How to save on UK days out

Fifty years ago it cost 10p to visit the Tower of London. If the price had increased in line with inflation, it would now be 90p. In fact, it’s £34.50.

Days out in the UK are ruinously expensive for most families, but there are ways to keep the cost down.

Whether you’re planning a visit to a UK attraction this May bank holiday - or later in the year - follow our strategies to keep the costs down.

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1. Two for one with National Rail

For many of the UK’s most famous attractions, one way to reduce the price to something more reasonable is to travel by train - and use National Rail’s two-for-one offer.

For example, a ticket to London Zoo at the weekend costs £33 a person - but by booking through the National Rail Day’s Out website you can get one adult ticket free. 

Similar deals are available on dozens of attractions throughout the UK, including theme parks such as Alton Towers, Sealife centres in towns around the country, Legoland and numerous cathedrals and castles, including the Tower of London.

To qualify, you need to be travelling by train.

2. Visiting the Tower of London and Hampton Court this year? Get membership of Historic Royal Palaces

If you fancy visiting the Tower of London and Hampton Court it might make sense to fit both trips into the same year and buy annual membership to Historic Royal Palaces.

As mentioned, the Tower of London costs £34.50. Hampton Court costs £30 at peak times. But a year’s membership that would allow you to visit both, plus Kensington Palace, Banqueting House in Whitehall, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle, costs £55. 

3. Group discounts to the Sealife centre - and more

You might be able to save by teaming up with a couple of other families to visit on the same day. For example, at Brighton Sealife Centre an adult ticket costs £19. But for a group of 10 people, it’s £16.05 each.

At Windsor Castle, tickets cost £30, or £27 per person for groups of 15 or more people.

4. Use your reward card at Legoland, London Eye and more

Some reward cards offer cheaper days out. 

For example, with the Tesco Clubcard, every 50p in credit you have can be turned into £1 off entry to Leeds Castle, Legoland, London Eye and many others.

If you’re a member of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club, you can also transfer points to be used on its Virgin Experiences, such as Go Ape or the view from the UK’s highest building, The Shard.

5. Got kids? Check holiday dates and teacher training days

Some attractions, such as Warwick Castle, Legoland and other sites run by entertainment giants Merlin, have higher prices depending on demand - meaning children’s holidays can be much pricier. 

However, school holidays vary around the UK, so if you’re lucky enough to be able to take the kids out when others are still at school, you can save.

Another option is to plan your excursions around your children’s school ‘inset’ days. These are in-service teacher training days, and they vary not just by region but by individual school. 

For example, a trip to Warwick Castle currently costs £24 on Friday, 24 May, but £3 more each day of the following week, when most children are on half-term.

6. Free visits to National Trust properties

Family membership of the National Trust costs £159, while one-off trips to some properties would cost two adults and children £47.50.

However, for the last two autumns, the National Trust has offered families free visits. In 2023, you could get a free pass for visits between 18 September and 20 October. In 2022, the offer was from the end of September until 30 November.

There’s no guarantee - but look out for similar offers this autumn. Customers of Octopus energy who join its Octoplus rewards scheme can also redeem points for National Trust days out, as can Starling Bank customers who refer a friend.

7. Book your day out to Madame Tussauds or Alton Towers on Black Friday

Some UK attractions have provided cheaper tickets if you book on or close to Black Friday, which will be on 29 November this year.

Merlin, which runs Madame Tussauds, Legoland, Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and dozens of other sites, has had a Black Friday deal in recent years. Last year, an annual pass was £79 instead of £99 on Black Friday. Some individual attractions, such as Legoland and Alton Towers, also had special offers.

8. Visit the Eden Project or HMS Belfast for free during National Lottery Week

Every March, hundreds of attractions around the country provide free entry or special offers to anybody who turns up with a lottery ticket or scratch card.

In 2024, this included the Eden Project in Cornwall, HMS Belfast in London, National Trust properties and the Black Country Living Museum in the West Midlands.

9. Visit one of hundreds of free attractions

In our annual survey of the UK’s best museums, galleries and other attractions - seventeen of the top-ranked destinations were completely free - including many you’re unlikely to have heard of.

The best free attractions in the UK.