Top Tips To Enjoy A Day Out On A Budget

1. Cheap Family Movie Tickets

You can make some substantial savings on a family trip to the cinema if you can be flexible on when you visit. Whilst these family movies may have been out a few months already, they offer value for money with tickets priced from just £1.75pp.

For more top tips on this offer go to A Guide To Mid Morning Budget Movies.

Check your local cinema for listings & prices as this promotion varies depending upon your location.

2. Free & Cheap Annual Pass Upgrades

Plenty of visitor attractions offer free/cheap annual pass upgrades if you purchase standard price tickets. This can be worth the initial outlay & makes for a budget second/ third visit during the year.

Visitor attractions that offer this promotion include the National Space Centre, Leeds Castle, The Deep Aquarium, Cardiff Castle, Magna Science & Adventure Centre, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard & many more.

More details available at Free Annual Pass Upgrades.

3. Pick Up a 2 for 1 Voucher for Merlin Attractions

If you planning a trip to a Merlin Attraction, it can be worth picking up a few Adults/Mates Go Free vouchers on promotional packets of Kellogg’s cereals & breakfast bars.  These vouchers work in the same way as a 2 for 1 voucher and offer discounted entrance to attractions such as Alton Towers, Sea Life Centres, Legoland Windsor, The Dungeons, Warwick Castle & more.

More details available at 2 for 1 Vouchers for Merlin Attractions.

Saw – The Ride at Thorpe Park

4. Admire the Views of London on a Budget

There are some great ways to enjoy the Views of London without spending a fortune.  Opt for a FREE visit to the Sky Garden, enjoy the complimentary roof terrace at One New Change or climb the Monument for small change – there are plenty of options that won’t break the bank.

More details available at Budget Views of London.

Free Entry to the Sky Garden

5. Secure a London & Whipsnade Zoo Promo Code

Book online at London Zoo or Whipsnade Zoo using the promo code ‘SAVER’ to receive a 10% discount when purchasing at least 1 adult & 3 children tickets or 2 adults & 2 children tickets. The other great advantage with this deal is that tickets booked online also offer you fastrack entrance into the zoo.

More details available at ZSL London & Whipsnade Zoo.

6. Take Advantage of Late Entrance Tickets

A number of visitor attractions offer discounts to encourage you to visit at quieter times of the day.  If you can be flexible on when you visit, why not delay until later in the day for a shorter visit at a reduced/free ticket price such as;

Gulliver’s Theme Parks; offers reduced priced tickets from 3pm each day for £8.50pp.

Warwick Castle; discounted tickets from 3.30pm each day only available on the door, (£9 adults, £7 children).

Thinktank’s Science Garden; FREE entry after 3pm each day.

Closing times vary throughout the year so always worth checking closing times before planning a visit.

Gulliver’s Land, (photo; Phil Loach)

7. Travel By Train; 2 for 1 Vouchers

Travel by train and take advantage of hundreds of 2 for 1 vouchers for UK visitor attractions. Simply download the relevant voucher and present with valid train tickets on the day of your visit.

More details available at 2 for 1 Vouchers with Train Travel.

8. 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.

Blists Hill Fairground

9. Family Overnight Break + 3 Attractions for £129

Enjoy a night in a top hotel, breakfast and family entrance to 3 visitor attraction in & around Leicestershire for just £129 per family.  Attractions include Twycross Zoo, National Space Centre, Conkers & Twinlakes Theme Park.

More details available at Stay Play Explore Family Fun Short Break.

10. Book a Free Workshop for Children

Combine fun with learning to take advantage of FREE workshops that tend to run weekends, (B&Q) or during the school holidays, (Halfords). Build something from scratch at the B&Q Kids Can Do It Classes or learn how to fix a puncture at the Halfords Bike Maintenance Classes.

Conkers Assault Course

11. In My Backyard

Sometimes we can all forget what we have around us & just a little re-packaging can make an old haunt new & exciting.

Skate Parks; they’ve been sprouting up everywhere over the past few years & children love to watch even if they don’t feel up to taking part.

Fly a Kite; the old ideas can be the best & a great way to spend quality time with the family.

Libraries; look out for classes & workshops, (usually free), running in the school holidays.

Cycle Paths; Local authorities have worked hard to improve the cycle paths over the past few years so why not dust off those bikes and take the children for a jaunt.

By Liz Walsh