Budget-friendly family days out in 2026

Are you on the hunt for budget-friendly days out for the family this year? If so, look no further! We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. Below we’ve picked out some of the best counties in the UK to enjoy family days out on a budget, complete with the ideal activities to do while you’re there. 

Days out in West Yorkshire 

What better location for a fun family day out than West Yorkshire, situated in the Yorkshire and Humber region, bordering North Yorkshire. You won’t be short of things to do in this region, see our top recommendations below for budget-friendly family days out. 

Take the family to the National Coal Mining Museum 

The National Coal Mining Museum in Overton, Wakefield is the ideal pick for a family day out in West Yorkshire. It first opened in 1988 as the Yorkshire Coal Mining Museum, and went on to receive national status in 1995. The museum is completely free to enter, making it a great option for a budget-friendly day out for the whole family. If you’d like to take the kids down the actual mine for an underground tour led by a former miner, this requires a £7.50 donation per person, presented on a traditional miners check which makes for a great souvenir of your day out! Please note, these tours are unavailable at the moment due to industrial action, but will be back up and running again by Wednesday the 8th July 2026, just in time for the school holidays. 

Visit The Royal Armouries

Another great option for cheap family days out in West Yorkshire for the whole family to enjoy is the Royal Armouries Museum in the heart of Leeds city centre. This is another place where you can benefit from free entry, making it the perfect budget day out. Visitors are invited to explore fascinating armour objects from both the past and present, while enjoying access to the museums daily live shows and fight demonstrations. And the best part, it’s super accessible from Leeds train station, making the train an ideal way to travel to your day out at the Royal Armouries! 

Days out in North Yorkshire 

Much like West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire is the ideal place to head for fun family day outs, and it doesn’t have to break the bank! There’s plenty of free and reasonably priced days out to be had in this region, and below we’ve picked out some of the best. 

Spend the day at the National Railway Museum

A top pick for days out in North Yorkshire is a visit to the National Railway Museum, situated in the heart of York, just a few minutes walk from York Station. Visitors are encouraged to come and explore the past, present and future of the railway system, completely free of charge. However, it is advised that you still book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment on the day. There’s much to see and do, so you can easily spend a full day here! The museum is open from 10:00am-17:00pm. 

Explore Peasholm Park & the seaside town of Scarborough 

Another North Yorkshire gem is the beautiful Peasholm Park in the historic seaside town of Scarborough, where you can expect to find waterfalls, streams, mini bridges and stunning gardens, along with an array of activities and even a chance to spot some wildlife. The park is completely free to enter and walk around, and you can easily spend a few hours here. To keep the day out to a budget, consider bringing a picnic from home to enjoy in the park. You can also head into the town for a walk along the beach, located just a 6 minute drive or a half an hour walk away from Peasholm Park. 

Days out in the North East 

Fancy exploring the North East? Whether you live in the area or it’s somewhere you’d love to explore, there are plenty of budget-friendly family days out in this stunning part of the country. Discover our top recommendations below! 

Spend the day in Seaham 

For a budget-friendly family day out in the North East, why not head to the beautiful seaside town of Seaham? Discover free things to do below, perfect for family days out on a budget: 

• East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre 

• Explore Seaham's many beaches (Seaham Beach, Seaham Hall Beach, Chemical Beach, Blast Beach)

• Visit the Marina Harbour 

Read our full blog for more information on things to do during your trip to Seaham! 

Visit the Preston Park Museum & Grounds 

Another option for a day out in the North East is Preston Park Museum and Grounds. You can enjoy free entry to the park and grounds, or if you’d like to explore the museum and the reconstructed Victorian Street, you can do so for £8 per person (children under 3 are free). If this is somewhere you’re likely to return throughout the year, you can save money by purchasing an annual pass which allows you to visit all year round. 

Days out in London 

You might be thinking, a day out in London on a budget, not possible right? But hear us out! We know the capital city is known for being expensive, but there are things you can do and ways to enjoy a trip to the city on a budget, and we’re going to share them with you below! 

Visit London's Free Museums 

For the ultimate budget day out in the capital city, consider visiting Londons many exciting free museums: 

• Science Museum 
• Natural History Museum 
• British Museum 
• Victoria & Albert Museum 
• National Gallery 
• Imperial War Museum 
• Tate Modern 
• Musuem of London Docklands 

Visit Hampstead Heath 

Another noteworthy option is Hampstead Heath in North London. This is a huge green space ideal for walks in nature while admiring views of London, and it is completely free to enter and walk round. If you want to take a dip in the refreshing ponds throughout the park, you can do so for a small fee of £2 for adults and £1 for children. It doesn’t get much more budget-friendly than that! 

Days out by train with Grand Central 

Now you’ve got the low down on some of the best budget-friendly family days out for you to enjoy this year, all that’s left to do is pick your spot and plan how you’re going to get there! And what better way than to travel in comfort by train. At Grand Central, we offer a range of on-board facilities to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. To save money on your train tickets, if you know when you want to travel, take advantage of our Advance tickets and enjoy cheap days out by train in 2026!