Everyone loves free stuff — and if you’re new to the UK, trust me, you’ll want to grab every freebie you can find.

Between rent, groceries, transport, and that sneaky Pret coffee habit, the expenses add up fast. But here’s the good news: there’s actually a lot you can get for free in the UK (legally, of course).

From free food and beauty samples to free days out and online subscriptions, this guide will show you how to make the most of what’s on offer without spending a penny.

Ready to start claiming your freebies? Let’s dive in!

Free food and drinks

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? In the UK, there are actually loads of ways to bag free food if you know where to look. If you love a good freebie, here’s where to start:

• Supermarket free samples:

Some supermarkets offer free samples of new products, especially around holidays or special events. Keep an eye out at places like M&S, Tesco, and IKEA food halls.

•  Free birthday treats:

Loads of restaurant chains give away free goodies on your birthday. Greggs will hand you a free sweet treat, Krispy Kreme offers a free doughnut, and Barburrito does a birthday burrito when you sign up for their apps.

• Food sharing apps

Apps like Olio and Too Good To Go connect you to people and local businesses in the UK giving away or selling leftover food at super cheap prices,  or sometimes for free.

• Community food support 

If you’re struggling, the UK has an amazing network of foodbanks and community kitchens. The Trussell Trust runs foodbanks (referral often needed), while FoodCycle serves up free hot meals.

There are other food banks that do not require any referrals. If you need help finding them, you can check out this map of Independent Food Aid Network in the UK .

There are also a number of other options if you can't access or find a food bank. These include community fridges, pantries and weekly food bags(the bread and butter thing).

While some of these aren't specific about who can get access to them, it's quite advisable to bring a form of identification such as a utility bill, license, etc.

Free entertainment 

Moving to the UK is stressful if we are being honest and sometimes you might just need something to help ease off the stress and take your mind off things. 

• Free museums & art galleries:

Many of the UK’s biggest museums are completely free to enter. In London alone, you’ve got the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, and V&A Museum — all for £0.

The same goes for loads of tiny local museums and public art galleries across the country.

Here's a list of free museums and galleries that you can visit while in the UK. While nothing is required generally to visit these places, some popular museums (like the Natural History Museum in London) may ask you to book a free time slot online during busy seasons.

• Free local festivals & events:

Keep an eye out for free street festivals, markets, and community events in your area. From food fairs to light festivals and outdoor movie nights, there’s always something happening.

For more information on free local festivals and events, here's a list of free local festivals and events in the UK to look out for this year. 

• Free concerts, gigs & comedy nights:

Plenty of pubs, especially in cities like London, Manchester, and Brighton, host free live music nights, open mic comedy, and quiz nights. Some even offer free karaoke (if you’re brave enough).

Here's a list of free concerts and music events you can attend while in the UK, and a complication of free comedy nights you should definitely check out for a good laugh.

For free concerts or pub nights, it’s often first-come, first-served — so get there early for a good spot.

• Parks, seaside piers & the countryside:

City parks, seaside piers, and national trails are completely free and perfect for a day out.

For something extra special, check out Covent Garden’s street performers, or head north to places like Kilmartin Glen and the Northwest Highlands Geopark for fascinating (and free) outdoor adventures.

• Free indoor entertainment 

if going out isn't your thing but you still need to be entertained, you can try:

• Local public libraries: Free membership gets you e-books, audiobooks (via Libby or BorrowBox), Wi-Fi, newspapers, and study spots.
• YouTube: Free documentaries, old films, livestream gigs, comedy nights, and virtual performances.
• Free online games: Browser games, Zoom trivia nights, and even virtual escape rooms you can play with friends.
• Virtual museum tours: Explore places like the British Museum or Natural History Museum from your sofa.
• Free podcasts: Tons of free, high-quality podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.

Free health and wellness perks

Looking after your health doesn’t have to cost a fortune in the UK. In fact, there are loads of free perks you might not even know about:

• Free NHS prescriptions:

Certain groups are entitled to free prescriptions — including under-16s, under-19s in full-time education, pregnant women (and up to 12 months after birth), and people on specific benefits. You can check your eligibility on the NHS website.

• Free dental check-ups:

Children under 18, pregnant women, and new mums (within 12 months of giving birth) get free NHS dental care. Some low-income support schemes also cover dental costs.

• Free health screenings:

You can get free checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and sexual health at NHS clinics, pharmacies, and sexual health centres. Over-40s in England are offered free NHS Health Checks every five years.

• Free mental health resources

The UK has fantastic free mental health support including:

• NHS Talking Therapies (self-referral in most areas)
• Samaritans (116 123) – free 24/7 helpline
• Mind – mental health charity offering resources, helplines, and community support
• Free Gym Passes & Classes

Many gym chains like PureGym, The Gym Group, and Better Leisure Centres offer free trial day passes for new members.

Keep an eye out for local council-run leisure centres — some offer free community fitness sessions, walking groups, or outdoor gym equipment in parks (completely free to use).

Plus, Parkrun hosts free weekly 5k runs in parks across the UK — a great way to stay fit and meet people without spending a penny.

Free beauty and skincare samples

Who doesn’t love a beauty freebie? In the UK, you can bag free skincare and makeup samples without breaking a sweat:

• Beauty counters in stores:

Pop into stores like Boots, John Lewis, and Debenhams and ask at the beauty counters. Brands like Clinique, Clarins, Dior, and Benefit often have mini samples or testers available — sometimes even without a purchase.

• Free samples via brand sign-ups:

Brands like The Body Shop, Lush, Kiehl’s, and Origins regularly give out free samples in-store or when you join their newsletters, loyalty schemes, or product trial panels.

• Online sample request websites:

Sign up for sites like LatestFreeStuff.co.uk, MagicFreebies UK, and FreeStuffFinder UK. They list legit freebie offers — from skincare sachets to perfume testers — all delivered straight to your door.

Free tech and subscriptions

Here a few digital perks to bag for free in the UK:

• Free streaming trials:

New to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, or Apple Music? You can often grab free 1-month trials (sometimes more). Just remember to cancel before your trial ends if you don’t want to pay.

• Free online courses:

Sites like FutureLearn, OpenLearn (from The Open University), and Coursera offer tons of free online courses — from coding to mental health and photography.

• Free eBooks and audiobooks:

Download free eBooks via Amazon Kindle’s free section or your local library’s app (usually BorrowBox or Libby). Great for bookworms on a budget.

CitizenAid is a free emergency first-aid app packed with clear, expert-written steps for situations like heart attacks, choking, falls, and explosions. It guides you through what to do, assumes no medical knowledge, and even includes a CPR timer.

Free clothes, furniture & gadgets

if you are new to the UK, or moving homes, kitting up your place is most likely something you yearn but will push away till you can afford to.

Well fortunately, The UK’s got plenty of places to score free bits and bobs if you know where to look:

• Freecycle & Facebook marketplace ‘free’ sections

People give away everything from sofas and kettles to bikes and books. It’s a treasure hunt — and it’s completely free.

• Gumtree freebies

Another goldmine for furniture, appliances, and random gadgets people no longer need.

• Clothing swap events

Check out local swap shops and community events where you can exchange your old clothes for ‘new-to-you’ outfits — totally free and eco-friendly.

• IKEA freebies

Not exactly homeware, but worth a mention — IKEA Family members (it’s free to join) get free tea or coffee on weekdays. And don’t forget those iconic tiny pencils and paper rulers — unlimited supply.

• Tile & wallpaper samples

Many stores like Dulux, B&Q, and Homebase offer free tile and wallpaper samples.

Free travel perks

Yes! In the UK you can travel for free, and here's how;

• Free Bus Travel for Pensioners and Disabled Persons

In many areas, pensioners and disabled persons can travel for free on local buses.

Depending on your location, you may need to apply for an English National Concessionary Travel Scheme card to access this benefit.

• Kids travel free on TfL

If you’re in London, kids under 11 can travel for free on the Transport for London (TfL) network, including buses, trains, and the Tube.

• National rail discount schemes for certain groups

If you fall under certain categories (like students, seniors, or disabled persons), you can get substantial discounts on National Rail services through schemes like the 16-25 Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard.

Need to make transfers for close to nothing in the UK?

When you need to send money internationally or make payments quickly without burning a hole in your wallet, Ohentpay offers a solution.

Their platform provides low-cost or zero-fee international transfers, allowing you to move money across borders with minimal charges.

Whether you're paying for goods or sending money to family, Ohentpay's user-friendly app ensures you get the best exchange rates, saving you from hefty hidden fees often associated with traditional banks and money transfer services.

With a strong focus on reducing transfer costs, Ohentpay is designed to make sending money easier and more affordable.

There you have it — a list of fantastic, free goodies and perks available all across the UK!

Whether you’re scoring free food, enjoying local events, or picking up handy gadgets, the UK is full of opportunities to save, explore, and live well without spending a penny.

Life can get expensive, but why not make the most of all the free perks that are out there?

If you’ve discovered any amazing freebies of your own, we’d love to hear about them! Drop a comment below and share your experiences.

And for more tips, tricks, and answers to all your questions about thriving in the UK, don’t forget to check out our blog . We’re always here to help you make the most of your time in the UK!