The summer holidays are almost here and they are incredibly expensive, but thankfully there are lots of money saving deals out there to help keep the costs down! It really does feel at this time of year like you’re constantly paying out for something. Summer camps, summer breaks or even just family days out – they all cost ££££.
Here are some of the best money saving deals I’ve found to help over the summer holidays this year. If you’re in the Home Counties make sure you also have a look at my reviews because there are lots of reviews of free and cheap family days out and activities. There’s also a searchable map with all my reviews across the UK.
Some of these money saving deals over the summer holidays are via affiliate links. Should you make any purchases using these links then I may earn a small commission, but there is no additional cost to you.
Free holiday clubs
The Holiday Activities and Food scheme is a national scheme for all children eligible for free school meals (not universal free school meals). Each holiday club provides activities and a meal free of charge but they have to be pre-booked. Search for your local council’s HAF scheme for more details.
Massive savings on Merlin attractions
BUT THEY’RE SELLING OUT QUICKLY
Kids tickets from £19 and second day free for short stays at the following attractions (click the links for offer details);
Legoland Windsor, Chessington, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle
Cadbury World – Kids tickets from £10
50% off kids tickets at the following attractions:
Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham, London Dungeon, London Eye, Madam Tussauds, Sealife centres (all sites), Shrek’s Adventure
Terms and conditions apply. Details on their website. Valid for visits before 3rd September 2024. Each site has its own allocation of discounted tickets.
Make huge savings on family days out, meals and attractions
As a general rule I try to never pay full price for a “big” family day out unless I really have to so I’m always looking for discount schemes and deals. There are four main ones that I use or have used in the past.
Kids Pass has a £1, 30 day trial that gives you access to 50% off zoos, 57% off theme parks, 30% off cinema tickets, 25% off meals and 50% off other days out.
Picniq gives you discounts of a variety of places big and small such as Warwick Castle, Sealife Centre, Wicksteed Park, Hobbledown Heath and Silverstone Museum.
Get a 30 day trial of Tastecard for just £1 and get access to up to 50% off restaurant bills, 50% off pizza delivery, discounted cinema tickets, discounts on family days out,
FREE kids theatre tickets during London Kids Week
Between 24 July – 6th September, a child 17 and under goes free when accompanied by an adult paying full price to select performances during Kids Week. There’s a huge range of performances. Different tickets come up all the time so if your favourite isn’t on there then keep checking back in case it pops up!
Save 20% on English Heritage Membership – and then get FREE family days out for a year!
We have used our English Heritage membership all over the UK. It’s particularly good if you’re visiting Cornwall or the Isle of Wight during the summer holidays and this money saving deal is worth 20%. All you need is this link and the code SUMMER20 (Valid until 31st August 2024)
Get a £15 National Trust gift card
If English Heritage isn’t right for you then a National Trust membership might be better. You can get a £15 gift card if you join the National Trust by Direct Debit. This then gives you free access to over 500 sites across the UK. And there’s free parking at various beaches, woodland and countryside sites.
Pre-book for the best discounts
Almost every venue offers their best discounts if you pre-book, but different places will have different cut off dates. The weather can be unpredictable so you might want to play it safe and not plan too far ahead. That said, popular places might sell out. Make a list of where you want to visit, and when you need to book by so you don’t miss out!
Whipsnade and London Zoo tickets from £3!!
No, that isn’t a typo. Those people on Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance can purchase up to 6 tickets from just £3 each. The tickets MUST be pre-booked via their website and tickets are released in batches. At the time of writing, this list of money saving deals tickets are available throughout the summer holidays. Book Whipsnade tickets here and London Zoo tickets here
Save up to 32% on London big days out
The Big City Saver ticket can save you up to 32% on some of the top London days out when you book tickets for more than one attraction. You don’t have to visit them all in one day – the tickets are valid for 90 days.
Save money on GoApe
There are a couple of options here; 1 adult goes free on Nets Adventure, Book Treetop Adventure or Treetop Adventure Plus and Nets Adventure for the same day and save £10 (Use the code NETSBUNDLE10), Book Treetop Challenge or Challenge Plus and Forest Segway for the same day and save £15 (use the code SEGWAYBUNDLE15) or save on your next family adventure when you book Treetop Challenge (use the code FAMILY15). Book via their website
Get a cheap McDonalds
You know that code on the top of your McDonalds receipt that everyone ignores? Well, if you go to the McDonald’s Food for Thought website and fill out the survey you can get a voucher for a burger/nuggets and side for £1.99. For all the options available visit their website.
Save on airport hotels and parking
If you’re going away during the summer holidays there are various money saving deals to help with those little add-ons. Save 10% on airport hotels, 30% on airport parking, 10% off airport transfers and 10% on car hire, all through Holiday Extras.
Save on family holidays
That same £1, 30 day Kids Pass trial could also save you up to 30% on family holidays. Some of the biggest names in UK family holidays participate in the scheme, so you could make some big savings.
Places like Parkdean also sometimes do last-minute sales so it’s worth keeping an eye on their website. Haven holidays are also offering discounts on last-minute holidays at the time of writing, but they’re selling out quickly. They’re also offering discounts on October half term breaks if you’re planning ahead!
35% off on bookings of 10 nights or more in Cornwall, Devon, Wales & Northern Ireland when you book a stay at a National Trust property. Use the code 10NAF
Whenever I’m looking for a cottage holiday my first port of call is ALWAYS TripAdvisor. This year we stayed in a stunning 3 bedroom cottage in Wales for May half term week and it only cost £550 – all because I found it on TripAdvisor. It can sometimes take a bit of hunting, but the potential savings are worth it!
I hope you find these money saving deals helpful and can use them throughout the summer holidays. If there are any other deals you’ve come across do get in touch and let me know!
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