Planning a brilliant day out doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune before you’ve even arrived! The UK is packed with world-class attractions that are completely free to enter, from dinosaur-filled museums to ancient cathedrals and sweeping royal parks.
TL;DR: We’ve rounded up 10 of the best free museum days out across the UK, including the newly crowned European Museum of the Year 2025. Whether you’re in Manchester, London, Liverpool or Glasgow, there’s something amazing waiting for your family, and it won’t cost you a single penny to get through the door!
The list spans museums, heritage sites and green spaces, covering every corner of the country. So whether you’re planning a weekend trip or just looking for something to do in the school holidays, read on to find your next favourite free day out!
The 10 Best Free Museums in the UK
From the rolling grounds of Windsor Great Park to the ancient stones of Glasgow Cathedral, these 10 attractions prove that the very best experiences in life really can be free. Here’s our full rundown!
1. Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Step into one of the most beautiful museum buildings in the world and discover over 7 million natural history objects, from towering dinosaur skeletons to giant sea lizards called plesiosaurs. The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is a jaw-dropping experience for families, with interactive ‘Hands On Saturdays’ giving kids the chance to get up close with real specimens.
There are also autism-friendly open days throughout the year, making it a wonderfully inclusive choice for all families. Best of all? It’s completely free to visit.
Don’t miss: The cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton that dominates the main hall, and the stunning neo-Gothic architecture of the building itself!
2. Durham Cathedral
Bill Bryson once called it “the best cathedral on planet Earth,” and it’s hard to argue! Durham Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture anywhere in Europe, and visiting is a genuinely awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.
Kids under 17 can climb the famous 325-step tower for free (accompanied by an adult), which rewards brave little legs with spectacular views across the city. Entry to the cathedral itself is by voluntary donation, making it one of the most accessible heritage days out in the UK.
3. National Memorial Arboretum
For a day out that’s both beautiful and deeply moving, the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire is unmissable. Set across 150 acres of stunning grounds, it’s the UK’s year-round centre of remembrance, featuring over 350 memorials dedicated to those who have served and sacrificed.
The site is free to enter and offers a peaceful, reflective space that older children will find genuinely thought-provoking. The visitor centre, café and regular events make it a full day out in its own right.
4. Manchester Museum
This is the one that’s been making headlines, and for very good reason!
Manchester Museum at the University of Manchester has just been named European Museum of the Year 2025, cementing its place as one of the UK’s absolute must-visit free attractions. Its recent redevelopment has transformed the visitor experience, with improved galleries, brand-new interactive spaces and a much stronger focus on accessibility and inclusivity.
So what’s waiting for your family inside? Quite a lot, actually!
- Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery: Come face to face with Stan the T-Rex and April the Tenontosaurus. Pick up a free Dino Activity Pack and hunt for eight hidden dinosaurs across the gallery!
- The Vivarium: Home to several critically endangered amphibian and reptile species, the Vivarium is a genuinely unique attraction. (Note: a major £200,000 ‘Habitats of Hope’ redevelopment is planned from December 2026, so visit before then to catch it in its current form!)
- Egypt and Sudan gallery: Explore the stories of the ancient Egyptians and the diverse population who lived in north-eastern Africa from around 3000 BCE.
- Living Worlds: A beautiful gallery celebrating the connections between people and the natural world.
- Africa Hub: A fascinating space where the museum invites visitors to help fill the gaps in its knowledge of over 40,000 African objects in its collection.
The museum also runs a brilliant Celebrates programme throughout 2026, with free seasonal events including Lunar New Year, Vaisakhi, Africa Day, the Mid-Autumn Festival and Diwali. It’s one of the most culturally rich free days out anywhere in the country!
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (Wednesday until 9pm). Closed Mondays. Galleries and exhibitions are free; some temporary exhibitions may require advance booking.
Find more things to do in Manchester with kids on Day Out With The Kids.
5. Windsor Great Park
Fancy a day out in the fresh air? Windsor Great Park covers an extraordinary 4,800 acres of parkland, woodland and gardens on the edge of Windsor. It’s completely free to walk, run, cycle and explore, and the sheer scale of the place means you could visit a dozen times and still find new corners to discover.
Highlights include the famous Long Walk, the Virginia Water lake and the Savill Garden (some areas of which do charge for entry). For families, the wide open spaces are perfect for picnics, kite flying and letting little ones burn off some serious energy!
6. V&A East Storehouse, London
One of the newest additions to London’s free cultural scene, the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford opened in 2024 as part of the East Bank cultural development. It offers a completely unique experience: a behind-the-scenes look at the V&A’s vast collection, with over 250,000 objects visible in open storage.
It’s the kind of place that sparks genuine curiosity in children and adults alike, because you’re not just looking at finished displays, you’re seeing how a world-class museum actually works. Free entry, endlessly fascinating!
7. Imperial War Museum London
From the moment you walk through the doors and see the enormous naval guns flanking the entrance, you know you’re somewhere special. The Imperial War Museum London tells the story of conflict and its impact on people’s lives from the First World War to the present day.
The Holocaust Galleries are among the most powerful museum spaces in the UK, and the family-friendly programming means there’s plenty for younger visitors too. Entry is free, though some special exhibitions carry a charge.
8. Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford
Tucked behind the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum is one of the most extraordinary and eclectic museums in the world. It houses over 500,000 objects from across the globe, displayed in dense, Victorian-era cases that feel genuinely like stepping into another world.
Kids absolutely love the sense of discovery here. There’s always something unexpected around every corner, from shrunken heads to ancient musical instruments. Free entry, and well worth combining with a visit to the Natural History Museum next door!
9. Glasgow Cathedral
Scotland’s only medieval cathedral to survive the Reformation intact, Glasgow Cathedral is a stunning piece of living history. Dating back to the 12th century, it sits on a site of Christian worship that goes back even further, to St Mungo himself, the city’s patron saint.
Entry is free, and the Lower Church in particular, with its forest of pillars surrounding the tomb of St Mungo, is one of the most atmospheric spaces in Scotland. A brilliant free day out that pairs perfectly with a visit to the nearby Necropolis.
10. Museum of Liverpool
The world’s first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city, the Museum of Liverpool is a celebration of everything that makes the city so unique. From its maritime heritage and the rise of The Beatles to its sporting legends and vibrant cultural scene, the museum tells Liverpool’s story with real passion and flair.
It’s completely free, endlessly engaging for families, and sits in a spectacular modern building right on the waterfront. Combine it with a stroll along the Pier Head for a perfect Liverpool day out!
Find more things to do indoors in Liverpool for even more family-friendly inspiration.
Quick Guide: At a Glance
Not sure where to start? Here’s a handy summary of all 10 free attractions and what makes each one special for families!
| Attraction | Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford University Museum of Natural History | Oxford | Dinosaurs, natural history, hands-on activities |
| Durham Cathedral | Durham | History, architecture, tower climb for kids |
| National Memorial Arboretum | Staffordshire | Outdoor space, reflection, older children |
| Manchester Museum | Manchester | Dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, live animals, all ages |
| Windsor Great Park | Windsor, Berkshire | Outdoor adventures, picnics, wide open spaces |
| V&A East Storehouse | London | Behind-the-scenes museum magic, curious kids |
| Imperial War Museum London | London | History, powerful galleries, family programming |
| Pitt Rivers Museum | Oxford | Eclectic collections, sense of discovery |
| Glasgow Cathedral | Glasgow | Medieval history, stunning architecture |
| Museum of Liverpool | Liverpool | City history, Beatles, waterfront location |
Top tip: Many of these attractions are busiest at weekends and during school holidays. Visiting on a weekday, or arriving right when they open, means shorter queues and a much more relaxed experience for little ones!
Plan Your Next Free Day Out
The brilliant thing about this list is just how spread out it is. North, south, Scotland or the Midlands, there’s a world-class free attraction within reach. And with family budgets under pressure, knowing where to find brilliant free days out has never mattered more!
Manchester Museum’s rise to European Museum of the Year 2025 is a reminder that free doesn’t mean second-rate. Some of the most extraordinary experiences in the UK cost absolutely nothing to enjoy.
Ready to start planning? Explore more things to do in Manchester with kids and check out our UK school holiday dates guide to make the most of every break!