10 free things to do in London

The River Thames, England, United Kingdom. Photo / Getty Images

The best way to stand in solidarity with the British capital after Thursday's terror attack is to keep visiting. Stephanie Holmes has some ideas for budget-friendly ways to see the city.

1 Visit a world-class museum

It's almost unanimous with anyone you ask . . . the best thing about London is its free access to museums and galleries. Everything from the Natural History Museum to the Tate; the National Gallery to the British Museum; Science Museum to the Victoria & Albert, will all cost you absolutely nothing to get in.

2 Stroll through a park

First-time visitors are often surprised at just how many open spaces there are around the city. Hyde Park has more than 4000 trees, a lake and rose gardens, and is also home to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Regent's Park has London's largest outdoor sports area, as well as an open-air theatre. In Richmond Park's 1000ha you'll find about 650 free-roaming deer. St James's Park is surrounded by three royal palaces, and Greenwich Park is London's oldest royal park and gives incredible views back over the city.

3 Walk the South Bank

Start at London Bridge and make a beeline for the buzz of Borough Market, then follow the Thames path towards Westminster Bridge - you'll pass landmarks like The Golden Hind, Shakespeare's Globe, the Tate Modern, the OXO Tower and the London Eye. You'll also find plenty of vantage spots for photos of St Paul's Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, and the Houses of Parliament.

4 Take in some views

Although access to the more famous Shard will cost up to £30 ($53), just across the river the Skygarden at 20 Fenchurch St is absolutely free. Book online for dates up to three weeks in advance. When you arrive for your prebooked slot, you'll go through a quick security check, then a lift will whisk you to the three-storey glass dome, 155m up, where you'll find 360-degree views and London's highest public garden.
• skygarden.london

5 Get cultured

The Royal College of Music, St Martin-in-the-Fields church, the Royal Academy of Music and South Bank's Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall all offer free music performances at various times and days of the week. At The Scoop London - a 1000-person sunken amphitheatre - theatre, opera, music, dance and film events are free and open to the public, with no tickets or bookings required.
• morelondon.com/events/about

6 Get your skates on

For something completely different, see the city by rollerskate. Every Wednesday night from April 19 to September 20, LondonSkate offers a free two-hour tour of the city along a pre-planned route, pre-approved by local authorities. Usually there are 200-500 skaters taking part, with a team of experienced marshalls and a custom-built sound system along for the ride. Routes vary throughout the season - check the website on Tuesday afternoons for the next day's start point.
• londonskate.com

7 Pay your respects

The "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries were established in the 19th century, inspired by Paris' Pere Lachaise famous burial ground. Found in Kensal Green, West Norwood, Highgate, Abney Park, Nunhead, Brompton and Tower Hamlets, the cemeteries are beautifully peaceful places, with historic tombs and headstones dating back to the 1800s.
Brompton is the country's only cemetery owned by the Crown and managed by The Royal Parks, and is the final resting place of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst.
• brompton-cemetery.org.uk

8 Stick to tradition

The Changing of the Guard - where the New Guard takes over from the Old Guard - takes place daily at Buckingham Palace between April and July, and on alternate dates between August and March. Aim to arrive no later than 10.30am to get a good spot - the ceremony will start at 11.30am sharp.

The Ceremony of the Keys - the traditional locking up of the Tower of London - has taken place every night for the past 700 years. Tickets are free but can only be booked online and are in such high demand it's now sold out until February 2018. If you're planning a trip for next year, make sure you book well in advance.
• hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

9 Get political

The House of Lords and House of Commons are open to the public and free to attend. You'll have to go through airport-style security but once inside, you'll be able to see Westminster Hall, St Stephen's Hall and the Central Lobby, before making your way up the many stairs to the public gallery, where you can stay for as long - or as short a time - as you like.
• parliament.uk/visiting

10 Be on TV

The BBC is the largest provider of free TV and radio tickets in the UK and is always looking for studio audiences for its shows. You can apply online and you'll be notified via email if your request is successful. Audience tickets for many other popular TV shows are handled by SRO Audiences, including The Graham Norton Show, Would I Lie to You and The Voice UK.

• bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows; sroaudiences.com

Staying safe in London

MFAT's Safe Travel website recommends New Zealanders visiting or living in the United Kingdom should "keep themselves informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources. We recommend following any instructions issued by the local authorities and exercising a high degree of vigilance in public places. United Kingdom authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police."

Register your trip on safetravel.govt.nz and note down the contact details of the New Zealand High Commission - 80 Haymarket, London, ph +44 20 7930 8422, email: consular@newzealandhc.org.uk, online: nzembassy.com/united-kingdom; facebook.com/nzhcuk