Free and cheap days out across the UK
A good day out does not need a big budget. Cheapies collects the reliable ways to spend little: free museums, open countryside, smart travel and food you bring yourself.
Where the savings are
When you plan a day out, the big costs are usually travel, entry and food. Each can be cut. Many of the UK's best museums are free to enter. Public footpaths, beaches, parks and national parks cost nothing to walk. A railcard can cut train fares on eligible journeys, and a packed lunch beats a café for both price and choice.
This site points you to official sources for facts that change, such as opening times and fares. We avoid quoting prices that we cannot confirm, because they move often. Always check the venue's own website before you travel.
Our guides
- Free national museums – what is free, and what still costs extra.
- Free walks and parks – public rights of way, national parks and country parks.
- National Trust and English Heritage – when membership pays and how to get more from it.
- Cheap rail travel – railcards, advance fares and splitting tickets.
- Picnic spots – what makes a good one, with ideas in every part of the UK.
- Eating out with children on a budget – offers, how they work and alternatives.
A simple plan for a cheap day
- Pick the place first. A free museum or a coastal path is a good base. Check the website for opening hours and any special exhibition charges.
- Sort the travel. Look at train fares as far ahead as possible and check whether a railcard applies. If you drive, compare parking charges nearby; a free car park a short walk away can save a lot.
- Pack food and a flask. A picnic can be the best part of the day.
- Have a wet weather plan. Free museums are ideal for rain; see our museum guide.
- Set a spending limit for extras like gift shops, then stick to it.
Free does not mean no rules
Free entry places often rely on donations or paid special exhibitions. Parking, tours and cafés can cost money. Some free sites require booking at busy times. Public footpaths cross private land, so follow the Countryside Code: leave gates as you find them, take litter home and keep dogs under control around livestock.
Accuracy and prices
Admission policies, railcard rules and offers change. We link to official sources and tell you where to check. If you spot something out of date, let us know. We do not take payment for listings and we do not include affiliate links.
Making it a habit
If you do a day out every month, small savings add up. Keep a list of free places near you, check for annual membership deals if you visit a paid site more than a couple of times a year, and look out for free or low-cost events run by councils, libraries and community groups, which are often listed on council websites.
Ideas by type of day
Rainy day: a free museum, a library, an indoor market. Sunny day: a park, beach or hill. With toddlers: a play area, duck pond or woodland trail. With teenagers: a gallery, a coastal walk or a city trail. Alone or with a friend: a cathedral, a canal path or a nature reserve. Many places combine well, for example a museum in the morning, a picnic in a nearby park and a walk home. Planning two free things in one area often makes the journey worthwhile.
More ideas
Wet day? See our free wet weather days out. Taking children out for a meal? Read about eating out with children on a budget. Many free days out work best when you plan one main stop and one back-up, travel off-peak and bring your own refreshments. Local tourist information pages and council websites often list free events, such as festivals, guided walks, open gardens and community days, that never make national lists. Check each organiser's website for the latest dates, because events change from year to year.
Frequently asked questions
Are UK national museums free?
Many are. Wikipedia notes that free entrance is standard practice in UK national museums, though some exhibitions charge. See our museum guide and check each museum's website.
How much does a railcard save?
Railcards give a discount on eligible fares, with conditions. Check the details for each card on the National Rail website.
Is walking in national parks free?
Yes, entering national parks is free, though parking, visitor centres and attractions inside may charge.