Families can enjoy a range of days out without spending a penny, from free museum entries and historic sites to community festivals. For those on benefits, discounted tickets are available at major attractions, and numerous restaurant chains offer kids-eat-free deals throughout the summer.
Free outdoor spaces and museums
The UK's countryside, beaches, and open spaces offer free days out, with possible transport costs. City strolls can reveal historic streets and hidden gems, aided by free library guides or online walking tours.
About 2,500 museums exist in the UK, and national museums funded by central government have free entry policies. Temporary exhibitions may charge, but many university and local authority museums are also free. For example, the National Railway Museum in York operates on an optional donation basis.
English Heritage and free festivals
Many English Heritage sites are free to enter, including prehistoric monuments, Roman ruins, and medieval castles. Examples include Lydford Castle and Saxon Town in Devon, Eynsford Castle in Kent, Clun Castle on the Welsh border, and Norham Castle in Northumberland.
Local events, from summer fetes to community gatherings, are often free. In London, King's Cross Summer Sounds runs until August 23 with folk, jazz, soul, classical and indie rock music, and dance. Manchester's Black Gold Arts event on August 15 offers free outdoor arts and live performances.
Discounted tickets for families on benefits
For those on Universal Credit or other benefits, discounted tickets are available, sometimes as low as £1. Qualifying benefits vary by attraction and may include Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or Disability Living Allowance.
Examples from research by Christians Against Poverty include £1 tickets for Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mews, and The King's Galleries (Buckingham Palace's £1 entries are sold out). London Transport Museum offers an unlimited annual pass for £4.38 (usually £23.62) for Universal Credit and Pension Credit recipients. Whipsnade Zoo has Universal Credit tickets at £10 (£11 with donation) for adults and £5 for children. Eureka! Science + Discovery in Merseyside has £5 day tickets per person (usually £15.65) for Universal Credit or Pension Credit recipients. Chatsworth House offers Universal Credit prices of £3 for adults and £1 for children. The Eden Project in Cornwall has day tickets for £15 per adult and £7.50 per child for those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or certain other benefits. Edinburgh Zoo tickets start at £8, with under 3s free.
Government scheme and meal deals
The Labour government's Great British Summer Savings scheme, launched at the end of June, cuts VAT from 20% to 5% on family days out, including cinema, theatre, attractions, and children's meals, until September 1. More than 2,000 businesses have signed up, with offers listed at summersavings.gov.uk. Additionally, children aged 15 and under in England get free bus travel for August.
Restaurant chains offer kids-eat-free deals, according to research from VoucherCodes.co.uk and Christians Against Poverty. Asda Cafes offer kids' meals for £1 with no adult minimum spend. Dobbies Garden Centres provide children's breakfast or hot meal for 88p with any adult main. Dunelm Pausa Cafes offer a free kids' meal with every £4 spent. Morrisons Cafes give a free kids' meal with an adult main of £5 or over. Ask Italian offers up to two free kids' meals with an adult main. Bella Italia has Kids Eat Free Sunday to Thursday. Bill's allows up to two kids to eat free with an adult main. Cafe Rouge offers kids eat free midday to 4pm with an adult main. Frankie and Benny's has kids eat free all week. Ikea's children's pasta starts at 85p, with most expensive main at £2.60. Premier Inn gives free breakfast for up to two under 16s with an adult breakfast or meal deal. TGI Fridays offers a free kids' main with a full-price adult main. The Real Greek has a free kids' meal with £15 adult spend on Sundays. Yo! Sushi offers a free bento box for children up to 12 with every £10 adult spend, valid all day Monday to Friday during school holidays.
