with neon paints and letting out your creativity in a fun, welcoming setting, all for just £18. 

Sky Garden

Searching for cheap and free things to do in London? Check out Sky Garden for their morning yoga classes if you're looking to stretch while admiring panoramic views of the city, for £20 each. Or you can opt for the venue's music-themed nights, starting at £15.50 per person, so you can have a cocktail while jamming out to tunes.

The Horatia N7

A proper pub in Highbury & Islington, The Horatia boasts an exciting calendar of affordable events, from dedicated vinyl nights on a Friday to Wednesday quizzes. Whether music, sport or trivia is your pastime of choice, this place has it either for free or a small cost.

The Chocolate Cocktail Club

Just £11 nabs you a table and your first drink at The Chocolate Cocktail Club, a delectable den of truly indulgent tipples and treats. Use the likes of Toblerone and Terry's Chocolate Orange-inspired concoctions to wash down light bites or cake, perfect if you're after cheap things to do in London for couples.

The Star of Kings

The Star of Kings fills with revellers after work in the evening as it's a characterful boozer nestled in a prime location: Kings Cross. Kitted out with dark furnishings, rose gold light fixtures and floral wallpaper, it makes for a pretty setting to enjoy a pint or two, alongside some Breddos Tacos. On Tuesdays, you'll find its weekly quiz in full swing for £2 each, run by a master with over thirty years of experience in the business and throughout the week you can always count on a spot of karaoke to get you in the mood to party.

Nordic Bar

Head to Nordic Bar every week for Stock Exchange Fridays, where screens across the venue display live prices for drinks that rise and fall depending on demand - meaning you're sure to bag a bargain and even try something new. But that's not all, as there's live music each Thursday and live sport too.

FABAL Beerhall

Whether you're in the mood for a unique live music session or quiz and karaoke nights, you can find it all at Fabal Beerhall. Situated on the Bermondsey Beer Mile, this lively destination is home to some of the best events around.

There's plenty to do here that's entirely free, while most other events cost less than a tenner. You can enjoy their own brand of lager while you're there, alongside wine and cocktails.

Oysters, Bubbles & Live Music

@ Smith's Bar & Grill on Various dates from Friday 7th August 2026

Why not turn your Friday or Saturday evening into a seafood celebration at Smith's Bar & Grill? For just £1 each, indulge in fresh oysters, perfectly complemented by chilled bubbles or cocktails, all served at the bar between 6pm and 10pm.

Whether you're popping a bottle of prosecco or sipping cocktails, the vibes are set with live music from 8 PM to midnight, making it the ultimate oyster and bubbles experience.

The Star By Liverpool Street

2-4-£14 on ALL Cocktails on Fridays and 2 other offers

The Star By Liverpool Street is the ultimate venue for a fun and lively night out, boasting an impressive 10,000 sq. ft. space, just a stone's throw from Liverpool Street Station. The pub features five unique karaoke rooms, making it the perfect place to gather a group of friends for a sing-along.

Whether you're here for a fun night of music, a lively meal, or catching the latest live sports event, The Star By Liverpool Street offers a fantastic, vibrant atmosphere with something for everyone.

Audio Guided Tour

@ Control Room B on Various dates from Wednesday 5th August 2026

Head to one of London's most iconic landmarks for this Audio Guided Tour, which will give you some behind-the-scenes insight into its history. Control Room B at Battersea Power Station is offering £12 tickets for a self-led tour, which includes a cocktail on arrival.

You'll get to explore the original control desks, switchgear and synchroscopes, learning about how this place powered the city in the 1950s. And if you're feeling fancy, you can add on a glass of Champagne too.

What's On at The Elmhurst

The gorgeously grand Elmhurst pub has plenty to keep you entertained, on top of its fine selection of beers, wines and spirits, of course. You can step up to oche with its darts nights, laugh yourself silly at its regular comedy club or root through the flight cases for free at the record fair. 

Like any brilliant boozer, there's a quiz night too. Head down on Wednesday evenings, put your £2 in the pot and you can pit your wits against the competition. 

Indoor Vertical Farm Tours - Corner Corner

@ Corner Corner on Saturday 8th August 2026 and 2 other Saturdays

Looking for a day out in London that won't break the bank? Get on over to Corner Corner for a Vertical Farm Tour. Expert guides will take you on a journey from seed to harvest without leaving the city.

After learning all about cutting-edge farming techniques and the future of food, you'll have a chance to taste the produce grown on site. Tickets to this fun and educational day out are just £11.

Tuesday Quiz at Owl and Hitchhiker

@ Owl and Hitchhiker on Every Tuesday

For cheap things to do that still feel like a proper night out, head to The Owl & Hitchhiker every Tuesday for its weekly quiz. Starting at 7.30pm, the event is free to attend, with just a £3 buy-in if you want to compete for prizes and the rolling jackpot.

Hosted by the Good Time Gals, the vibe is fun-first rather than overly competitive, making it perfect for groups, casual catch-ups or an easy midweek plan. Looking for more affordable things to do? Check out its open mic nights on Wednesdays too, with free entry. 

The People's Quiz

@ People's Park Tavern on Every Wednesday

Looking for a fun, relaxed weeknight plan? Then check out The People's Quiz, taking place at People's Park Tavern in Hackney every single Wednesday. This costs only £2 per person to enter, with bar tabs and bottles of wine up for grabs as prizes.

There's a rolling jackpot too, which anyone could be with a chance of winning. Expect creative and musical rounds, with plenty of quirky questions along the way.

Cheap Outdoor Activities In London

Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tours

With tickets from just £16.50, these events are not only fun and uplifting, but they're purse-friendly. Expect to see some of London's iconic landmarks as you scour the streets, soundtracked by hits from the 70's to present day; there's even the occasional flash mob to enjoy along the way. 

Cheap Events And Shows In London

Kirsty's Singalong at The King's Head

@ Downstairs At The King's Head on Friday 18th September and Friday 30th October 2026

For a fun-filled, fabulous night that won't bust your budget, head down to The King's Head for Kirsty's Singalong. The human jukebox Kirsty is joined by her multi-instrumentalist sister Heather as they play your favourite tunes from the top of their heads.

Throw in your requests and watch in wonder as they improvise musical tapestries from memory. Tickets to this incredible night of spontaneous, interactive, immersive fun are just £16.50.

Megan's After Dark - Clapham

@ Megan's Old Town (Clapham) on Saturday 8th August 2026 and 7 other Saturdays

Megan's After Dark brings you epic live music and banging DJ sets all the way through to midnight. Here the mood is just as important as the music, with all kinds of drinks deals and unlimited offers to set the tone.

To get you in the party spirit, book in for dinner before hitting the dancefloor. This epic night out is all yours for just £5.50.

Azura London

Looking for one of the most affordable nights out around? Then head to Azura London, a fun party bar in Camden. Their events cost just £1 per person to enter, promising live DJs playing the best of amapiano, Afrohouse and more.

On Thursdays, you can nab cheap drinks between 3 and 7pm - we're talking 50% of wine, £7 signature cocktails and free beers with any food or drink purchase. Plus, you can munch on the likes of prawn piccante pasta, truffle arancini and chargrilled lamb cutlets here.

Northern Soul at the Rivoli Ballroom

Looking for a fun night out that won't break the bank? Northern Soul nights at the Rivoli Ballroom are perfect for anyone after a dose of live music, dancing, and nostalgia without splashing out.

With tickets from just £13.20, you can enjoy classic '60s and '70s soul spinning on original vinyl by resident DJ Mr Max and special guests Ian Levine and Val Palmer. Dance the night away on the sprung maple floor and soak up the vintage glamour of one of London's most iconic venues.

Good Ship Comedy

They say laughter is the best medicine, so why not start your weekend early with some of the finest comedians on the circuit? With top-notch headliners from the UK and beyond, as well as some award-winning new talent, Good Ship Comedy will take you on a hilarious journey like no other, starting at just £12 a pop. Spread out all over London town, you can head to Swimmer in Grafton Arms, The Birds in Leytonstone and South London Theatre in West Norwood to revel in the acts of comedians like Ellie Taylor, Shapphi Khorsandi, Bec Hill, Abandoman and many more.

The Phoenix Events

Located in Cavendish Square, The Phoenix is a lively venue which hosts all sorts of affordable fun, with some events costing just £11. They've got entertainment like game shows and live music, as well as quizzes themed around popular films and TV shows, from Friends to Harry Potter.

Tuesday Night Comedy, 9PM, Soho

@ JK Comedy Club Soho on Tuesday 11th August 2026 and 72 other Tuesdays

Make your way to The Spice of Life from Leicester Square, grab a drink at its well-stocked bar and take a seat in front of the glowing red lights to witness a lineup featuring some of London's top funny-makers. With credits from the likes of Mock the Week and Netflix, Tuesday Night Standup Comedy at this quirky haunt is bound to impress. What's more, tickets are only a fiver. Bargain. 

SUPA DUPA FLY

It's doesn't have to cost a bomb to party at some of the best places in London as Supa Dupa Fly proves, with tickets starting from £13. The legendary club night is taking over London's coolest spaces for their huge hip hop nights, and best of all, you can always afford to join in with the fun.

The Phoenix Arts Club

There are plenty of affordable things going on at The Phoenix Arts Club in Soho. The iconic venue can be found down a secluded street (that also happens to be a Harry Potter filming location) and is home to a fabulous lineup of cabaret and drag acts. Grab tickets to musicals, cabaret and more.

BHW Live Pro Wrestling at The Station

@ The Station on Sunday 6th September 2026 and 3 other Sundays

At only £15 adult entry to each of their events, Elite Wrestling Entertainment are bringing you a bargain. Each action-packed event makes sure you get the chance to enjoy all the thrills and spills of the canvas, booing and cheering on as wrestlers take part in their display of passion and athleticism. Plus, if you're bringing your family to an afternoon session, there are great ticket deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is classed as cheap in this guide?

Every event and activity listed costs £25 or less per person, with the majority being below £15. Some are even free.

What are some cheap things to do in Central London?

There's plenty to do in Central London on a budget, from CityDays treasure hunts to The Chocolate Cocktail Club or music nights at Sky Garden.

What are the best cheap activities for groups?

Group-focused events include Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tours, Ginger's Big Drag Bingo, Camden Town Brewery Tours and many more.