Explore the best free outdoor activities in the UK
Are you looking to explore more of the UK without burning a hole in your pocket? You’ve come to the right place. There’s a wide range of free and cost-effective activities across the country for you to enjoy.
Whether it’s serene scenic walks, family days out at the pier or a visit to a museum to absorb the local culture, you can be sure you won’t run out of budget-friendly options.
Reflecting on last year’s most popular free and cost-effective activities, the team at GO Outdoors decided to take a deep dive into 2024’s must-visit attractions. Analysing various factors, from the most visited destinations to the most Googled locations, we uncovered the top free and cheap destinations of the year.
All of the attractions we looked at have free options or are priced at £30 or less for a family of four.
Jump to:
- The best free outdoor attractions in England and Scotland
- The best free attractions in England and Scotland
- The best free attractions in Wales
- The most cost-effective attractions in England
- The most cost-effective attractions in Wales and Scotland
- Gearing up for Cost-Effective Activities
- Methodology
The best free outdoor attractions in England and Scotland
1. Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Scotland
Free outdoor activity score: 9.908/10
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is the best free outdoor activity in the UK after scoring a whopping 9.908 out of 10. Describing itself as ‘one of the world’s leading scientific botanical gardens,’ it is home to one of the country’s richest and largest plant collections globally.
From the Alpine Houses to the Woodland Garden and the Scottish Native Plants Collection, the Royal Botanic Garden has a lot to offer visitors – and all for free!
2. Sherwood Pines, East Midlands
Free outdoor activity score: 9.850/10
As one of the Midland’s most popular forests, it is no surprise that Sherwood Pines makes it to the top three best outdoor activities with a score of 9.850 out of 10. There are plenty of activities to take part in, from cycling and mountain biking trails to wild running. Perfect for families, there are designated play areas for kids to explore. Sherwood Pines also offers an immersive woodland experience. Be it horseback riding, orienteering, park runs, or even picnics; there is something for everyone at Sherwood Pines.
3. Brighton Pier, South East
Free outdoor activity score: 9.683/10
Arguably one of the most popular attractions in the South East, Brighton Pier completes the top three with 9.683 out of 10. Described as ‘the palace of fun,’ there is a wide array of activities to partake in should you take some spending with you, including various rides and amusements such as the Horror Hotel or the Wild River.
Having hosted an impressive 4.6 million visitors in 2022, Brighton Pier was the country’s second most-visited free outdoor attraction.
| Site | Region/Country | Number of visits | Google Maps rating/ 5 | Number of Google searches | Instagram hashtag | Number of Instagram posts | Free outdoor activity score /10 | |
| 1 | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | Scotland | 996,597 | 4.7 | 350,000 | #royalbotanicgardenedinburgh | 7,960 | 9.908 |
| 2 | Sherwood Pines | East Midlands | 612,804 | 4.7 | 221,800 | #sherwoodpines | 40,875 | 9.850 |
| 3 | Brighton Pier | South East | 4,632,108 | 4.4 | 322,500 | #brightonpier | 358,000 | 9.683 |
| 4 | National Memorial Arboretum | West Midlands | 299,344 | 4.9 | 169,700 | #nationalmemorialarboretum | 13,375 | 9.534 |
| 5 | Forest of Dean Cycle Centre | South West | 225,159 | 4.8 | 673,000 | #forestofdean | 337,686 | 9.517 |
| 6 | Delamere Forest | North West | 472,986 | 4.6 | 429,600 | #delamereforest | 60,164 | 9.314 |
| 7 | Bedgebury National Pinetum | South East | 409,771 | 4.7 | 160,500 | #bedgebury | 21,294 | 9.130 |
| 8 | The Crown Estate, Windsor Great Park | South East | 5,636,844 | 4.7 | 13,800 | #windsorgreatpark | 70,997 | 8.962 |
| 9 | Moors Valley Country Park | South West | 810,707 | 4.6 | 77,700 | #moorsvalleycountrypark | 7,552 | 8.592 |
| 10 | Dalby Forest | Yorkshire and the Humber | 347,443 | 4.6 | 225,900 | #dalbyforest | 48,123 | 8.538 |
top three with 9.683 out of 10. Described as ‘the palace of fun,’ there is a wide array of activities to partake in should you take some spending with you, including various rides and amusements such as the Horror Hotel or the Wild River.
Having hosted an impressive 4.6 million visitors in 2022, Brighton Pier was the country’s second most-visited free outdoor attraction.
The best free attractions in England and Scotland
1. Natural History Museum, London
Free activity score: 9.517/10
Regarding the best free activities in the UK, the Natural History Museum takes first place with 9.517 out of 10. Great for a family day out, you can explore an array of vibrant galleries, including discovering fascinating creatures in the dinosaurs section or getting up close to nature while learning about evolution.
2. National Gallery, London
Free activity score: 9.362/10
London’s National Gallery follows behind with a score of 9.362 out of 10. Offering views of timeless works of art for free, it displays world-renowned artists from Van Gough to Vermeer. You can explore the story of European art through perfectly curated collections and masterpieces.
Said to have some of the world’s greatest collections of portraits, it’s no wonder the National Gallery saw over 2.7 million visitors in 2022, making it one of the country’s top ten most visited free attractions.
3. British Museum, London
Free activity score: 9.321/10
With over two million years of human history and culture on display, the British Museum has plenty of exquisite exhibitions and galleries to journey through and discover. Great for family visits, there is a range of world cultures to explore, including the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Americas, Africa and more. Kids can explore the world of Egyptian mummies or come face-to-face with objects from the Sutton Hoo ship burial.
| Attraction | Region/Country | Number of visits | Google Maps rating/ 5 | Number of Google searches | Instagram hashtag | Number of Instagram posts | Free activity score /10 | |
| 1 | Natural History Museum | London | 4,654,608 | 4.7 | 3,724,000 | #naturalhistorymuseum | 61,900 | 9.517 |
| 2 | National Gallery | London | 2,727,119 | 4.7 | 1,306,000 | #nationalgallerylondon | 56,500 | 9.362 |
| 3 | British Museum | London | 4,097,253 | 4.7 | 3,294,000 | #britishmuseumlondon | 19,300 | 9.321 |
| 4 | Tate Britain | London | 913,395 | 4.7 | 1,338,000 | #tatebritain | 269,000 | 9.279 |
| 5 | Victoria and Albert Museum | London | 2,370,261 | 4.7 | 147,800 | #victoriaandalbertmuseum | 297,000 | 9.011 |
| 6 | Ashmolean Museum | South East | 728,183 | 4.7 | 430,900 | #ashmoleanmuseum | 29,100 | 8.994 |
| 7 | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | Scotland | 996,597 | 4.7 | 350,000 | #royalbotanicgardenedinburgh | 7,960 | 8.868 |
| 8 | Royal Air Force Museum London | London | 400,643 | 4.8 | 232,400 | #rafmuseum | 18,100 | 8.819 |
| 9 | Durham Cathedral | North East | 296,392 | 4.8 | 332,400 | #durhamcathedral | 83,400 | 8.810 |
| 10 | Royal Air Force (RAF) | West Midlands | 382,831 | 4.8 | 337,000 | #royalairforcemuseum | 5,263 | 8.757 |
The best free attractions in Wales
1. Snowdonia National Park
Free activity score: 9.690/10
As Wales’ largest national park, it is no surprise that Snowdonia is crowned the best free activity, scoring 9.690 out of 10. Surrounded by towering peaks and magnificent valleys, Snowdonia’s picturesque landscape is intricately intertwined with culture, history and heritage.
Said to have nearly four million visitors every year, it is not only a top destination for exploring the great outdoors but also perfect for a day out with the family or even for overnight camping.
2. Aber Falls
Free activity score: 7.990/10
One of Snowdonia’s most dramatic and magical waterfalls, Aber Falls ranks second with a score of 7.990 out of 10. Accessible to many, this impressive natural feature is one of the shortest walks in the popular Welsh national park. This route is ideal for families as there are several picnic areas with open spaces.
3. Lake Vyrnwy
Free activity score: 7.738/10
Set in the heart of the remote and stunning Berwyn Mountains, Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir surrounded by moorland and woodland. This extraordinary destination boasts natural beauty, a rich history and is a top location for a great time in the outdoors. With its gorgeous scenery and tranquil presence, it’s no wonder Lake Vyrnwy makes it to the top three with a score of 7.738 out of 10.
| Rank | Attraction | Google Maps rating/ 5 | Number of Google searches | Instagram hashtag | Number of Instagram posts | Free activity score /10 |
| 1 | Snowdonia National Park | 4.9 | 289,500 | #snowdonianationalpark | 341,000 | 9.690 |
| 2 | Aber Falls | 4.8 | 272,300 | #aberfalls | 33,200 | 7.990 |
| 3 | Lake Vyrnwy | 4.8 | 246,400 | #lakevyrnwy | 27,752 | 7.738 |
| 4 | Great Orme | 4.8 | 154,800 | #greatorme | 51,700 | 7.678 |
| 5 | Gower Peninsula | 4.8 | 144,700 | #gowerpeninsula | 78,200 | 7.428 |
| 6 | Cardiff Bay | 4.7 | 383,700 | #cardiffbay | 356,000 | 7.176 |
| 7 | Pontcysyllte Aqueduct | 4.8 | 214,400 | #pontcysyllteaqueduct | 5,000 | 7.052 |
| 8 | Barmouth Beach | 4.8 | 120,000 | #barmouthbeach | 18,300 | 6.612 |
| 9 | Margam Country Park | 4.7 | 243,600 | #margampark | 29,000 | 6.176 |
| 10 | Penygader | 4.9 | 38,800 | #penygader | 1,000 | 5.866 |
The most cost-effective attractions in England
1. Bramall Hall, North West England
Cost-effective activity score: 9.191/10
With 9.191 out of 10, Bramall Hall is the best cost-effective attraction on our list. This magnificent black and white authentic timber-framed Tudor manor house is set amidst 70 acres of parkland and costs as little as £13 for a family of four to visit, especially as children under 16 go free. This location is a beautiful place to see, and you can expect to marvel at the historic architecture, period rooms and vibrant gardens.
2. Cambridge University Botanic Garden, East of England
Cost-effective activity score: 9.050/10
Ranked in second place is the Cambridge University Botanic Garden with a score of 9.050
out of 10. The Botanic Garden is a treasure trove of more than 8,000 plant species, characterised by nine National Collections and a spectacular arboretum. This serene spot is free for children 16 and under. However, it costs £14.40 for two adults (£7.20 per adult). With over 345,000 visitors in 2022 and a 19% increase from 2021, visiting this destination is a must if you’re in the area.
3. Old Sarum, South West
Cost-effective activity score: 8.876/10
Situated in the South West, Old Sarum holds the remains of a ruined and deserted medieval castle and the site of the earliest settlement of Salisbury. Unearth over 2,000 years of history by discovering more about the Romans, Normans and Saxons. To visit this spectacular historic landmark costs just £14.90 for a family of two adults and up to three children, making it a very affordable activity for the whole family to enjoy.
| Rank | Attraction | Region | % increase in visits from 2021 to 2022 | Admission cost for a family of four | Number of Google searches | Google Maps rating/ 5 | Instagram hashtag | Number of Instagram posts | Cost-effective activity score /10 |
| 1 | Bramall Hall | North West | 265% | £13.00 | 44,700 | 4.6 | #bramallhall | 1,000 | 9.191 |
| 2 | Cambridge University Botanic Garden | East of England | 19% | £14.40 | 186,700 | 4.7 | #cambridgeuniversitybotanicgarden | 3,537 | 9.050 |
| 3 | Old Sarum | South West | 44% | £14.90 | 175,600 | 4.5 | #oldsarum | 16,352 | 8.876 |
| 4 | Portchester Castle | South East | 78% | £19.40 | 159,100 | 4.6 | #portchestercastle | 12,568 | 8.875 |
| 5 | Acorn Farm | North West | 97% | £12.00 | 68,800 | 4.5 | #acornfarm | 3,296 | 8.861 |
| 6 | Mappa Mundi and Chained Library Exhibition | West Midlands | 209% | £19.00 | 50,300 | 4.6 | #mappamundi | 4,660 | 8.548 |
| 7 | Oxford Botanic Garden | South East | 36% | £14.40 | 134,000 | 4.5 | #oxfordbotanicgarden | 10,851 | 8.501 |
| 8 | Aston Hall | West Midlands | 102% | £22.00 | 143,300 | 4.6 | #astonhall | 8,116 | 8.170 |
| 9 | Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum | North East | 117% | £10.00 | 9,910 | 4.5 | #headofsteamdarlington | 100 | 8.155 |
| 10 | Southend-on-Sea Pier | East of England | 47% | £16.00 | 23,990 | 4.6 | # southendpier | 27,596 | 8.138 |
The most cost-effective attractions in Wales and Scotland
1. Lido Ponty, Wales
Cost-effective activity score: 9.931/10
Known as one of a kind in Wales, Lido Ponty is a historic family attraction. This outdoor pool and adventure play park is an excellent destination for a day out with kids. This attraction has plenty of swings, slides and tunnels to explore, capturing the imagination of younger visitors. Priced at just £3 per adult while kids under 16 go free, this is a very affordable activity for everyone.
2. Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, Scotland
Cost-effective activity score: 8.860/10
Said to be one of Glasgow’s most popular and unique attractions, the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre has entertained audiences of all ages for several decades. This attraction starts at £4 per adult, is free for children, and offers a visually rich experience for adults and kids alike.
3. Dunnottar Castle, Scotland
Cost-effective activity score: 8.436/10
Surrounded by dramatic cliff tops, Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress and one of Scotland’s most striking attractions. Perfectly positioned on a hill overlooking the North Sea, you can be sure of breathtaking views and fantastic scenery. For a family of two adults and two kids, it costs £27 to explore this stunning landmark.
| Rank | Attraction | Country | Google Maps rating/ 5 | Admission cost for a family of four | Number of Google searches | Instagram hashtag | Number of Instagram posts | Cost-effective activity score /10 |
| 1 | Lido Ponty | Wales | 4.7 | £6.00 | 181,700 | #lidoponty | 500 | 9.931 |
| 2 | Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre | Scotland | 4.7 | £8.00 | 24,100 | #sharmankakinetictheatre | 1,036 | 8.860 |
| 3 | Dunnottar Castle | Scotland | 4.8 | £27.00 | 317,100 | #dunnottarcastlescotland | 1,411 | 8.436 |
| 4 | Great Orme Tramway | Wales | 4.8 | £24.50 | 71,900 | #greatormetramway | 1,000 | 8.056 |
| 5 | The Hill House | Scotland | 4.7 | £18.00 | 18,600 | #thehillhouse | 3,978 | 7.900 |
| 6 | Cardiff Castle Tours | Wales | 4.6 | £11.00 | 3,890 | #cardiffcastle | 115,797 | 7.633 |
| 7 | Oystermouth Castle | Wales | 4.5 | £18.00 | 38,900 | #oystermouthcastle | 3,901 | 7.630 |
| 8 | Port Logan Fish Pond | Scotland | 4.7 | £10.00 | 11,010 | #portloganfishpond | 100 | 7.593 |
| 9 | Dalscone Farm Fun | Scotland | 4.7 | £20.00 | 107,800 | #dalsconefarmfun | 100 | 7.518 |
| 10 | Peterhead Prison Museum | Scotland | 4.8 | £27.00 | 55,400 | #peterheadprisonmuseum | 1,000 | 7.516 |
Gearing up for Cost-Effective Activities
There’s no denying that the UK is filled with natural beauty, from its picturesque Natural Parks to the many stunning coastal scenes. There are plenty of magnificent trails to explore, along with an array of excellent indoor activities for when the weather takes a turn for the worse. GO Outdoors has all the essential gear and clothing needed to kit you out for your next cheap day out, at great value.
Shop Waterproof Jackets – Mens/Womens/Kids – ideal for taking shelter against the elements for all outdoor activities, perfect for beating the year-round unpredictability of the British weather.
Shop Walking Boots – Mens/Womens/Kids – with many walking trails and mountain paths on our cost-effective list, make sure you have the right footwear for all terrains.
Shop Daysacks/Rucksacks – keep all of your essentials safe and sound while enjoying a cost-effective activity, including your packed lunch.
Shop Flasks – stay hydrated or keep warm with a versatile flask, saving you extra pennies on drinks purchases at destinations.
Methodology
England and Scotland’s free attractions and free outdoor attractions:
Using 2022 visitor figures from ALVA and VisitBritain, we collected the latest available data on the number of annual visits for free outdoor activities across England and Scotland, looking specifically at attractions where ‘general admission is free to all’. We also noted down the region where each attraction is located. We created a separate index for indoor and outdoor attractions.
We used Google Maps to collect each attraction’s average star rating out of five on 05/02/2024. Google Keyword Planner was then used to source the UK Google searches for each attraction from January to December 2023, including the location where necessary, to ensure accuracy, e.g. “Science Museum London”.
We found the number of related posts for each attraction on Instagram. We only used figures from the most popular relevant hashtag for each activity to ensure no duplicates. This information was collected from 06/02/2024 to 07/02/2024.
We calculated a normalised score out of 10 for every factor before calculating an average score out of 10 for each attraction. We gave double weighting to ‘the number of annual visitors’ as this strongly displays the nationwide popularity of these attractions. We gave ‘the number of Instagram posts’ half weighting as this factor is limited to social media users and may not account for the UK population who enjoy visiting these attractions. This was calculated on 07/03/2024.
Wales’ free attractions:
We created a list of attractions in Wales using sources such as VisitWales and TripAdvisor. We then used Google Maps to source each attraction’s average star rating out of five. Additionally, Google Keyword Planner was used to source the UK Google searches for each attraction from January to December 2023. We found the number of related posts for each attraction on Instagram. We only used figures from the most popular relevant hashtag for each activity to ensure no duplicates.
Visitor figures for these attractions were unavailable, so they were not included. All data was sourced on 26/02/2024.
We calculated a normalised score out of 10 for every factor before calculating an average score out of 10 for each attraction. We gave ‘the number of Instagram posts’ half weighting as this factor is limited to social media users and may not account for the UK population who enjoy visiting these attractions. This was calculated on 07/03/2024.
England’s cost-effective attractions:
We used ALVA and VisitBritain to create a list of cost-effective attractions on 13/02/2024, looking at the top 50 most visited attractions on the ‘Annual Attractions Full Listings 2022’. We included attractions with admission fees of £30 and under for a family of four. We noted the region and type of attraction for each location.
We sourced the number of visitors to each attraction in 2021 and 2022 and calculated the percentage change. The admission cost for a family of four was taken from each attraction’s official website. We used Google Keyword Planner from January to December 2023 to source the UK Google searches for each attraction.
To find out each attraction’s average star rating out of five, we used Google Maps. Instagram was then used to measure the number of related posts for each attraction. We only considered figures from the most popular relevant hashtag for each activity to ensure no duplicates.
We calculated a normalised score out of 10 for every factor before calculating an average score out of 10 for each attraction. We gave double weighting to ‘percentage change in annual visitors’ and the ‘admission cost for a family of four’ as this strongly displays the nationwide popularity of these attractions and affordability. The ‘number of Instagram posts’ received half weight, considering its limitation to social media users and potential exclusion of the wider UK population who enjoy these attractions. This was calculated on 07/03/2024.
Wales’ and Scotland’s cost-effective attractions:
We looked at cost-effective attractions in Wales and Scotland, building a list using sources such as VisitWales and VisitScotland. We also sourced the admission cost for a family of four using the official website of each attraction. This was done on 26/02/2024.
We used Google Keyword Planner to source the UK Google searches for each attraction from January to December 2023. To determine the source of each attraction’s average star rating out of five, we used Google Maps. Instagram was used to find the number of related posts for each attraction. We only included figures from the most popular relevant hashtag for each activity to ensure no duplicates.
We calculated a normalised score out of 10 for every factor before calculating an average score out of 10 for each attraction. We gave double weighting to the ‘admission cost for a family of four’ as this strongly displays affordability. We gave ‘the number of Instagram posts’ half weighting as this factor is limited to social media users and may not account for the UK population who enjoy visiting these attractions. This was calculated on 07/03/2024.
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