6 ways to save money on days out this Summer
The long school Summer holiday can be an expensive time of year, but there are ways to save money on days out if you hunt around. We’ve gathered a few tips to help the pennies go a little bit further.
1. Blue Peter Badge
A Blue Peter badge is a special award given to Blue Peter viewers and fans. Badge owners can gain free entry into over 200 Blue Peter Badge Attractions around the country. Locally, these include The MAD Museum, Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Tower and Theatre Tours and Stratford Upon Avon Butterfly Farm. If your child is aged between 6 and 15 take a look at the website and make an application – it’s definitely worth your child sending in that picture or poem to win a badge!
2. Book in Advance
If you plan ahead, there are savings to be made. If you know when you’d like to visit an attraction, you can often save money by booking online.
3. Free
Look out for places that you can visit and activities you can do for free. During the holidays, you’ll find lots of free activities at your local libraries, as well as free trails and events at local museums and shopping centres like Touchwood and Resorts World. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is free to visit and often has family friendly activities organised.
4. Annual Passes and Free Return Visits
Many of our local attractions, such as West Midlands Safari Park, Stratford Upon Avon Butterfly Farm and Hatton Adventure World, offer annual passes. Once you’ve paid for a pass, then even short visits seem worthwhile – you can pop along whenever you have last minute time to fill.
West Midland Safari Park also offer a free return visit with your ticket – 2 for the price of 1!
5. Public Transport
Did you know, if you travel with Chiltern Railways to London, Birmingham or Warwick you can save 1/3 on entry to Warwick Castle, Legoland Discovery Centre, SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, SEA LIFE National Aquarium, Madam Tussauds and London Eye? Travelling by train can also enable you to qualify for 2 for 1 National Rail vouchers to a wide range of attractions, museums and restaurants including Thinktank. Search the full list online at www.daysoutguide.co.uk. As well as saving on the cost of entry, public transport is often cheaper than car park charges so there is a win on both fronts.
6. Combo Tickets
Look out for deals on tickets that allow you to visit multiple attractions for a discounted price. West Midlands Safari Park, Drayton Manor Resort and Waterworld have a 3 park ticket available at the moment which is valid until the end of June 2026 while the CV Life Attractions Pass allows you multiple visits to The Wave, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and Coventry Transport Museum over the course of a year.
Joint ticket bundles are also available for The MAD Museum, Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Stratford Upon Avon.
The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry offers a subscription package where discount are available when you purchase tickets for 3 or more participating shows. The list includes some family shows such as The Tiger Who Came To Tea this Summer.
This information was correct at the time of going to print but please do check with the venue for the latest information and prices. Terms and Conditions may apply to these offers.
