Free and 2-for-1 Days Out in the UK
We all want to get out and do something fun without spending a fortune, whether you are taking the kids out during the school holidays, planning a date, catching up with friends or simply looking for a reason to leave the house!
And you’ll be glad to hear that there are plenty of ways to enjoy a day out for free or far less than the usual cost.
Magic Freebies has pulled together the main ways you can keep costs down: from free museums and local walks to National Trust promotions, attraction vouchers, and kids-go-free offers.
For more ideas, you can also browse our main cheap and free days out category, where we share individual offers, local guides and seasonal inspiration.
Free National Trust passes and heritage days out
National Trust places are a popular choice for a family day out, and it is easy to see why. You spend the morning exploring a beautiful historic house, find a playground or woodland trail for the kids, and stop for a picnic when you need a break.
A full membership can be good value if you visit regularly, but it can be expensive, and isn’t the only way to enjoy National Trust sites. Free family passes sometimes appear through partner promotions, usually through newspaper sponsorship (like Reach PLC), supermarkets, and even local-news sites like In Your Area.
Admittedly, National Trust free passes are not available all year, so we see them as a bonus rather than something you should rely on. When one does come along, it can usually give your family entry to selected places for a short period. The details change from one offer to the next, including how many people can use the pass, where it is valid and whether you need to book beforehand.
Some English Heritage (another great one for free days out) sites have public access around the grounds, nearby walking routes or family events that make a good alternative to a more expensive attraction. Choose somewhere you could happily spend a few hours, rather than paying a high entry fee for a quick walk around.
2-for-1 theme parks and attraction deals
Two-for-one and second-day-free offers can make a huge difference when you are heading to a theme park, aquarium, zoo, or big visitor attraction. Getting two tickets for the price of one sounds simple, but there are normally a few hoops to jump through.
Most offers are linked to a specific partner, such as food brands like KFC or Kellogg’s, loyalty schemes, newspaper coupons, or voucher sites. They often come with booking rules, date restrictions and major exclusions, so we always recommend reading the small print before you get excited.
Essentially, do not assume a voucher can be used at the gate. Lots of attractions now expect you to book everything online, including promotional tickets. Leaving it until the day can mean the code has expired, your chosen date is unavailable, or the offer simply does not apply to walk-up tickets.
Attractions such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, and LEGOLAND Windsor appear in partner promotions at different times of year so it is worth keeping an eye on their websites every so often. That said, compare deals with the attraction’s own advance-ticket price before you hit the basket.
Tesco Clubcard and attraction rewards
Tesco Clubcard is one of the first places we check when planning a paid day out. Depending on the current list of Reward Partners, you may be able to turn Clubcard vouchers into money to spend on attraction tickets, restaurant meals, travel or entertainment.
Double-check who’s currently accepting Clubcard vouchers before exchanging yours, as the list of partners isn’t set in stone. A venue that was included last year might not be included now, and the way you book can vary between partners.
However, if an attraction has a strong advance-booking price, a two-for-one voucher or a free-entry event coming up, you’d be better off saving your Clubcard vouchers for another rainy day.
Free museums and galleries
Free museums and galleries are one of our favourite ways to plan a day out without spending much at all. Particularly handy when our inclement weather ruins your outdoor plans, and you can easily spend half a day exploring (and surreptitiously learning) without paying an entrance fee.
Of course being the capital, London has some brilliant free options, including the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the National Gallery, and Tate Modern. Most give free access to their permanent collections, though special exhibitions and ticketed experiences may cost extra.
You don’t need to live near London to find good free museums, either. Cities and towns across the UK have local history museums, art galleries, maritime collections, transport museums and community spaces that are free to visit or ask only for a voluntary donation.
Free entry does not always mean you can simply walk in, particularly during the weekend. One thing to watch out for is timed entry. And some museums still ask you to book a free ticket in advance, especially over the school holidays.
Kids-go-free offers and family savings
Kids-go-free deals are always worth looking out for, especially when you are trying to keep school-holiday costs under control. These offers usually mean a child can enter free with a full-paying adult, although the exact rules will differ between attractions. It could be that adults get in free with a paying child, but that’s not as common.
You’ll find these promotions at visitor attractions, cafes and restaurants, cinemas, indoor play centres, even on public transport.
Some run only during school holidays (such as kids eat free), while others are available on quieter weekdays, in the off-season, or through a partner voucher.
And don’t automatically go for the family ticket, either. If one of your children already gets free entry because of their age, individual tickets might actually work out cheaper.
Free and cheap local days out
Some of the best days out cost nothing at all. Parks, beaches, forests, nature reserves, canals, riverside routes and public footpaths give you plenty of ways to spend time outside without needing to book or pay for entry.
You can make a simple walk feel more like an occasion by giving it a theme. With younger children, you could take a scavenger-hunt list and look for birds, interesting leaves, bridges or boats. For adults, you could plan a photography walk, go geocaching, follow a local-history route, or set a specific destination such as a viewpoint, market or beach café (or pub!).
Always check some things before you leave home: look at the forecast (British weather is unpredictable at best), discover high and low tide times for beach trips, research parking costs (because nowhere is free anymore), toilet facilities, and dog restrictions. You might as well see how suitable the route is for buggies, young children or anyone with mobility needs.
Local council websites and community pages are also worth a look. They often list free festivals, library events, seasonal markets, outdoor film nights, family activity days and heritage events that are easy to miss if you only search nationally.
Final thoughts
Whether you are looking for free passes, two for one (or discounted) tickets, or just want a free day out near where you live, this guide should’ve pointed you in the right direction. At least we hope it did!
Don’t forget to check out all the other freebies available on the Magic Freebies homepage, where you can get perfume samples, food cashback, and much, much more.
Frequently asked questions
Is a free National Trust pass really free?
Yes, when an official promotion is running, the passes themselves can be completely free. You may need to register, enter a code or collect tokens, and there may be exclusions, but there is usually no charge for the pass itself.
How long do free National Trust passes last?
It depends on the individual offer. Many are valid for a short period, often around one or two weeks, but you should always check the promotion’s dates before planning your visit.
Can you use two-for-one tickets at the gate?
Usually not, no. Many offers need to be booked online in advance and may require a code, voucher or proof of eligibility. We would always check before travelling rather than assume it will be accepted on the day.
Are museums free in the UK?
Most are, particularly for permanent collections. However, not every museum is free, and special exhibitions, workshops, talks or immersive experiences can have an extra cost.
When do kids-go-free deals usually appear?
They are most common during school holidays, half-term and quieter off-peak periods. The timing varies between attractions, so it is worth checking shortly before you want to go.
What is the easiest way to plan a cheap day out?
Start with a free or low-cost activity, then add up the full cost of travel, food and extras before booking. Take a packed lunch, travel off-peak and check for family, rail and loyalty-scheme discounts.