The ongoing cost of living crisis is impacting how and where Brits spend their money, with many of us thinking twice before purchasing non-essential items and looking to save our pennies where possible. Family days out can be ruinously expensive, but we’ve compiled a list of the best free days out for couples, friends and all the family this year.
Inside view of the Natural History Museum in London
1. Wander around a museum
The UK is home to many interactive and interesting museum exhibitions; more and more of these are now outside of London. Within the capital, the British Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum and Natural History Museum offer a great day out.
Our recommendations for free museums near you:
- Falmouth Art Gallery, Cornwall
- Blaise Castle House Museum, Bristol
- National Football Museum, Manchester
- World Museum, Liverpool
- National Railway Museum, York
- Discovery Museum, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- Weston Park Museum, Sheffield
- National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
- St Fagan’s Natural History Museum, Cardiff
Sunset view of Edinburgh's Portobello Beach
2. Take a trip to the beach
The UK has over eleven thousand miles of coastline and is home to hundreds of award-winning beaches for the whole family to enjoy (weather permitting!)
Our recommendations for beaches near you:
- Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
- Fistral Beach, Cornwall
- Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland
- Wells Beach, Norfolk
- Portobello Beach, Edinburgh
- Crosby Beach, Merseyside
- Camber Sands, Sussex
- Whitby Sands, North Yorkshire
- Tankerton Beach, Kent
- Brighton Beach, East Sussex
- Rhossili Bay Beach, Swansea
- Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
Freshly Baked Bread displayed at a Borough Market in London
3. Explore a market
The UK has an abundance of local markets perfect for foodies to sample delicious produce from around the globe. In London, Spitalfields, New Covent Garden and Southbank markets are a great starting point. But there are plenty of exciting markets taking place across the country
Our recommendations for markets near you:
- Norwich Market, Norfolk
- Kirkgate Market, Leeds
- Bullring Market, Birmingham
- Stockbridge Market, Edinburgh
- St George’s Market, Belfast
- The Covered Market, Oxford
- Barnsley Market, Yorkshire
- Ulverston Market, Lake District
- Widnes Market, Cheshire
- Brighton Open Market, East Sussex
- Ludlow Market, Shropshire
- Abergavenny Market, Wales
View of Robin Hood's Bay, England
4. Go for a ramble
With 14 national parks and 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the UK has some truly stunning open spaces just waiting to be explored. And the best part… they don’t cost a penny.
Our recommendations for walks near you:
- Porthleven to Lizard Point, Cornwall
- Old Man of Coniston Walk, Lake District
- Southwestern Coastal Park, Devon & Cornwall
- South Downs Way Walk, Hampshire
- Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
- West Highland Way Walk, Scottish Highlands
- Padley Gorge, Peak District
- Pembrokeshire Coastal Path, Pembrokeshire
- Thames Path to the London Wetlands Centre, London
- Viking Coastal Trail, Kent
- Hadrian’s Wall Path, Northumberland
- Winchcombe to Cleeve Hill, Cotswolds
Cattle in Lush Green Fields on the Outskirts of Bath
5. Visit an animal farm
Whilst some animal farms do charge entry, there are many that offer free admission and are guaranteed to keep children and animal lovers entertained till the cows come home! Many of them are also located in cities, meaning you don’t have to travel far to feel at one with nature.
Our recommendations for a free animal farm near you:
- Stonebridge City Farm, Nottingham
- Old Holly Farm, Lancashire
- Bill Quay Community Farm, Gateshead
- Mudchute Park Farm, London
- Gorgie City Farm, Edinburgh
- Blaze Farm, Macclesfield
- Roskilly’s Farm, St Keverne, Cornwall
- Farmer Copley’s, Pontefract
- St Werburgh’s City Farm, Bristol
- Swansea Community Farm, Swansea
- Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Leeds
- Bath City Farm, Bath