Top Free Visitor Attractions In The UK
May 9th, 2026If you are looking for a day out on a budget, then we’ve put together a few ideas of our favourite FREE attractions around the UK.
1. Horizon 22; FREE Entry Tickets
How; apply for a free ticket in advance or take your chance and see if you can pick up a walk-in ticket on the day.
Highlights; billed as the highest viewing platform in London, Horizon 22 offers spectacular views over London taking in the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London & St Paul’s Cathedral. The great news is that tickets are FREE of charge and offers you a a floor-to-ceiling glass window experience spanning 300 degrees around the London skyline.
Top Tip; free tickets are released at 10am every Monday, for visits taking place 14 days in advance.
More Details; Horizon 22; FREE Tickets.
Horizon 22
2. The Big Pit, (South Wales)
How; gain free entry into the museum although there are now charges in place for the underground tours known as Job-A-Knock tickets.
Highlights; take the mine cage 90 metres underground in the company of an ex-miner to explore life on the coal face.
Top Tip; wrap up warm for the underground tour regardless of the time of the year & take note of items not allowed on the tour due to health & safety reasons.
More Details; Big Pit National Coal Museum.
3. Imperial War Museum North, (Manchester)
How; free entry into the museum.
Highlights; powerful interactive experience that explores conflict in Britain from World War 1 & onward that works for young & old alike.
More Details; Imperial War Museum North.
The Big Pit
4. Scottish Parliament
How; free entry into the Scottish Parliament with free guided tours available, (pre-booking advisable)
Highlights; enjoy a range of themed guided tours around this prestigious building that offers a fascinating insight into democracy at work.
Top Tip; guided tours get booked up quickly so best to be flexible with your dates.
More Details; The Scottish Parliament.
5. Straddle the Meridian Line for Free, (London)
How; make use of the free public access to the Meridian Line within Greenwich Park.
Highlights; stand with a foot in both the eastern & western hemispheres by straddling the Meridian Line without paying out for costly entrance charges.
Top Tip; combine with a walk under the River Thames using the Greenwich Foot Tunnel located within the town.
More Details; Greenwich on a Budget.
6. Glastonbury Tor, (Somerset)
How; whilst this landmark comes under the umbrella of the National Trust, it is free of charge to visit, (donations are welcome).
Highlights; fantastic views over the Somerset Levels and into Wales that make it worth the climb to the top.
Top Tip; combine with a trip into the town Glastonbury that takes its reputation for alternative lifestyles seriously plus plenty of wonderful cafes.
More Details; A Visit to Glastonbury.
Glastonbury Tor
7. National Coal Mining Museum, (Yorkshire)
How; Free entry into the setting although there is now a small voluntary charge in place for the underground tours.
Highlights; don a hard hat and travel 140 metres underground in the company of an ex-miner to explore the life of a miner through the generations.
Top Tip; don’t miss a chance to visit the pit ponies or stand upon the strengthened glass with a view 140m down!
More Details; National Coal Mining Museum.
8. Greater Manchester Police Museum
How; free entry into the museum, (please note that this museum is only opens on a Tuesday each week).
Highlights; try life in a police cell, stand in the dock of an old magistrates court or dress up as a Police Officer.
Top Tip; look out for additional children’s activities that run during select school holidays.
More Details; Manchester Police Museum.
National Coal Mining Museum Underground Tours
9. National Memorial Arboretum, (Staffordshire)
How; free entry into the setting, (donations welcome).
Description; a place of remembrance with over 300 dedicated memorials including the Armed Forces Memorial.
Tip; look out for the Royal British Legion Poppy Field that offers a dramatic symbolic reminder of past conflicts, (seasonal).
More Details; National Memorial Arboretum.
10. Crich Tramway, (Peak District)
How; free entry into the setting for 3 hours for those that own a pre-1980 car, (OK bit of a long shot but I just love this deal). Driver only with this deal, passengers need to pay full price.
Highlights; step back in time and explore a recreated village plus unlimited tram rides.
Top Tip; bring your dog along free of charge.
More Details; Crich Tramway.
11. The Sky Garden, (London)
How; apply for free tickets to the Sky Garden for those that can book in advance.
Highlights; sitting directly across for The Shard, you can enjoy fantastic views over London.
Top Tip; there are options available to pick up free walk-up tickets at select times of the week.
More Details; Sky Garden.
12. Giant’s Causeway, (Northern Ireland)
How; whilst the parking & visitor centre charge admission, many people don’t realise that access to the Giant’s Causeway is FREE via an ancient right of way, (you can access along the back of the Visitor Centre by The Causeway Hotel).
Highlights; view this natural phenomenon within Northern Ireland’s top World Heritage Site.
Top Tip; avoid parking charges by taking the coastal path to the Giant’s Causeway or taking the stream train from Bushmills.
More Details; Visit the Causeway Coast.
13. Birmingham Thinktank’s Science Garden, (West Midlands)
How; after 3pm each day Birmingham Thinktank open up their Science Garden free of charge
Highlights; a giant human-sized hamster wheel that has a top speed of 30 revolutions per minute!
Top Tip; closing time varies so check out times before planning your visit.
More Details; Birmingham Thinktank Science Garden.
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is there nothing in scotland.
Hi Barbara, we’ve tried to cover all areas of the UK with a selection of free visitor attractions and you’ll see we’ve included the free Scottish Parliament tours in Edinburgh. Do feel free to leave us some more ideas for free attractions in Scotland in the comment box below that we can share with our readers.
Excellent offers and info but nothing in the south west .
Thanks for the feedback Angie, I will look to add attractions to this free visitor attraction article to ensure it extends out further in the near future.