Fun for nothing! The UK's best free days out

Looking for some brilliant free days out? The UK boasts fantastic natural landscapes, incredible collections of historical artefacts and beautiful artwork amongst its many attractions – and to add icing to the cake, there is no shortage of them that can be experienced and enjoyed for free. Check out our choices of some of the UK’s best free days out that showcase a variety of things to see and do that won’t break the bank.

Museums and galleries

Museums in the UK have come a long way in recent times and have shaken off their stuffy image, offering fascinating and varied exhibits and activities aimed at people of all ages. Free museums and galleries are fantastic places to enjoy a wide variety of historical, artistic and cultural riches – plus plenty more – without having to spend a penny. The likes of the Natural History Museum in London and the Booth Museum in Brighton are just some of the fun museums that are free to explore. For art lovers a visit to the National Gallery in London or the various Tate galleries across the country is a free pleasure that won’t be forgotten.

Amazing ancient sites

If you like imagining what life was like for people who lived thousands of years ago, visiting an mysterious ancient site will make an ideal day out. There are a variety of these attractions to explore for free in the UK. If you fancy combining outdoor exploration with an awe-inspiring World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Wall is a perfect choice as walkers can follow this renowned ancient attraction through stunning landscapes on foot. The sight of the Bronze Age chalk hill figure known as the Uffington White Horse is an unforgettable one and can be combined with a visit to Uffington Castle which is an Iron Age hillfort. Anyone with an interest in hillforts should also definitely make their way to Maiden Castle in Dorset, one of Europe’s biggest and most complex Iron Age hillforts with a history spanning 4000 years.

Guided city walking tours

Visiting a city and getting a bit of culture needn’t cost a bomb. One of the best ways to discover the diverse attractions and history of a city is through a guided walking tour and many cities offer such tours for free. Holidaymakers who are visiting a particular city should check whether free city walking tours are available – plus these walks are also fun for local residents to enjoy too. One such city that offers free guided tours is Bath and free self-led audio tours are also available for fans of Jane Austen and walkers who are keen to learn more about this World Heritage Site. You can also find free tours in Exeter, York, Oxford and Edinburgh, amongst others.

Spend a day getting down with nature

Discovering the UK’s wonderful natural landscapes is one of the easiest and most enjoyable free days out to have. There are hundreds of national nature reserves, RSPB Nature Reserves and local nature reserves to check out across the UK. One such example is the tranquil Loch Leven National Nature Reserve which includes an RSPB visitor centre, but there are numerous nature reserves to choose from that encompass a variety of different landscapes. In addition, the UK offers a great choice of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to explore. All of these regions are also excellent places to see wildlife so visitors won’t be short of beautiful and intriguing sights to be seen.

Enjoy a day at the beach

A day at the beach is a free delight that can be enjoyed by adults and kids of all ages and the UK boasts a wide and varied collection of beaches to choose from including many Blue Flag award winners. Whether you’re seeking the hustle and bustle of busy family-friendly beaches that are great for building sandcastles and paddling in the water, want somewhere quiet where you can escape the crowds or are looking for spectacular unspoilt natural beauty, the UK doesn’t disappoint when it comes to fabulous and free sandy days out.

10 fantastic free attractions

For inspiration on a range of fun and free things to do across the UK, check these out:

1. The British Museum in London
2. Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground in London’s Kensington Gardens
3. Baconsthorpe Castle in Norfolk
4. The Winter Garden in Sheffield
5. St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff
6. Durham Cathedral in Durham
7. Seeing bottlenose dolphins up close in the Moray Firth
8. Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds
9. Tannaghmore Gardens & Animal Farm in Craigavon
10. Murlough National Nature Reserve in Dundrum, County Down

Fabulous and free days out that are guaranteed to delight

There is such a large variety of things to see and do all over the UK that don’t require spending lots of money. From exploring the countryside to discovering informative museums, viewing stunning artwork and learning about the histories of cities as you experience them first-hand, there’s no reason to open your wallet when you can have a fantastic day out for free.