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Easter is just around the corner, which can mean only one thing for parents of small children: a break from school.
But it’s no secret that keeping kids entertained can be tricky – and that’s if you’ve got enough annual leave, or work-life flexibility, to begin with.
If you’re navigating a tight budget, even the simplest of extra-curricular activities can prove out of reach, which means it’s time to get creative.
Luckily, there are lots of free tourist attractions around the UK to help you keep costs down and enjoy quality time together as a family.
Metro has rounded up a few suggestions to keep the little ones busy.
Natural History Museum, London
The Natural History Museum is a timeless classic, and it’s just been named the most popular attraction in the UK.
Last year, the historic South Kensington site was visited by more than 7 million people (7,116,929, to be specific), according to new figures released by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.
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Since opening its doors in 1881, it’s housed an ever-growing collection of natural history specimens that were originally displayed at the British Museum.
The museum doesn’t just offer ticketed exhibitions. There are plenty of free things to see and do, including the dinosaur exhibition, the Volcanoes and Earthquakes gallery and an array of skeletal friends, including the famous whale, stegosaurus and the blue whale, AKA the largest mammal on earth.
Make no mistake, though: the Natural History Museum might be a highly educational place for young, inquisitive minds, but it’s not just for kids. There’s plenty of enjoyment to be sought here as an adult, too.
It might not be free, but if you’ve got a few extra pennies to spare, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is open until July.
Roskilly’s Farm, Cornwall
Based at the Tregellast Barton Farm on the Lizard Peninsula, Roskilly’s is a working Cornish Dairy farm.
Naturally, admission is completely free – and four-legged furry friends are welcome.
The family-run business milks an impressive 125 Jersey cows, used to make Roskilly’s ice cream and fudges without the use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers.
The National Football Museum, Manchester
A visit to the National Football Museum in Manchester is imperative for any sports fan.
The world’s biggest football museum, it’s open daily from 10am-5pm.
Admission is free for residents of the City of Manchester, under 5s and National Art Pass and Museum Association Members, so get your bookings in now.
Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool
The most-visited free tourist destination in North West England, Liverpool’s beloved Royal Albert Dock offers museums, galleries, restaurants and more, including Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story, Merseyside Maritime Museum and the International Slavery Museum.
Opened in 1846, it was the first structure in the UK to be built solely from cast iron, brick and stone, with no wood in sight.
The top 10 most popular tourist attractions in the UK in 2025, according to ALVA
In 2013, it was regenerated, and now more than six million visitors travel to stroll along its paths each year.
Parliament Buildings, Belfast
Eager to see where the Northern Ireland Assembly sits? A visit to the Parliament Buildings on Belfast’s Stormont Estate will cost you nothing, nada, zilch.
The buildings are open to the public from 9am-4pm, Monday to Friday (except on public holidays).
Public tours are also available, but you’ll need to book your space.
Shambles, York
One of the most famous landmarks in York, Shambles is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets.
Think cobbled streets, wooden beams and tiny doorways, as some of these buildings date back as far as the 13th century.
Shambles is believed to have inspired the famous Diagon Alley from the film adaptation of the Harry Potter franchise and, as such, it’s home to an array of Hogwarts-inspired shops.
The streets were originally comprised solely of butchers, with each shop specialising in a different form of meat. Fear not, vegetarians: these days it’s filled with a vibrant mix of independent retailers, ranging from sweet shops to woollen mills.
Devil’s Dyke, Sussex
Ready to soak up some crisp, fresh air? A trip to Devil’s Dyke in Sussex is completely free.
A V-shaped valley with a depth of 100 metres, it’s managed by the National Trust. There are some incredible panoramic views to witness here, and this remarkable piece of landscape is perfect for walking, cycling, and, if you’re feeling brave, a little bit of hang-gliding.
You might want to bring a hair bobble, though, because it’s windy.
The Helix Park, Falkirk
Spanning over 350 hectares of greenery between Falkirk and Grangemouth in Scotland, The Helix is home to the Kelpies – also known as the largest equine sculptures in the world.
An impressive engineering achievement, the Kelpies are 100ft tall and weigh over 300 tonnes each, a tribute to the horses that historically propped up the Scottish economy by pulling wagons and coal ships.
Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford
And finally, housed inside Oxford’s Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum is inundated with fascinating things.
With over 500,000 items, including an Ethiopian Priest’s crown, Siberian reindeer knickers and a Roman shoe, it’s entirely possible to spend hours in here. Or, get lost entirely.
A version of this article was first published on August 11, 2024.
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