You don’t need to spend a fortune to have fun with the family in the UK. From adventure playgrounds and farms to art galleries and museums, there are plenty of exciting attractions all around the country that are totally free. Here's our pick of the best.

Click through this gallery to discover 31 of the best free attractions for kids in the UK.... 

The Museum of Making is part of the Derby Silk Mill, which was built on the foundations of the 300-year-old Lombe’s Mill. That means there's a whole lot of history for you and the family to discover, and some 30,000 objects here tell the story of manufacturing in the city.

Kids will love gazing up at a giant Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine suspended in the air, or poring over model locomotives. There are regular themed sessions geared towards toddlers and young children too.

Since its grand refurbishment in 2021, London’s Museum of the Home has cemented itself as a must-visit destination. The museum’s beautifully curated Rooms Through Time transport visitors from the 17th century to today, showcasing how homes – and the lives within them – have changed over the centuries.

Beyond the exhibits, families can embark on interactive trails, get creative with themed activities and take part in seasonal events designed to bring history to life. 

Giant dinosaurs, a maze, a sandpit and a boating lake: there’s a lot to love about Crystal Palace Park in South London. Follow the lakeside trail to spot the extinct beasts – there are more than 30 heritage-listed statues here, created by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins when the park opened in the 1850s. Then head to the playpark for more dino-themed fun, with bones and hatching eggs to discover in its sandpit.

Harry Potter is big business in tourism, but amazingly Edinburgh’s Potter Trail remains a free walking tour around the Old Town (booking in advance is required). So grab your wand and don your wizard robe to explore the locations that inspired J.K. Rowling, from the real-life Diagon Alley to the grave of Lord Voldemort’s namesake.

Sadly, The Elephant House Café (pictured), a beloved writing spot of Rowling, was severely damaged by fire in 2021, and plans for its reopening remain uncertain.

Rule over your own fortress as you wander the imposing walls of Conwy Castle, a majestic stronghold with 21 towers overlooking the Conwy estuary. From the ramparts, take in stunning views of Snowdonia while exploring the historic defences that enclose the town. While entry to the castle's towers requires a ticket, the wall walk remains free, offering a spectacular vantage point without the cost.

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Kielder Water and Forest Park spans 250 square miles (647sq km), offering hiking, biking and high ropes courses – but its true highlight is the chance to spot the elusive water vole. Once common, they declined due to American mink predation, until the ‘Restoring Ratty’ project reintroduced 2,200 voles between 2016 and 2022.

The best place to see them is the ‘Ratty’ hide, about half a mile up Forest Drive from Kielder Castle. Note that access to Forest Drive requires a £5 toll, payable at the nearby machine.

The thrill of seeing a wild pony will stick in your child's memory forever, especially with the majestic surroundings of Dartmoor as a backdrop. There are numerous trails to follow around the tors, moorlands, valleys and forests of this remarkable part of Devon, which is steeped in spooky tales sure to spark kids' imaginations.

All aboard for a journey through railway history at York’s National Railway Museum. Train enthusiasts can explore hundreds of rail vehicles, including the iconic Japanese Shinkansen ‘Bullet Train’, one of only two outside Japan.

There’s also a miniature railway, railway-inspired art and plenty of interactive exhibits for younger visitors. The museum is completely free to enter, as is its sister site, Locomotion in County Durham, which showcases even more historic locomotives and hands-on displays.

Getting kids excited about galleries isn’t always easy, but Sunday Spot at South London Gallery might just do the trick. Held on the last Sunday of every month from 2-4pm, these free, drop-in workshops offer a hands-on, immersive art experience for children aged five to 12.

Led by artists and inspired by the latest exhibitions, each session invites little creatives to explore new materials, techniques and ideas. No booking needed – just turn up and let their imaginations run wild.

For a fun and free family day out, Bath City Farm is a hidden gem. Set on 37 acres with stunning views over the city, this community farm is home to pigs, goats, sheep, chickens and more, giving kids the chance to meet and learn about friendly farm animals.

There's also a lovely play area, nature trails and even a cosy café for a post-adventure treat. Entry is free, though donations are always welcome to help keep this much-loved spot thriving.

Dare to enter the Giant’s Lair and you'll encounter an assortment of mythical wood-carved creatures on this delightful story trail within Slieve Gullion Forest Park. Spot little fairy houses, dodge dragons and creep past giants on the mile-long (1.6km) woodland trail. There’s an adventure playground too.

The Ashmolean Museum isn’t just for art and history buffs – it’s a playground for young minds too. The Ashmolean Adventure, designed for ages seven and up, turns the museum into an interactive quest, with games, quizzes and drawing challenges linked to fascinating objects.

For younger visitors, Toddler Time offers a mix of singing, storytelling and gallery adventures, while Baby Bundle provides sensory sessions for little ones under a year. Whether kids are fascinated by Ancient Egypt, inspired by modern art, or just love a treasure hunt, the Ashmolean makes history fun, accessible and interactive.

Little knights and warrior queens will love this free museum, where they can explore a collection of arms and armour spanning centuries and cultures. There are daily live combat demonstrations – bringing to life the combat techniques of Saxons, Vikings and medieval knights –and special events featuring jousting and falconry displays throughout the year. 

Tate Liverpool may be on the move, but its family-friendly approach to art remains the same. While the Royal Albert Dock venue undergoes redevelopment, the gallery has temporarily relocated to RIBA North at Mann Island, continuing to offer free, hands-on activities designed to spark creativity in kids.

Families can get creative in the Learning Space or take part in interactive workshops during school holidays. As always, admission is free, and children under 16 also enjoy complimentary entry to special exhibitions. 

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Tucked behind the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum is a treasure trove of archaeological and ethnographic wonders, boasting over 500,000 objects from around the world. Young explorers will love discovering Samurai armour, ancient amulets and more, while free family trails add an interactive twist to the visit.

Perched in South London's Forest Hill, the Horniman Museum and Gardens offers families a fab day out without breaking the bank. Children can enjoy interactive musical instruments in the Sound Garden, meet friendly animals along the Animal Walk and explore the Dinosaur Garden.

While the Butterfly House does require an entry fee, the surrounding 16-acre gardens provide ample space for play and discovery. Inside the museum, founded by Victorian tea trader Frederick John Horniman in 1901, visitors can explore an extraordinary collection of objects, specimens and artefacts.

Just outside Cardiff, St Fagans National Museum of History offers a hands-on journey through Welsh history. Set within the grounds of a 16th-century castle, this open-air museum features over 50 original buildings from different eras, all reassembled across a hundred acres of parkland.

Explore a Victorian school, a medieval church and traditional farmhouses, each telling its own story. Kids will love meeting native livestock and discovering how people lived in the past. Best of all, admission remains free, making it a perfect family day out.

Get the kids moving by exploring Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. Follow the 2012 Trail to see where Olympic legends made history, with fun photo spots and interactive activities along the way. Don't forget to grab (or download) the Art in the Park trail guide – it's packed with bold, eye-catching sculptures that little ones will love discovering in this vibrant green space.

With its history of Vikings and medieval kings, this compact walled city is a brilliant place to spend a weekend. It has an array of activities, top-notch museums and historic monuments to visit, although many aren't free. A walk around the city walls is, however.

The longest and best-preserved medieval walls in England, the circuit will take you around two hours (little legs willing) and rewards walkers with fantastic views over the city and across the surrounding countryside.

No best-places-for-families list would be complete without this perennially popular site in South Kensington, central London. From its iconic exterior and interior to its remarkable collections of dinosaur and animal bones, kids love the Natural History Museum.

Even if you’ve visited countless times, the innovative institute is constantly updating its exhibits so you (and the kids) are bound to find something new and unexpected.

Likewise, London’s Science Museum is just next door. There are space rockets, steam engines, supercomputers, flight simulators and super-fast cars in this seven-floor temple of technology, while a regular roster of temporary exhibitions keeps things fresh (though they typically involve a fee).

Word to the wise: you might want to swerve the gift shop if you’re after a cheap day out. It’s a kids’ (and grown-ups’) dream emporium with all manner of gizmos and gadgets.

Iron Age hillforts, prehistoric stone circles, burial chambers, Roman camps, castles and old industrial mines are just a few of the fascinating places that can be found among these ancient hills in Monmouthshire, South Wales. And that’s not to mention the forest trails and wildlife-watching walks. Plus there are plenty of lovely pubs and places to eat.

At Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum, kids can embark on exciting gallery trails, hunting for ancient mummies, medieval knights and hidden treasures. To enhance the adventure, the museum offers Fitz Kits – packs filled with games, puzzles and drawing materials – that bring the exhibits to life.

On the first Saturday of each month, families can join Play Make Saturdays, free sessions where children aged five to 12 can explore, play and create with various materials in the studio. While the workshops are free, booking is required.

Set aside at least a day to make a dent in this enormous treasure trove of art, history and natural sciences in Belfast. Kids can get hands-on with real bones, fossils and gemstones, see dinosaur exhibits and even dress up as a Victorian or try their hand at ancient Egyptian writing. The museum's Discovery Centres offer interactive experiences that make learning fun for all ages too.

This fantastic free museum, part of the Science Museum Group, offers seven floors of interactive galleries that delve into photography, cinema and television. Kids can explore hands-on exhibits, from the science behind light and sound to the evolution of media technology. The museum also hosts special family events every weekend and during school holidays, ensuring there's always something new to discover.

Step back in time at this 19th-century mansion and into a Victorian schoolroom, kitchen, laundry and toilet. After realising quite how good people have it today, kids can seek out various Victorian toys – model trains, tin soldiers and dolls’ houses – and try on costumes.

A race around the extensive surrounding parklands and forests, which includes an adventure play area, completes a very satisfying and free day out.

Set in the heart of Albert Dock, the Merseyside Maritime Museum brings Liverpool’s seafaring history to life. Explore fascinating exhibits on life at sea, from the city’s connections to the RMS Titanic to the gripping story of the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II.

The museum is also home to the International Slavery Museum, offering powerful insights into the transatlantic slave trade. For a deeper dive into Liverpool’s maritime legacy, book a tour of the Old Dock, the world’s first commercial wet dock, or – during summer – step aboard the Edmund Gardner, a beautifully preserved 1950s pilot cutter now resting opposite the museum.

Embark on a nautical adventure at Greenwich's National Maritime Museum, where history comes alive through interactive exhibits and family-friendly activities. While the popular AHOY! Children's Gallery is currently closed for roof renovations until summer 2025, there's still plenty to explore. Kids can also climb, play and explore at The Cove, a fabulous sea-themed playground at the museum. 

Set on an old mining site that’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this cultural park in Cornwall includes a vast adventure playground with tunnels, a pretend shipwreck, a mini beach and a giant wooden climbing structure as well as the usual swings and roundabouts.

It's a lovely space to wander around, and neighbours botanical gardens that tell the history of the Cornish people through plants, alongside a range of events and exhibitions.

Ice cream is an essential part of the agenda for most kids’ perfect day out, but do they know how it’s made and where it comes from? Take them to visit Roskilly’s organic dairy farm in St Keverne to find out.

Stroll around the pretty meadows and meet some of the animals – you might even get the chance to see some milking. It’s free, although of course the delicious Roskilly's ice cream on sale isn’t.

For an unforgettable free day out with the kids in Scotland, this treasure trove of discovery has something to please everyone, from towering dinosaur skeletons and Egyptian mummies to real-life space rockets and ancient treasures.

Kids can experiment with physics, test out engineering skills and even see a Formula One car up close. Then, explore the Natural World galleries to come face-to-face with giant whale skulls, exotic taxidermy and the famous Dolly the Sheep, the world’s first cloned mammal. 

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