IT’S been a long, hot summer and it isn’t over yet – but if you’ve already spent a fortune entertaining the kids, you don’t need to spend anymore money to enjoy the rest of it.
Across this month, kids under the age of 16 can travel on local buses for free, and what makes it even better is that there are a number of UK bus routes that happen to head to top attractions that are also free.
Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “We know how hard it can be for families to enjoy their time together as they face persistent cost of living pressures.
“That’s why this summer, we’re giving families room to breathe as children can hop on the bus for free as part of our Great British Summer Savings scheme, which is also giving money off attractions and restaurants, as well as cheaper train fares.
“From beaches to iconic historical sights, there’s loads of beautiful attractions kids can get to for free.
“We want everyone to enjoy their summer holidays, and by taking action, we hope no one misses out on the small plans that make life more fun.”
Here are some of the Department for Transport‘s best spots you can head to for free…
Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England, stretches across 73 miles and was a barrier built by the Roman Empire.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that visitors can visit for free.
Key spots to explore along the wall include Walltown Crags, where you’ll see stones snaking along the Whin Sill cliffs.
There of course is the section where you can see the stump of the famous Sycamore Gap tree as well.
If you want to see a breathtaking view, head to Winshields Wall, which is the highest point along the entire wall.
And for history lovers, there’s Poltross Burn Milecastle, which is one of the best-preserved remaining small forts from the Roman Empire.
Bus to catch: Go North East AD122
Northumberland Coast
The Northumberland Coast stretches for more than 30 miles, meaning there is plenty to explore.
One great spot is Embleton Bay & Low Newton, which is a crescent-shaped beach with sand dunes, overlooked by the remains of Dunstanburgh Castle.
Or for a more family-friendly beach head to Beadnell Bay, where you will find golden sand and a number of water sports activities.
You could also head to Amble, which has a working harbor where you will find restaurants selling fresh, local seafood.
Bus to catch: Arriva Northumbria X18
Lake District (Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere)
Or you could head to the heart of the Lake District where you will find Windermere, Ambleside, and Grasmere.
You will be able to explore England‘s largest lake, where you can see pretty cottages and head off on scenic walks.
Drop by Windermere town where you will find Victorian stone buildings as well as cosy bakeries and unique independent shops.
In Ambleside, on the other hand, you can head off on a 10-minute walk to Stock Gyhll Force, which is a dramatic 70 metre waterfall in the middle of woodland.
Bus to catch: Stagecoach Cumbria & Lancashire 555 or 599
Peak District National Park (Bakewell/Castleton area)
Instead, you could head to the Peak District National Park to the Bakewell and Castleton areas, in the centre of the National Park.
Around here you will find historic market towns, riverside walks and amazing hiking routes.
One spot to visit is Bakewell, which is the largest town in the Peak District National Park.
The town sits on the River Wye and is known for hosting bustling outdoor markets – just make sure to grab some famous Bakewell Pudding before you leave.
Bus to catch: High Peak 199 or 272
Stratford-upon-Avon
Literary fans can head to the home of Shakespeare – Stratford-upon-Avon – where they will find a historic market town.
Have a gander around the town and look at the quaint Tudor architecture, before relaxing in Bancroft Gardens.
You can visit where Shakespeare is buried in Holy Trinity Church.
And for a bit of history mixed with retail therapy, pop down Henley Street which is completely pedestrianised with antiques stores and cosy boutiques.
Bus to catch: Stagecoach X18
Seven Sisters Country Park
In East Sussex, you can head to Seven Sisters Country Park with breathtaking coastal views making it the ideal spot for coastal walks.
You’ll see the seven chalk cliffs which were formed by ancient river valleys.
Tie a visit to the famous viewpoint near Seaford Head in to your walk as well, where you will spot the Coastguards Cottages.
This is also a great spot for spotting birdlife, including kestrels and egrets.
Bus to catch: Brighton & Hove buses 12 or 12A or 12X
New Forest National Park
Found mostly in Hampshire, the New Forest National Park sprawls across a staggering 219sqm.
The park boasts historic woodlands as well as free-roaming ponies.
Across the park, you can also head to a number of quaint villages.
For example, in Lyndhurst – which is often dubbed the ‘capital’ of the forest – you’ll find cosy shops and the New Forest Centre.
Bus to catch: morebus X3 or X6
Eastbourne
In East Sussex, you could head to Eastbourne – a much loved seaside town.
Often thought to be the sunniest place in the UK, you can venture to the Victorian pier where you will find arcades and slot machines.
Then stop by the beach, which if you head to during low tide, you might be lucky enough to find some fossils.
Before leaving, grab some fish and chips or an ice cream from one of the many beach shacks.
Bus to catch: Coaster 12
Lands End
What better place to go than the most westerly point of England?
The famous headland at Land’s End, Cornwall, is a great spot for coastal walks as well as taking in the views of staggering 61-metre cliffs.
On clear days, you’ll even be able to see across towards the Isles of Scilly.
Make sure you snap a pic of the kids with the distance signpost before you leave.
Bus to catch: Go Cornwall bus 1A
York Railway Museum
In York, you could visit the National Railway Museum – the largest railway museum in the world.
Ideal for kids, it is open each day from 10am to 5pm and inside there
There are around 100 locomotives in the museum and a number of interactive zones too.
After exploring the museum, have a wander around York and admire the pretty architecture.
Bus to catch: First York 59
Ashmolean Museum
In Oxford, you can explore the city and then head to the Ashmolean Museum.
It is the world’s second university museum and Britain’s oldest public museum.
You can spend hours exploring art and archaeology collections including Egyptian mummies.
Another fascinating item to look out for is Guy Fawkes’s lantern from the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.
Bus to catch: Stagecoach 2
Durham Cathedral
Head to Durham and explore the city’s cathedral, which was built back in 1093.
The cathedral forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside Durham Castle.
Inside, you can see ribbed stone vaulting and grand 6.6metre high columns.
The cathedral was even a filming spot on the Harry Potter series.
Bus to catch: Gateshead Central Taxis 40 or 40A, or 40C
White Cliffs of Dover
In Kent, you could visit the White Cliffs of Dover.
While the nearest bus does drop you around a mile away, it makes the ideal day walk to see the white cliffs that formed 100million years ago.
On a clear day you might even be able to see France.
The recently opened King Charles III England Coast Path also runs past the cliffs.
Bus to catch: Stagecoach South East 93
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor National Park in Devon is home to hundreds of towering granite tors that once used to be molten magma in the Earth‘s crust.
Today, the National Park is the ideal place to go on scenic hikes.
One accessible spot is Haytor, which is about a 15-minute walk from a visitor centre.
Make sure to look out for Dartmoor ponies too.
Bus to catch: Stagecoach South West 1 or 38 or 118
Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
Who doesn’t love a donkey?
Well, at the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary in Devon you can see more than 200 of them.
The site is also home to a number of activities including a maze for kids to explore.
And if you get hungry, there is an onsite cafe for a nibble.
Bus to catch: AMVT 899 or Stagecoach South West 9A
To see the full list of operators and attractions you could visit via the bus, head to the Gov.uk website.