The cost of family days out can add up quickly — theme park tickets for a family of four can easily reach £150 or more. But the UK is packed with genuinely excellent free and low-cost attractions that provide just as much enjoyment. National Trust properties, English Heritage sites, free museums, beautiful beaches, forest walks, and city parks offer wonderful days out without the premium price tag. Planning these into your year and budgeting for them in advance means you can enjoy quality family time without the post-outing guilt of an oversized credit card bill. Our cheapest days out guide has more ideas.
Free Museums and Cultural Attractions
The UK has an exceptional network of free museums and galleries funded by public grants. The British Museum, Tate Modern, the National Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London are world-class and completely free. Outside London, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, the Museum of Liverpool, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, and the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff are all free to enter. Many of these have excellent children's programmes, temporary exhibitions, and interactive areas. Parking and transport costs can still add up, so combine several attractions in one trip to maximise value. Most free museums appreciate donations, so budget a small amount for the donation box if you can.
Nature and Outdoor Days Out
The UK countryside offers endless free entertainment for families. Beach days are among the best value — pack a picnic, bucket and spade, and enjoy the sand and sea for nothing. The National Trust has many properties with free entry for members, but also many pay-by-donation entry sites. Forestry Commission sites across the UK offer excellent cycle trails and play areas free of charge. Many local councils run parks with excellent children's play areas, outdoor gyms, and splash pads in summer. Walking trails, scavenger hunts in woodlands, pond dipping, and bird watching are all free activities with lasting appeal. For a structured activity, download a nature hunt checklist before you go.
- Beach days: pack a picnic and enjoy free entertainment
- National Parks: spectacular landscapes with minimal cost
- Countryside walks and cycle trails: many with free parking
- Local parks: most council-maintained parks are free
Low-Cost Attractions That Are Worth the Price
Some paid attractions genuinely offer good value for money and are worth budgeting for. Cinema screenings for families (especially Tuesday deals or Odeon Limitless for regular goers) are excellent value. SEA LIFE centres, farm parks, and local castles often have discounted tickets through Costco, Tesco Clubcard vouchers, or group buying sites. Many attractions offer free entry for children under a certain age — check before you buy. The National Trust family membership at around £156 per year for two adults and unlimited children is exceptional value if you visit even six times. Similarly, English Heritage membership pays for itself after a few visits and includes many excellent historical properties.
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