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
UK Climbing Centres & Venues Directory | StartClimbing
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.
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 £2 for the day Markeaton Park | Parks | In Derby
Balloon Festival in Shropshire, 20/21st August, free or a £1 charity donation – Oswestry Balloon Carnival 2021
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 – www.elephantpark.co.uk
South
Bristol - The Vench - Lockleaze Adventure Playground | Facebook
Cornwall - Heartlands Cornish visitor attraction and Mining World Heritage Site (heartlandscornwall.com)
Hastings - Events in 2022 - Hastings Old Town Carnival Week
North
Big Swing in Bradford The Big Swing Adventure Playground | Facebook
The 7 stories museum in Newcastle under 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 (cliftonparkrotherham.co.uk)
At the end of the summer 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
Something completely magical, a floating garden - The Floating Garden - Dandelion
Wales
Can’t find a website but this park looks amazing! - 'Junk' playground The Land, Wrexham inspires US guests - BBC News
What kids doesn’t like owls? www.theowlsanctuary.co.uk
Margam Park is beautiful and huge – www.margamcountrypark.co.uk
