If you're looking for cheap entertainment this summer, take a look at some of these free days out!
For many families simple luxuries such as holidays may have fallen by the wayside during the credit crunch. Help is at hand however, as plenty of places around Britain can be visited for free!
The nice people at Travelodge have put together a guide to some of Britain's best free attractions and I'm highlighting my favourites in this article. So hopefully some Foolish families can enjoy a cheap day out this summer.
Scotland
Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Glasgow
This contemporary art museum in the heart of Glasgow City Centre is most visited of its kind outside London. It houses both local and international works in sets of temporary exhibitions and workshops.
Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, GA1 3AH
Open daily (various times). For more details visit http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/ or call 0141 229 1996.
Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Situated in the heart of Edinburgh's old town, the Museum of Scotland tells the story of Scotland through its various exhibits. Great for kids because of its several interactive elements, including test driving a Formula One car!
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open daily (10-5). For more details visit http://www.nms.ac.uk/ or call 0131 225 7534.
Balmedie Country Park
Just north of Aberdeen, this country park comprises a dune system stretching fourteen miles to the River Ythan at Newburgh. It boasts a long, wide, clean golden and beach bordered by grassy sand dunes. Plenty of parking, picnic areas and play areas for the children make this perfect for a summer day.
Balmedie Country Park, AB23 8XG
Open daily (during daylight hours). Visit www.aberdeen.gov.uk/countryparks
North East
Leazes Park, Newcastle
A visit to Newcastle's oldest city park may include a trip to the boating lake, a round of crazy golf, a turn on the skate park and fun in the playgrounds. Fans of architecture may want to visit the nearby St Nicholas Cathedral, dating back to the early fifteenth century.
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art
The biggest of its kind in the world, the BALTIC is housed in a historic industrial building on the South Bank of the River Tyne in Gateshead. No permanent exhibitions mean that the work on display is always new and exciting.
Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BA. http://www.balticmill.com/, 0191 478 1810.
North West
Blackpool Beach
Ah, a classic. One of the most famous beaches in Britain (perhaps even the world). Strolling along the promenade and packing a bucket and spade is a must. Entry to the Pleasure Beach is free, but of course rides and rollercoasters carry a charge.
Tate Liverpool
Housing over 150 different exhibitions, some of which have been seen for the first time in Liverpool, the Tate is one of the largest galleries of modern and contemporary art outside London.
Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4BB
Open daily during the summer months (10-5). www.tate.org.uk/liverpool, 0151 702 7400
Museum of Science and Industry
MoSI attempts to make science and industry inspirational for all ages. A journey through Manchester's ages through multi-sensory (including smells!) exhibits. Another one that should be popular with kids because of its interactive experiment element.
Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester M3 4FP
Open daily (10-5). http://www.msim.org.uk/, 0161 832 2244.
Yorkshire
National Media Museum, Bradford
Ten free interactive galleries allow you to ride a magic carpet, read the news or view old telly favourites.
Bradford, BD1 1NQ
Open Tuesday - Sunday (10-6) http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/ 0870 701 0200.
Roundhay Park, Leeds
Another fantastic city park, Roundhay boasts large expanses of open grass as well as sports facilities, woodland areas, nature trails, a lake, gardens and seating areas.
For more information visit http://www.roundhaypark.org.uk/
Midlands
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Housing half a million objects and hosting the world's largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings and drawings, the BMAG also houses several temporary exhibitions, modern art and for children several interactive activities while parents can relax in the Edwardian Tea Rooms.
Open Daily (various times). www.bmag.org.uk , 0121 203 2834
Sherwood Forest
Not just home to the Robin Hood legend, but also some of Europe's oldest trees, including the Major Oak which is a staggering 800 years old.
Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, NG12 9HN, 01623 823 202.
St Chad's Catholic Cathedral, Birmingham
One of the finest neo-gothic church buildings in England, opened in 1841 but boasting treasures from through the ages, including 19th century stained glass, a 16th century pulpit, a late medieval statue of the Virgin Mary and one of the largest new manual organs in the UK.
Cathedral House, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6EU
Wales
St Fagan's National History Museum
One of Europe's foremost open-air museums, set in the grounds of St Fagan's Castle, a 16th century manor house. Includes forty original re-erected buildings from different historical periods, such as houses, a farm, a school and a chapel.
St Fagan's Cardiff, CF5 6XB
Open daily (10-5) http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/, 02920 573 500.
National Museum of Wales, Cardiff
Both a museum and art gallery boasting nineteenth century French Art from Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. The natural history section of the museum includes a giant basking shark, dinosaur bones and an animatronic life size woolly mammoth! The Glanely Discovery Gallery allows children to get close to the exhibitions through activities and talks.
Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NP
Open Tuesday-Sunday, as well as Bank Holiday Mondays (10-5). http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/, 02920 573 171
Pembrokeshire
Beautiful, blue flag beaches across the West coast of Wales allow for a fantastic family day out, as well as plenty of activities for the more adventurous, including surfing, wind-surfing, kite-surfing, coasteering and scuba diving.
London and the South East
Natural History Museum
A favourite with children owing to its dinosaur, creepy crawlie and mammal collection, as well as the hands on science centre.
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
Open Monday-Saturday (10-5) and Sunday (11-5) http://www.nhm.ac.uk/, 020 7942 5000
V&A Museum South Kensington
Renowned worldwide as the greatest museum of art and design, the V&A houses over 3000 years worth of amazing artefacts.
Cromwell Road, London,
Open daily (10-5.45, 10 on Fridays) http://www.vam.ac.uk/
Brighton Beach
Why not take a picnic to the splendid shingle beach and take a stroll along the pier (pier attractions carry a price).
22 Dukes Lane, The Lakes, Brighton, BN1 1BG
Ryde East Beach, Isle of Wight
Clear waters and safe sandy beaches make this a perfect place to take the whole family. Other activities include crazy golf, boat trips, canoeing, jet skiing and wind surfing.
South West
Newquay Beaches
Newquay is the largest resort in Cornwall and has many different beaches to choose from, providing superb views and great walks.
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
The symbol of Bristol, the bridge provides stunning views of the Avon gorge and elegant Clifton. Tourist guides will show you around the Grade I listed structure by request at any time.
Suspension Bridge Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3PA
Open daily (10-5) http://www.clifton-suspension-bridge.org.uk/, 0117 974 4604
Corbis Bay, St Ives, Cornwall
A 1-mile family friendly beach with safe swimming for all. When the tide goes out a path leading to the RSPB Bird Sanctuary is revealed. Rock Exploring to the East is also available.
http://www.stivescornwall.co.uk/
Northern Ireland
Belfast Castle
The 200 acres of ground comprises a large public park. The castle itself was built as a family residence and boasts a six story square tower. The cellars have been transformed into a Victorian arcade.
Signposted off the Antrim Road, north of the city centre, County Antrim
Open daily (9-6) http://www.belfastcastle.org.uk/
Ballyholme Beach
Bathers on this beach can stroll out to sea for several hundreds of metres before the water reaches their waist. A wind-surfers paradise there is also a large grassy area for children to play on.
Groomsport Road, Bangor, Northern Ireland, BT20 3TA
If you want to stay in a different part of the UK from where you live, Travelodge is also offering hotel rooms for £19 a night.
More: Entertain The Kids For Less
