The best family days out in the UK this summer, all for half the price
The school holidays are expensive enough without entry fees for family days out eating into the budget. That’s where BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine 2-for-1 Gardens card comes in. Offering discounted access to over 360 gardens across the UK and Ireland, you can get two adult tickets for the price of one with the 2-for-1 Gardens card until March 2027. And, with many of the gardens already offering free or reduced fees for Under 16s, it helps keep those family days out more budget-friendly.
From gardens that feature treehouses, water mazes and adventure parks to those with walking trails, deer sanctuaries and stunning scenery, here we’ve rounded up all the best family days out in the UK this summer, all for the half-price.
Get your 2-for-1 Gardens card here.
Pensthorpe, Norfolk - England
Set across 700 acres, Pensthorpe is part nature reserve, part adventure park and one of the best spots for a family day out. With five beautiful gardens to explore, children will love spotting dragonflies, bats, beetles, birds, butterflies and bees in the Wildlife Habitat Garden. But, the standout for families has to be the WildRootz outdoor adventure park, built with eco-friendly materials and featuring towers to climb on, zip wires to zoom along and streams to splash in. On rainy days, head into Hootz House, an indoor play area with rope bridges, winding slides, and treetop towers. Add a maze, sculpture trail and seasonal events calendar, it’s easy to spend a full day here no matter the weather forecast.
Lyme, Cheshire - England
On the edge of the Peak District, Lyme is the largest estate in Cheshire with 1,400 acres of gardens, ancient woodlands and walking trails to explore. Little ones will love spotting wildlife in the deer sanctuary or letting off some steam in the Crow Wood play area. And, if you’ve got a Pokémon fan at home, they’ll delight at the sight of the new Pokémon zone where they can join in on trading card games and collect Mega Evolution stickers throughout the summer months. There’s plenty for grown-ups too, from tranquil walks to art collections. Parents might just recognise the beautiful landscape as they wander by the lake that featured in BBC’s production of Pride and Prejudice.
Hever Castle, Kent - England
Hever Castle & Gardens offers family fun for all ages, bringing the beauty and history of this spot to life. Children will love the Tudor Towers - a nine metre tall wooden play castle with its own moat, drawbridge, slides, underground tunnel and three turrets. There’s also a Water Maze and 100-year old traditional Yew Maze, popular with visitors of all ages. Indoors discover miniature model houses and the Military Museum where soldiers' stories come to life. We recommend lining up your visit with one of the many family-friendly events throughout the summer, from dragon meet-and-greets to falconry displays and immersive experiences where kids become Knights-in-Training and learn under the guidance of King Arthur’s Court.
Alnwick Garden, Alnwick - England
Centred around a dramatic central water feature, The Alnwick Garden in the heart of Northumberland is another great spot for families this season. Kids can cool off in the Serpent Garden with its playful water sculptures, discover the deadliest plants in the world in a guided tour of The Poison Garden (a hit with older children!) or enjoy a stroll through The Rose Garden with its 3000 English shrub roses and climbers. Throughout the year, there are also seasonal events from music sessions to face painting.
Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire - England
From climbing in the natural play area to racquet games on the lawn and feeding the fish in the lake, there’s something to keep all ages happy and entertained on a family day out at Biddulph Grange Garden. At the Geological Gallery, dinosaur lovers can discover fossils that are millions of years old - no doubt, something they’ll be talking about for weeks to come! However, one of the highlights at any National Trust location has got to be the ‘50 things to do before you're 11¾’ challenge, encouraging children to try new things like learning more about the trees in the gardens or birdwatching from the lake. There's a picnic area for when hungry bellies strike, or a Tearoom serving up soup, sandwiches and cakes.
Brodie Castle & Estate, Moray - Scotland
If you’re looking for a day out in Scotland, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Brodie Castle with lots of family activities on offer this summer. Children can explore the woodland adventure playground and even play in a mini version of the historic castle. Throughout the season, you’ll also find the Sports Zone for family races; Nature Zone where kids can try their hand at gardening; Imagination Zone complete with dress-up props; Beach Zone for building sandcastles, and Chill-Out Zone for a moment of R&R in mini tipis. Lunch is available in the Victorian kitchen and café, with sweet treats and ice cream served at The Playful Garden café.
Penrhyn Castle & Garden, Bangor - Wales
Penrhyn Castle & Garden in Wales offers something for the whole family, with over 60 acres of gardens and woodland surrounding the castle, plus views of Snowdonia’s summits. This summer, visitors can enjoy five play zones focused on making the most out of the great outdoors. Every Tuesday throughout the summer holidays, kids can unleash their inner artists with Crafty Tuesday sessions led by volunteers. There are also plenty of nature trails for burning off some energy while taking in the stunning scenery.
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