THE school summer holidays are upon us, with six weeks to fill to entertain the kids.
If you’re looking for fun for the whole family without breaking the bank then this bumper list is for you – we’ve scoured the country for some of the best cheap and free attractions.
Summer of Play, Various Locations – from £9
The National Trust brings back its Summer of Play programme running from July to September across the country.
The events on the schedule are free but admission fees are around £10 and under.
At Arlington Court in Devon, find activities such as archery, giant slingshots, and a water play zone – great for keeping everyone cool in a heatwave.
Gibside near Tyne & Wear is packed with experiences such as racket sports, axe throwing, and classic games like a bean bag toss.
Pokémon fans will also delight in recognising their favourite character in trails across different National Trust sites.
Expect to get involved with trading card games and collect Mega Evolution stickers.
To find a site near you visit the National Trust’s Summer of Play website.
Free entry but admission fees into National Trust sites apply
National Racehorse Week, Various Locations – free
From 22 to 31 August during National Racehorse Week, families have a chance to grab a free ticket for over 85 behind-the-scenes events across the country.
Choose between meeting racehorses or exploring training yards to learn more about a side of British racing that is often overlooked.
To find an event near you visit the National Racehorse Week website.
Free tickets available on the National Racehorse Week website
North of England
Starry Nights in Lake District, Cumbria – free
The Lake District in Cumbria is home to many low-light Dark Sky Discovery Sites making it the perfect place to go on a stargazing trail.
Grab your camping gear and find budget-friendly campsites for £15-£17 on pitchup.com.
Some favourites includes North Lakes Campsite in Deanscales, Blaithwaite House in Wigton, and Cardewless in Carlisle.
Find the most isolated lake of Lake District at Ennerdale Water and venture east for the darkest skies in Cumbria. Look out for free stargazing events a few times a year.
For those looking for a nighttime walk, head to St Bees Beach on the west coast when the tide is out.
Sitting above the Bassenthwaite Lake, Whinlatter Forest offers lucky stargazers a chance to spot the Milky Way.
Free but campsite charges apply
National Railway Museum, York – free
The National Railway Museum in York is perfect for train fanatics.
Visit the Great Hall for the gold leaf stripes of Duchess of Hamilton, the Japanese high-speed rail nicknamed ‘bullet train’ or ‘Mallard’, the world’s fastest steam locomotive.
For something extra special, check out Wonderlab:The Bramall Gallery for an interactive experience to test your engineering skills.
Free Entry. Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery day passes start from £8.60.
Mere Sands Wood, Lancashire – free
Spot a variety of butterflies fluttering around at Mere Sands Wood in Lancashire on a guided walk through the reserve.
Perfect for all members of the family, go on an easy two-hour walk and stop by different sites to find a range of beautiful butterflies and insects.
Alternatively if butterflies aren’t for you, go on the Tomato Soup at the Cafe Loop which is a 1.3 mile walking trail that ends with a bowl of soup.
Experiences are free but adults pay £6 for the Butterfly Walk
Manchester Museum, Manchester – free
Manchester Museum is a great way to take the family out for a day and learn about what makes us human and how we connect with nature.
Don’t forget to say hi to the giant T.rex, Stan, explore the lives of ancient Egyptians or marvel at archaeological objects.
This summer, discover the world of bugs from 21 July to 28 August in Bugtastic!
Take part in producing insect prints, designing comics starring superbugs, and make bug-like costumes.
Free entry although booking is advised for the Exhibition Hall.
South and West of England
WhizzFizz 2026, Buckinghamshire – free
From 27 July to 1 August, WhizzFizz is holding a free summer festival across Buckinhamshire in Aylesbury, Chesham, and High Wycombe.
The schedule includes an interactive board games show, collage workshops and poetry workshops for children.
Sessions are free but participating kids are expected to be registered for the events. Adults are required to stay but don’t need a ticket.
Free admission
Boating in Regent’s Park, London – from £3.40
Hop on a boat from now to September in Regents Park and take in the beautiful surroundings.
A 30-minute boat journey ranges from free for toddlers to £6.50 for adults during off-peak hours.
Alternatively, the Children’s Boating Pond is £5.20 for a 20 minute session.
Prices start from £3.40. Off peak hours are 11am-1pm on weekdays and 10am-noon on the weekends.
British Museum, London – free
The British Museum is at the heart of Central London with a large worldwide collection dating back two million years and the best part is that general admission is free.
This summer celebrate the 25th anniversary of John Constable’s birth with a free exhibition.
Explore a collection of Constable’s paintings where he depicted British landscapes from fields in East Anglia to the clouds of Hampstead Heath.
Free Admission
Shakespeare at the Globe Theatre, London – from £10
Experience 400 years of history in London’s original theatre district and transport yourself back into the time of Shakespeare.
Enjoy classics such as Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Julius Caesar this summer for £10 if you grab a standing ticket.
Prices start from £10
Mudchute Park and Farm, London – free
Families with animal lovers in the group will delight in this free family farm on the Isle of Dogs.
Find over 100 animals in the 32 acre farm including goats, pigs, and even llamas.
Before leaving, stop by the Mudchute Kitchen Cafe for delicious home-cooked food, cakes and tea.
Free Admission
Smithsonian Starstruck at the Science Museum, London – free
Experience this free virtual reality experience at the Science Museum in London.
Visitors embark on a cosmic journey discovering galaxies, constellations and watch volcanoes on an exoplanet erupt into glitter.
Free Admission
Summer in the Square, London – free
Taking place in Portman Square Garden in Marylebone from 7th – 12th July, this free festival brings families together with a range of activities.
Choose from Wimbledon open air screenings, wellbeing sessions, and opportunities to get creative with watercolour sessions.
Kids can get involved with workshops hosted by Marylebone Youth Theatre, opt for Fairytales in Oz or The Tempest Tale.
Free Admission
Uber Boat Audio Guide, London – £2.50
Board on to an Uber Boat and cruise down the Thames with a funny and educational twist.
For £2.50, learn history, TV and cinema facts that you can later impress friends and family with.
£2.50 for audio guides
Lady Vale Walk, Bodmin – free
Take the family out for a chance to spot some of their favourite characters from The Gruffalo.
Follow the signs for the Lady Vale Walk in Cardinham Woods near Bodmin to hunt for the Gruffalo characters along the path.
Don’t forget to bring the camera and take a picture next to the sculptures as you venture deeper into the forest.
Free admission
Brighton Beach and Pier – £1
Brighton Beach is one of England’s top beach destinations with plenty of activities for the whole family.
The Brighton Palace Pier is a £1 admission fee and boasts its own helter skelter for £3.
Other attractions include a soft-play area and Brighton’s largest arcade with classic games such as penny pushers and air hockey.
Take a ride on the world’s oldest operating railway, Volk’s Electric Railway, where an adult return fare is £7 and a children return is £4.40.
Visit the Fishing Museum for free and discover the history of Brighton’s fishing village.
Prices start from free to £7
Song of the Sea Cave, Cornwall – free
Instead of splashing out for a holiday away, visit this hidden gem for a beach holiday.
Jump into this natural tidal pool at Nanjizal Beach in St Levan, Cronwall and cool off from the hot summer.
Nicknamed “Song of the Sea Cave”, this low tide pool will make you feel as though you’ve escaped to a warmer destination surrounded by clear waters.
Dip into the mermaid pool and watch the light glimmering through the narrow arch.
Free admission
Central and East England
Silverstone Museum, Towcester – free
This summer until 31 August, Silverstone Museum in Towcester is offering Kids Go and Eat Free for children ages 15 and under.
Explore immersive exhibits, iconic cars and learn about racers that have shaped the history of motor sports.
Highlights include a Mixed and Virtual Reality behind the story of Alberto Ascari, racing Scaletric cards on a 25-meter long track and a collection of championship winning vehicles.
Prices start from free to £24 for adults when booking at least 1 day in advance.
Norwich Theatre Family Festival, Norwich – free
On 4 August, Norwich Theatre brings a dramatic schedule for the whole family with free workshops and interactive experiences.
Those interested in crafts and set design should check out workshops in puppet-making and set-art.
For the thespians and vocalists in the group, there are storytelling workshops and community singalongs.
All workshops apart from Storytelling and Sensory Stories don’t require a booking and are available to drop in.
Free admission but Storytelling and Sensory Stories workshops require booking.
Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden, Cambridge – free
From 25 June to 1 September, adult tickets into Botanic Garden in Cambridge will be reduced as part of the Great British Summer Savings Scheme.
Boasting different sections, the Botanic Gardens offers visitors to explore British wild plants to exotic tropical plants to beautiful roses.
On 15 July, visit the Garden’s Main Lawn for Sounds Green 2026 and enjoy swing and jazz from The Basin Street Brawlers with a standard entry ticket.
Don’t forget to have a tea break on the terrace of The Garden Cafe when all the walking and dancing is done.
Children under 17 go free and adult admissions are £7.60.
Tudor House Museum, Worcester – free
Step back into time at the Tudor Museum in Worcester from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10am-4pm.
This summer, the Tudor House Museum brings a range of family activities on Thursdays to Saturdays exploring a different historical theme each week.
Take home a family portrait at the Victorian Parlour, write top secret messages using wartime codes or design a banquet fit for royals.
Free admission
Scotland
Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh – free
Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh offers the chance to hike up the remains of a dormant ancient volcano for free.
Once you get to the top of this 2,000 old hillfort, enjoy the views of St Margaret’s Loch from the summit before climbing back down.
Free Admission
Summer Family Fun, Edinburgh – free
From 29 June – 7 August, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is hosting Summer Family Fun on Mondays and Fridays.
Drop in anywhere from 10am – 4pm with the family and discover weekly changing themes ranging from dinosaurs to space to ancient Egyptians for free.
Free Admission
Open Air Pool, Stonehaven, Aberdeen – free
Jump into the UK’s only art deco, Olympic-sized lido at Stonehaven’s Open Air Pool in Aberdeen.
Now open for the summer, there is something for everyone looking to cool down from the heat.
Little ones under the age of 8 can enjoy splashing in a paddling pool (while accompanied by an adult).
If there are older kids in the group, slide down the playground of inflatables.
Catch the inflatables during the weekends from 1pm to 3pm in early and late season or all throughout the week from 3 July – 18 August.
During the early and late season there is live music which can be enjoyed by everyone after the inflatables close.
Day tickets start from free for under 5’s to £10.40 for adults. £1 deposit required for lockers.
Inverness Walk, Inverness – free
If a hike up the hills at Inverness is on the itinerary, don’t forget to check out this walk around River Ness and Ness Islands.
Explore Inverness by finding key sights of the city close to the station.
Highlights include the Inverness Cathedral designed by Alexander Ross, the Inverness Castle, and the floating Ness Islands.
On the walk, cross footbridges and spot fishermen catching salmon and birds frolicking along the river.
Free Admission
Northern Ireland
Street Art, Belfast – free
Belfast is known for its colourful streets and going on a Belfast Street Art Walking Tour may be the perfect way to learn how this creative community became so famous.
Starting from the Duke of York, go on a 2 hour walk and discover the artists who have transformed the vibrant walls of the Cathedral Quarter for £10.80.
Alternatively, download the Street Arts Cities app on your phone and go on a self-guided tour at your own pace for free.
Prices start from free – £10.80
Ulster Museum, Belfast – free
Visit Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and drop into free workshops where kids can discover their inner fashionista or book into object handling sessions.
The interactive center offers ways to connect with creativity or learn about artefacts from different civilisations and natural wonders.
Free Admission
17th Century Walls, Londonderry – free
Marvel at the only walled city of Derry built in 1613-1618 and learn about the history and heritage it holds.
Check out the impressive collection of 7 gates and cannons which have been carefully looked after and restored.
Free Admission
The Giant’s Lair, Slieve Gullion Adventure Playpark – free
Transport your little ones to the land of giants, fairies, and pixies with this free fairytale trail at Slieve Gullion Forest Park in County Armagh.
Walk the same path of mischievous Flynn the fairy and be careful not to wake the sleeping giant, Slieve Gullion.
Find fairy houses, sip on dandelion tea at the Giant’s table, pass the ladybird house and catch a glimpse of the naughty witch, Calliagh Berra.
Free Admission
Wales
Caerphilly Cheese Festival, Caerphilly, Wales – free
Making a return, the Caerphilly Cheese Festival takes place on the 29th and 30th August at Caerphilly Town Centre and is free to attend.
Explore the packed schedule consisting of food, drink and craft stalls, funfair attractions, street and music entertainers.
Don’t forget to gorge on cheese while you are there.
Free Admission
Cardiff Bay Barrage, Cardiff – free
For something free, families can choose to go on a stroll or an easy bike ride while enjoying the views of Cardiff Bay and the Severn Estuary.
Check out other facilities such as the children’s play area, Skate Plaza and adiZone outdoor gym.
Free Admission
Margam Country Park, Port Talbot – free
Near Port Talbot, there are plenty of fun activities for the whole family at this park with free entry.
Visit the Fairytale Village and step into miniature houses with whimsical themes, play a game of giant chess and draughts, or wander through the willow cathedral.
A unique feature is the Wood Vibrations Trail where kids have the opportunity to create music and appreciate nature.
Pass the giant musical instruments made from felled trees, grab a stick and watch them play their hearts out.
Free Admission, but car park charges apply (£8.90 for cars or £5.90 if arriving 2 hours before closing)
Holyhead Festival, Newry Beach – from free
From 23 July – 26th July, celebrate culture with the community at the Holyhead festival at Newry Beach with music, street food and craft stalls.
There is also a programme of fun such as the Family Foam Sessions (With Peppa Pig) and fairground rides, although additional charges may apply (£5 and under)
Free Admission. Foam Party tickets start at £2 for adults and £5 for children attending Peppa Pig sessions.