Slash Family Day Out Costs This Summer: Top Tips to Save or Go Free!

Travel Smart

Starting with your mode of transportation to your destination, there are ample opportunities to save, especially if you opt for public transit.

In the capital, up to four kids under 11 can ride free on the Tube, DLR, Overground, and Elizabeth line with an adult who has paid their fare. These children can pass through the barrier with the help of station staff or via the wide access gates. For children between 11 and 15 years old, a Zip Oyster photocard can be obtained to access free or reduced fares. This card costs £16 and usually arrives within two weeks after application by a parent or guardian.

A one-year Family and Friends Railcard, available for £35, offers a third off most adult rail fares and a 60% reduction for children across the National Rail network in Great Britain.

Certain train operators, such as Southeastern and Chiltern Railways, have promotions like ‘Kids for a Quid’ where children aged five to 15 can travel for just £1 on off-peak journeys when accompanied by a paying adult. It is important to check if these offers are eligible for use with a railcard.

Additionally, train travel can provide savings upon arrival with various 2-for-1 entrance deals listed on the National Rail’s website, such as those available at the Black Country Museum in the Midlands.

National Express also offers a deal where up to three children aged 15 or under can travel free with a paying adult using the promotional code ‘Kidsfree’ until the end of September.

Booking your travel in advance and avoiding peak times during the week can also lead to significant savings.

Seek Out Free Admission

Many renowned museums across the country do not charge for entry to their main exhibits. In London, for instance, the British Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Tate Britain, and Tate Modern are free of charge. Special exhibitions may incur a fee, and donations are often encouraged.

The National Railway Museum in York, the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, and the Royal Armouries in Leeds also offer free admission.

Individuals receiving universal credit can benefit from reduced entry fees at various venues. The Cartoon Museum in London, for example, offers tickets at just £3 for universal credit or jobseeker’s allowance recipients. Similarly, the Cutty Sark in Greenwich offers significantly discounted rates.

Edinburgh Zoo provides affordable tickets for £7 for adults on universal credit, and the Eden Project in Cornwall has a special rate of £5 for similar beneficiaries, with children’s tickets costing only £1.

Capitalize on Family Specials

The Society of London Theatre hosts an annual ‘Kids’ Week’ where children aged 17 and under can attend select shows for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult, with additional tickets available at half price. This offer is valid for performances through the end of August.

Discounts on popular shows like MJ the Musical and Back to the Future are available through a summer theatre sale at LondonBoxOffice.

If Shakespeare is of interest, the Globe Theatre in London provides £5 standing tickets. The Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre in Chester allows you to combine theatre with a picnic, offering discounted tickets for under-16s. The Brighton Open Air Theatre, running through to September 21, offers special rates for children and families, as well as concessions for unemployed individuals.

For indoor entertainment, Cineworld offers £1 Family Films each week, with featured movies like The Wild Robot and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Odeon cinemas also have special screenings for kids every holiday at £2.75 per ticket.

Explore Nature

Many parks, such as Wendover Woods in the Chilterns and Moors Valley Country Park and Forest in Dorset, are free to enter, although parking fees may apply. Wendover Woods, for example, charges £13 for parking, while Moors Valley’s fee is £16.50.

The Beamish Museum near Stanley, Durham, which offers a year-long family pass for £82, provides a discount if you arrive by a Go North East bus. This museum, recently honored as the Art Fund museum of the year, showcases the regional history from the 1820s to the 1950s with interactive displays.

For cooling off during warmer days, community lidos and swimming spots are an excellent choice. The Clevedon Marine Lake, for instance, is a charity-run tidal pool on the Somerset coast that fills with seawater during the spring tides.

Calculate the Best Deals

When facing an entry fee, it’s prudent to check the availability of family tickets and calculate the most cost-effective option. For example, the Sea City Museum in Southampton charges £42.50 for a family ticket, which is less expensive than buying individual tickets for the same number of people. However, prices vary depending on the group’s composition, so it’s beneficial to calculate the best option for your specific situation.

Attractions like Legoland in Windsor offer significant discounts for tickets purchased online in advance compared to on-the-day purchases. Additionally, promotions, such as Cadbury’s, offer discounts across various UK attractions, including Legoland and Thorpe Park.

Many venues also offer annual family passes that can be worthwhile if you plan multiple visits. For instance, London Zoo offers a silver membership that covers unlimited visits and might be a sound investment depending on your visit frequency and timing.