London's reputation as an expensive city isn't always well-earned. While you may pay a premium when heading to its flashier nightclubs and restaurants, there are also plenty of budget deals available on everything from transport and accommodation to events and activities in the city - with some of the best experiences in London being completely free of charge.

If you're staying in Central London, you might not even have to pay for local transport to get around, especially as walking around this city's historic streets can be an enjoyable experience in itself. Some of London's best known attractions and cultural centres offer free entry to all, which can be ideal for stretching your travel money further on London breaks.

These include many of London's top art galleries, such as the Tate Modern and Tate Britain which showcase an eclectic range of art from all over the world. More traditional options such as the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are also free to enter, and visitors are at liberty to leave donations as they see appropriate to help with these museums' conservation. Some of these galleries open until late in the evening, so you'll have plenty of time to fit in as much as possible during your break.

London's major museums offer free entry too, with charges for limited exhibitions. The British Museum is one of the most celebrated in the world, while the Museum of London offers a detailed overview of the history of this magnificent city up to the present day, and can be the perfect introduction if this is your first visit. Some of London's museums have established reputations as quirky places, and you'll be able to see the unusual sights of places like the Horniman Museum without paying a penny.

There is lots to see and do in the open air on London breaks too, from the well-known Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace to strolling through the city's well maintained parks and public gardens, such as Regent's Park and Hyde Park. Public squares like Trafalgar Square can be well worth visiting too, as long as you don't mind the crowds, and are ideal for photo opportunities.

Wherever you're staying in one of many London hotels, there's likely to be something of interest nearby, from the cheap market stalls of Camden, Portobello, Greenwich and other areas to the memorable street performers of Convent Garden Market.

Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.