The summer holidays are well underway and if you are already hearing the words “I’m bored” from your kids, you are not alone. Finding affordable days out that are both educational and entertaining can feel like a tall order when the budget is tight. Fortunately, the UK is home to some of the best museums and galleries in the world, and many of them offer free or low-cost entry. With a bit of planning and a few savvy strategies, you can enjoy a summer filled with culture without spending a fortune.
Take Advantage of Free Entry Museums
One of the best things about living in the UK is that many of our national museums and galleries are completely free to visit. The British Museum in London, the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, the Natural History Museum, and the Science Museum all offer free general admission. Outside London, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, the National Museum Wales in Cardiff, and the Ulster Museum in Belfast also provide free entry.
The key thing to remember is that while general admission is free, special exhibitions within these museums often charge an entry fee. Check the museum website before you visit to see which exhibitions are free and which require tickets. You can easily spend a full day exploring the permanent collections without paying a penny.
Top Free Museums Across the UK
- London: British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Imperial War Museum
- Manchester: Manchester Museum, Science and Industry Museum, Imperial War Museum North
- Birmingham: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Thinktank (small fee applies)
- Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery
- Cardiff: National Museum Wales, Cardiff Story Museum
- Belfast: Ulster Museum, Titanic Belfast (fee applies but often has discount offers)
- Liverpool: World Museum, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool
- Glasgow: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum, Gallery of Modern Art
Look Out for Discounted Exhibition Tickets
Even the paid exhibitions at major museums often have ways to save. Many museums offer reduced price tickets for children, students, seniors, and families. Some also run special offers such as two-for-one entry on certain days or late-night openings with discounted admission.
The National Trust and English Heritage both offer memberships that include entry to hundreds of historic properties across the country. While there is an annual fee, if you plan to visit three or more properties over the summer, the membership often pays for itself. Look out for membership deals on our deal store page where we regularly list discount codes and special offers.
Use Rail-to-Museum Discounts
If you are travelling by train to visit a museum, check whether the museum participates in the National Rail 2-for-1 offers scheme. Many major museums and attractions in London and beyond offer two tickets for the price of one when you show a valid train ticket. This can be a significant saving, especially for family visits to paid exhibitions.
You can find the full list of participating attractions on the Days Out Guide website. Simply search for museums and galleries in your destination city and download the voucher before you travel.
Check Local Council Websites for Free Events
Many local councils run free cultural events during the school summer holidays. These can include everything from outdoor cinema screenings and art workshops to guided museum tours and history walks. Check your local council website or social media pages for events in your area.
Libraries are also an excellent resource. Many UK libraries offer free activities for children during the summer, including reading challenges, craft sessions, and even coding workshops. Some libraries also provide free passes to local museums and attractions through schemes like the Library Museum Pass.
Visit Smaller Independent Museums
While the big national museums get all the headlines, the UK is dotted with hundreds of small independent museums that are either free or charge a nominal entry fee of just a few pounds. These local gems often provide a more intimate and less crowded experience than the major attractions.
- The Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford – Free entry, fascinating collection of anthropological artefacts
- The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge – Free entry, outstanding art and antiquities collection
- The Beamish Museum, County Durham – Small fee but offers excellent value with a full day of activities
- The Yorkshire Museum, York – Reasonable entry fee with beautiful gardens to explore
- The SS Great Britain, Bristol – Paid entry but frequently has online discount codes available
Time Your Visit for Free or Discounted Hours
Some museums that normally charge admission offer free or reduced-price entry during specific hours or days. For example, many Royal Academy exhibitions in London have free entry during the final two weeks of their run. Other museums offer pay-what-you-want schemes on certain days.
Always check the museum website for details of any free or discounted hours before planning your visit. Arriving early in the day can also help you avoid queues and make the most of your time, especially during the busy summer period.
Pack Your Own Food and Drink
Museum cafes and restaurants are convenient but can be expensive, especially for a family of four. A simple way to save money is to pack your own lunch, snacks, and drinks. Many museums have picnic areas or indoor spaces where you can eat your own food. If the weather is nice, look for a nearby park where you can enjoy a picnic between museum visits.
If you do want to treat yourself to a hot drink or a snack, check whether the museum offers a discount for members or if there are any restaurant vouchers available for nearby establishments on our deals page.
Combine Visits to Save on Travel
If you are planning to visit multiple museums in a city, group them together on the same day to save on travel costs. London, Edinburgh, and Manchester all have clusters of museums within walking distance of each other. For example, in South Kensington you can visit the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum all in one trip without spending anything on transport between them.
Look into off-peak travel options such as group save tickets on trains or day passes on local buses. If you are driving, check for free parking options near the museums or use park-and-ride schemes to avoid expensive city centre parking fees.
Download Free Audio Guides and Apps
Many museums charge for audio guides, but an increasing number now offer free audio tours through smartphone apps. Before your visit, check the museum website or app store for any free guides you can download. Some museums also have free QR code-based tours that you can access by scanning codes placed throughout the galleries.
This is a great way to enhance your visit without spending extra money, and children often love the interactive element of listening to stories and facts through a phone or tablet.
Look for Sponsor-Free Family Days
Several major museums run specific family-friendly days during the summer holidays where entry is free and there are additional activities, workshops, and trails for children. The Tate Modern, for example, regularly hosts free family events, and the National Gallery offers free drop-in sessions for families on Sundays.
These events are incredibly popular, so it is worth booking in advance where required. Check the museum websites early in the summer holidays to plan your visits and secure any free tickets.
Make the Most of Your Museum Visit
Getting into a museum for free is just the start. To make the most of your visit, plan ahead and focus on the galleries that interest your family the most. Trying to see everything in one day often leads to museum fatigue, particularly with children. Instead, pick two or three areas to explore thoroughly and save the rest for another visit.
Many museums offer free trails and activity sheets for children, which can be picked up at the entrance or downloaded from the museum website. These are a fantastic way to keep children engaged and make the visit feel like an adventure rather than an educational obligation.
Summary
The UK has an incredible range of museums and galleries that are perfect for budget-friendly summer days out. By taking advantage of free entry, looking for discounts on paid exhibitions, packing your own food, and planning your travel strategically, you can enjoy a summer full of cultural experiences without breaking the bank. Check our deals page regularly for the latest offers on days out, travel, and family attractions, and make this summer one to remember for all the right reasons.
