10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in London for Theatre Lovers
BE A GROUNDLING AT SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE
Experience Shakespeare's Globe from the Yard, standing right in front of the stage as audiences would have done in Shakespeare's day.
Groundling tickets are available for selected performances for just £5 or £10, making this one of the most atmospheric – and affordable – ways to experience live theatre in London.
You'll be right at the heart of the action, with actors performing just metres away and sometimes moving through the audience.
How to find it
Shakespeare's Globe is on London's South Bank at 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT, around a 10-minute walk from London Bridge station.
Wear comfortable shoes – you'll be standing for the whole performance. The Yard is also open to the elements, so check the forecast and dress for the London weather. Umbrellas aren't permitted during performances, so a waterproof is much more useful if rain is forecast.
PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE
One of London's best-kept theatre secrets, the Sherling Backstage Walkway gives you a bird's-eye view into the National Theatre's working scenery and prop-making workshops. Depending on what's being created that day, you might see sets and props being built, painted, moved or recycled – meaning no two visits are necessarily the same.
How to find it
Enter through the Dorfman Theatre foyer at the National Theatre on London's South Bank. As of September 2026, the walkway is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 12pm–6pm, and is completely free to visit.
Opening arrangements can change, so check current information before making a special journey.
Look out for Drum Road, the huge backstage route used to move large pieces of scenery around the building – and see if you can spot the enormous portrait of Laurence Olivier watching over the backstage area.
DISCOVER THEATRE & PERFORMANCE AT THE V&A
Step inside the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington and discover its extraordinary Theatre & Performance collection, celebrating the history of live performance in Britain.
Explore objects connected to theatre, musical theatre, dance and opera, including costumes, set and costume designs, posters, photographs, props and other fascinating pieces from the world of performance.
Best of all, general admission to the V&A is free!
How to find it
The V&A is on Cromwell Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2RL, just a short walk from South Kensington Underground station.
Before you visit, check what's on. The V&A runs free Theatre & Performance tours on selected dates, which can be a brilliant way to discover stories and objects you might otherwise walk straight past.
STEP INSIDE THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE — FREE
You don't need a ticket for a ballet or opera to step inside one of London's most famous performance venues. The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, home of The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera, opens its public spaces during the day for visitors to explore.
Take a look around the building, discover artworks and displays, head upstairs for views over Covent Garden Piazza, or stop for a coffee or something to eat while soaking up the atmosphere. Entry to the public areas is free.
How to find it
The Royal Opera House is on Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD, a short walk from Covent Garden Underground station.
Don't just look inside the entrance and leave, head upstairs and explore. The building has cafés, bars and restaurants, so it's a lovely place to stop during a day exploring Theatreland – even if you're not seeing a performance.
And check the What's On / Things to Do information before visiting, as there can also be free displays, exhibitions and activities happening around the building.
TRY FOR A 10P TICKET AT THE ROYAL COURT
Yes, really — 10p. The Royal Court releases a limited number of standing tickets for performances in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, available 90 minutes before the performance. Tickets currently cost 10p in cash or £1 by card.
How to find it
Head to the Royal Court Theatre Box Office at Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS. Standing tickets are subject to availability, so treat this as a spontaneous theatre adventure rather than your guaranteed evening plans.
Can't get a 10p ticket? The Royal Court has other brilliant ways to see new theatre for less, including £15 Mondays, cheaper previews and concession tickets.
FIND YOUR NEXT PLAY AT THE ROYAL COURT LIBRARY
Hidden throughout the Royal Court Theatre is a free library of hundreds of plays and theatre books. Anyone can browse the collection and read the books while visiting — perfect for playwrights, performers or anyone looking for something new to read.
How to find it
The library is spread across three floors of the Royal Court Theatre at Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS.
Already visiting for the 10p ticket above? Arrive earlier and explore the library at the same time. You can also access the Royal Court's Living Archive digitally while you're there.
FIND PLAYS & MONOLOGUES: THE NATIONAL THEATRE BOOKSHOP
If you're looking for your next play, monologue or audition piece, the National Theatre Bookshop is well worth a visit. It specialises in playtexts and performing arts books, including monologue collections, audition books and acting titles.
How to find it
You'll find the bookshop inside the National Theatre, Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PX.
Combine this with #2, the Sherling Backstage Walkway. You can browse for new audition material and peek behind the scenes at the National Theatre on the same visit.
JOIN A THEATRE AUDIENCE CLUB
Want to see more London theatre for very little? Theatre audience clubs and seat-filling services can offer free or heavily discounted tickets to selected performances, helping venues fill otherwise empty seats.
With services such as The Audience Club, many Fringe and Off-West End tickets are free, with just a small administration fee to pay, while other productions and West End shows may be offered at discounted rates. Availability changes regularly, so part of the fun is seeing what appears.
How it works
Services such as The Audience Club and Central Tickets offer members access to selected ticket deals, usually for a small booking or administration fee. The Audience Club is currently for UK residents aged 18+, so international visitors should check other seat-filling services such as Central Tickets.
Be flexible. The best seat-filling offers often appear at short notice or on quieter performance dates, so they're perfect if you're already in London and open to discovering something you might not otherwise have chosen.
RIDE THE SINGING LIFT AT ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL — FREE
This is one of London's more unusual hidden gems. Inside Royal Festival Hall you'll find the JCB Glass Lift – but this isn't an ordinary lift. As you travel between floors, recorded voices sing different notes, creating a changing musical experience as the lift moves. It's completely free to try and takes only a few minutes, making it a fun addition if you're already exploring the South Bank.
How to find it
Head inside Royal Festival Hall at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX and look for the JCB Glass Lift on the Blue Side of the building.
Combine it with #2 at the National Theatre and #7 at the National Theatre Bookshop. They're all on the South Bank, so you can tick off three of our theatre-lover recommendations in one trip.
KIDS GO FREE TO WEST END SHOWS — SUMMER
Visiting London with children during the summer? Kids Week is one of the best-value ways for families to experience the West End. The annual scheme allows a child aged 17 or under to see a participating show for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult.
Additional children can usually be booked at a reduced rate, with dozens of participating West End shows to choose from.
When is it?
Despite the name, Kids Week now usually runs for several weeks during the summer holidays. Dates, participating productions and availability change each year, so check the current programme before planning your visit.
Popular shows and the best dates can sell quickly once booking opens. Sign up for Kids Week updates in advance so you know when tickets are released rather than waiting until your London trip is approaching.
Coming to London with a young performer? Take a look at our West End Junior Academy and Workshop Day for the chance to train with West End professionals while you're here.
