100 FREE days out in the UK this summer – from pop-up beaches and kids' workshops to city farms and theatre shows

Scottish Sun

3 days ago

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This definitive list of cost-free days out for kids of all ages has fantastic seaside visits, circus training and free food.
NO KIDDING 100 FREE days out in the UK this summer – from pop-up beaches and kids' workshops to city farms and theatre shows
THE summer holidays are here, which means millions of parents are bracing themselves for shelling out a fortune on activities to keep cries of 'I'm bored' at bay.
A family of four spends £992 on average for 11 days out over the school summer break - but with our guide, days out with the kids can be frugal AND fun.
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Beach days in Blackpool can be cheap and cheerful with free events and a sandy beach to make sandcastles and play on.
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You can get a peek inside the Souter Lighthouse in Sunderland for free this summer
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The Royal Docks lido in Liverpool has a schedule of fun activities and events over the summer
Credit: Royal Docks
We've found 100 completely free attractions and events around the UK to keep your bank balance happy, from cinema trips to rockpooling sessions.
None cost a penny to participate in, but you may need to book a place in advance or cover the cost of parking.
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DAYS OUT NATIONWIDE
1. National Playday returns on August 6 with a theme of Spaces for Play. Look out for events at museums, parks and galleries in all four nations, which are free to enjoy. playday.org.uk
2. Grab a Billy bookcase or a cuppa in peace while your kids enjoy a free 60-minute session with arts, crafts and games in the Småland IKEA creche. Available at most IKEA stores, excluding Manchester, Birmingham and Croydon. ikea.com
3. Step inside Britain's stud farms, racing yards and retraining centres during National Racehorse Week, from August 23-29. Events include watching fitness training, horse schooling and vet demos. nationalracehorseweek.uk
4. Get free tickets to see Savages, a French animated film telling the story of courageous forest dweller Keria, at screenings around the UK on July 21 and 22. Part of the BFI Escapes initiative, book at escapes.cinematik.app
DAYS OUT IN YORKSHIRE
5. Prepare for battle at the Royal Armories Museum in Leeds, which has a vast collection of weapons from across the ages and a new Gladiators exhibition. Don't miss the daily historical sword fight re-enactments. royalarmouries.org/leeds
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6. Bradford City of Culture 2025 has a jam-packed itinerary of events across the city, including the DRAW! Tour workshops inspired by David Hockney. All materials are provided and local artists are on hand to help. Bradford2025.co.uk
The North Coast 500: Scotland's Must-Visit Road Trip Beats the Grand Canyon
7. Step aboard a bullet train at York's National Railway Museum, which is celebrating its 50th birthday throughout 2025. There's also the option to pay extra for the interactive Wonderlab area. railwaymuseum.org.uk/
8. Spot the dancing bear and turtle among the unique rock formations at Brimham Rocks near Harrogate, North Yorkshire. You can try geocaching and orienteering for free, and there's a Summer of Play programme. Parking charges apply. nationaltrust.org.uk/brimhamrocks
9. The historic house of Cannon Hall Museum Park & Gardens in Cawhorne, South Yorkshire, lets you experience the upper classes through the ages and has an impressive art collection, plus stunning walled gardens. cannon-hall.com
10. The heritage of Britain's most inland port town is brought to life at Goole Museum, which has a gallery of work by renowned Pierhead painter Reuben Chappell and sea-themed activities for under-fives. eastridingmuseums.co.uk
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11. Run the once-fearsome ramparts of Pontefract Castle in West Yorkshire, which dates back to 1070. There are activities like Knight School over the summer and a brilliant playground to enjoy. experiencewakefield.co.uk
12. Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire offers top rock pooling action and digging for fossils. The village also has a quaint free museum packed with artefacts detailing the bay's smuggling and shipwreck history. robin-hoods-bay.co.uk
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Jousters from the Royal Armouries in Leeds
13. Travel through 200 years of transport history at Hull's Streetlife Museum, where you can stroll down a 1940s high street, ride the vintage tram and see steam-powered cars. hullmuseums.co.uk/streetlife-museum
14. Junction 32 shopping outlet in Castleford, South Yorkshire, has built a beach for visitors to enjoy, complete with deck chairs, buckets and spades. Open daily from 10am during the summer holidays. junction32.com
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DAYS OUT IN THE NORTH EAST
15. See Turbinia, once the world's fastest steamship, and learn about Tyneside's rich scientific, maritime and technological history at Discovery Museum in Newcastle. There are paper plane and Knex free events over summer. discoverymuseum.org.uk
16. Get ready to spray and shine at Dalton Park retail park in Durham, which has free street art workshops for kids on six days from July 23, using chalk-based paints. Designs will be incorporated into a mural at the park too. Book at dalton-park.co.uk
17. Explore The Lady of the North, the centrepiece landform sculpture at Northumberlandia in Cramlington, Northumberland. This 19-hectare park also has a new bug-themed trail created with Aardman and free summer activities. nwt.org.uk
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There is art to suit every taste at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North
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Come face-to-face with a polar bear and see a penguin at the Natural History Museum in Tring, Hertfordshire
Credit: Alamy
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18. The Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle is dedicated to natural history, archaeology and world cultures, with a packed programme of summer family fun and Mouse House play area for under-fives. greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
19. Travel back to the Roman Empire at Arbeia in South Shields - a former Roman fort which is hosting guided tours, living history reenactments of the second century Tungrians and more this summer. northeastmuseums.org.uk/arbeia
20. The distinctive red and white Souter Lighthouse in Sunderland has been a sight on The Leas since 1871. You need to pay to enter but it's free to explore the cliff walks, teeming with birdlife, as well join summer sports activities. nationaltrust.org.uk
21. Bring literature to life at Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books in Newcastle. There are exhibitions about Mog and The Tiger Who Came To Tea, plus special events and storytimes. There's also a pop-up space in Durham. sevenstories.org.uk
22. Contemporary artists take centre stage at MIMA, Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art, which has the Family Art Trolley daily throughout summer and a Saturday club for 13-16 year olds. mima.art
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DAYS OUT IN THE NORTH WEST
23. Brockholes, near Preston, Lancashire, is a former sand quarry, now a 250-acre nature reserve with floating visitor centre and adventure playground. You may spot the elusive white-letter hairstreak butterfly in July and August too. lancswt.org.uk/brockholes
24. Whether you're a fan of Andy Warhol or Monet, there is art to suit every taste at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North. There's also an art trail around Albert Docks and Making Waves workshops, all free to join. tate.org.uk
25. Pick up a free map to complete the Kendal's Cumbrian Adventure Trail 2025, which has themed tasks and free samples to enjoy, including a stop at the town's free Quaker Tapestry Museum. Until August 31. visit-kendal.co.uk
26. Explore the big ideas of the last 250 years at the Science + Industry Museum in Manchester, which has accessible exhibitions about the textile industry, the Solar System and more. scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/
27. See submarines, Viking artefacts and the bones of the oldest Northerner at the Dock Museum in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. There's also an adventure playground and free parking. dockmuseum.org.uk/home
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28. Grizedale in the Lake District will give you a double whammy of a beautiful forest walk with 21 contemporary sculptures. There's also a Gruffalo meet-and-greet on August 7 and another with Stickman on August 15. forestryengland.uk/grizedale
29. No outfit is complete without headwear, and you can learn about the history of millinery at Hat Works Museum in Stockport. Housed in a Grade II-listed mill, there's a vast collection of designs and the machines used to make them. stockport.gov.uk/topic/hat-works
30. Kids will adore attacking the 11 miles of sand and seeing the trams, piers and donkeys in Blackpool, the UK's ultimate seaside town. The Wildlife Trust also has a free Rockpool Ramble on August 5. visitblackpool.com
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You can ride The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, but there is a summer programme of free activities.
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Cool off at the Royal docks summer splash, which is free to apply for.
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31. The Ribble Valley Sculpture Trail is a 1.5-mile circular stroll on the outskirts of Clitheroe, Lancashire, featuring 22 artworks inspired by local wildlife and history. There are wonderful views of the Forest of Bowland and a trim trail too. ribblevalley.gov.uk
32. See aircraft jetting off and get close to retired planes including Concorde and Nimrod at The Runway Visitor Park by Manchester Airport. There is live commentary of operations on weekends, plus a play park. runwayvisitorpark.co.uk
DAYS OUT IN THE MIDLANDS
33. Climb the 32-metre high tower at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon for panoramic views of the Warwickshire countryside. Open 12-4pm except on matinee days. There's a free events programme on 6 August too. rsc.org.uk
34. There are 300 years of works at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, including local artist Gainsborough. The current exhibition, Come As You Are, celebrates the work of local hobbyists, conceived by Hetain Patel. wolverhamptonart.org.uk
35. See the skies come alive at the Oswestry Balloon Carnival in Shropshire on August 16-17. The event at Cae Glas Park will also feature the Raptor Cheerleaders, Border Counties Gymnastics, alpacas and more. oneoswestry.co.uk
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36. Get hands-on with the exhibitions at Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester, which explores the science of the railways. A ride on the Narrow Gauge Steam Railway is just 50p. abbeypumpingstation.org
37. Shimmy up trees in the climbing forest at Combe Abbey Park in Coventry. There's also an adventure playground and if you can shell out for a treat, the 1950s-themed Sundae Club is open on weekends. coventry.gov.uk/coombe
38. Set in a former silk mill, the Museum of Making in Derby has a treasure trove of artefacts, including the world's smallest engine, run using a human hair. Check out the summer activity programme too. derbymuseums.org
39. Stonebridge City Farm in Nottingham has a huge range of residents to befriend, including meerkats, two ponies, pigs and a tortoise. They also have gardens and a play area. stonebridgecityfarm.co.uk
40. Dress in boater costumes and create traditional decorations at The Canal Museum in Stoke Bruene, Northamptonshire. You can also walk the Grand Union Canal and visit the nature reserve to do some pond dipping. canalrivertrust.org.uk
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41. The National Memorial Arboretum in Lichfield, Staffordshire, has 150 acres of woodland and more than 400 memorials, as well as CANOPY, a sound installation in the trees and free activities on Wondrous Wednesdays. thenma.org.uk
42. Birmingham's Symphony Hall has a programme of free lunchtime and evening concerts across the summer holidays, including jazz, poetry jams and classical. No booking required. bmusic.co.uk
DAYS OUT IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND
43. Black Shuck Festival in Bungay, Suffolk, brings together theatre, music and art with an East Anglian legend of a wild black dog. Takes place August 1-3, with a parade on the Saturday. blackshuckfestival.com
44. See specimens from the entire animal kingdom, from molluscs to elephants, at the Museum of Zoology in Cambridge. The collection includes a 21m fin whale and Captain Cook's conch. museum.zoo.cam.ac.uk
45. Explore a 1.2km play trail with giant seesaw, climbing forest, tyre swings and sandpits, as well as cycle or spot birds, at Great Notley Country Park in Braintree, Essex. explore-essex.com
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46. Redwings Horse Sanctuary has two visitor centres in Aylsham and Caldecott, Norfolk, where you can meet the rescue animals, including Shetland ponies, donkeys and mules. There are special events too. redwings.org.uk
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Marsden Bay near South Shields has a sandy beach and is very popular for families who want an affordable day out during the summer break.
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The Abbey Pumping Station in Leicester, which explores the science of the railways. and entry is free.
Credit: Supplied
47. Come face-to-face with a polar bear and see a penguin at the Natural History Museum in Tring, Hertfordshire. There are Lego workshops and ocean themed events on selected summer dates too. nhm.ac.uk/visit/tring
48. Ferry Meadows in Nene Park, Peterborough, has 500-acres of lakes, meadows, woodlands and riverside to explore with energetic little people. There's also a Holiday Trail and events like pond dipping. nenepark.org.uk
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49. Learn about the Iron Age to present day at Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens, in Essex, which also has three historic gardens perfect for picnics. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. harlowmuseum.com
DAYS OUT IN THE SOUTH WEST
50. Discover the toys of yesteryear at House of Marbles in Bovey Tracy, Devon. There are board games dating back to the 1600s, the largest permanent marble run in the UK, glass blowing demos and a play area. houseofmarbles.com
51. The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum in Exeter is home to one of the largest collections of materials about moving images in Britain, with artefacts dating back to the 17th century. bdcmuseum.org.uk/
52. The beaches of Studland in Dorset boast one of the best climates in Britain, with views to the Isle of Wight. Check out the National Trust's programme of free Monday activities, including volleyball, badminton and sensory play. nationaltrust.org.uk
53. Explore 850 acres of woodland and grassland in Aston Court Estate, Bristol, a Grade I listed country park where hot air balloons take to the skies and deer roam free. The mansion has an open weekend on August 2-3 too. bristol.gov.uk
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54. Bath City Farm in Wiltshire has wonderful views over the picturesque city and lots of livestock for children to meet and learn about. There's also a play area. bathcityfarm.org.uk
55. There will be drop-in creative sessions including puppets and circus performers at The Box in Plymouth, Cornwall, during Tuesday to Thursday afternoons this summer. Also check out Surreal Estates, with artwork by 260 local kids. theboxplymouth.com/
56. Meet the cows, goats and turkeys at Roskilly's Organic Farm in Helston, Cornwall. Visitors can also enjoy the meadow walks and if you have cash to spare, head to the ice cream parlour. Roskillys.co.uk
57. Laugh and dance at Summer Jam 2025 at The Brewery Quarter in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on July 25-27. There's a free programme of music, comedy and family fun, including Vince Freeman from The Voice. thebreweryquarter.com
58. The Beach Volleyball Grand Slam hits the sand in Weymouth, Dorset, for its 42nd edition, with players from across the world. There's a centre court grandstand near Weymouth Pavilion, with all matches free to watch on July 25-27.
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59. Visit the residents of The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon, and take the nature trail. There are sister sanctuaries in Belfast and Buxton, Derbyshire, open on selected days too. thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
DAYS OUT IN THE SOUTH EAST
60. The Novium in Chichester, West Sussex, is celebrating the story of local potted paste brand Shippam's, with an interactive exhibition of jingles, adverts and packaging, as well as workshops to make your own designs. thenovium.org.uk/
61. Set within a 19th-century defensive fort overlooking the Solent, Fareham's Fort Nelson in Hampshire has a collection of artillery spanning 600 years. Entry is in two-hour time slots, which must be pre-booked at royalarmories.org.uk
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Craigtoun Country Park, near St Andrews, Fife has a choice of activities for families and many of them are free of charge
Credit: Craigtoun Country Park
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Craigtoun Country Park has a huge adventure playground that is free to use.
Credit: Craigtoun Country Park
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62. Pet alpacas, ponies and emus at Aspens near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, which has a woodland and playground area too. The charity supports people with learning disabilities and has a fundraising café. aspens.org.uk/visit-our-aspens-animals
63. The Ashmolean in Oxford has an interactive gallery guide with games and quizzes, as well as special events like coin handling sessions on Saturday and a Festival of Archaeology on July 19. ashmolean.org
64. There's a sandy escape at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Berkshire, which hosts Maidenhead Beach from July 25. There's free storytelling every lunchtime until August 12, plus free crafts and gigs on Saturdays. norden.farm
65. Children's favourites Bagpuss and the Clangers are among the eclectic exhibitions at The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge in Canterbury, Kent. It also has insects and artefacts from world explorers. canterburymuseums.co.uk/the-beaney/
66. There are themed open mornings on Tuesdays to Thursdays at Howe Park Wood near Milton Keynes, a Site of Special Scientific Interest that is home to 200 species. It's great for walks and also has a play area. theparkstrust.com
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67. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve in East Sussex has a visitor centre, unspoilt sands and birds to spot. There's a programme of summer activities too, including Microscope and Mark Making Monday on August 11, 10am-12pm. sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk
DAYS OUT IN LONDON
68. The quirky Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, Lewisham, has extensive collections of taxidermy and musical instruments, plus an animal walk and beautiful gardens. horniman.ac.uk
69. Get some of the best views of the capital from the Sky Garden in the City of London. Travel up 155m high to explore the three landscaped stories and look across to the Shard. Booking is essential at skygarden.london
70. Mudchute Farm in the Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets, is one of London's largest farms, teeming with all manner of animals, as well as picnic areas and views of Canary Wharf. mudchute.org
71. I See You Like This at the Unicorn Theatre in London Bridge, Southwark, sees the camera turned round and children invited to direct, style and visually reinvent their grown-up, with an exhibition by local children. Until August 28. unicorntheatre.com
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72. The Young V&A in Bethnal Green, East London, is an interactive journey through childhood and also has free play days on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through the summer holiday. vam.ac.uk/young
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Young Victoria and Albert Museum situated in Bethnal Green is educational with lots of immersive displays and workshops - all free
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Botanic Gardens in Belfast is moments from the historic food market, so you can grab a cheap eat and have a picnic on the grass
Credit: Alamy
73. Explore rock pools, a treehouse, rope bridges and sand pits at Tumbling Bay Playground at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. UK Black Pride is free to enjoy at the park on 10 August too. queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk
74. Teach your kids about the sacrifices of generations before them and see everything from Spitfires to trench art at Imperial War Museum London in Lambeth. There are daily family activities, including storytelling and codebreaking. iwm.org.uk
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75. The Royal Docks Summer Splash in transforms Victoria Docks, East London, into a free lido from July 25 to August 17, with lifeguards, sandy play areas and deckchairs. It's part of At The Docks 2025. royaldocks.london
76. Get a taste of food production from ancient times to the first Quorn burger at the new Future of Food exhibition at the Science Museum in Kensington, West London. Open from July 24, admission is free but you need to book. sciencemuseum.org.uk
77. There are discovery days themed on meadows, Peter Pan and water at Hyde Park Learning Centre in Kensington. They take place on Tuesdays to Thursdays in August, reserve a place online at royalparks.org.uk
DAYS OUT IN WALES
78. Louby Lou's Storytelling is running a series of wildlife-inspired shows in locations across the Vale of Glamorgan, including Barry, from July 19 to August 30. Book free tickets for Creature Chronicles: Tales from the Vale at visitthevale.com
79. The National Roman Legion in Caerleon, South East Wales, marks its 175th anniversary on August 2 with a free day featuring Roman soldiers, gladiator training, crafts, a dig pit and tours. museum.wales/roman
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80. Travel through the Wales of times past at St Fagan's National Museum of History in Cardiff, with its park full of painstakingly rebuilt buildings from around the nation. There's also an exhibition telling the story of Welsh women's football. museum.wales/stfagans
81. The traditional seaside town of Llandudno, North Wales, has a Victorian pier and an Alice in Wonderland trail with 34 points of interest about the real girl who inspired the character. visitllandudno.org.uk
82. Descend 300ft underground at Big Pit National Coal Museum in Pontypool, South East Wales, a former working pit turned attraction. You can tour the coal face and explore the history of the mining industry. museum.wales/bigpit
83. Abersoch Regatta in Gwynedd, North Wales, has a week of events from August 4-9, including a raft race, sandcastle building, paddleboarding and crab catching, with the main sailing and social on the Saturday. abersochregatta.co.uk
84. Splash in the sunshine at Blackpill Lido in Swansea, which has a paddling pool and water features, as well as a children's play area, climbing rock and picnic facilities. visitswanseabay.com
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The Blackpill Lido in Swansea is a top spot to cool off and free for families to enjoy.
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The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Bristol is a family favourite event with lots of free things to do over the weekend.
Credit: Getty
85. The National Museum Cardiff takes you from the very beginnings of time to the present day, exploring evolution and animals, as well as an impressive collection of art by Monet, Van Gogh and Turner. Museum.wales/cardiff
86. There will be live music and entertainment at the Milford Waterfront Weekend in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, on August 8-10. There are also picnic areas and outdoor games with marina views. milfordwaterfront.co.uk
DAYS OUT IN SCOTLAND
87. The award-winning Riverside Museum in Glasgow tells the story of transport, big and small, with exhibits including skateboards through to a tall ship on the River Clyde outside. glasgowlife.org.uk
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88. Whizz along the 30ft zip wire, explore the Fairy Glen and jump on trampolines at Craigtoun Country Park in St Andrews, Fife. It also has an adventure playground, all-inclusive play area, sand pit and trim trail. friendsofcraigtoun.org.uk
89. Standing on the city's waterfront, V&A Dundee is Scotland's first dedicated design museum and home to Charles Rennie Mackintosh's restored Oak Room. vam.ac.uk/Dundee
90. The Potter Trail offers magical free walking tours for fans of Harry and his Hogwarts pals, around the streets of Edinburgh. Each one last 75-90 minutes. Places are free to book but you may wish to donate to your guide. pottertrial.com
91. Regular hands-on sessions for budding artists are available alongside galleries with modern masters like David Hockney at the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). galleryofmodernart.blog
92. At The Helix, home of the Kelpies in Falkirk, you can admire 30ft sculptures of horses and walk through the lush landscapes. There's also a splash park and adventure playground. thehelix.co.uk
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93. Aberdeen's Festival of the Sea is July 12-27, with a programme of free and paid-for events, including storytelling, music, and walks, plus a Coastal Discovery Day on July 21 and an ongoing Tall Ships exhibition. Aberdeencity.gov.uk
94. Wander through Scottish rural life from the 1700s to the 1950s at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. There are more than 35 historical buildings including a school, plus a play area. highlifehighland.com
95. Meet Dolly the Sheep, see a T-Rex skeleton and explore phones from across the ages at the National Museum of Scotland, which is packed with child-friendly, interactive exhibits. nms.ac.uk
DAYS OUT IN NORTHERN IRELAND
96. Murlough National Nature Reserve in Dundrum, County Down, has 6,000-year-old sand dunes, a beach, natural play area, walking trails and 720 species of butterfly to spot. nationaltrust.org.uk
97. Set within Belfast's Botanic Gardens, Ulster Museum has diverse exhibits on The Troubles to Japanese war art. There's a packed programme of family fun, including The Big Butterfly Blend-In and Blue Sky Birds. ulstermuseum.org
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98. There's free music every Sunday at Open House Festival's Picnic in the Park in Ward Park, Bangor, County Down. The series culminate with the traditional Bluegrass Picnic on August 31. openhousefestival.com
99. Armagh County Museum sits at the end of a tree-lined mall and has artefacts from pre-history to present day, covering art, natural history, domestic life and transport. visitarmagh.com
100. Meet the Minions, try your hand at mini golf and experience the carnival at Wellington Court in Ballymena, County Antrim, which has a programme of free events through July and August. loveballymena.online