Things to do in Canary Wharf on a Budget

Canary Wharf is a financial and business district located on the river Thames, central to the city yet often disregarded as not as accessible as other boroughs across the capital. True, it might not have the indie charm of Brixton or Camden, but there are still affordable ways to pass the time and unmissable experiences whose pricing is on par with these areas. You just need to know where to look. But don’t worry, here at LHA London, we have you covered. 

Visit Jubilee Park 

Jubilee Park is a raised roof garden situated over Canary Wharf Underground Station to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002. It was designed to directly contrast with the surrounding urban structures, providing a gentle, green haven amongst the modern architecture.

Deliberately placed over the Jubilee Line, it is easily accessible and completely free to the public so you can go and have a look around during your free time or bring your friends for a relaxed picnic.

Price: Free 

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

Crossrail Place Roof Garden 

Crossrail Place Roof Garden is an enclosed garden situated above Elizabeth Line Station, providing one of the most convenient, and unexpected, green spaces to anyone visiting the area. Appearing more Japanese than any park you’d expect to find along the Thames, the indoor collection of plants from across the world encapsulates a circular loop dotted with benches so you can enjoy a more peaceful spot for your lunch, particularly during summer when Jubilee Park is likely to fill up quickly with visitors.

Alternatively, if you want somewhere secluded and singularly special to read or commit to studying without distractions or the expectation of purchasing a coffee for a seat, this spot is ideal. Even during ‘poor’ weather, the glass topped ceiling can generate a tropical feeling, dappled by falling rain.

Price: Free 

Opening Hours: 9am–9pm

Canary Wharf Outdoor Public Art Trail

The largest collection of public art in London is situated in Canary Wharf and, luckily for you, every piece has been meticulously collated on one Art Map that allows you to jump from piece to piece on a completely free walking tour of the area. There are more than 100 artworks for you to find in this gloriously varied open air gallery including sculptures and architectural works. And is there really a better way to understand the culture and history of a place than its public artwork?

You could even stop for a bite to eat in the middle of your adventure if you so wish.

Price: Free

London Museum Docklands 

If you or someone you know has ever shown an interest in maritime history then London Museum Docklands could be just the place for you. Built in a refurbished warehouse linked directly to Canary Wharf’s shipping history, you’ll find in depth historical exhibitions outlining London’s merchant charge across the globe, including their links to piracy and shining a light on exactly how London profited from the slave trade. Exitbits can be emotionally charged.

With such extensive and, in some places, interactive features, you could easily spend anywhere from 1-3 hours within its walls. And, there’s no need to book in advance.

Price: Free 

Opening Hours: 10am–5pm

Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre 

The Troubadour Theatre in Canary Wharf was purpose built by the team behind the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley to host the Hunger Games live performances. Designed to give fans of the franchise a truly immersive experience, you’ll be sat around a circular stage in a venue that offers unique productions.

This might seem an odd choice of budget destination in Canary Wharf as theatre can often be judged as inaccessible if you don’t have a couple of hundred pounds to spend, but there are plenty of ways to experience London theatre on a budget, particularly if you are keen to see a particular production. Sometimes, you simply need to compromise with restricted view tickets but they can be as low as £25 at theatres like the Troubadour.

Price: £25+

Times: Show dependent, often 2:30pm or 7:30pm. 

Fairgame Canary Wharf 

If you look back at your childhood experiences at fairgrounds and think ‘I wish I didn’t have to grow up,’ then Fairgame is the place for you. It is, as their website boldly proclaims: ‘The funfair. Exactly like you don’t remember.’ An over 18s fairground not due to adult themes but to give adults access to their favourite fairground experiences with complete freedom.

You’ll have access to 9 bespoke fairground games with 75 minutes to complete the lot, no hogging allowed. On entry, you’re given an RFID card that you can tap to access all prepaid games without needing to queue for tickets. Street food, cocktails, and live DJs are all on site to give this fantastic, boisterous experience an atmosphere that keeps you lively. And, if you’re feeling competitive, you’ll be hooked up to a live leaderboard so you can fight for funky prizes that you can display pride of place on your desk.

Price: £15-£20pp depending on the time of day you visit 

Opening times: Tues–Thurs: 11:30am–12am, Fri: 11:30am–1am, Sat: 10:30am–1am, Sunday: 11:30am–12am, Mon: Closed. 

Market Halls

It can be difficult to choose between all the eclectic and indie munch options in and around London, particularly when you’re exploring the city as a group, so why not stop and peruse the tasty bites at Canary Wharf Market Halls? Here you’ll have your choice of burgers, fried chicken, Greek, Mexican, Argentinian, Malaysian, breakfast food and more. Options are often affordable, and when you’re eating out on a budget, it can always help to have multiple options so you can weigh up pricing and no one feels they’re missing out or being too picky when they need to choose a slightly less expensive vendor.

To top it all off, Market Halls is soundtracked by live music with a centrally located bar so you can chill with a pint or a non alc option once the food’s been demolished. However, some have noted that a full pint is above average in price, so if your budget doesn’t allow for this, it might be worth preplanning drinks elsewhere.

Take the Ferry 

Canary Wharf Pier operates a ferry service to London Bridge throughout the day, taking you on a 20 minute trip up the Thames for as little as £9. This is a far more interesting way to travel around London and gives you a unique perspective of the capital from its iconic river.

If you’re travelling to Canary Wharf for the day, perhaps to Fairgame with your friends or visit Crossrail Place, the cheaper option would be to walk your way there, but the more valuable option could be to take the ferry.

Price: £9-£13

Come home to accommodation from LHA London, where you can unwind after exploring the Canary Wharf’s budget attractions. Our hostels cover all major points on the city’s map. For more information about how our charity can help you get set up in the big city, take a look at our available short term/long term accommodation and don’t forget to check out For those looking to stay near Canary Wharf, check out our Davies Court hostel on India Dock Rd. Take a look at our offer to discover what we can offer you.