Paid days out have crept up significantly in price over the past couple of years, and with one in five UK families saying they cannot afford a summer holiday this year, the pressure to find free alternatives is real. The good news is that the UK is genuinely excellent at free days out – you just need to know where to look.

Before the list, three national schemes worth bookmarking first.

Three Free Schemes Running All Summer

The Summer Reading Challenge

Running at libraries across the UK every summer, this is one of the most underrated free resources available to families. Children aged 4-11 are challenged to read six books over the holidays, collecting stickers and small rewards along the way. Libraries run free events and craft sessions alongside it. Sign up at your local library branch – most start registering from late June.

National Trust: Summer of Play 2026

Brand new this year, the National Trust is running free outdoor play trails and nature activities at properties across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland throughout summer. Under-5s go free at all National Trust sites year-round, and the outdoor grounds at many properties are accessible without paying entry.

Great British Summer Savings

Running from 25 June to 1 September 2026, this government scheme has temporarily cut VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s tickets for attractions, soft play, theatres, and cinemas. Not free, but it makes the bigger days out noticeably cheaper. We have covered exactly how to use it here.

15 Free Days Out Worth Knowing About

1. Your local beach

The UK coastline is spectacular and completely free. Pack a picnic, dig holes, collect shells, and call it a full day. A rock pooling net and bucket set makes low-tide beach visits even better – starfish, crabs, and anemones keep children absorbed for hours. Low tide times are easy to find online for any UK beach.

2. A free museum

The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, British Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and National Maritime Museum in London are all completely free. Outside London, most major city museums and galleries are free too – Leeds City Museum, Manchester Museum, Bristol Museum, National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. These are full days out with no entry cost whatsoever.

3. A city farm

Almost every major UK city has at least one free city farm. Mudchute Park and Farm in London, Windmill Hill City Farm in Bristol, Wythenshawe Community Farm in Manchester, and Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh are among the best. Search your city name and “city farm” to find your nearest.

4. Forestry England

Forestry England manages over 1,500 forests across the country, most with free access, marked trails, and dedicated play areas. Many have free car parks too. Their website has a search tool to find forests near you, filterable by facilities and trail type.

5. Geocaching

Download the free Geocaching app, type in your postcode, and it will show you hidden caches within walking distance. Each one is a small waterproof container with a logbook inside. Finding them feels like a proper treasure hunt and children aged 5 and up are completely hooked. A kids explorer backpack with a water bottle and snacks makes it feel even more like an adventure.

6. Rock pooling

Any low-tide beach with rocks. This requires almost no equipment – a net and bucket and some patience. Children discover things that genuinely surprise them: hermit crabs, blennies, sea anemones, starfish. Check tide times before you go and aim for an hour either side of low tide.

7. A canal towpath walk

Flat, pram-friendly, and reliably interesting for toddlers who love watching narrowboats move through locks. Most major UK cities have accessible stretches of canal towpath. Pack a picnic and a picnic blanket and make an afternoon of it.

8. National Trust outdoor spaces

Even without a membership, many NT coastal paths, heathland areas, and open-access green spaces are free to walk year-round. The NT website has a full list of free-access outdoor spaces across the UK.

9. Your local park – properly

Not a quick trip to the swings. A whole morning: a football, a frisbee, a kite, a picnic. Parks are genuinely brilliant free days out when you commit to them rather than treating them as a quick stop.

10. Pick-your-own farms

Entry to most pick-your-own farms is free – you pay for what you pick, which is usually reasonable. Strawberry season runs June-August across the UK, with raspberries following close behind. Children love the picking and eating in equal measure.

11. RSPB nature reserves

Many RSPB reserves across the UK are free to enter and have family-friendly trails and seasonal wildlife events. Minsmere in Suffolk, Leighton Moss in Lancashire, and Loch Leven in Scotland are particularly good for families.

12. Outdoor community events

Many local councils, churches, and community groups run free outdoor events in parks and town squares over summer – theatre, music, film screenings, fetes. Check your local council events page and local Facebook community groups at the start of each week.

13. Library events

Beyond the Summer Reading Challenge, most libraries run free craft sessions, storytimes, author visits, and holiday activities throughout summer. These are often bookable online through your local council’s library page.

14. Woodland exploration

You do not need a Forest School session to do this – any accessible woodland will do. Let children climb, balance, collect, and explore freely. Bring a magnifying glass and see what you can find. The kids explorer backpack works brilliantly here too.

15. Free swimming in the sea, loch, or river

Wild swimming has had a huge resurgence and many UK families make it a summer tradition. Always check safety guidance for your specific location, stick to designated spots, and supervise closely around young children. But for older children and confident swimmers, it is a brilliant free activity.

Packing Tip

A well-packed bag makes free days out far more enjoyable. For days with a baby or toddler, see our guides to the best all-terrain prams for unpaved trails and the best travel cots if you are making a longer trip of it.

And if you are looking for a paid wildlife day out that is genuinely worth the money, our honest review of Yorkshire Wildlife Park with a toddler and baby covers everything you need to know before you go.

FAQ

Are National Trust properties free to visit?

Under-5s go free at all National Trust properties. Members also go free. Many outdoor spaces on the NT estate – coastal paths, heathland, open countryside – are free to access for everyone year-round. Some indoor attractions require entry for non-members, so it is worth checking the specific property before you go.

What is the best free day out for a baby?

Beaches and parks work brilliantly with babies – flat, open, and full of sensory interest. City farms are also great as babies are fascinated by animals. Keep outings in the cooler parts of the day in summer and bring plenty of sun protection. Our guide to the best mineral suncreams for babies is a helpful read before heading out.

What can we do on a free day out if it rains?

Free museums are the obvious answer – most major UK city museums are free and a full day’s entertainment. Libraries also run free activities. See our rainy day activities guide for home-based ideas.

Is geocaching suitable for young children?

Yes, from around age 4-5 with a parent. The app shows difficulty ratings for each cache – look for terrain rating 1 or 1.5 for easy ground, and difficulty rating 1-2 for straightforward finds. There are caches in almost every neighbourhood in the UK, including urban areas and flat parks.

What is pick-your-own fruit season in the UK?

Strawberries typically run June-July, raspberries July-August, and blackberries August-September. Most PYO farms do not charge entry – you pay per kilo of what you pick. Prices are usually comparable to supermarket prices and the experience is far better.