A local’s guide to quiet, free indoor places in London where you can relax, read, or write in peace come rain or shine, all close to Central London!
In this short guide today, I will tell you about my favorite spots to go read or relax for a bit in London.
I have already talked to you at length about free places to visit in the city, whether they are quiet places to study or secret museums where you do not need to spend anything at all.
5 Free Indoor Places in London To Go Relax For A Bit
So today, I wanted to share with you my favorite spots in London where you can stay for a few hours, whether it is sunny or raining.
Whether it is to admire art in a free museum, to work a little, or even to wait for someone you are meeting, these are interesting and iconic spots of London life.
Free Indoor Places in London: Barbican Centre
You can find the Barbican Centre near the City of London and the historical district of West Smithfield.
This area houses 41-42 Cloth Fair as well as a Victorian market and the fabulous St Bartholomew the Great church.
The Barbican Centre is a cultural hub where you find large spaces to sit, books, free exhibitions, or even a magnificent conservatory on the top floor.
When you are finished, if it has stopped raining or if you just want to stretch your legs, you will find several historical London spots near the Barbican Centre:
- St Giles’ Cripplegate
- St Alphage Church ruins
- Salters’ Garden and Victorian gates
- Pieces of the Roman wall
Quiet Indoor Places in London: Wellcome Collection
You can find the Wellcome Collection near Euston Station, and it is probably one of the best-kept secret museums in London.
This is despite the fact that it is located very close to the fabulous Tottenham Court Road with its unique shops like Timothy Oulton.
The Wellcome Collection is a place dedicated to science, medicine, anatomy, and art.
Once you are there, you will find a magnificent Reading Room, which is a very quiet spot where you can sit for a few hours to journal or read a good book.
Free Indoor Places in London: British Library
The British Library is another one of London’s free libraries, and it is one of the most beautiful.
You often find a queue there in the morning because countless students come here to work since it offers free wifi and outlets to charge devices.
It is located very close to St Pancras and King’s Cross Station, and even if the reading rooms require a pass, you can still sit at one of the many tables to read for a bit or study.
Quiet Indoor Places in London: Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is one of the most beautiful examples of brutalist architecture in London.
Actually, you find this type of architecture more often over toward the Barbican with its iconic buildings and artificial lakes.
The Southbank Centre is a complex with many floors and corners to explore, whether it is its free rooftop or the Royal Festival Hall where many Londoners come to read or rest.
And since it is located right on the banks of the Thames, it is also where you find the under Waterloo Bridge book market, as well as many restaurants and cafes.
Quiet Indoor Places in London: BFI, Southbank
Underneath Waterloo Bridge, you will also find the BFI.
It is a real hotspot for a movie itinerary in London since it is a place where you can watch movies from the archives, or just relax in the lounge.
There you find a decor of vintage movie posters, as well as a library where you can take shelter or even learn more about cinema.
5 Free Indoor Places in London To Go Relax For A Bit
Once you have finished enjoying these free indoor places, you will find many other unique and free spots in London, whether they are unforgettable concept stores or fabulous ruins.
I particularly love the secret gardens of Christchurch Greyfriars, St Dunstan in the East, and the Reflection Garden right in front of St Paul’s.
But when it comes to going shopping afterwards, I leave the quiet behind to head eagerly toward Soho, London Bridge, Covent Garden, or Oxford Street!