Free Things to do in South Bank

The 2025 Linbury Prize exhibition

WHEN & WHERE: 2 Dec until March 2026 at National Theatre

Celebrating the work of the next generation of innovative theatre designers from across the UK, the Linbury Prize for Stage Design is a showcase of exciting and original new theatre design. On display at the National Theatre, this free exhibition showcases the work of twelve designers nominated for a Linbury Prize this year. The exhibition presents original designs created for a wide range of productions, accompanied by plenty of detail from the designers, shedding light on their creative process and inspirations.

The Greeks: Radical Intervention

WHEN & WHERE: Until Feb 2026 at National Theatre

Presented in the Wolfson Gallery at National Theatre (next to the Lasdun restaurant), this richly detailed exhibition highlights the imaginative and authentic ways that ancient Greek dramas have been presented at the National over the decades. The exhibition includes costume designs, rehearsal footage, model boxes, listening stations, and digital screens, while the stories behind these objects are brought to life through recitals of ancient Greek verse, and recordings of music, speeches and dances from these past productions.

WordPlay

WHEN & WHERE: Fortnightly on Friday mornings at the Clore Ballroom in Royal Festival Hall

Every fortnight, songwriter Emma Lee Moss performs a magical collection of songs for children at the Southbank Centre's free WordPlay sessions at the Clore Ballroom.  Aimed at children aged 0-5 (and their families), WordPlay is all about the joy of words and communication, centred on sing-alongs and storytelling that let little imaginations grow.  There are two sessions: the 10:15am session is aimed at children aged 0–2 and the 11:30am session is for those aged 3–5.

Saturday Sessions 

WHEN & WHERE: Monthly Saturdays at 1:30pm at the Clore Ballroom in Royal Festival Hall

Aimed at young families (aged 5-11), the monthly Saturday Sessions provide a fun and energetic place for kids to come together and watch a performance, make something and play with other children and their families. There is also a Relaxed Session at 11am, designed for families who would benefit from a sensory-adapted space and smaller group experience. These are free drop-in events and there's no need to book.

SAT 24 JAN | The Art of Doodling
SAT 7 FEB | Ballroom Boogie with Bridgitte Aphrodite at 2:45pm, Relaxed Session poetry workshop at 11am 

Watch archive films at the BFI Mediatheque

Explore highlights from the world’s greatest film and TV archive in BFI Southbank’s free digital viewing space, the Mediatheque. Visitors can view over 95,000 titles from the BFI National Archive. The available film footage covers more than a century of film and TV material including news reels, feature films, TV shows and commercials. Simply choose a booth and touch the screen to start your viewing. Headphones are provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own. The Mediatheque is very popular, so we recommend arriving early to grab a space (they open from 11am Tue-Sun).  Find out more here. 

Go behind the scenes at Sherling High-Level Walkway

Described as central London's biggest factory, every aspect of the National Theatre's theatre production works - from metalwork, carpentry and painting to prop manufacture and rehearsals - takes place inside the theatre complex itself. You can view the theatre's workshops from the Sherling High-Level Walkway where informative exhibition boards outline the different production preparations taking place. Open 12pm-6pm on Wed and Sat, entrance via Dorfman Theatre.

Poetry at The National Poetry Library

The National Poetry Library (located on the 5th floor of the Royal Festival Hall) is the largest public collection of modern poetry in the world. In addition to a massive selection of anthologies, magazines and journals, the library hosts free temporary exhibitions themed around poetry and poets.

Sightseeing on the Queen’s Walk

Possibly London’s most famous riverside promenade, the Queen’s Walk is stacked with iconic views. Favourite photo opportunity stops include the world-famous views of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the grandeur of the London Eye and the views of St Paul’s Cathedral as seen from Observation Point in front of Gabriel’s Wharf.  Read our guide to what to see on your Queen's Walk stroll here.

Watch graffiti artists at work on Leake Street

This 300-metre-long tunnel runs all the way beneath Waterloo Station connecting South Bank with the Lower Marsh High Street in Waterloo. Leake Street is London’s longest graffiti wall and every inch of space is covered with an ever-changing collection of street art murals. Anybody is free to leave their mark and the graffiti changes daily. A great place to take some fun photos and to watch local graffiti artists at work!

Watch the street performers

While strolling the Queen’s Walk take time out to watch the street performers. Every day brings a different collection of talented buskers, acrobats and other performers to the banks of the river. Performers can be found at the dedicated busking spots near the Southbank Centre in front of Jubilee Gardens, next to Hungerford Bridge and on the pedestrian crossings of the Golden Jubilee Bridges.

A picnic in the park

Next to the London Eye, take time out from the crowds with a picnic on the lawns at Jubilee Gardens. Behind the iconic Oxo Tower is the pretty Bernie Spain Garden and its lush herbaceous borders. A little more off the beaten track, is Archbishop's Park (once part of the expansive Lambeth Palace Gardens), where you’ll find an excellent kid's playground and some ping pong tables. The small St Thomas Gardens next to the hospital have a handful of picnic tables and benches offering some of the best views of Big Ben.