Family Days Out For £5 or Less

[nannynick]

Now that the school summer holidays are rapidly approaching, thought it would be nice to have a collection of places to visit around the UK which are Low Cost.

So put down your favourite places to visit, which don't cost a great deal in entry prices or car parking fees.

Budget: Max of £5 (inclusive of any car park fee)
How many people: Say £5 for 2 adult 2 children, 1 adult 3 children.

I will start things off with

Fort Nelson
Built in the 1860s as part of a chain of fortifications protecting the great naval harbour of Portsmouth in Hampshire. This is not a Castle... but a Fort. There are lots of Guns/Cannons to see. There is an underground passage way which is cool during the summer months (it may be closed during winter and/or wet weather).

Admission is Free as is Car Parking.
They do put on special event days, especially during the summer holidays. These are charged, with a family ticket (max of 2 adults, 4 children) being £5.

The London Museums (Science, Nat Hist, V&A, Maritime, Geffreye - do fantastic kids workshops, Museum of Childhood.... taking a picnic which can be eaten inside. By public Transport - kids go free.

Princess Diana Memorial Gardens, or any of the big parks - ditto picnic and London Transport.

Stroll along Southbank, free concerts, etc in Festival Hall.

Can you tell I love living in London

I honestly can't think of anywhere that costs £5 for a family ticket
but the local library often holds summer events, and the local museum, council websites are worth a look and surestart centres

Alice Holt Woods, near Farnham Surrey. Woodland trails and playgrounds. Parking is charged at main site, price varies I think depending on time of year (anyone know this summer's price?)

Tatton Park in Cheshire is around £4 parking for the childrens playground and the deer park. It is extra for the house and gardens unless you are a member of the National Trust.

Delamere Forest, free to park if you stick to the roadway through (avoidthe car parks). Very good for cycling.

Fruit picking?

Pond dipping.

Kite flying.

Clumber Park only cost us £5.00 for parking last time we visited and we had a lovely day.

Fruit picking in my mums 'guerrilla' garden... that's Free. (What is Guerrilla Gardening?)

Fruit picking at local farms is also good but I find it hard to tell how much the fruit will end up costing.

Windsor Great Park - there are many walking routes through the park and also cycling routes. Some routes are suitable for buggies, others are not. There is a great playground near Savill Gardens.

Bishopsgate to Savill Gardens Walk Route suitable for buggies most of the year, though can get muddy in winter.

Parking for Windsor Great Park is charged at their own car parks but is Free if parking on roads near the park. Bishopsgate Road has a parking area, so is where I tend to park and is a good point to start from for walks to the playground, or into the deer park.

The Sandringham Estate is completely free for entry and parking to the country park. You can take dogs (blooming things) and you can bike on the roads but not off road. Loads of walking through the forests. You do pay for the house and gardens but if you visited Norfolk, you could either a day with picnic at Sandringham or do it just for the morning and then the beach (Hunstanton/Heecham etc) later after lunch.

beach and picnic
park and picnic
mystery bus ride (low cost if taking under 5s)
adventure walks/ rambles
local museums and libraries

use clubcard vouchers to buy english heritage membership,loads of free places to go including dover castle and walmer castle.

Treasure trails for those with older kids

www.treasuretrails.co.uk/

£5 each and great fun.

Sorry link....

www.treasuretrails.co.uk

Sandwell Valley Farm near West Bromwich.

We go there regularly and it only costs £1.50 per adult and free for under fives!

Or West Park in Wolverhampton- beautiful and free, lovely gardens, pavilion, lakes, and playarea and the squirrels take nuts out of your hands

I love a cheap/free day out so brilliant thread idea!!!

Burnham beeches nature reserve parking is a 'donation' (SUGGESTED AMOUNTS £1) we were there today and kids loved it, woodland and grassy areas to play a sensory trail or sculptures, we pretend all built by a troll!

Oh and coram field has free entry

In and around Northants:

Irchester Country Park fab adventure playground, train runs on Sundays, lots of places to explore - only need to pay to park - although there is a Jungle Park thing there that is a bit pricey.

Stanwick Lakes - water themed play area and assault course - only need to pay for parking

Wicksteed has some free rides but you can also use Tesco vouchers to buy ride tickets.

Sherwood Pines - and other Forestry Enterprise sites - walking and biking trails, visitor centre, great playgroumd, bbq field... Parking is £4 all day. Entry is free, bike hire costs though.

Been thinking about this:

Museums - We have The Royal Armouries not so far away in Leeds, free entry. Parking costs, but not much I don't think.

Local museums and art galleries are generally free and often have a surprising amount on for kids.

Waterstones Books - Have story time and craft sessions in some of their shops some weekends.

Libraries - Many also have story and craft sessions, often main libraries have more activities.

Up our way we also have Pugney's Country Park - basically an old gravel pit turned into a lake with a decent track around. Small visitor centre for basic food. Unfortunately no playground, but DS makes do with the "Trim Trail". Good for a morning bike ride - push. DS also likes hiding in the bird hides. Free parking for an hour, 50p/hour after that.

RSBP reserves - We go to Old Moor near Barnsley - free entry and parking. A few simple and short walks.

jodrell bank is slightly over budget but such an amazing place and with tons to do that I wanted to mention it. Woodland trails, picnic area, and all the science-y stuff as well!

Somerset House fountain court with towels, swimming costumes and a picnic.

raf museum at cosford is fab and free! lots to do on wet days

great thread, Nannynick.

Crockford Bridge Farm pick your own - as expensive or inexpensive as you make it.

Alice Holt parking rates here: www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-72DG7L Very good playgrounds, also bike tails.

In a very similar vein, Bedgebury Pinetum, though parking costs £8, www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk/, again you can park nearby (very easy with bicycles, a bit of a trek on foot) for nothing.

There are also bike/walking trails at Lookout Discovery Centre in Bracknell, and a children's playground. www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/lookout Parking is free.

Mercedes Benz World in Brooklands is entirely free.

Forest Of Dean Sculpture Trail - £3.50 for all day parking but no other charge. We love going there, DD(7) doesn't seem to get fed up of it at all.

During August, the National Trust (London and South) are doing Kids Go Free at selected properties.
See www.mynationaltrust.com/ for further information.
Note: A maximum of two children will be admitted for free per paying adult.
Prices vary... Gardens Only admission can be under £5 at some properties, others will be a bit over budget.

Properties: Basildon Park
Claydon
Cliveden
Hughenden Manor
Stowe Landscape Gardens
Waddesdon Manor
West Wycombe Park
Hinton Ampner
Mottisfont
The Vyne
Winchester City Mill
Oxfordshire
Chastleton House
Greys Court
2 Willow Road
Fenton House
Ham House and Garden
Morden Hall Park
Osterley Park and House
Sutton House
Needles Old Battery