There are numerous free tourist attractions in the UK (Image: Getty)
With the summer holidays well under way, you may be running out of affordable daytime activities to keep your children entertained. However, don’t worry too much; the UK is packed with free tourist attractions, which will set you back only the cost of travel.
If you’re looking for affordable activities this summer, I’ve spoken with travel experts about the best free tourist attractions in the UK. Speaking to Express.co.uk, LP Maurice, travel expert and CEO of Busbud says: “Having travelled through many countries by road, I have learnt that memorable travel does not have to be expensive. Some of the best attractions allow visitors to discover a city, learn about its history, or simply slow down without paying an entrance fee. The UK is particularly good for this because many major museums, galleries, gardens, and outdoor spaces are free to visit.”
What makes the British museum special is the size and variety of its collection (Image: Getty)
1. The British Museum and the Natural History Museum, London
Recommending the British Museum, LP says: “General admission is free, allowing visitors to explore thousands of years of human history, from ancient Egypt and Greece to cultures from around the world.
“What makes the museum special is the size and variety of its collection. A traveller can spend an hour seeing a few famous objects or return several times and still discover something new. The permanent collection is free, although some special exhibitions may charge an entrance fee.”
Alongside this, he also recommends the Natural History Museum, describing it as “another wonderful free attraction in London.”
The Natural History Museum is free to enter (Image: Getty)
“With its dinosaurs, fossils, minerals, and other displays about the natural world, it is interesting for both children and adults,” says LP. “It gives visitors a chance to learn something new while also having fun. General admission is free, but it is a good idea to book a free ticket in advance.”
2. St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
Another museum recommended by the experts is St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff, which was recommended by both Jiayi Wang, founder of The Diary Of A Nomad, and Eryn Gordon, travel writer and founder of Earth to Editorial.
Jiayi says: “The free experience continues outside London. St Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff feels like travelling through time. Historic buildings have been moved and rebuilt across the open-air site, allowing visitors to walk through different parts of Welsh life.”
St Abbs is perfect for those looking for something outdoors (Image: Getty)
While Eryn adds: “The St Fagans National Museum of History near Cardiff is worth visiting as it offers an insight into Welsh culture rather than showing a historical picture in the showcase.
“There are more than 40 historical houses that have been relocated from across Wales and built up at the museum, alongside workshops and demonstrations of craftsmanship, which bring the Welsh language alive again. The entrance to the museum is free, but parking is £7 per car.”
3. St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve, Scottish Borders
For those who prefer the outdoors to a museum trip, Eryn recommends the St Abbs Head Nature Reserve, which “provides an experience that is not easy to recreate artificially in a paid place.”
At this breathtaking destination, you can spot thousands of rare seabirds, including guillemots, kittiwakes, and razorbills. These are particularly active between May and July, but there’s plenty to see at any other time of the year too.
Folkestone makes for beautiful destination to visit (Image: Getty)
4. Folkestone Harbour Arm, Kent
The restored Folkestone harbour arm, which dates back to the Victorian era, has recently become one of the country’s most successful seaside regeneration stories.
A spokesperson for the destination said: “What makes it stand out is the sheer amount visitors can enjoy for free. There are adventure play areas for children, free crazy golf overlooking the sea, live music and entertainment throughout the summer including free outdoor cinema.
“The Harbour Arm hosts a packed programme of free events, check out the vast array of free outdoor cinema screenings, live sport on the Harbour Screen, public art installations, spectacular coastal walks, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy panoramic views across the English Channel.”
Bournemouth Pier is a Victorian-era attraction that has stood the test of time (Image: Getty)
5. Bournemouth Pier, Dorset
Bournemouth Pier is another Victorian-era attraction that has stood the test of time – and is one that is free to enter. James Balcazar, group marketing manager at Adventure Attractions, says: “The best free attractions are the ones that leave people with lasting memories, not just receipts.
“For 170 years, Bournemouth Pier has given people the opportunity to enjoy incredible sea views, fresh air and the atmosphere of the British seaside. Sometimes the simplest experiences are the most memorable.”
Visitors to the pier can simply enjoy panoramic views across the sea, watch paddleboarders and surfers below, photograph one of Britain’s most famous beaches or soak up the unique atmosphere that has made Bournemouth a favourite seaside destination for generations.
The Singing Ringing Tree is a rather unique attraction (Image: Getty)
6. The Singing Ringing Tree, Burnley
A rather unique attraction is Burnley’s Singing Ringing Tree. Recommending this, Nick Kembel, founder of Taiwan Obsessed, says: “The Singing Ringing Tree in Burnley, Lancashire, is a wind-powered sculpture made from layers of galvanised steel pipes.
“It is located at the Crown Point above the town; the wind gives it an eerie tune, and you can see wide views of the surrounding countryside from there. The experience of it changes with the weather.
“When it is a calm day, you may hear no more than a whisper. If the winds are stronger, you may hear deeper and stranger sounds. I would hope for a breezy, dry day to visit. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes because it can be muddy on the open hillside.
The Pineapple is a rather strange structure (Image: Getty)
“If you are looking for more than a quick photograph, you can follow the Wayside Arts Trail, which connects the sculpture to the surrounding landscape.”
7. The Pineapple, Airth, Scotland
Nick also recommends the Pineapple in Airth: “The Pineapple near Airth, central Scotland, is another wonderfully unconventional spot. This enormous stone pineapple was built in 1761 as a summerhouse at the Dunmore Estate. At that time, pineapples were rare, expensive, and connected to hospitality and status.
“While the building itself is not open to visitors, you may roam the garden, woodland, and surrounding grounds. My advice is to walk around the garden, look at the detailed stone leaves, and continue through the woodland to see the former curling pond and local wildlife. You will find no gift shops, queues, or technology there, just a giant fruit in a Scottish garden.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
