Discount days out for families on Universal Credit, with prices starting at just £1... and some are FREE
If you rely on Universal Credit, you can take advantage of other benefits, including discounts to top family-friendly attractions!
The challenge of keeping children busy at weekends and in school holidays is a challenge, especially when money is tights.
Millions of families on Universal Credit (UC) can get discounts and reduced prices for days out and travel this year – with prices starting at just £1.
The offers differ from place to place, with varying low prices.
With some of these activities, you can state on the website you're in receipt of UC when you book tickets; with others, you need to take proof with you.
Read on to find out what budget days out you could enjoy with your kids. There are activities for kids across the country so you can find something to do near you.
- Top FREE days out for families
- The UK's best museums for kids
- All the places kids can eat for free (or just £1)
1. Discount ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo tickets
Families in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker's Allowance can buy ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo tickets online, in advance, starting at £3 for any day of the week.
You need to bring one proof of benefit letter with you to the zoo when you present your tickets to the friendly staff at the admissions gate (this can be an electronic copy: for example, you can log into your Universal Credit App on arrival).
2. Get £1 tickets for day visits to these three fabulous Historic Royal Palaces
£1 tickets for a day visit to the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace are available to anyone in receipt of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.
What's more, you can claim £1 tickets for up to six people per household. Only one person per household needs to show supporting documents.
- Read more about getting £1 tickets to these Historic Royal Palaces
3. Visit the Eden Project for just £1
A limited number of Universal Credit and Pension Credit Day Tickets can be bought online in advance or on the gate on the day of visit for the Eden Project in Cornwall for just £1.
The offer is available for visitors receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit or UK Legacy Benefits such as: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Child Tax Credits (CTC), Working Tax Credits (WTC), Income Support.
You need to bring ID or identifiable proof of the visitor as the recipient of one above. Up to four people (two adults and two children aged 5-16) from the same household can benefit from this offer.
4. Get £1 tickets for all the beautiful RHS Gardens around the UK
The RHS Gardens' Access for All scheme means visitors in receipt of Universal or Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance can visit all the RHS Gardens for just £1.
Visit the gorgeous RHS Bridgewater in Manchester, RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate, RHS Hyde Hall in Chelmsford, RHS Rosemoor in Devon or RHS Wisley in Surrey (with its amazing adventure playground!) with your family for less.
You can purchase £1 tickets for up to six people. Any visitors wishing to take advantage of the Access for All scheme must provide proof that they are in receipt of Universal or Pension Credit. This can be in the form of a paper or electronic letter.
5. Discount entry to the London Transport Museum
It's one of our favourite museums for kids, but did you know you can get unlimited daytime entry to the London Tranport Museum for a whole year, for just £1, if you're on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or get Employment and Support Allowance?
Each visitor purchasing an Annual Pass must provide proof they receive the benefit, and you'll need to provide proof of latest correspondence, either printed or on an electronic device, each time you visit.
6. Visit Tate exhibitions for £5
Much of the Tate's collection is free to visit. But, if you want to see one of the paid exhibitions at Tate Britain and Tate Modern and are eligible for Universal Credit or Pension Credit, as well as Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance recipients, you can visit for £5 (prices usually start at £10). For families with kids aged between 12-18 years old, each exhibition at Tate Britain and Tate Modern costs £5 per child.
7. Visit Wakehurst and Kew Gardens for just £1
Both Wakehurst and Kew have so much to offer families, we love visiting all the incredible wide open spaces at all different times of the year. While you can book tickets to Kew Gardens or Wakehurst in Sussex for £1 either online or on the gate, you will need to present proof of either your Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) on arrival.
8. Free entry to exhibitions at the V&A
While most of the V&A museum in South Kensington and the Young V&A is free to visit, Universal Credit recipients can get free admission to certain paid exhibitions by showing their Universal Credit documentation. This includes the amazing DIVA exhibition, currently on at the V&A South Kensington.
9. Visit Westminster Abbey for just £8
If you receive Universal Credit, you can visit the amazing Westminster Abbey, a World Heritage Site no less, for just £8 – normal adult entry is £29.
You can also book a family ticket for one adult and one child for £8. You just need to present your Universal Credit letter upon arrival; you can't book these tickets online.
10. Discount tickets to the Royal Albert Hall
For certain family events, the Royal Albert Hall provides tickets for £1 to families who meet specific criteria, including children who receive free school meals, those who are looked after by the local authority or in foster care, families residing in social housing, or those who are eligible for housing benefit.
11. Free entry to the York Castle Museum
Head to York Castle Museum and see hundreds of years of York's incredible history in one place – from recreated Jacobean dining rooms to the world famous recreated Victorian Street, Kirkgate.
With valid ID or other form of proof such as a bank statement, letter, or mobile app, those in receipt of Universal Credit as well as MAX Card holders, people seeking sanctuary or in the asylum process and Community Participation Card holders can get free entry to this brilliant museum.
- Find out more about getting free entry to York Castle Museum here
12. Pay just £2 for the Cartoon Museum, London
See British editorial cartoons, caricatures and comic strips from the 18th century to the present at the Cartoon Museum in London. With proof, Universal Credit recipients can get tickets for just £2. Look out for the current Wallace & Gromit exhibition, celebrating 30 years of The Wrong Trousers!
- Find out more about discounted entry to the Cartoon Museum here
13. Theatre for a fiver at the National Theatre of Scotland
If you're on Universal Credit, you can get theatre tickets for £5 for the National Theatre of Scotland's productions across Scotland. You need to sign up on the website to gain access to these bargain tickets.
14. Get into Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery for FREE
Kids and grown-ups are sure to find something fantastic to enjoy at Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in north London. As well as the extraordinary architecture of John Soane's original designs, the site now offers contemporary exhibitions, drop-in art sessions for kids on Sundays, and Mini Makers events on other days.
It's free to visit for those who, on arrival, can present proof they recieve Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
- Find out more about Pitzhanger's discount tickets
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