If you're one of the many Brits looking to save money by holidaying at home this year, there are plenty of fun things you can do in the UK for free or at a snip of the usual price - we show you how.
With many of us looking to cut back any way we can, your annual holiday may be one of the expenses you’re considering reining in. Instead of booking a lavish holiday far overseas, you could enjoy the same relaxation, excitement, and whatever else a vacation usually provides you with by staying in the UK.
There are always plenty of things to do in the UK, not to mention the extraordinary range of scenery and attractions the country has to offer. We show you how to have a staycation on a budget and still come back refreshed and rejuvenated.
Get to where you’re going
Depending on where you’re travelling in the UK, you have several different choices when it comes to transport. You may just want to fill up the car with the kids and luggage and be done with it, but there are ways to significantly cut the cost of getting to your destination – meaning you have more money freed up for when you arrive.
- Travel by bus
Some may not find it the most desirable form of transport, but travelling by bus is, in many cases, not what it used to be. By travelling with companies such as National Express, Megabus, and Greyhound you can journey in comfort, often for less than a tenner if you book in advance.
If the thought of travelling by bus brings to mind screaming children, questionable smells and an extremely bumpy ride, you’ll be in for a treat if you travel in today’s air-conditioned, leather-seated, roomy coaches. Many bus companies don’t charge the earth for a seat, and sometimes charge only £1, so it’s certainly worth considering.
- Travel by train
Although rail travel can still sometimes be notoriously expensive, you can travel by train on the cheap if you know where to look. Rather than buying tickets on the day at the station, purchasing online can get you the same tickets significantly cheaper. What’s more, as is often the way, tickets booked in advance will benefit from a much more reasonable price-tag.
If you buy a railcard you can also enjoy considerable savings, particularly if you travel by train often anyway. It also helps to be flexible with train times when booking, and is sometimes cheaper to buy 2 single tickets separately instead of 1 return ticket.
If you want to save even more on your train ticket, you can try splitting your ticket at the different legs of your journey. For example, if you are travelling from Plymouth to Newcastle, it sometimes works out cheaper to buy separate tickets for the points at which you change trains (Plymouth to Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot to London, then London to Newcastle).
- Travel by plane
If you’re staying in the UK but travelling further afield, it sometimes works out cheaper to travel by plane. For example, if you wanted to travel by EasyJet from London to Inverness, tickets can often cost around £20. Likewise airlines such as Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and BmiBaby regularly offer rock-bottom prices for short-haul flights. Do remember though that these low fares often don’t include extra charges, so these will need to be factored in to the overall price.
What to do when you get there
When you’ve arrived at your holiday destination you don’t have to stay indoors to save money. With many food outlets trying to tempt us through their doors with 2 for 1 offers or cut-price menus, you can be sure to find a place to eat that won’t blow your budget out of the water.
As for things to do there are hundreds of English Heritage or National Trust sites around the UK that are free to visit, making for an ideal family day out that isn’t hampered by extortionate entry fees. If you do find yourself having to pay an entry fee there are often 2 for 1 offers and cut-price deals to be had – you can find plenty of ideas and offers on the Enjoy England website.
You can also go to the theatre or cinema for less by taking advantage of the latest deals, as well as making the most of offers on theme parks and other attractions - so that you're never stuck for things to do even if you are on a budget.
Even if you don’t manage to get away, there are sure to be plenty of free or low-cost things to do in your local area. Why not visit a museum for a day, throw together a picnic to enjoy on the beach, or sample regional ale in a historic pub? If you do your research and plan in advance, you can have a memorable holiday in the UK with just as much pizzazz as one taken abroad.
