WANT to get the best value out of your cruise – and explore gems on both sides of the pond?
Transatlantic repositioning cruises offer just that.
Windstar Cruises’ Knot Your Average Crossing offers a £1,000pp drinks, wifi and tips package on its Lisbon to Barbados sailingCredit: Windstar Cruises
As cruise companies relocate their ships from Europe to the Caribbean and beyond for winter warmth, you can get some amazing deals.
Combining a few ports of call on each side of the Atlantic, as well as some extended sea days, these one-way sailings offer the best of both worlds, with port days and plenty of time to relax at sea.
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And cruise lines often offer really competitive prices – or throw in extras such as free drinks or tips – to tempt holidaymakers on board.
Lisa Minot has the lowdown on six great transatlantic sailings.
Windstar Cruises start from £2,682pp, including all meals, drinks and activitiesCredit: Windstar Cruises
You’ll get a free all-in package, with alcoholic drinks, wifi and tips, worth more than £1,000pp on Windstar Cruises’ Knot Your Average Crossing from Lisbon to Barbados.
Departing Portugal on November 10, 2026, on this 14-night non-stop voyage on the 148-guest sailing ship Wind Star, guests can step up to the flying bridge to take the helm, and learn age-old seamanship skills.
There are talks on legendary explorers and pirates and you can learn to read charts, tie sailor’s knots and even navigate the vessel alongside the ship’s officers.
Prices start from £2,682pp, including all meals, drinks and activities.
You can save 50 per cent off the original fare sailing on Oceania Marina’s transatlantic sailing from Barcelona to Miami.
Departing November 25, 2026, the 15-day sailing offers the chance to enjoy port days in Spain and the Caribbean.
You will enjoy calls at Valencia, Alicante, Malaga and Funchal in Madeira before crossing the Atlantic and calling at San Juan in Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
Oceania cruise fares include speciality dining, tips, free wifi plus a choice of wine and beer by the glass or shore excursion credits.
This sailing is now on sale from £1,415, down from £3,629.
Transatlantic sailings don’t have to end in North America.
With Celebrity Cruises’ sailing onboard Celebrity Equinox you’ll enjoy calls in Brazil and Argentina after your ocean adventures.
Departing Barcelona on November 19, 2026, you’ll explore Tangier in Morocco before your South American odyssey, calling at Salvador de Bahia and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
You’ll visit Montevideo, Uruguay before arriving in Buenos Aires.
Popular excursions include a Moroccan Tea and Bread experience in Tangier, Carnival Behind the Scenes with Dance Lesson in Rio and a birdwatching trip in the Wetlands west of Montevideo.
Prices start from £699pp, including full-board and entertainment.
See celebritycruises.com.
FIT FOR A QUEEN
This cracking transatlantic deal on Cunard’s Queen Anne includes a stay in Miami and return flights.
Departing Southampton on January 10, 2027, this 15-night trip includes 12 nights onboard as well as a two-night hotel stay in Miami.
It includes calls at Hamilton, Bermuda, Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale before you dock in Miami for your 4H hotel stay.
Onboard, all meals, afternoon tea, theatre shows and gym are included.
Join P&O Cruises’ flagship Arvia as it sails from Southampton to the CaribbeanCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoGuests will be able to enjoys shows by former X Factor and Dancing On Ice star Ray QuinnCredit: Shutterstock
Enjoy shows by actor, singer and dancer Ray Quinn, on P&O Cruises’ flagship Arvia as it sails from Southampton to the Caribbean.
The X Factor finalist and Dancing On Ice winner will be performing in The Limelight Club throughout the sailing, which departs October 23.
The 15-night sailing includes calls at Santa Cruz, Tenerife, before the delights of Philipsburg in St Maarten, St Kitts, Castries in St Lucia and finally Barbados.
The fare, from £945pp, includes return flights. See iglucruise.com.
HOMEWARD BOUND
With Holland America, you can sail to Blighty from Florida.
The 12-night sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 4, 2027 and calls at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, before a relaxing seven days sailing.
There’s plenty to do on the Nieuw Statendam, with its Music Walk district featuring sophisticated live venues including BB King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room.
The ship will call at Portland for Weymouth before arriving in Dover.
Prices are from just £819pp.
With their Have It All package, from £1,599pp, you also get a drinks package, wifi, tips, speciality dining and two shore excursions.
The chilling psychological series from Hulu and Amazon Prime Video tells the story of nine strangers from different backgrounds who attend a wellness centre named Tranquillum House.
The group of stressed-out city dwellers plan to spend 10 days at the retreat to find a better way of living, and each has a unique, sometimes heartbreaking, background. However, the more time they spend at the remote resort, the more they realise that nothing is as it seems.
As the group begins their healing journey, they are watched over by the mysterious host, Marsha Dmitrichenko, played by Nicole Kidman, who is on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies.
The eight-part drama is full of suspense, punctuated by lighter comedic moments, and explores how far people will go to confront their personal demons on their journey of self-improvement.
Joining Kidman in the series is a star-studded cast, including Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, Samara Weaving, Melvin Gregg, Asher Keddie, and Grace Van Patten, who all play the strangers on the retreat.
Nine Perfect Strangers originally aired on HULU and Prime Video in 2021, and will arrive on ITVX on Sunday, September 27.
Since its launch, fans have been taking to Rotten Tomatoes to praise the series, with one person calling it: “Healing, great acting, profound and meaningful.”
A second stated: “One of the best TV shows I have ever watched really moved me”, while a third chimed in: “Recommended, not bad!”
“Well, I didn’t know what to expect when I started the show, but it amazes, and it pushes the envelope! Can’t say enough good things about the acting and the story!!! Keep you guessing every step of the way”, shared one fan.
“The story was brilliant, the cinema beautiful, and I really liked the acting. Highly recommend!”, added another.
One viewer confessed: “I loved every single bit of it. The depth of the characters, the lesson in its story. A completely fresh take on ‘you’re the director of your own life’. A take so new and strong it smashes in and leaves you teary-eyed and inspired.”
Nine Perfect Strangers will stream on ITVX from Sunday, 27 September
THIS travel club can save you a whole lot of money when going on holiday – and Sun readers can try it out for just £1.
Ever wanted to swap those noisy airport cafes and hard airport seats for somewhere a little more comfy and relaxed, where free food and drink is flowing?
Swap the overcrowded airport seating for glam lounges with unlimited food and drinkCredit: Getty
Try Travelzoo for 30 days for £1
For £1, you could bypass the airport chaos entirely and kick back in a stylish, comfy airport lounge with ice-cold drinks, super-fast Wi-Fi and somewhere to put your feet up
Travelzoo are a money-saving club where members can bag a load of travel benefits, including free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed.
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The membership costs £30 for the year, which is already a steal.
But Sun readers can bag a 30 day free trial for only £1 by clicking here.
So before your next holiday, you could be chilling in an airport lounge with bottomless food and drinks (including alcohol) in exchange for that quid rattling around in your pocket.
We all know the dreaded feeling. You’ve dragged your bags through the terminal, braved the queues, and finally made it to the gate – only to look up at the screen and see the dreaded words: DELAYED.
Suddenly, you’re searching for a seat in a packed airport terminal, clutching a soggy-yet-expensive airport sandwich.
But if you’re a Travelzoo member, you get access to over 1,600 lounges across 500+ airports in more than 100 countries.
The way this works is simple. When your flight is delayed by one hour or more, you get airport lounge tickets automatically sent to you by email or text.
Inside these stylish lounges you’ll find things like private and comfy seating, free Wi-Fi and charging points, and even showers, desks and sleep pods in some locations.
Complimentary drinks even include alcohol across some of the airport loungesCredit: Getty
Try Travelzoo for 30 days for £1
You’ll also get complimentary food and drink, which includes alcohol.
So even if your flight is delayed for multiple hours, you know you’ll have access to good-quality food, drinks and even somewhere to nap.
“As soon as I got the delay notification from Delta, I received an email with lounge pass PDFs” writes one Travelzoo member, Holly.
“Our flight ended up being delayed six times and the lounge pass was a lifesaver.
“This lounge had free food, drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, showers, etc. It was worth it!”.
Another member, Angela, said she used it at London Heathrow after a delayed flight saga.
She said: “Travelzoo notified me of our delay and sent vouchers to a lounge that was way better than the one my credit card had.”
Usually, access to these airport lounges would require an elite membership status with an airline, or an expensive day pass.
However you can access these lounges with Travelzoo no matter who you are flying with, even with economy class tickets.
Flight delays are made much easier when you have somewhere comfortable to sit and relaxCredit: Getty
Airport lounge day passed typically cost between £30 – £40, whereas a Travelzoo membership costs £30 for an entire year.
That means just one delayed flight would justify the cost of an entire year’s membership.
You could easily spend over £30 on meals and drinks for the family in the airport Wetherspoons, but instead you’ll have your own less-crowded, more comfy zone with access to all the snacks and drinks you’ll need.
Best of all, you can register up to three travel companions on your itinerary for free – meaning your family or mates get the VIP treatment right alongside you.
Travelzoo members don’t just get airport lounge benefits – they also get access to super cheap holidays.
There are members-only sales and hand-picked holiday deals that give members access to some of the best holiday bargains out there.
For example, members can bag Benidorm package holidays for £179pp, a two-night staycation for two in Northumberland for £89, or a charming English inn stay for £59.
Members will be alerted when flash holiday sales go live, and can bag these exclusive discounts before anyone else.
How to register for lounge access
Once you’re signed up to Travelzoo by clicking here, follow these steps:
Visit airportlounge.travelzoo.com and register your flight at least 24 hours before departure
Enter your flight number, travel date, and passenger details. You can register up to 3 travel companions on the same itinerary.
Each flight leg requires a separate registration (roundtrips and connections need individual entries).
If your flight is officially delayed by 1+ hour, you’ll automatically receive QR-code vouchers via email and text with participating lounge options.
Note: Cancelled flights or flights rescheduled to the next day do not qualify.
Sun readers can try Travelzoo for 30 days for just £1 by clicking the button below.
There are certain spots that people will want to reserve – and some they should try to avoid
There are more ‘perks’ to seat selection than just a bit of extra leg room (stock image)(Image: Getty)
People might only just be jetting off for a bit of sunshine before the schools go back in September, but others may already be planning their next getaway. Knowing a few tips when picking your seat can improve your experience on carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, and TUI if you book accordingly.
It’s no secret that not all seats are made the same – with some specifically having perks like extra legroom. But most do not realise that the position of the seats can make a bigger difference than a few extra inches of wiggle room.
Depending on how you plan to spend the flight, selecting a ‘cheaper’ seat in certain spots could make your flight more enjoyable – and bring perks that money can not often buy. For example, some seats are prime spots for getting on and off the plane more quickly, while others offer great views and first call on snacks.
However, with these seat perks come some seats that customers may wish to avoid if given the option. Some may say that these can make even a short flight feel uncomfortable.
Below, we’ve had a look at some popular seat perks you can expect on Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, and TUI planes. For the most part, these money-can’t-buy upgrades are often much more sought after.
Best seats for pictures
If you’re keen to document your trip from start to finish, or simply enjoy an unrivalled view above the clouds, then certain seats will be the best for you. Opting for certain sections in the front or back can give those Instagram-worthy snaps that aren’t just a shot of the metal plane wing.
When booking, pick any of the window seats in rows one to five across all of the named airlines above. These sit well forward of the engines, meaning clear glass and no heat haze will distort the look of your photos.
Best seats for getting on and off the plane
Some of these same rows will benefit from another perk of getting off the plane and starting their holiday not long after the seatbelt sign goes off. Most people caught in the middle of the cabin end up trapped until they can find an opening to leave, whereas these seat holders can usually slip straight out if they have their hand luggage ready and waiting.
There are options for the front and rear of the plane – just check before choosing that your plane has exits that it uses from the rear as some airlines may only open one. These are the rough seat areas to pick if you want to be first in line:
easyJet: Rows 1–3 (front exit) or Rows 29–31 (Airbus A320) / Rows 38–40 (Airbus A321neo) for the back doors.
Ryanair: Rows 1–3 (front exit) or Rows 31–33 (Boeing 737-800) / Rows 33–35 (Boeing 737 MAX 8-200) for the rear stairs.
Jet2:Rows 1–2 (front) or Rows 31–33 (Boeing 737-800).
TUI (Short-haul 737): Rows 1–2 (front) or Rows 31–33 (rear).
Being near the front also puts passengers as some of the first in line for meals, snacks and drinks when cabin crew make their rounds. On very short flights, sitting to close to the middle means passengers may risk missing out on refreshments entirely.
Seats you may want to avoid
Picking some of these front seats appears to offer a few perks, along with the extra legroom that often comes at a premium in the front row. But, they aren’t all perfect – and it may pay more to sit a few rows back.
Toilets are often located near the front and back of the plane, so anyone sitting in the first and last rows may face a steady queue and unavoidable smells. Some seats might also end up being windowless.
Due to the configuration of some budget planes, seats are pushed closer together than in the original layout to boost passenger capacity per flight. There are a handful of left-hand seats that are often so misaligned that people end up with a solid wall instead of a view outside.
If you have a slightly longer journey, or just want to recline and unwind as your holiday starts, be aware that some seats don’t offer this option. Aside from every Ryanair seat being locked in place, certain back-row or emergency-exit seats cannot recline either.
easyJet A320: Avoid reclining in Rows 11 and 12 (ahead of exit Rows 12 and 13).
Jet2 / TUI / Ryanair 737s: Avoid Rows 15 and 16 (ahead of emergency exit Rows 16 and 17).
Anyone who is flying back home has been warned about the serious consequences
12:58, 18 Aug 2026Updated 13:15, 18 Aug 2026
The items are banned regardless of whether they have been bought at duty free (stock image)(Image: Getty )
Travellers flying home after a holiday are being warned not to bring back certain items, even if they were purchased at a duty free shop. According to government rules, people who disobey risk facing a £5,000 fine or possible prosecution.
In an alert posted on social media by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Brits returning home should not bring sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain. The agency also states that this applies regardless of whether it is packed or packaged, or whether it has been bought at duty free.
It explains: “Help protect UK farmers from the devastating threat of African swine fever (ASF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD) by not bringing back meat or dairy products from the EU into Great Britain in your personal luggage. This includes items like sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into Great Britain – regardless of whether it is packed or packaged or whether it has been bought at duty free.”
The government agency says it is illegal to bring in most meat and dairy products from abroad for personal use. This is to protect the UK from devastating livestock diseases circulating in Europe and beyond.
Most personal meat and dairy products are now banned from entry into Great Britain. You must not bring in sandwiches, meat (raw or cured, such as ham and salami), dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese) and animal-derived products. That includes items bought from duty free.
If you declare banned food products to Border Force officers at customs, they’ll take them away and destroy them. If you do not declare banned food products, you could be fined up to £5,000 (in England) or you could be prosecuted. Border Force can take away (‘seize’) your products if they think:
you’ve brought something into the country illegally
you’ve brought in too much of a restricted product
it’s been cross-contaminated, for example with blood from meat – if any clothing or a bag the item’s in is contaminated, it’ll be destroyed
These rules are in place to protect the UK from highly infectious viral diseases of livestock, such as foot and mouth disease and African swine fever. These viruses can persist in meat and dairy products for several months, posing a risk to susceptible animals.
Neither disease affects humans. Livestock diseases like foot and mouth and African swine fever have a devastating impact on animal welfare, farming, trade and affect food security
The Animal and Plant Health Agency reminds travellers: “If you break the rules, you are breaking the law. If you break the rules, you are risking our food and economic security. If you break the rules, you could be responsible for the death of millions of animals. If you are found with undeclared illegal meat and dairy products, you will have these confiscated and risk a hefty fine.”
What are you allowed to bring into Great Britain?
You can bring the following into Great Britain from any country without any restrictions:
bread, but not sandwiches filled with meat or dairy products
cakes without fresh cream
biscuits
chocolate and confectionery, but not those made with a lot of unprocessed dairy ingredients
pasta and noodles, but not if mixed or filled with meat or meat products
packaged soup, stocks and flavourings
processed and packaged plant products, such as packaged salads and frozen plant material
food supplements containing small amounts of an animal product, such as fish oil capsules
Turning up at the hotel check-in desk straight away might be harming your chances of getting a more premium holiday experience
Timing is everything when it comes to checking in at your hotel(Image: Getty Images)
Checking into your holiday at the earliest possible opportunity might seem like the savvy move at first, but it could be ruining your chances of getting a luxury hotel room free-of-charge. According to industry analysis from travel experts, checking-in during a specific 90-minute window could be the ultimate strategy.
Graziano Gagliardi at Private Italy Tour claims that turning up at the front desk between 4.30pm and 6pm gives reception staff a much clearer picture of the premium suites that remain available. Arriving too early, say 2pm for instance, means housekeeping is likely still preparing and cleaning rooms, which leaves workers unable to confirm what higher-tier options are unoccupied for the night.
Gagliardi said: “If standard check-in begins at 2pm or 3pm, arriving immediately may not give you the best chance of an upgrade. Housekeeping may still be preparing rooms, while reception staff may not yet know which guests are arriving, cancelling or requesting changes.
“By around 4.30pm, the hotel usually has a much clearer picture of its room availability. If a larger room, a better view or a higher category is likely to remain empty, staff may have more flexibility to offer it.”
Turning up extremely late can also backfire, he claims, particularly at smaller boutique properties that operate limited front desk hours. He said: “Turning up at 10pm without warning is not a clever upgrade trick. If you expect to arrive late, always notify the hotel in advance.”
Holidaymakers booking shorter stays of one or two nights stand a significantly higher chance of being bumped up to a better class of room. Terms outlined by major hotel chains like Hilton confirm that complimentary upgrades strictly depend on space being continuously available for the entire duration of a guest’s stay.
A similar policy is enforced by Marriott, which explicitly states that room improvements are determined upon physical arrival at the front desk. Experts warn that travellers should remain realistic, as an upgrade often means securing a quieter location, higher floor, or better balcony view rather than the top luxury suite.
To maximise your chances, Private Italy Tour recommends using a specific phrase to politely ask front desk staff without sounding overly demanding or entitled. The travel guru suggests asking: “I understand it depends entirely on availability, but if there are any complimentary upgrades available this evening, I would be very grateful to be considered.”
Joining a hotel’s free membership scheme prior to travel can also boost your odds, as many major operators prioritize enrolled guests for empty premium spaces. However, guidelines published by Hilton Honors clarify that simply signing up does not guarantee a better room without holding eligible membership status or rates.
Guests celebrating genuine milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, or honeymoons are advised to notify the hotel a few days before their arrival date. Mentioning a real special occasion often encourages reception teams to offer a complimentary perk or a room improvement.
Finally, the experts strongly warn holidaymakers against manufacturing fake complaints or inventing faults with their original room just to pressure staff into moving them. Dishonesty is far more likely to harm your chances than help them, meaning a polite, well-timed request during that crucial 90-minute window remains your absolute best bet.
Before Pam Ferris picked up a religious habit as Sister Evangelina, she won the hearts of sitcom fans in another historical drama
The Darling Buds of May Opening Credits
Call the Midwife icon Pam Ferris is a world away from Sister Evangelina in this 90s classic television show.
The 78-year-old actress is famed for playing tough-talking nun Sister Evangelina on the BBC series, who dedicated her life not only to her religion but also to serving the poorest communities in London as a senior midwife.
Sister Evangelina is an original character introduced during the first episode, which aired in 2012. But only four years later, the beloved nun died suddenly in her sleep after suffering a stroke, leaving Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi) to find her lifeless body in her chair.
However, before Ferris ever picked up her wimple and adopted constant words of wisdom, she was known by sitcom fans for her role in another cosy period drama, The Darling Buds of May.
The much-loved ITV series debuted in April 1991 and is an adaptation of the H. E. Bates novel of the same name.
The show told the story of the Larkin family and their lives in rural Kent during the 1950s, and was led by a small cast, including Sir David Jason as Pop Larkin, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Mariette, and Philip Franks as Cedric.
It quickly became a feel-good ratings success and will surely always be seen as a ‘90s classic – despite only running for 20 episodes.
The Darling Buds of May is currently streaming for free on ITVX and has been hailed as a must-watch by fans who have enjoyed the show for decades.
On IMDb, one person dubbed the show “So endearing, funny and perfect!”, while a second added, “If only there was more.”
A third stated: “It doesn’t get much better! I purchased the whole series a few years ago and then watched the whole series within a few days.”
“One of the most beloved British comedy-dramas of the 1990s, The Darling Buds of May remains a comforting television classic — full of warmth, countryside charm, and unforgettable performances”, wrote one person on Facebook.
“Loved it…. easy watching….like All Creatures Great and Small”, commented one viewer while another confessed: “I absolutely love this programme and always watch when it’s on the television no matter how many times I watch.”
Over the years, Ferris has gained more fame on the big screen as the wicked Miss Trunchball in Matilda, floating Aunt Marge in the Harry Potter franchise, and kind-hearted headteacher, Mrs Bevan, in Nativity!
She went on to feature in a number of costume dramas, such as Middlemarch, Jane Eyre, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and popular crime serials, such as Marple, Rosemary & Thyme, and Luther, and even appeared as Cath in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey.
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.
This August hundreds of bus routes have free travel for kids under the age of 16Credit: Getty
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.”
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
In Northumberland, you can explore the coast’s pretty beachesCredit: Alamy
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)
In the Lake District, you can see England’s largest lakeCredit: Getty
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)
The Peak District is known for its historic market townsCredit: Getty
Instead, you could head to the Peak District National Park to the Bakewell and Castleton areas, in the centre of the National Park.
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
Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of ShakespeareCredit: Getty
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
To see huge chalk cliffs, head to Seven Sisters Country Park in East SussexCredit: Getty
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
In the New Forest, horses roam freelyCredit: Getty
This may help reduce a lot of travel stress – especially for families
Many passengers may not know this(Image: Getty)
Some airports across the UK offer perks to passengers to make the start of their trip less stressful – but they often come at an extra cost.
With holidays already expensive, many people skip the add-ons. However, not everyone realises that travellers at London Luton Airport (LLA) can pre-book a security time slot and potentially avoid the worst of the queues for free.
The Airport explains that this option is called “Prebook Security”. It boasts that this is a “FREE service that allows you to skip the security queues by reserving a 30-minute slot ahead of your arrival.”
The service is currently only available to passengers arriving at security between 3am and 3pm. Travellers can book a 30-minute security slot in advance, then on the day follow the “Prebook Security” signs to the dedicated entry point, where a staff member will be on hand to help.
Airport officials further explain: “You can pre-book this service from 4 days before your arrival, right up until 60 minutes before you arrive at security (subject to availability). Booking this service is completely free, does not require any login or registration and is available to all guests.”
Prebook Security is first-come, first-served. You’ll go through the usual checks and will be processed in the order you arrive, along with other pre-booked passengers. If you use Prebook Security, LLA says they cannot guarantee how long it will take to complete security checks through the Airport Security area.
How does Prebook Security work?
Book your appointment slot up to 4 days before your travel date.
On arrival at the airport, make your way to the security area and scan your boarding card at one of the signposted “Prebook Security” gates.
Upon entry to the security area, head to the left where you’ll find signs for “Prebook Security”. A member of our security team will be waiting to welcome you and scan your QR code.
You will then be directed to the front of the line.
Children aged four and under don’t need to be included in your group size. Children aged five and over must be included when booking.
To change or cancel your Prebook Security booking, use the “change” or “cancel” option on your booking confirmation page. You can also do this via the links in your confirmation email.
What information is required to pre-book security?
There’s no need to create an account or log in. Passengers should enter their departure date and flight details (destination, airline and flight number), plus group size. People should also provide a name and email address to receive a confirmation email containing a QR code.
If you need to check-in bags, ensure you allow plenty of time for this. The Airport stresses: “Slots are limited and may book up fast, so we recommend booking up to 4 days before your flight.”
If you are late for your appointment, don’t panic too much. The Airport reassures passengers: “Please make sure to arrive 15 minutes before or after your booking time, the QR code will still be valid.”
THERE’S just a few weeks left where you can get FREE kids tickets for some of the UK’s top shows.
London Theatre’s Kids Week is running until August 31 where kids can go for free – ideal for school summer holiday fun.
Kids Week runs until the end of August across a number of London West End showsCredit: Getty
Any child aged 17 or under will go free to the theatre when accompanied by an adult who pays for a full- price ticket and two additional children can then also attend for half price.
In total, there are 54 shows participating in Kids Week and here are some of the top offers remaining before the promotion ends:
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Wicked
These include Wicked with amazing visuals and heartfelt songsCredit: Alamy
Wicked has been around in the West End for a while, but thanks to the recent Hollywood blockbuster adaptations, there is no better time to go and see Wicked on stage than now.
You can expect amazing visuals, memorable and heartfelt songs and a storyline that is great for both kids and adults.
Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding said: “Wicked was the very first West End show I ever watched, and it did not disappoint.
“Not knowing what to expect from a West End show, Wicked blew me away.
“It has breathtaking sets, detailed costumes, emotional and inspiring songs and dramatic effects that will leave your mind blown.
“To date, it is still one of the best West End shows I’ve seen.”
Adult + child ticket costs from £46
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Younger will enjoy The Tiger Who Came to TeaCredit: Alamy
Little kids will love The Tiger Who Came to Tea, adapted from the popular book of the same name.
You can expect songs and audience interaction throughout the show.
Adult + child ticket costs from £17.46
Six
History lovers should check out Six The Musical, which is based around Henry VIII’s six wivesCredit: Getty
Based on the six wives of Henry VIII but with a modern twist, Six The Musical is ideal if you love catchy songs.
The musical transforms the 500-year-old rhyme ‘divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived’ into a competition about which of the wives deserves to be the group’s lead singer.
Adult + child ticket costs from £54.50
Matilda
A classic is Matilda, with catchy songsCredit: Alamy
Matilda is a great family option that will be loved by both kids and adults alike, with a powerful storyline about imagination andcourageg, and remains one of the capital’s most popular family shows for a reason.
Travel reporter Cyann Fielding, who recently saw the show, said: “I have to admit – while I loved Roald Dahl growing up, Matilda was not my favourite story of his.
“But any excuse to see one of his stories on stage, and I’ll be there.
“And now I take everything back – the stage show is better than the film and does the book justice, with an amazing stage set and catchy songs that will get your hips moving in your seat.
“The fact that most of the performers in this show are children just make it all the more impressive.
“Definitely will be loved by both parents and children alike.”
Adult + child ticket costs from £52.50
The Hunger Games
One of the newer productions you could head to is The Hunger Games: On StageCredit: Getty
The Hunger Games: On Stage is one of the newer theatrical productions on this list.
The immersive show brings Suzanne Collins’ dystopian world to life, and you can expect special effects as well as aerial stunts.
Adult + child ticket costs from £36.88
Disney’s Hercules
Disney fans should catch Hercules before it leaves the West End on September 5Credit: Alamy
You’ve not got long left to watch Hercules, as the West End production will end at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on September 5.
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill said: “Zero to Hero, Go the Distance, I Won’t Say I’m in Love – I was hit with a wave of nostalgia when I went to see Hercules at Royal Drury Lane.
“The production of the Disneyfilm has everything you want from a musical, fabulous dance routines, comedy, tragedy and a bit of cheese too.
“The highlight has to be The Muses, a group of five goddesses, and they have the voices of them too.
“Their incredible outfits dazzled with every number – and each time they took to the stage, they were met with rapturous applause.
“I’d go back purely to see them sing A Star is Born.”
Adult + child ticket costs from £41.66
Beetlejuice The Musical
Beetlejuice The Musical only debuted earlier this yearCredit: Alamy
Debuting earlier this year, Beetlejuice The Musical combines comedy with the storyline of Tim Burton‘s 1988 film.
You can expect a load of dark humour, neon sets and vibrant costumes.
THERE is still a long way to go before kids are back at school and a major attraction is offering free kids visits this month.
Activate is a popular immersive experience and across five London sites it is offering free kids tickets throughout August.
Activate is an immersive experience that has five sites in LondonCredit: ActivateEach venue has nine different gamesCredit: Activate
Inside the attractions you will find nine different games including Laser which has laser beams you must dodge and Mega Grid, which tests your speed and reaction time.
There’s also Strike, which makes dodgeball digital with each team having to hit a specific glowing screen on the wall.
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To get the offer, every paying adult will be able to bring one child under the age of 16 for free.
Children’s tickets usually cost from £29.50, so for a family of four you could save up to £59.50 on a single visit.
The offer is available across all peak sessions at Activate venues in London which include The O2, Oxford Street, Vauxhall, Westfield White City and Islington.
According to London TV, Richard Beese, CEO and Founder of We Do Play, which operates Activate in the UK, said: “The summerholidaysare all about spending quality time together as a family, and we wanted to make it even easier for people to experience Activate.
“Our Kids Go Free offer gives families the opportunity to enjoy something active, exciting and genuinely different while making their money go further.”
Activate is open to kids over six-years-old and adults must accompany all children between six and 13.
Sessions usually cost £29.50 per childCredit: Activate
One recent visitor commented: “Activate is a great place for those who like to be active. If you like running around to press buttons, definitely check them out!
“The wrist bands and point collection system was a nice touch too. I had a really fun time!”
Serbia and Ukraine have agreed to deepen economic cooperation, with both sides pledging to finalise a long-stalled free trade agreement by the end of the year as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hosted his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Belgrade.
The commitment came on the final day of a two-day visit that concluded on Saturday, Zelenskyy’s first to Serbia since taking office in 2019. The two leaders have met several times previously, most recently in Kyiv on July 15.
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Speaking at a joint news conference, Vucic said Serbia would support Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union and maintain its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, including territories seized by Russia since 2014.
Belgrade has, however, refused to impose sanctions on Russia, its longtime ally.
Ukraine, for its part, has not recognised Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence. Serbia considers Kosovo part of its territory.
“You have never heard a single bad word about our country, neither from Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor anyone else [in Ukraine], and I am extremely grateful to our Ukrainian friends for that,” Vucic said.
“Our cooperation is expanding and will become much bigger,” he told reporters, adding that Serbia would help rebuild Ukrainian cities damaged by Russia’s invasion.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a news conference during Zelenskyy’s visit to Belgrade, Serbia [Marko Djurica/Reuters]
Long-delayed free trade agreement
The proposed free trade agreement has been under discussion for more than two decades, with both countries now aiming to complete a deal by the end of the year.
The agreement is crucial to Serbia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization and is a prerequisite for its EU membership. Ukraine has blocked a deal since 2005 over quotas and tariffs affecting its agricultural sector.
Both leaders pointed to progress on the agreement as a sign of strengthening economic ties, alongside Serbian commitments to provide humanitarian aid and infrastructure and energy support to Ukraine this winter.
Zelenskyy said the two leaders had discussed joint infrastructure projects as well as cooperation on energy and food security before the winter, saying that “virtually not a single thermal power plant remains intact” in Ukraine because of Russian strikes.
He said Russian attacks had also damaged railway stations, hospitals, universities and civilian businesses, and thanked Serbia for preparing a new humanitarian aid package focused particularly on the medical and energy sectors.
“We are developing all formats of cooperation which can give our people … more resilience,” Zelenskyy said.
In a post on X on Saturday, Zelenskyy said he also discussed economic and logistics projects with Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut, including the Danube Corridor and closer links between Ukraine, the Western Balkans and the EU.
Zelenskyy thanked Serbia for pledging 2 million euros ($2.3m) to support Ukraine’s energy sector.
The two countries also signed a memorandum on animal health and food safety, according to the Kyiv Post. The agreement was signed by Serbia’s Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamocic and Ukraine’s ambassador to Serbia, Oleksandr Lytvynenko.
Serbia balances EU ambitions and Russia ties
Vucic expressed doubts that either Serbia or Ukraine would secure rapid EU membership.
“I wish Ukraine every success, but this is not just a merit-based process,” he said, noting that the bloc has not admitted a new member since Croatia joined in 2013.
He also warned that he did not expect the war in Ukraine to end soon.
“I’m very afraid that we’re in for a very difficult winter – especially for Ukrainians,” Vucic said, according to the Kyiv Post.
Belgrade had condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has supported Ukraine’s territorial integrity, but it has resisted joining Western sanctions against Moscow. Serbia also remains dependent on Russia for most of its gas.
At the same time, Serbia has sought to reduce some of its military dependence on Russia, including through an agreement to replace its ageing Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets with French Rafale aircraft.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Serbia of selling ammunition that ultimately reached Ukraine through intermediaries. Belgrade has denied supplying ammunition to Ukraine, but has said it sells ammunition to buyers around the world.
Vucic and Zelenskyy said military cooperation was not discussed during the visit.
A FAMILY day out can easily set you back over £100 for a family of four.
And with it being the summer holidays, just a few days out can quickly add up to the cost of a holiday abroad.
Many of the different offers include tickets to theme parksCredit: HandoutIf you travel by train, you can get 2-for-1 or discounted tickets to UK attractionsCredit: Alamy
Instead of watching your wallet empty of cash, there are actually a number of ways to get free and cheap attraction tickets.
Here’s our round-up of the best options and what days out you can get for less:
Sun Club promotions
As a Sun Club member, you have access to loads of free and discounted days out across the UK.
Currently, these include free tickets to the races, 50% off Horrible Histories Live, savings on theatre tickets and 2-for-1 tickets to Diggerland theme parks.
LatestFreeStuff.co.uk always has different offers on attractions.
Some you might need to snap up quick, while others might have more availability.
Current offers on the website include a free National Trust pass and free bike hire.
Previous offers have included free Eden Project tickets as well as discounts on major UK attractions.
Promotional supermarket packs
If you are in the supermarket, look out for promotional packs.
On items such as Cadbury‘s multi-packs, Kellogg’s cereal, Heinz products, Carex soap and Robinsons squash, you’ll often find offers to attractions in the UK.
For example, Kellogg’s cereal boxes often have 25 per cent off online advance entry tickets for up to two people to Merlin attractions including the London Eye and Legoland.
Cadbury’s, on the other hand, often has instant 2-for-1 vouchers for top UK attractions.
National Rail
If you are heading out on a day out, taking the train could save you both hassle and money, because National Rail offers 2-for-1 deals, a third off savings, and other discounts for attractions when you travel via train.
Attractions include 2-for-1 tickets on City Cruises, 20 per cent off Frameless and 50 per cent off Thinktank at the Birmingham Science Museum.
Tesco Clubcard
Tesco Clubcard members can convert their Clubcard points into Reward Partner vouchers.
These vouchers cover major UK theme parks including Alton Towers and Thorpe Park as well as English Heritage sites and a number of museums.
Octopus Energy
If you are an Octopus customer and are signed up to Octoplus, you can redeem your points for a free National Trust pass.
02 Priority
If you happen to be an O2 customer, make sure you have the O2 Priority app as it is full of offers and giveaways.
Currently through the app, you can get discounted tickets to Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, free kids tickets to Jurassic Oceans at the Natural History Museum (with one adult ticket) and 20 per cent off tickets to Up at The O2.
With MoneySuperMarket, you can get a free attraction pass worth £180 which includes English Heritage sitesCredit: AlamyAlso included in the pass are fun family activities such as as Go ApeCredit: Alamy
MoneySuperMarket
If you sign up to a MoneySuperMarket account and allow it to check your credit score, you can get a free days out annual pass worth £180.
The pass includes top attractions such as London Zoo, English Heritage Sites and Go Ape parks – you can redeem one ticket each time you visit an attraction, per account.
Vodafone
Via Vodafone‘s VeryMe Rewards, you can get a Kids Pass which offers between 10 and 56 per cent off entry to attractions across the UK, including Alton Towers and Go Ape.
To get this reward, you’ll need to be a Vodafone Pay Monthly mobile customer or a qualifying Pay As You Go customer.
Vitality Health Insurance
If you get moving, Vitality Health Insurance will reward you with discounts to top Merlin attractions, such as Thorpe Park and Alton Towers.
You are able to redeem four tickets at 30 per cent off each month.
Welcome Break
Welcome Break operates 31 hotels across the UK’s motorway network – such as Days Inn and Ramada hotels – making them ideal stops to split up a journey.
But more than just the hotels, Welcome Break has 62 service stations across the country.
If you stop off at one or stay in one of the hotels, make sure to set up an account when you use their Wi-Fi as you’ll get Road Trip Rewards.
Each time you log in to the Wi-Fi at either a hotel or service station, you’ll gain a point.
These points then go towards entering you into different prize draws.
For every three visits, you’ll go into a draw to bag a Merlin attraction discount, for every five visits a £50 Welcome Break voucher, and with 10 visits a Merlin Gold Pass. For every 15 or more visits, you’ll get a chance to win a family weekend away.
Lots of the different schemes can also get you cheaper tickets to the Eden ProjectCredit: AlamyAlton Towers is also available on many discount schemesCredit: Alton Towers
Blue Light Discount
If you work in the NHS, emergency services, or armed forces, you can get a Blue Light Membership, costing £4.99 for two years (so just under £2.50 a year).
This membership can then get you loads of discounts on days out and attractions, including 15 per cent off entry to Alton Towers, 20 per cent off English Heritage sites, and 10 per cent off Eden Project tickets.
There are loads of attractions with discounts as part of the membership, including local and regional attractions.
National Lottery Week
In March each year, the National Lottery hosts The National Lottery Open Week, with loads of free or low-cost days out.
These include castles, museums, sports venues, galleries and theatres across the UK.
Local resident/postcode discounts
It is worth looking up which attractions are in your area, and whether they offer discounted entry for you as a local.
For example, The Eden Project offers a discounted Cornish Residents Pass.
Similarly, Kew Gardens offers a reduced entry fee for local residents and young people, and Tower Bridge offers £1 entry to Southwark residents.
The best way to find this out is to search ‘attractions near me with resident offer’ online, and Google should pick up your location and find the attractions near you providing a discount.
Kew Gardens offers a discount for localsCredit: ReutersYou can get cheap tickets to events and activities through Groupon and Wowcher tooCredit: Ninja Warrior UK
Groupon and Wowcher
Groupon and Wowcher are both great sites for getting cheaper days out for the family.
You can search for things near you to do, and depending on your location, these can include things like the Ninja Warrior UK experience, bus tours and circus shows.
THE UK’s biggest hot air balloon fiesta has kicked off for its 48th year, with over 100 balloons set to descend on a major city.
Hosted over three days, this free festival celebrates the city’s heritage, with stunning displays throughout the day and night.
The UK’s largest hot air balloon festival is officially underway in BristolCredit: SWNSBalloons of all shapes and sizes will take to the skies over the weekendCredit: Getty
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has kicked off with perfect blue skies, attracting approximately 500,000 people over the course of the weekend.
Beginning today, and continuing until Sunday (August 9) evening, there is a jam-packed programme of mass balloon ascents, balloon-themed displays, and food and drink.
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The international festival takes place on the hills of Ashton Court Estate, a 850-acre historic park on the outskirts of Bristol city centre.
When the festival first opened in 1979, only 27 balloons took part — but now, visitors can expect to see four times that number, with balloons shaped like aliens, dragons, pandas, and more.
The highlight of the experience is set to be the mass ascents, where over 100 hot air balloons take to the skies at dawn (around 6am) and dusk (around 6pm).
Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful lights of the hot air balloons at the evening Nightglows, where up to 25 hot air balloons set up in the main arena, before lighting up to a background of regional music.
Included in the entertainment is a thrilling display by the RAF Falcons, model planes, and the historic ballooning arena, as well as a deluxe Thatchers cider Balloon Bar.
These incredible scenes across Bristol can be enjoyed at Ashton Court Estate with a completely free admission ticket.
Visitors can also enjoy the Nightglows, where 25 balloons light up under the evening skyCredit: GettyEntry to the event is free of charge, with additional costs for VIP hospitalityCredit: AFP
However, for those wanting a VIP experience, tickets to the Sky Lounge, which has a tented arena to view the mass ascents, costs £20 for children and £25 for adults.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will run from today until Sunday, August 9, with timetabled events scheduled between 6am and 9pm today and tomorrow, and until 6.15pm on Sunday.
The airline says it’s going to start charging passengers for ‘priority carry-on’ so it can stop weighing every piece of luggage at the gate just before departure
One budget airline is making big changes to its cabin bag policy [file image](Image: Jetstar)
A major budget airline is ending its free overhead cabin bag policy and replacing it with a new £13 rule.
From the start of February 2027, passengers flying with Jetstar will only be able to bring a small bag that must fit under the seat in front of them for free. The new rules end Jetstar’s free overhead luggage policy, which was limited to 7kg, and now mirrors the baggage restrictions used by European budget airlines Ryanair and easyJet.
Previously, every piece of luggage set to be taken onboard a Jetstar flight was weighed by airline staff at the gate, with anyone with overweight bags forced to pay fees in order to board with their bags.
The Australian airline, which flies across Australia, New Zealand, south-east Asia, and even as far as Japan and South Korea, says the new rules have been brought in to stop this practice.
“We know that weighing carry-on bags at the gate can be frustrating for our customers and for our crew,” said CEO Stephanie Tully.
“To make packing easier we’ve decided to remove the 7kg weight limit, so from February, the main thing customers will need to think about is the size of their carry-on.”
The new rules mean passengers who want to take more luggage than the free under-seat bag must purchase a ‘priority carry-on’ fare to access the overhead lockers. This fee costs at least another A$25 (£13, as of August 5, 2026).
Ms Tully explained why Jetstar decided to charge extra: “By giving customers an underseat bag with the option to add Priority Carry-on, we can make better use of overhead locker space, streamline boarding and help more flights depart on time.”
“Our new carry-on baggage model provides more choice to customers while helping to keep our fares low. You only pay for what you need – travelling with less means paying less, and you can always add more if you need.”
While fees start at just A$25, they climb dramatically for longer and more popular flights. It will cost A$33 (£17.30) for its most popular route, Sydney to Melbourne, A$39 (£20.45) from Perth to popular holiday destination Denpasar in Bali, and A$52 (£27.27) from Cairns to Tokyo Narita.
New size limits have also been confirmed for carry-on luggage. Underseat bags must be smaller than 40 × 30 × 20cm, while overhead bags can be up to 56 × 36 × 23cm large.
THE summer holidays are in full swing and if you want a fun family day out that is completely free, look no further.
From open-air museums to galleries, attractions and incredible buildings with summer activities for kids – these places will keep everyone entertained and won’t cost a penny.
There are plenty of free museums and attractions in the UK – like RAF CosfordCredit: AlamyThe top-rated free museum in Which? is St Fagans National Museum of history in CardiffCredit: Getty
Which? has revealed the top best family days out and in top spot is St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff.
The museum has a reconstructed historic street showing what life was like in Wales many years ago.
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It’s filled with historic buildings that have been relocated to the site including a medieval church, farmhouses and a school.
In the centre of it all is St Fagans Castle, which is a 16th century manor house that has been open to the public since 1948 and is set within pretty Italian gardens.
It’s considered ‘best [museum] of its kind in the world’ according toOn Magazine with one visitor on Tripadvisor calling it “unique and unforgettable”.
Inside are 100 locomotives, thousands of historical artifacts, royal carriages and well-known trains like the Mallard steam engine.
There’s also the art-deco Duchess of Hamilton, and a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train too.
Here’s the full list of the the top free museums and galleries from Which?…
St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
National Railway Museum, York
Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum Cosford
National Museum of Scotland
Cardiff National Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Royal Air Force Museum, London
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Scottish National Galleries
Throughout the summer there are events on every day like immersive storytelling and live shows, plus there are indoor and outdoor play areas for children.
It’s completely free to visit, but it’s encouraged to book tickets online to guarantee entry, especially during the summer holidays.
Also highly-rated as a free day out is the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum Cosford.
It has a huge collection of military aircraft as well as interactive exhibits and even a plane-themed playground.
Then there’s the National Museum of Scotland which has galleries filled with treasures from the age of the dinosaurs to new technology.
Make sure to pop up to the roof terrace too where you’ll get a view of the Edinburgh skyline.
During the summer holiday there are drop-in activities throughout the day from exploring a dinosaur trail, to space missions and crafts.
Cathedrals like St David’s in Wales is completely freeCredit: AlamyThe Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has everything from art to fighter jetsCredit: Alamy
Another top free day out from Which? is the Cardiff National Museum which is filled with world-class art work and natural history – it also has exhibitions and plenty of events.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow is another completely free destinations for a family day out.
It opened in 1901 and has 22 galleries filled with beautiful artwork and don’t miss the organ recital at 1pm from Monday to Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.
Families can pop into Durham Cathedral to see the incredible building for free.
Throughout the summer it holds kids’ workshops like creating your own stained glass,activitys backpacks whichares filled withchallengesr and a pair of binoculars.
The surrounding grounds can be explored for free too.
Other highly-rated historical attractions that are free including St David’s Cathedral and Chichester Cathedral.
On a regular visit to the Houses of Parliament you will need to buy a ticket, but there is a way to get a tour for free.
But Which? advises that if you’re keen to visit, any UK resident can contact their MP or a member of the House of Lords to request a free-5-minute guided tour.
A MUCH-LOVED playground is set to reopen TOMORROW after a multi-million refurb.
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens in London, will reopen on August 5 with a new 17metre by 12metre Galleon on a sandy beach.
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground will reopen tomorrowCredit: Royal ParksIn the park there is a Galleon ship with two crow’s nests to climbCredit: Royal Parks
The Galleon also has two crow’s nests to climb, a large tunnel slide and a play telescope.
Inside the ship, there is a kitchen and lots of nooks and crannies ideal for a game of hide and seek.
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Other parts of the £3million playground upgrade include a “treehouse of dreams”, which has three different climbing towers and a four metre tunnel slide.
The free-to-visit park also now has an accessible walkway, talk tubes, musical instruments and games such as tic-tac-toe.
Ideal for the hot and sunny weather, there’s a new waterplay area as well with a crocodile sculpture.
Little kids aren’t left out either, as there is an area with timber houses, play ships and a large sandpit for toddlers.
Andy Williams, Park Manager for Kensington Gardens said: “We know that children across London, the UK and the world have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of this playground, and we can’t wait to see their reactions when they visit. We know they will absolutely love it.
“This playground has been thoughtfully designed so that children of all abilities and interests can find something that appeals to them.
There’s also a water play areaCredit: Royal ParksAnd a ‘treehouse of dreams’ with a slideCredit: Royal Parks
“Children can once again splash, swing, climb and hide in this almost two-acre playground set amongst sub-tropical planting.”
He added: “This incredibly popular playground has a capacity of 450 people and with UK schools now on summer break, we are expecting more people to visit than usual.
“Therefore, there may be lengthy queues across the week, but especially at weekends.”
A SUMMER of free bus travel for under 16s has started in the UK and one major airport is now offering free trips too.
To encourage passengers to leave their cars behind, bus travel will be completely free to and from the terminal for all holidaymakers throughout August.
Passengers travelling to and from Luton Airport this summer can do so for freeCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoThe buses will take passengers to the terminalCredit: Alamy
London Luton Airport in Bedfordshire will operate buses throughout the day dropping passengers right outside without having to pay a fare.
This falls under the ‘Fly and Ride’ scheme where passengers can travel free on a range of Arriva and Stagecoach services.
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All travellers have to do is show a valid printed or digital boarding pass for a flight departing from London Luton Airport during August.
The offer is valid on Arriva routes 101, X1, X2, X3, X4, A and Z.
It’s also valid on Stagecoach’s MK1, which covers the nearby towns of Stevenage, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Bedford and Dunstable.
The free journey will count from any stop between August 1-31.
Return journeys must be completed by August 31 to qualify.
The offer does not include National Express and Greenline services.
August is the busiest month for most airports and last year 1.8million holidaymakers travelled through Luton Airport.
This was a five per cent increase from the year before, according to the CAA.
London Luton Airport saw over one million passengers last AugustCredit: Alamy
Alberto Martin, CEO of London Luton Airport, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and a great example of how we continually look to extend our simple and friendly passenger experience far beyond the terminal doors.
“As we prepare for our busiest summer on record, we’re delighted to offer passengers the opportunity to leave the car at home, take advantage of excellent local bus services and travel to the airport for free.”
The Wound is Where the Light Enters: A Memoir of Resilience
By Chris Young Little, Brown and Company: 336 pages, $35
If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.
Chris Young grew up in Clarksville, Tenn., in the direst imaginable circumstances — unimaginable, in fact, to many of us.
He never knew his father. His mother was a crack addict with a habit of stabbing her romantic partners. While his mom was in prison, Young and his older brother, Robert, mostly fended for themselves, often in a home that lacked electricity and running water. Young, tormented by sickle-cell disease, saw many of those closest to him die by homicide or suicide.
The two boys weren’t totally bereft. They had a grandfather, cousins, friends and a stepfather. A neighbor provided showers, until his water bill got too high; another supplied hot meals. A woman known as Big Mama offered shelter and tough love. But it wasn’t nearly enough. Desperate for money, the teenage Young — smart, entrepreneurial, dreaming of a rap career — became a gun-toting drug dealer.
Young’s searing memoir, “The Wound Is Where the Light Enters,” chronicles this bitter childhood and its devastating consequences. The evocative title is a quotation from the 13th century Persian poet Rumi.
Unlike some prison memoirs, this isn’t an innocence story. But it is no less an indictment of the U.S. justice system — its laws, its courts and its brutal prisons. “The constant state of heightened agitation and awareness that it takes to survive a single day in a federal penitentiary is enough to drive a man insane,” Young writes. “At every turn, the system is designed to crush your humanity. You’re an animal in there and are expected to act like one.”
But not everyone does. “The Wound Is Where the Light Enters” not only reveals the system’s horrors, but also celebrates the redemptive power of hope, intellect and community.
By the time Young was swept up in a federal drug investigation, he already had two felony drug convictions. His involvement in the federal conspiracy case, as he tells it, was marginal. He was no kingpin and had never met most of the people being charged.
But he faced a zealous prosecutor, with only court-appointed attorneys at his side. Worse yet, he was up against a harsh “three-strikes” law that replaced judicial discretion with mandatory minimum sentences.
Young’s own pride and sense of justice also came into play. He could have pleaded guilty, perhaps even cooperated, and received a finite (though still hefty) prison sentence. Instead, determined to argue his case, he opted for a trial at which conviction was all but certain. Then, against advice, he presented a meticulously crafted and rehearsed speech at his sentencing hearing.
The 26-year-old Young, who’d already spent four years behind bars, had used that time productively. A former straight-A student who had dropped out of high school, he had embarked on a program of self-education, reading deeply in African American history, Greek philosophy, finance and other subjects. “Every day,” he writes, “I left the library with new language to put to my thoughts.”
Young told the court about his chaotic upbringing and his recent scholarly pursuits. “He spoke of the things he could do if he did not have to die in prison. He told me of the possibilities that would never be,” the trial judge, Kevin H. Sharp, writes in the book’s foreword. “It was impossible to listen to someone so full of compassion, intelligence, and, above all, promise, and not question the system that had not just allowed this to happen but required it.”
Sharp sentenced Young to life without the possibility of parole, as the law mandated. But two years later, he stepped down from the bench and joined Young’s defense team.
Young describes his childhood mostly from the perspective of a boy — alternately bewildered, hurting, depressed and “mad all the time.” His account of his incarceration, with its mind-numbing routines, gang hegemony and intermittent violence, is equally gripping.
At McCreary, the tense high-security federal prison in Kentucky known as Misery Mountain, Young meditated, adhered to a workout routine, read prodigiously, taught GED classes to fellow inmates and maintained ties to his few surviving loved ones. And he kept hoping. “The system’s control over my body was absolute,” Young writes. “Its control over my mind was not.”
In 2015, the sickle cell-related disintegration of his hips prompted Young’s transfer to a low-security prison, Federal Medical Center Lexington. Here the surroundings are less bleak, the library better, the prisoners friendlier. Young teaches himself to code and envisions an app that will focus on mental health and suicide prevention. Yet he still must fight to obtain the hip replacement surgery he so desperately needs.
By now, his case has attracted sympathetic press attention and more effective lawyers. Even so, his story takes a dark turn. From Lexington, he is sent to his most terrifying prison yet, known as Bloody Beaumont, where COVID-19 adds another layer of threat. A judge reduces his sentence, but, for reasons never entirely clear, he is suddenly thrown into the prison’s “hole,” its barbarous solitary confinement cells.
It is from that hell that Young, more than a decade after his arrest, emerges to freedom — earning a degree in economics and public policy from Southern Methodist University, pursuing a consulting career and writing this indelible book. For his 2021 grant of executive clemency, he has his lawyers and reality-TV star Kim Kardashian to thank — as well as President Trump.
Klein, a cultural reporter and critic in Philadelphia, has been a three-time finalist for the National Book Critics Circle’s Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing.
DO you need more ideas on how to keep the kids entertained over the summer holidays but want to keep it cheap?
Check out this full list of every single museum in England that offers free entry – from Victorian homes that are like stepping back in time, to boarding world-famous locomotives.
Around England, there are over 100 free museums – from ones in big cities to some in small townsCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoDurham Cathedral is completely free to enterCredit: Alamy
North East
Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh
Home to personal letters and family portraits of Grace Darling, who saved nine people from the wrecked SS Forfarshire in 1838.
Elsecar Heritage Centre, Barnsley
A former hotspot for joiners, carpenters, blacksmiths, and repair shops in 1850, with insight into the history and culture of the village.
Learn about the people, places, and wildlife through an interesting collection put together by a group of artists.
Cusworth Hall Museum and Park, Doncaster
A Grade I-listed building with insight into local lives from the 18th-century to the present day.
Danum Gallery Library and Museum, Doncaster
Learn about the city’s past as a Roman settlement and Doncaster’s status as an industrial powerhouse.
Durham Cathedral, Durham
Uncover the relics of St. Cuthbert, saint of the early Northumbrian church, such as his cross and coffin, manuscripts, and a colourful crucifix.
Bankfield Museum, Halifax
A diverse range of displays including the Havercake regiment and a textiles gallery.
Heugh Battery Museum, Hartlepool
Learn about British military history at this museum, home to the UK’s only First World War Battlefield.
Byland Abbey, Helmsley
One of England’s biggest monasteries, with early gothic architecture which inspired the famous York Minster rose window.
Tolson Museum, Huddersfield
See displays on natural sciences, technology, and archaeological artefacts dating back to prehistoric times.
Arctic Corsair, Hull
Dive into Hull’s deep-sea fishing industry at this museum that includes a historic deep-sea trawler built in 1960.
Ferens Art Gallery, Hull
A fine art collection with everything from Viking swords and Roman mosaics to a full-sized Wooly Mammoth.
The Hull and East Riding Museum of Archaeology, Hull
Artefacts dating back 235 million years of ancient civilisations and natural history.
Streetlife Museum of Transport, Hull
Explore this collection of horse-drawn carriages and vintage cars, or hop on Britain’s oldest tramcar.
Wilberforce House Museum, Hull
The private collection of William Wilberforce, a British politician who helped to abolish the slave trade.
Cliffe Castle Museum, Keighley
Home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield.
Royal Armouries, Leeds
Historic weaponry and armour, from Japanese samurai swords to modern warfare including Henry VIII’s armour.
Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough
Discover the town’s history with dinosaur installations and a slice of meteorite from space.
Discovery Museum, Newcastle
Collection of scientific and technical materials, including Joseph Swan’s lightbulb and the world’s first ship powered by steam turbines.
Great North Museum Hancock, Newcastle upon Tyne
Learn about natural history and archaeology with 800 objects from the Ancient Greeks, Roman Empire and Anglo-Saxons.
Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
Home to a collection of art and sculptures including Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces.
Sunderland Museum has over 2,000 plants and trees in its gardenCredit: AlamyRobin Hood’s Bay has displays of Whitby’s shipwrecksCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
OuseBurn Farm, Newcastle upon Tyne
Working city farm that includes a sensory trail.
Pontefract Castle and Visitors Centre, Pontefract
Medieval fortress built around 1086 where you can dress up as a lord, lady or soldier.
Zetland Lifeboat Museum and Redcar Heritage Centre, Redcar
Home to the world’s oldest surviving lifeboat with maritime history dating back to the 1800s.
Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Sheffield
Discover steelworks dating back to the 1700s and learn what it was like to live and work onsite.
Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield
Learn about life in Victorian-era Sheffield, with artefacts including a 1760’s chocolate pot and Metrovick milk float.
Millennium Gallery, Sheffield
All things art and design in Sheffield, including one of the finest collections of metalwork in the world.
Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield
Grade II-listed botanical gardens with 18 areas, including a warm Mediterranean Climate Garden and the Asia Garden.
Weston Park Museum, Sheffield
Home to archaeological artefacts, zoological specimens and works of art.
Locomotion Museum, Shildon
Hop aboard the Flying Scotsman and experience the power of steam travel.
South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, South Shields
Discover the history of South Tyneside inside this historic building with a Victorian tea room, served by costumed staff.
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Sunderland
Home to 108,000 objects dating back to 1810, as well as more than 2,000 plants and trees.
National Coal Mining Museum for England, Wakefield
Discover the history of the British coal mining industry with guided underground tours.
Sandal Castle, Wakefield
Wander through the grounds and learn about the Battle of Wakefield and the castle’s ties to Richard III.
RNLI Whitby Lifeboat Museum, Whitby
Custom-built double boathouse where you can learn about the lifeboat history in Whitby.
Robin Hood’s Bay Museum, Whitby
Range of displays on Whitby’s shipwrecks, the last lifeboat stationed in Bay, and its smuggling history.
National Railway Museum, York
Collection of iconic British railway vehicles, significant artefacts and historical locomotives in York.
North West
The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
Built over a 19th-century dry dock with displays on decorative and applied art, archeology, textiles, and fine art, plus a unique collection of ship models.
Birkenhead Priory and St Mary’s Tower, Birkenhead
Merseyside’s oldest building, with the remains of St Mary’s church.
Lady Lever Art Gallery, Birkenhead
30 rooms of paintings, sculptures and decorative art, from tapestries to vintage furniture and Chinese porcelain.
Wirral Transport Museum, Birkenhead
Museum delving into the history of transport in Birkenhead.
Witton Country Park and Visitor Centre, Blackburn
480 acres of mixed woodland and parkland with a collection of natural sciences and land transport.
Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Burnley
Former home of Towneley family for over 600 years, with collections of fine art, local history, and ancient civilisations.
Grosvenor Museum, Chester
Museum housing everything from Roman tombstones to 400 years of Chester hallmarked silver, and prehistoric urns.
Queen Victoria Monument, Liverpool
Monument to Queen Victoria built in 1906 on the former site of Liverpool Castle.
Sudley House, Liverpool
Former home of Victorian merchant George Holt.
Tate Liverpool has two galleries full of contemporary artCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoSamlesbury Hall dates back to 1185 and has the UK’s first waffleryCredit: Alamy
Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, Liverpool
Currently operating at a smaller location in Liverpool due to a refurbishment, this museum has two galleries exploring contemporary art.
Victoria Gallery and Museum, Liverpool
Uncover artworks across different eras, dig into archaeological items, and spot oceanography displays.
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
National gallery of the North, with paintings and sculptures from Rembrandt, David Hockney and Rodin.
Lytham Windmill Museum, Lytham
Five floors of exhibitions on milling processes, the importance of lifeboats, and the history of Grade II-listed buildings.
Greater Manchester Police Museum, Manchester
Learn about the history of policing with photographs and records pre-dating 1974.
Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester
Browse artists and designers such as William Ratcliffe, Bernado Daddi and Coco Chanel.
Manchester Museum, Manchester
After reopening in 2023, this was named Europe’s Museum of the Year, and has 4.5 million items across four floors.
Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester
Home to 250 years of innovations across science and technology, as well as UK’s oldest surviving train station.
Ordsall Hall Museum, Manchester
Salford’s oldest building dating back to 1177, with over 10,000 artefacts.
People’s History Museum, Manchester
Learn about the history of the working class in the UK, with displays on the Peterloo Massacre and the women’s suffrage movement.
Portland Basin Museum, Manchester
A restored 19th-century warehouse showcasing local history, industry, and trade.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Manchester
A reconstructed Victorian street with original shop fronts and a large collection of Pilkington Ceramics.
Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester
A collection of over 60,000 artworks including works from Turner, Picasso, and Peter Blake.
Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich
One of the UK’s only two working boat lifts.
Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston
Discover art, culture, and history, with displays on printed textiles, the remains of an elk, and glassblown scent bottles.
The Whitaker, Rawtenstall
A diverse collection of history, fine art and textiles, with displays on the Haslingden Coat of Arms and prisoner of war poems.
Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury
A stately home dating back to 1185 with cafe and shepherd huts and UK’s first wafflery.
Imperial War Museum North, Stretford
A museum offering perspective on how war and conflict changes everyday lives.
The World of Glass, St Helens
Learn about the history of the glass industry with live glass blowing demonstrations.
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, Warrington
Grade II-listed building with an art collection dating back to 1857.
East Midlands
Buxton Museum and Art Gallery, Buxton
Marvel at archaeological and geological wonders of the Peak District.
Cromford Mills, Cromford
A UNESCO site displaying how Sir Richard Arkwright changed the modern factory system and textile industry.
Canons Ashby, Daventry
Grade I-listed Canons Ashby House, with a collection of Elizabethan and Jacobean artistry.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby
An impressive collection of works by artist Joseph Wright as well as archaeological items, ceramics, decorative art, and objects from all over the world.
Pickford’s House, Derby
Georgian townhouse and gardens showcasing domestic life from the 18th to 20th centuries.
New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester
Displays include a 15-metre Rutland Dinosaur and stories about Leicester’s achievements and obstacles.
Newarke Houses Museum, Leicester
Built in 1511, with exhibits on the Leicestershire Regiment and Tudor objects.
Grade I-listed Canons Ashby House is in NorthamptonshireCredit: AlamyThe University of Leicester has an arboretum and tropical plantsCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
University of Leicester Botanic Garden, Leicester
A beautiful garden spanning 16 acres, featuring an arboretum and tropical plants.
Lincoln Museum and Usher Gallery, Lincolnshire
Displays everything from artefacts from the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages, to works by Turner, as well as forensic processes of the Anglo Saxons.
Museum of Lincolnshire Life, Lincolnshire
Home to 250,000 items dating back to 1750, including a World War I tank, as well as a museum trail and playground for kids.
Charnwood Museum, Loughborough
Collection centered around geology, archaeology and local history, including one of the world’s oldest fossils.
Green’s Mill and Science Centre, Nottingham
Former home of mathematical physicist George Green with displays related to science, technology, and social history.
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton
Impressive collection of 15,000 pairs of shoes, alongside history and art of shoemaking.
The Harley Foundation, Worksop, Northamptonshire
Includes artworks from Van Dyke, Michelangelo and Sir Thomas Lawrence.
Diverse display from pre-historic eras to the present day, including coins, medals and costumes.
Oakham Castle, Oakham
Huge collection of horseshoes, alongside displays on Norman history and architecture.
Rufford Abbey and Country Park, Ollerton
Collection exploring architecture, decorative and applied art, and religion, as well as the Runnford Abbey Ruins.
Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, Spalding
15th-century, Grade I-listed building with five acres of public gardens and a war memorial.
Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
Grade II-listed corn mill that tells the stories of the people who worked on Britain’s waterways.
West Midlands
National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas
British site of national remembrance with over 400 memorials and 25,000 trees.
Bewdley Museum, Bewdley
A riverside museum exploring the town’s local history.
Aston Hall, Birmingham
Grade I-listed Jacobean house with a beautiful public park, as well as collections from the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham
Collection of art and design from Pre-Raphaelite artists, including oil paintings, tapestries and ceramics.
Ikon Gallery, Birmingham
Diverse media collection with displays on sound, photography, and paintings.
Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford
Learn about the heroes of the RAF and famous aircraft dating back to 1918.
Himley Hall and Park, Himley
Explore 180 acres of landscaped parkland with three galleries.
Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
Learn about the first lexicographer Samuel Johnson, who created A Dictionary of the English Language.
Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Award-winning museum where you can learn about 2,000 years of the local town.
Ancient High House, Stafford
The biggest timber-framed house in England open to the public
Stafford Castle, Stafford
Step back to 1100 AD with archaeological artefacts and learn about the history of the castle.
Aston Hall in Birmingham has a huge public parkCredit: AlamyTake tours around the Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-TrentCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent
Tour around the last working Victorian potbank in a Grade II-listed building.
Walsall Leather Museum, Walsall
Learn about Walsall’s leather trade in a renovated Victorian factory building.
Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton
Step back into the Edwardian period and discover local history in Wolverhampton.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton
Home to contemporary art from the likes of David Hockney and Andy Warhol.
East of England
The Higgins Bedford, Bedford
Collection of watercolour, prints and decorative art – with displays on the works of William Burges and Edward Bawden.
Bury St Edmunds Abbey, Bury St Edmunds
The wealthiest Benedictine monastery in medieval England includes the shrine of St Edmund and the 14th-century Great Gate.
The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Huge collection of artworks and objects formerly owned by Cambridge alumni Richard Fitzwilliam, from ancient Egyptian coffins to Renaissance masterpieces.
Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge
Collection of archaeology and anthropological items including Roman pottery and objects from predynastic Egypt.
The Polar Museum, Cambridge
Learn about the history and science of polar exploration, Arctic art and culture.
Sedgwick Museum of Earth Science, Cambridge
Dig deeper into a collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils dating back two million years.
Peterborough Museum, Cambridgeshire
Home to 227,000 items from the city’s history and artistic heritage, including ceramics from the Roman empire and Jurassic fossil remains.
Hollytrees Museum, Colchester
Glimpse into life for both the rich and the poor in 18th-century Colchester, and get the chance to dress up as a servant.
Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens has a shrine of St Edmund and 14th-century Great GateCredit: AlamyThe Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge has artwork and historical artefactsCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Henry Blogg Museum, Cromer
Discover the life of hero Henry Blogg, who helped 387 rescues at sea and created a hull shape for a new lifeboat.
Hylands House and Estate, Essex
The Neo-Classical Hylands House is surrounded by 574 acres of parkland, and the popular Go Ape attraction.
Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon
Collection of artefacts, paintings, and material relating to Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate.
Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich
Tudor brick mansion featuring collection of items from the Tudor period including clothing, children’s toys, and musical instruments.
Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
Learn about Luton’s local history and see Europe’s biggest collection of horse-drawn carriages.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, Radlett
78 acres of land featuring an organic farm, monastery, and Hare Krishna temple in Hertfordshire.
Great London & Outer London
Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield
Former home and gardens of the horticulturist, Edward Bowles.
Bank of England Museum, London
Deep dive into 1,500 years of monetary history with a famous 13kg gold bar you can hold, worth £380,000.
British Museum, London
The UK’s biggest museum, with the world’s largest collection of works – eight million pieces exploring human history, art, and culture.
Geffrye Museum of the Home, London
Step back into British homelife, from 1600 to the present day, with a series of period room displays.
Grant Museum of Zoology, London
One of the oldest natural history collections, dating back to 1828, including 68,000 zoological specimens.
Guildhall Art Gallery & London’s Roman Amphitheatre, London
Home to City of London’s art collection dating back to the 1600s, as well as a famous Roman amphitheatre.
Horniman Museum and Gardens, London
Collection with over 350,000 anthropological and historical items as well as musical instruments and taxidermied animals.
Kenwood House, London
A 17th-century house in Hampstead Heath, used to film Notting Hill, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park.
Museum of London Docklands, London
A 200-year-old warehouse featuring the history of trade and how pirates transformed the capital in the 1600s.
Museum of the Order of St John, London
Learn about the history of St John Ambulance dating back 900 years.
National Army Museum, London .
Wander through warfare across the ages, from English Civil War and Seven Years War to present day.
National Gallery, London
2,600 pieces of art, from the Renaissance, Impressionism and Gothic periods.
The National Portrait Gallery in London is filled with beautiful artworkCredit: Alamy Stock PhotoThe Natural History Museum has 80 million itemsCredit: Alamy
National Portrait Gallery, London
The world’s biggest portrait collection, with artworks of some of the most important and iconic British people.
Natural History Museum, London
One of the UK’s most popular museums with 80 million items, including the famous blue whale skeleton.
Petrie Museum, London
One of the world’s biggest collections of Egyptian and Sudanese archaeology.
Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great, London
UK’s oldest church, founded in 1123, and still a place of worship.
Royal Air Force Museum, London
Discover the history of aviation and the RAF with famous aircraft including the WWII bomber, Avro Lancaster.
Royal Hospital Chelsea, London
British Army soldier retirement home exploring the history of the residents and the building.
Science Museum, London
Family-friendly museum where you can discover famous inventions from rockets and computers, to aviation and trains, across 50 exhibits and regular pop-up events.
Sir John Soane’s Museum, London
Former home of the English architect most famous for designing the Bank of England.
Tate Britain, London
Biggest collection of British art in the world, dating back to 1897.
Tate Modern, London
Britain’s national collection of contemporary and modern art, including Picasso and Matisse.
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
World’s biggest museum of arts and design, with more than 2.8 million objects.
The Wallace Collection, London
Former townhouse of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford, with collection of fine and decorative arts.
William Morris Gallery, London
Step inside the famous textile designer’s former home and learn about his influence on the design industry.
South East
Beaney House of Art & Knowledge, Canterbury
Grade II-listed building with works from David Hockney, as well as an ancient Egyptian mummified cat, and the original Bagpuss.
The Novium, Chichester
Former Roman bathhouse exploring 500,000 years of Chichester.
Dover Museum, Dover
Learn why Dover is England’s ‘Lock and Key’ having survived invasions from Julius Caesar, William the Conqueror and Napoleon.
The White Cliffs of Dover, Dover
Visit deep shelters built for soldiers in World War II.
Towner Art Gallery, Eastbourne
Extensive collection of modern British and contemporary international artworks.
Royal Holloway Art Collection, Egham
Collection of paintings, drawings, and prints by artists including John Everett Millais, Edward Burne-Jones, and John Nash.
Learn about the fishing industry and maritime history of Hastings at the Fisherman’s MuseumCredit: Alamy Visit Southsea Castle in Portsmouth for freeCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Hastings Fisherman’s Museum, Hastings
Dive into the fishing industry and maritime history of Hastings.
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Hastings
Collection of over 90,000 objects on everything from natural sciences and decorative arts, to world cultures and a dinosaur gallery.
Shipwreck Museum, Hastings
Learn about maritime disasters, and see shipwrecks including from the English Channel.
The New Forest Centre, Lyndhurst
An independent charity dedicated to showcasing traditions, origins, and wildlife of the New Forest.
Maidstone Museum, Maidstone
Collection of more than 600,000 artefacts and specimens, exploring fine art, human history, and textiles.
Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
UK’s oldest public museum, exploring the works of artists and archaeologists dating back to 8,000 BC.
Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Home to the world’s best collection of early scientist instruments.
Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford
Houses the Oxford University’s collection of over 500,000 archeological and anthropological objects.
Dorchester Abbey Museum, Oxfordshire
Displays dating back 6,000 years, with artefacts such as prehistoric stone tools, Roman fortified settlements, and an Iron Age village.
Hook Norton Brewer Museum, Oxfordshire
Victorian brewery with guided tours and free beer samples.
The Oxfordshire Museum, Oxfordshire
Learn the story of Oxfordshire, from the Jurassic period through to the Victorian era and modern day.
Boathouse 4, Portsmouth
Discover the history of maritime craftsmanship including the development of boatbuilding.
Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery, Portsmouth
Look into the local history and heritage of the city including special moments from Portsmouth FC.
Royal Armouries, Fort Nelson, Portsmouth
A Victorian fortress, home to the national collection of artillery and historic cannon.
Southsea Castle, Portsmouth
An important landmark built by King Henry VIII, where he watched the sinking of The Mary Rose in 1545.
The Museum of English Rural Life, Reading
Discover the traditions and daily routines of rural life dating back to 1750 in Reading.
Winchester City Mill, Winchester
View the waterwheel and machinery of an ancient water-powered corn mill.
The Lightbox, Woking
A museum housing contemporary art including the works of Elisabeth Frink, Eduardo Paolozzi, and Barbara Hepworth.
Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, Worthing
One of the UK’s biggest displays of costume and textiles.
South West
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, Barnstaple
Learn about North Devon’s local history across 12 galleries with annual events and a tearoom.
Avon Valley Railway, Bristol
See tracks, locomotives, and carriages from the Avon Valley Railway, dating back to 1869.
Blaise Castle House Museum, Bristol
Learn about Bristol homelife across the last 300 years with a costume collection of 10,000 items.
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol
Three floors of of art, costume and textiles, ceramics, archaeology and religion.
Clifton Suspension Bridge Museum, Bristol
Discover how and why the famous bridge was built.
The Georgian House Museum, Bristol
An 18th-century townhouse that shows what life for the wealthy was like in Bristol.
M Shed, Bristol
Collection of 3,000 artefacts as well as a Banksy built into a 1950s transit shed by the docks.
The Red Lodge Museum, Bristol
Learn about 400 years of the historic house, once a party place for royals and a Victorian reform school.
Brixham Heritage Museum, Brixham
Former police station that explores the town’s history with 10,000 objects.
Learn everything you need to know about Poole at its local museumCredit: Alamy Watch artisans, like chocolate makers and painters, work at Cockington CourtCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
Castle Bude, Bude
Built into the sand, the 1830 castle is now home to a local museum, art gallery and cafe.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth
Learn how to collect fossils with guided walks and rockpooling.
The Wilson, Cheltenham
A collection of arts and crafts from World War I, and Chinese ceramics.
Red House Museum and Gardens, Christchurch
A former Georgian workhouse turned into a museum displaying the local town’s history dating back to the Ice Age.
Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, Dorchester
Find out about a group of farm workers who became martyrs for forming a trade union, influencing modern day unions.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter
Home to an impressive collection exploring zoology, anthropology, fine art, archeology and geology.
Gloucester Folk Museum, Gloucester
One of Gloucester’s oldest buildings with music and theatre events.
Museum of Cornish Life, Helston
One of the largest social and cultural history collections in South West Britain.
Otterton Mill Centre and Working Museum, Otterton
See a historic water mill along with a gallery of arts and crafts.
Poole Museum, Poole
Learn about Poole’s history from Ice Age to present day.
Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, St Ives
Learn about the sculptor’s life and explore her studio and gardens.
The Museum in the Park, Stroud
Unique 4,000-strong collection of items, from dinosaur bones to the world’s first lawnmower.
Durlston Castle, Swanage
Learn about the Victorian history of the folly with cafe and rooftop views
