10 best free family outings in the UK

family

With the credit crunch upon us, families across the country are feeling the pinch. But kids still need entertaining over the holidays, so we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting attractions across the country where kids go free.

Have you visited somewhere exciting this summer holidays. If so, why not post your recommendations on our boards.

1. Alnwick Castle
Northumberland
01665 510777
www.alnwickcastle.com
Children under 5 go free
About the castle: Alnwick Castle is the second largest inhabited castle in England, and has been the home of the Percys, Earls and Dukes of Northumberland since 1309. It has been used as a film location for Harry Potter, Blackadder and Elizabeth. Special Events: China Gallery Tours: Every Sun - Sat from the 1st of Aug until the 31st of Aug. Castle Magician: Every Sun, Mon, Wed - Sat from the 9th of Aug until the 11th of Aug. Castle Magician: Every Wed - Sat from the 13th of Aug until the 15th of Aug.
Facilities: Due to the age and nature of the Castle disabled access is limited in some areas. There is partial access for wheelchairs, pushchairs, sight and hearing dogs.
Opening times: 20th March to 26th October 2008. Daily - 11.00am to 5.00pm

2. Amazing Cornish Maize Maze
Cornwall
01579 351833
www.cornishmaizemaze.co.uk
Children under 3 go free, children 3-16: £4 and adults £5.50
About the Maze: Extensive maze where kids can enter the maze and hunt down clues to find 11 ancient symbols and solve the mystery of where Dr Wherezigon has disappeared to.
Facilities: Café, Gift Shop, Farm Trail, Rare Breed Animals, Play Area, Picnic Area
Opening times: 10.30-5.50 daily (last entry 4pm) From Saturday 19th July to Sunday 7th September

3. Diggerland  
Kent, Durham, West Yorkshire, Devon,   
08700 344437  
www.diggerland.com
Under 3’s go free of charge. Anyone aged 3 to 65 pays £15.00 per person and over 65's pay £7.50
About Diggerland: Children (and adults if they wish) have the opportunity to ride in, and drive, different types of construction machinery including Dumper Trucks, Mini Diggers and Giant Diggers (all under strict supervision). 
There are great opportunities to take photos, or learn about the workings of the machines from the fully trained Instructors constantly on hand. Diggerland is a day out with a difference: not only can families learn about how these diggers work, they can actually drive them too!
Facilities: Free car park, Food and refreshments, Shop, Toilets, Baby changing facilities
Opening times:  Open every day until 7th September from 10am-5pm

4. Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood
London
020 8983 5200
http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/
Admission is free
About the museum: The museum is packed full of childhood memorabilia with galleries that are accessible to adults and children.
Special events: Tent-free festival - Sunday 3 August 11:30 - 16:30pm, Free; all ages Tent-free festival in the Museum grounds with live music including 'Tragic Roundabout' and Burundian drummers Indanga. Enjoy street performers, rickshaw rides, face painting, food stalls, children's activities and games. World's Longest Plasticine Snake - Sat 9 & Sun 10 August 11am - 4pm. Could you be a Guinness World Record Holder? Take part in the attempt to build the World's Longest Plasticine Snake.
Facilities: Café, toilets, disability access
Opening times: Open from 10am until 17:45pm every day.

5. National Football Museum
Preston
01772 908442;
www.nationalfootballmuseum.com
Admission free
About the musuem: Discover the history of football in this museum. See the ball from the 1966 World Cup Final, Maradona's shirt from the "hand of God" game, the oldest FA Cup trophy, the shirt from the world's first international, and much more ... Facilities: Toilets, café, gift shop
Opening Times: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm

6. Big Pit: National Coal Museum 
Newport
01495 790 311
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit/
Admission free
About the pit: Even children who hate museums will love this place because they get to go 92m underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coalface.
Facilities: Café, gift shop, free parking
Opening times: Open daily 9.30 am–5 pm. Underground tours run frequently 10am–3.30 pm. Please call for December and January opening times.

7. St Fagans National History Museum
Cardiff, Wales
029 20573500
http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/
Admission free
About the museum: St Fagans is a collection of over 40 buildings from different historical periods, housed in the grounds of the beautiful St Fagans Castle. St Fagans explores all aspects of how people in Wales have lived over the centuries, from exhibits of early agricultural tools to audio-visual exhibitions about language and culture.
Facilities: Parking costs £2.50
Opening times: 10 am–5 pm daily Open Bank Holiday Mondays. Please note, groups of 20 or more should book in advance

8. Natural History Museum
London
020 7942 5000
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/index.html
Admission free
About the museum: A museum of the natural world, explore galleries and exhibitions on everything from plants to dinosaurs to endangered animals.
Special events:  Amazing Butterflies - Chomping caterpillars and beautiful butterflies come alive in the butterfly house and outdoor maze. 05 Apr 2008 - 17 Aug 2008. Darwin's Canopy - See the 10 proposals by artists for a new permanent Charles Darwin-inspired artwork to go on a Museum gallery ceiling. 04 Jun 2008 - 14 Sep 2008
Facilities: Café, toilets,
Opening times: Open every day 10.00 - 17.50, Last admission 17.30

9. Science Museum
London,
0870 870 4868
http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/
Admission free but costs for Imax cinema, simulators and some special exhibitions
About the museum: Making science fun for kids. This interactive museum has galleries on everything from the making of the modern world, Energy Hall, Exploring science, the science and the art of medicine.
Facilities: Café, toilets
Opening times:  10am – 6pm every day

10. Gloucester Cathedral – home of Hogwarts School!
Gloucester,
01452 528095
http://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/
Admission free, although adults are asked for donations
About the Cathedral: Gloucester Cathedral was one of three locations used for Hogwarts School in the Harry Potter films. The cloisters will be easily recognisable as the gothic corridors of Hogwarts, and as a double bonus, the 2008 Christmas special of Dr Who was filmed in the grounds earlier this year. Entry is free, although adults are asked for a donation.
Facilities: Café, gift shop,
Opening times: Open daily
 
Can you recommend anywhere for a fun family day out? Why not share it with other mums in the forums