There is no doubt that the cost-of-living crisis is casting its shadow over the school summer holidays. We sell Dinosaur toys and are not a travel expert but have some ideas to help you and your kids have a cheap family day out.
We specialise in dinosaur toys and don’t claim to be travel experts but we work with some fabulous places for days out and so we’ve put together a list of places we think will give you and your family a fabulous, and affordable, day out.
Nationwide venues
The Woodland Trust has details of woods across the UK, and also great ideas for family fun in their woodland
Find A Wood - Visiting Woods - Woodland Trust
Also Forestry England have Gruffalo themed orienteering Gruffalo | Forestry England
How about Climbing Walls?
They may not be free but for value for money a climbing day out is a great day out for older kids
Tennis
If Wimbledon has inspired you then there are places where you can play tennis for free.
Welcome to Tennis For Free - Tennis For Free
Museums are free!
If your only memories of museums are routed in school trips I promise that they are loads of fun, and free to go in.
Most towns have local museums or if you are in cities there will be a lot of choice.
Museums.co.uk – Largest Guide To Museums in UK.
Art Trails
Various free events around the country - check the website for your nearest - trails range from Elmer to Highland Coos and Bear Hunts to OxTrail Events | Wild in Art
Stately Homes, Castles and Monuments
National Trust
There is usually a parking charge but grounds are huge, normally free and many have great play areas.
Best days out ideas in the UK | National Trust
And castles too
Map of Castles in Britain | Britain Visitor - Travel Guide To Britain (britain-visitor.com)
And of course, English Heritage
English Heritage Home Page | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk)
Other tops tips
Join the Extreme Couponing Facebook group for top tips for discounts Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group | Facebook
Also Tesco Clubcard Days out vouchers Days out Vouchers | Days out Discounts | Tesco Clubcard
Always take your own food! Nothing pushes the cost of a day up more than having to buy food and drink so take snacks and water with you.
Check your local newspaper. They will be running features and ads for local events all over the summer so a great place to find local places to visit.
Here are our ideas for cheaper or even free days out around the country.
Midlands – Markeaton Park in Derby is huge, popular and free, although parking will be up to £5.50 for the day Markeaton Park | Parks | In Derby
Balloon Festival in Shropshire, 17th/18th August, free or a £2 voluntary charity donation – Oswestry Balloon Carnival 2024
Birmingham has all sorts of facilities and events in its parks - Parks | Birmingham City Council
London
Little Wormwood Scrubs | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (rbkc.gov.uk)
Toffee Park Adventure Playground • Islington Play Association
Play facility for all in Stockwell - Oasisplay
Kew Gardens have £1 entry for anyone using Universal Credit Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | Kew
An urban oasis with water, a tree house and an Elmer Trail – Elephant Park
South
Bristol - The Vench - Lockleaze Adventure Playground | Facebook
Hastings - Hastings Old Town Carnival Week - August
Cornwall - visit a farm for free - though you may want to buy some delicious ice cream whilst there - Roskillys Farm
Bristol Balloon Festival in August - free to enter, though you have to book and pay for parking - Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2024
North
Big Swing in Bradford The Big Swing Adventure Playground | Facebook
The 7 stories museum in Newcastle upon Tyne is all about stories for kids and it’s free to enter Seven Stories | The National Centre for Children's Books
Clifton Park Rotherham Clifton Park, Rotherham
After the summer holidays is the St Anne’s Kite festival – www.discoverfylde.co.uk/kitefestival
Scotland
Perfect, and huge park for all - Beecraigs Country Park - West Lothian Council
You will be spoiled for choice with the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserves and Visitor Centres - Scottish Wildlife Trust
Hairy Highland Coo Trail, Perth & Kinross - Hairy Highland Coo Trail
Wales
Junk playground - Plas Madoc, Wrexham - The Land, Adventure Playground | Kid Friendly Near Me
What kids doesn’t like owls? www.theowlsanctuary.co.uk
Margam Park is beautiful and huge – Margam Country Park
