From parks, forests and beaches to museums and seasonal heritage events, there are plenty of ways to give children a memorable day out without filling the itinerary with expensive attractions.
Reviewed October 2026 · Lifestyle Hub Today
The quick answer
Some of the best-value family days out in Ireland and England combine one planned attraction with free or low-cost outdoor time. Parks, nature trails, museums, beaches and seasonal community events can make a full family day enjoyable without paying admission for every activity.
Family Attractions at a Glance
| Place or activity | Location | Best for | Budget approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Park | Dublin | Walking, playgrounds, picnics | Free outdoor day |
| Lough Boora Discovery Park | Offaly | Family trails, art, nature | Low-cost outdoor visit |
| Glencar Waterfall | Leitrim | Scenery and short walks | Outdoor day |
| Dead Zoo Lab | Dublin | Natural history | Free museum option |
| Sherwood Pines | Nottinghamshire | Forest walks and cycling | Outdoor family day |
| Science Museum | London | Science and rainy days | Free general admission |
| National Railway Museum | York | Trains, history, families | Free general admission |
| Heritage Open Days | Across England | Historic sites and events | Free seasonal events |
Affordable Family Days Out in Ireland
1. Phoenix Park, Dublin
Phoenix Park is one of the easiest places to build a low-cost family day around. Families can walk, cycle, picnic and use the park's open spaces without needing to structure the day around admission tickets.
Why it works for families:- large open areas;
- walking and cycling possibilities;
- playground options;
- space for picnics and slower days outdoors.
2. Lough Boora Discovery Park, County Offaly
Lough Boora combines nature, walking, art and child-friendly exploring in a rehabilitated peatland landscape.
The family-focused Fairy Route is approximately 1.3 km, while the Sculpture Park route is longer and combines outdoor activity with large-scale artworks.
Useful for:- younger children who enjoy trails and discovery;
- family walks;
- picnics;
- nature and outdoor learning.
3. Glencar Waterfall, County Leitrim
Glencar Waterfall can work well as part of a wider family day rather than as an attraction that needs to fill several hours. It is particularly useful when you want a scenic outdoor stop without planning an expensive activity.
Combine it with a picnic, another nearby outdoor stop or a slower drive through the surrounding area.
4. Pollardstown Fen, County Kildare
Pollardstown Fen is better suited to families who enjoy nature and quieter outdoor experiences than those looking for playgrounds or amusement attractions.
Use nature reserves as an opportunity to slow the pace of a family day and encourage children to notice birds, plants and changing landscapes.
Free & Low-Cost Museums in Ireland
Museums are particularly useful for rainy days and for balancing a holiday that already includes more expensive attractions.
5. Dead Zoo Lab, Collins Barracks, Dublin
The traditional Natural History Museum building on Merrion Street is currently closed for refurbishment.
The National Museum of Ireland is instead operating the Dead Zoo Lab at Collins Barracks, where families can see material from the natural-history collections.
6. Chester Beatty, Dublin
Chester Beatty normally provides free access to collections covering art, books and cultures from around the world and can be an excellent addition to a Dublin family itinerary.
Affordable Family Days Out in England
7. Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire
Sherwood Pines is useful for families who prefer active outdoor days to traditional ticketed attractions.
Forest walks, cycling and picnic-style visits can make the day flexible, while optional paid activities can be added only if they fit your budget.
8. Science Museum, London
London's Science Museum is particularly useful when you want a substantial family activity without paying standard museum admission.
Some exhibitions or experiences may have separate charges, so decide before the visit whether your family wants the free galleries alone or a paid extra.
9. National Railway Museum, York
The National Railway Museum can be a particularly useful family attraction if you are already planning a York weekend because it provides a substantial indoor activity without adding standard admission costs.
Pair it with walking around York's historic centre rather than paying for several major attractions in the same day.
York is also one of the destinations in our weekend getaways in Ireland and England guide .
10. Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire
Parks that mix free outdoor space with optional paid activities can be useful because the family can decide how much to spend rather than paying one large admission price before entering.
Check the park's current ride system, parking charges and seasonal opening arrangements before travelling.
Beaches & Seaside Days
Beaches can provide one of the simplest low-cost family days, particularly when you bring food, drinks and suitable clothing rather than relying on nearby visitor facilities for everything.
Seasonal Free Events in England
Heritage Open Days
Heritage Open Days is England's largest community-led festival of history and culture. Each September, participating locations provide free events and experiences, including access to places that may not normally be open to visitors.
The 2026 event has now finished. The organisers currently list 10–19 September 2027 as the next festival dates.
Local council and community events
Council areas, libraries, museums, arts organisations and community groups can also run free or low-cost family activities during school holidays.
Search the local council or destination's current events calendar shortly before travelling rather than relying on an old annual list.
Are Family Attraction Passes Worth It?
Attraction passes can save money, but only when your family would genuinely visit enough included places.
How to Plan a Low-Cost Family Day Out
| Cost | Check before leaving |
|---|---|
| Admission | Is general entry free? Do special exhibitions cost extra? |
| Travel | Fuel, train fares, bus tickets, tolls or parking |
| Food | Can you bring a picnic or snacks? |
| Activities | Are rides, workshops or equipment hire optional extras? |
| Weather | Is there a realistic indoor backup? |
If you are planning several family days as part of a holiday, see our budget family holidays in Ireland and the UK guide .
10 Simple Ways to Spend Less on Family Days Out
- Bring a picnic. Food for several people can become one of the biggest day-out costs.
- Check parking first. A “free” attraction may have substantial parking charges.
- Choose one paid activity. Build the rest of the day around free spaces.
- Use museums on poor-weather days. Save outdoor plans for suitable weather.
- Check age ranges. Avoid paying for an attraction that does not suit your children.
- Look for local events. Councils and libraries frequently provide family programmes.
- Take reusable drinks. Small convenience purchases add up quickly.
- Do not buy a pass automatically. Calculate whether it actually saves your family money.
- Combine nearby places. Reduce unnecessary driving or transport costs.
- Check opening details before leaving. Avoid wasted travel caused by temporary closures.
Family Days Out FAQs
What are good free family attractions in Ireland?
Parks, nature reserves and some museums can provide free or very low-cost family activities. Phoenix Park and Lough Boora are useful outdoor examples, while National Museum of Ireland locations can provide indoor options.
What are good free family attractions in England?
Large free museums such as the Science Museum in London and National Railway Museum in York can work well, alongside forests, parks and seasonal Heritage Open Days events.
How can I find cheap things to do with children?
Look for local parks, museums, libraries, beaches, council activities and seasonal community events. Compare transport and parking costs as well as admission prices.
Are free museums completely free?
General admission may be free while special exhibitions, experiences, parking, food or other extras still cost money. Check the individual venue before travelling.
How can I make a family day out cheaper?
Bring food and drinks, choose one main paid activity, use free outdoor spaces, compare transport costs and check for local events before travelling.
Are attraction passes worth buying?
Only when the pass costs less than the attractions your family already plans to visit. Do not add unnecessary attractions simply to make a pass appear worthwhile.
Lifestyle Hub Today creates practical family and travel guides primarily for readers in Ireland and the UK. We focus on realistic ideas, sensible budgeting and useful ways to make everyday family life and travel easier to plan.
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