A local’s guide to unexpected, beautiful and completely free historical sites to visit in London; perfect whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or family!
In London, every cobblestone and iconic landmark tells a story of centuries past, which is one of the many reasons why I love the city.
From majestic palaces to unusual museums, there are so many secret things to do in London that you can truly never get bored.
Why not add a glossy layer to the goodness that this city represents and talk about some of the prettiest free historical sites in London you can visit at all times, even if you’re living on a budget?
While we won’t be talking about properly instagrammable places today, these Roman, Georgian, Victorian and medieval sites will captivate travelers and history enthusiasts alike.
London’s 8 Most Beautiful Free Historical Sites to Visit
If you’ve read my words before, then you are probably aware that finding secret places in London is one of my favorite hobbies.
While I’ve lived in London for years now, there’s always something new to discover, especially if you let yourself be fascinated by the hidden gardens, secret rooftops and other tiny museums the city houses.
Lately, I’ve found myself ever more curious about the City of London’s secret churches, as well as all the historic streets, courtyards and all kinds of places off the beaten path you don’t ever really read about on blog.
Keep reading to discover the tales etched into London’s architecture, and you’ll catch a glimpse into the gorgeous heritage of the city!
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: Holly Village, Highgate
Holly Village, nestled in the heart of Highgate, is the first on our list, and one of the most striking historical sites of London.
This North London hidden gem dates back to the 1860s, when it was conceived by Victorian entrepreneur Henry Reader Williams, who intertwined romantic shapes and distinctive Gothic architecture.
This ended up giving us some of the most beautiful views of London, what with the carefully manicured gardens being surrounded by turrets, intricate detailing and ornate gates.
Holly Village in Highgate is not typically open to the public, but you can still enjoy the many statues towering over the entrance and I would also recommend walking around the estate.
As you do so, you will come across many a gate exuding a mysterious ambiance and a look through the trees will also allow you to see here some of the prettiest Victorian houses in London.
While Holly Village is secluded and pretty far up North, one of my favorite things to do when around the area is to take the opportunity to visit Highgate Cemetery.
As we’re talking about finding free historical sites to visit in London, Highgate Cemetery is not on this list, but it is still one of the hidden gems you should visit at least once in your life.
Split into two parts, East and West, Highgate Cemetery is one of the Magnificent Seven and provides striking views you wouldn’t ever have imagined.
You’ll find many hidden gems at Highgate Cemetery, too, aside from your ‘usual’ gravestones.
This includes the Egyptian Avenue, a curved ‘street’ birthed by a huge entrance with Greco-Roman columns on each side – one of my personal must-see places in London.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in West London
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair
Brown Hart Gardens in Mayfair is not just another secret garden, but rather, a tranquil oasis perched atop a former electricity substation.
We’re straying from the vibe that London’s Japanese gardens, fluffy with vibrant green grass, give off, with a rather urban landscape at Brown Hart Gardens.
With a decorative fountain, manicured flowerbeds and benches dotted around the gardens, Brown Hart Gardens also make for one of the free rooftops you have to visit when you’re in the area, if only to catch a glimpse of the magnificent Mayfair buildings.
Personally, I’ve always considered these gardens to be a perfect place to write or read without being interrupted, as it’s still very much one of Mayfair’s best hidden gems.
If you are willing to stroll around the beautiful neighborhood in search of further discoveries, you will find nearby:
- Mercato Mayfair, a street food market located in a wonderful church
- Mount Street Gardens, another really secret garden
- Some of London’s prettiest shopping arcades, including famous Burlington Arcade
Read: The Prettiest Restaurants in Mayfair
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: Sir John Soane’s Museum
Wandering around Holborn and Chancery Lane, many historical sites are to be found, most from the Middle Ages, with architecture then renovated to suit neoclassical tastes.
That’s the case of the Sir John Soane’s Museum, one of my favorite stately homes turned museums in London – and the best part is, it’s completely free!
A captivating testament to the architectural brilliance of its founder, Sir John Soane, the museum located in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, is one of the smallest and most unique museums London offers.
The interiors in themselves feature all kinds of art from Egyptian artifacts to classical sculptures of Roman inspiration, along with paintings and architectural models.
Come as early as you can to avoid the queues – this is one of the most incredible historical sites you’ll be given to visit in London for free, which means queueing is to be expected.
By the way, you are here on the location of one of the four Inns of Court of London, which also include Inner Temple and Middle Temple we’ll stroll around further down this guide.
For now, there are plenty of hidden gems in Holborn you should take a look at, and Sir John Soane’s Museum is definitely one of them.
Read here my guide to the historic Temple area and its hidden gems, from Fountain Court to the secret poetic sundial in Elm Court, photogenic columns facing Temple Church and more.
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: The Charterhouse
Close to Holborn and Barbican, the Charterhouse is another one of the must-visit historical sites we can find in London, and funnily enough, one of the most empty ones.
With a rich and multifaceted history spanning over 600 years, the original Carthusian monastery, founded in 1371, has evolved over the centuries into a school, a Tudor palace, and an almshouse.
The Charterhouse doesn’t only offer one of the most gorgeous gardens in London, a few minutes on foot from Barbican Tube Station, but also an ornate chapel and a museum you can visit for free.
Part of the Charterhouse can only be visited with a tour guide, but if you’re visiting London on your own and would rather discover it for yourself, it’s possible to enter the museum and the chapel without a guide.
In any case, this is one of the best hidden gems in Barbican, and when you are done visiting the Charterhouse, history lovers will love to wander around the neighborhood.
Indeed, Barbican, being one of the oldest neighborhoods in London, also houses:
- St Bartholomew the Great Church
- Cloth Fair, with the oldest house in the City of London that survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the Blitz during WWII
- The Smithfield Meat Market, an architectural wonder
Read: The Prettiest Mews in London
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: Victoria & Albert Museum
My idea of a very unusual museum in London does not result in a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum, but this is still one of the most famous attractions in town, and one to visit absolutely.
Why?
Well, the Victoria and Albert Museum is renowned for its extensive and diverse collection that spans centuries of art from all over the world.
Whether you are looking for Greek and Roman sculptures, Asian ceramics or Islamic art pieces, these are all to be found at the V&A.
Another branch of the museum can be found in Bethnal Green; the Young V&A Museum on Cambridge Heath Rd, easily accessible via the Central Line, is a haven for kids and parents alike.
Going back to the V&A Museum in South Kensington, my favorite sculpture is Michelangelo’s David’s replica.
Huge, dreamy, this is a must-see if you can’t make your way to Florence, where the original is.
Read: London’s Pretty Streets: 15 Notting Hill Spots to See Colorful Houses
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden
Hidden in Covent Garden, St Paul’s Church, affectionately known as the Actors’ Church, was consecrated in 1633, making it one of the oldest churches in London.
Shopping in Covent Garden usually makes for a more mainstream option when traveling than visiting the area’s churches and cobblestone streets, and yet…
St Paul’s Church is one of London’s most secret churches, hidden away from the curious eye only by a gate and an alley.
Inside, you will find a 1920s theatre model, an incredible sight for whoever loves miniature works, as well as dozens of plaques commemorating actors who worshipped and/or were buried at St Paul’s Church, such as Charlie Chaplin.
The church is but one of the many historical sites around Covent Garden; others, like Goodwin’s Court or Cecil Court, are better known as beautiful photo spots, but just as laden with the weight of the past.
Read: The Cutest Bakeries in London
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: St Bartholomew’s Gate
London’s historic charm extends way beyond the grandeur of Westminster Abbey or the medieval allure of Southwark Cathedral.
It can be further felt in the cobblestone streets and centuries-old structures that shape the city, like St Bartholomew the Great Gate and adjoining church.
Located in Farringdon, St Bartholomew the Great Gate gives way to one of the most secret churchyard gardens in town.
The St Bartholomew the Great church itself is believed to have been founded in 1123 as part of a hospital for the poor by Rahere, a courtier of Henry I, and is one of the oldest churches in London.
The gate was built later, in the 16th century, and is a striking example of Tudor architecture, of the kind you can also find near Chancery Lane station, notably in the building that hosts Caffè Vergnano, one of the best Italian cafes in London.
Look past the church’s cloister, and you will spot 41-42 Cloth Fair, the City of London’s oldest house.
This is but another highlight of the Farringdon area, and one of the prettiest historical sites in London to visit on a budget.
Free Historical Sites in London To Visit Off the Beaten Path: Inner Temple Gardens
Situated within the Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in London, Inner Temple Gardens are one of the best hidden gems off Fleet Street.
Despite the fact that you have to really look to find them, the Inner Temple Gardens offer one of the most incredible views of London’s past, and the neighboring buildings have witnessed centuries of legal, cultural, and architectural evolution.
For starters, Temple Church, which stands adjacent to the Inner Temple Gardens, is one of the most striking medieval sites still standing in London.
Architecture lovers, travelers, or locals looking for the perfect setting for a romantic date in London, you’ll be able to anchor yourself into a magical place filled with history.
A few steps away from the Inner Temple Gardens, you will find the Royal Courts of Justice, which are nothing but one of the most beautiful buildings in London.
Inside, centuries of history as well as one of the most secret food spots in London with the pub inside the Old Bank of England.
Walk down the Strand to find other beautiful hidden gems, such as Somerset House, along with the free rooftop at Temple a few minutes away.
Read: How to Eat in London on a Budget
London’s 8 Most Beautiful Free Historical Sites to Visit
Whether you’re wandering around Mayfair or experiencing the tranquility of Inner Temple Gardens, you’ll see one can hardly escape the palpable connection to London’s past.
Each of the free historical sites I’ve mentioned here today, from St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden to Holly Village, invites us to become part of a living history.
Shopping on Oxford Street might provide enough excitement for a couple of days, but I’m the kind of person who gets out of my way to discover the richness of a city’s history.
If you’re cut from the same cloth, why not keep going and discover some of London’s hidden courtyards?
Or, make your way deeper into the City of London, and experience the ebb and flow of time in the many London secret alleys!