Discover the best of London’s ancient heritage without spending a penny

The word London conjures up a lot of different images in people’s minds. Culture, heritage, history and ‘a lot to do and see but very expensive’ may immediately spring to mind, but experiencing the sights of London and enjoying a culturally fulfilling, highly entertaining and extremely exhausting day out need not be a dear do. With over 200 attractions available in London asking for no entrance fee, there is plenty to choose from. Enjoy our guide to three of the London’s greatest ancient attractions for gratis.

Changing the Guard, Buckingham Palace

It’s understandable why Buckingham Palace remains one of London’s best loved tourist attractions and never fails to draw an army of tourists all desperate to catch a glimpse of Britain at its most ‘British’. But one of the favourite spectacles at Buckingham Palace is the changing of the guard, when one guard, about to commence duty, replaces another guard, who can finally hang up his bearskin hat until his next shift. This epitome of tradition and heritage with a slightly mocking undercurrent makes witnessing the changing of the queen’s guards a highly entertaining spectacle without any cost.

This decidedly amusing event usually takes place at 11am although only occurs on certain days. Visit the Royal Website for further information: www.royal.gov.uk

The Ceremony of the keys

It is quite hard to comprehend that a formal ceremony has been taking place in London every night since 1340. And it is exactly the incredible nature of the longevity of the locking the gates at the Tower of London that causes it to be one of London’s most popular and ancient rituals. Every night at exactly seven minutes to ten o’clock, the Chief Yeoman Warder locks the main gate of the Tower of London by candlelight and carries the keys to the tower’s Resident Governor.

Although attending the ceremony of the keys is free it is highly popular and those wishing to attend need to book at least two months in advance.

Bank of England Museum

In tracing its history since it began in 1694, the Bank of England Museum provides for an exceptionally enlightening day out. With its old bank notes, coins, gold bars and other interesting artefacts you might not associate with a bank, a visit to the Bank of England Museum is paramount, especially as admission is free.

If you need five star hotel accommodation during this event book through Wyndham Grand Chelsea Harbour or phone 020 7823 3000.