Top Tips To Enjoy The Summer Holidays On A Budget
July 12th, 2015Now expired for 2015 but check back for more details for 2016.
Follow our top tips to enjoy a day out this summer on a budget packed with money saving ideas and handy hints to keep the costs down.
1. Alternative London Attractions
Enter Westminster Abbey for free, enjoy the Tower of London at night or straddle the Meridian Line without paying for entrance! Just a few few alternative ideas for a trip to London this summer that keeps the costs down but still gives you a chance to see the best of London.
More information available at Alternative London Attractions.
Beefeaters at the Tower of London, (photo; Phil Loach)
2. Short Breaks On A Budget
Why not opt for a staycation this summer & pick up substantial savings on combined accommodation & visitor attraction entry. A number of these now offer a choice of attractions plus add-ons for larger families;
Stay Play Explore Break; accommodation + 3 attractions for £129 per family.
Theme Park Short Breaks; accommodation, theme park tickets +2 attractions from £185 per family.
More Short Break Ideas; including budget breaks to Legoland Windsor & Chessington World of Adventures.
3. Cheap Cinema Tickets
There are substantial savings to be made on a family trip to the cinema this summer if you can be flexible on when you visit. Many of the main cinema chains run mid-morning movies at discounted prices and, whilst these won’t be the latest releases, they are often popular titles.
More details available at Top Tips For Mid Morning Movies.
Staffordshire Short Breaks; Drayton Manor Trucks
4. Search for Promo Codes
Make some easy savings this summer by taking advantage of a promo code at top visitor attractions. Keep an eye out for stipulations with these discount codes but if you can be flexible, they offer value for money. Some of our popular choices this summer include;
Aerial Extreme Promo Code; pick up a 20% discount promo code this summer at all 5 courses.
Go Ape Promo Code; valid for both Tree Top Adventures & Segways this summer.
ZSL London/Whipsnade Zoo; use the promo code SAVER to receive a 10% discount on select tickets.
5. Travel By Train; 2 for 1 Vouchers
Travel by train this summer & take advantage of hundreds of 2 for 1 vouchers for UK attractions. Simply download the relevant voucher and present with valid train tickets on the day of your visit.
Birds of Prey Show, (photo; Phil Loach)
6. Stock up on 2 for 1 Vouchers for Merlin Attractions
If you are planning visit attractions such as Legoland Windsor,Warwick Castle, Chessington World of Adventures or a Sea Life Centre this summer, then it can be worth stocking up on a few 2 for 1 vouchers. These offer 1 free entry when accompanied by an adult or child paying the full on-the-gate price ticket.
More information available at 2 for 1 Vouchers for Merlin Attractions.
7. Annual Passes With Free Child Entry
It can be worth investing in an annual pass that offers FREE entry for all your children or even grandchildren. These often come with additional passholder benefits too such such as free parking or discounts on other visitor attractions too;
Ironbridge Gorge Museuems; 10 museums including Blists Hill & family membership includes ALL your children!
National Trust Memberships; family membership includes ALL your children & grandchildren.
English Heritage Membership; includes entry for up to 6 accompanying children plus discounts on associated attractions.
English Heritage; Kenilworth Castle
8. Late Entrance Tickets
Many visitor attractions offer a later closing time during the summer, & for those than can be flexible when they visit, there are savings to be made on late entrance tickets. Often there no advance booking stipulation on these tickets, so you can check out the weather before you go. Put together a packed tea & try late entrance tickets at;
Gulliver’s Theme Parks; offers reduced priced tickets from 3pm each day.
Warwick Castle; discounted tickets from 3.30pm each day only available on the door.
Eden Project; runs a late entrance ticket from 3.30pm on days the setting is open until 8pm.
Trentham Gardens; £5 late entry tickets from 5pm on select days during the summer.
Thinktank’s Science Garden; FREE entry after 3pm each day.
9. Thrill Hopper Tickets
Invest in a Thrill Hopper Ticket and take advantage of discounted entry to all of the following attractions during the 2015 season; Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, SnowDome and Water World. This ticket offers value for money for those planning a short break or for those living close-by.
Gulliver’s Rides, (photo; Phil Loach)
10. Free Annual Pass Upgrades
Plenty of visitor attractions offer free annual pass upgrades when you purchase standard day tickets. Whilst you cannot combine an upgrade with other entrance discounts such as 2 for 1 vouchers or clubcard reward vouchers, it can be worth the initial outlay for those planning more than one visit during the year.
More details available at Free Annual Pass Upgrades.
11. Days Out For A Fiver
We’ve put together some of our favourite ideas for a day out for a fiver or less this summer that includes free entry attractions, free workshops for children & free coaching sessions.
More information available at Days Out For A Fiver.
Meet the Monkeys at London Zoo, (photo; Phil Loach)
12. Come Back Deals
Visitor attractions are often looking for ways to encourage you to return so it’s always worth looking out for come back deals. A second day may only cost you a few pounds more and offer you an additional day out on the cheap such as;
Alton Towers; offers a second day at the Theme Park or Water Park from £10pp.
Warwick Castle; next day entry for just 75p per person.
Thorpe Park; a bounce back ticket is available from £6pp.
Drayton Manor; return any day within the season for just £10pp.
More Ideas for Summer on a Budget
