How to save money on a UK staycation this summer

Staying in the UK for your summer break can be a great experience. There are no airport queues to deal with and some brilliant places to explore. The challenge can be keeping costs under control when everything is more expensive than it used to be. The good news is that with a bit of planning, there are ways to stretch your budget further this summer.

The Great British Summer Savings scheme

This summer, the UK government has temporarily cut VAT from 20% to 5% on a range of family days out and children's activities as part of its Great British Summer Savings scheme. Running from 25 June to 1 September 2026, the scheme is designed to reduce the cost of days out during the school holiday period and covers:

• Children's menu meals served in restaurants
• Children's and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions
• Admission tickets for attractions including theme parks, soft play centres, adventure parks, zoos, circuses, nature reserves and wildlife parks for both children and adults

The government expects businesses to pass the VAT saving on to customers, so it’s worth checking prices at attractions before you visit. Children aged five to 15 in England can travel free on local bus services throughout August, which makes it easier to get out and about without adding to your transport costs.

Kids eat free deals

During the summer holidays, many restaurant chains and supermarket cafés run kids eat free or kids eat for £1 promotions, usually when an adult buys a main meal. Some offers run all year round while others are during school holidays. You might need to download a loyalty app or get a code to unlock the deal. Regular participants include:

• Bella Italia
• ASK Italian
• Zizzi
• Bill's
• Beefeater
• Pizza Hut
• Whitbread

Morrisons Cafés also have a range of special offers including meal deals, offers for seniors, free refills on self-serve hot drinks and kids eat free deals.

Claim a free National Trust pass

Every summer selected national newspapers including the Daily Mirror and Daily Express include vouchers offering free entry to National Trust properties. The pass usually covers two adults and up to three children, or one adult and up to four children. It’s valid at hundreds of National Trust sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland until the end of August. Family entry to some properties can cost over £40 at other times of the year, so it’s a great deal.

Visit free museums and galleries

The UK has some of the best free museums and galleries in the world and many of them are free to visit including:

• The Natural History Museum
• The Science Museum
• The British Museum
• The Victoria and Albert Museum

Many regional cities also offer free museums and local authority-run galleries usually offer free admission all year-round.

Pack a picnic

Planning ahead and packing a picnic for your days out is an easy way to manage your food budget on a staycation. Many National Trust properties, parks, beaches and countryside locations have designated picnic areas you can use for free. Taking advantage of meal deals or special offers at supermarkets can be vastly cheaper than using expensive tourist cafés.

Use a cashback app before you book

Before booking accommodation or days out, it’s worth checking whether you can get cashback through platforms like TopCashback. Once you’ve set up an account, you simply search for a provider in the TopCashback app and then use their link to access the booking website. You’ll get cashback credited to your account, usually within a few weeks.

Travel off-peak where you can

Avoiding peak summer dates and travelling midweek rather than at weekends can reduce the cost of accommodation. If you’re travelling by train, booking in advance and travelling outside peak hours is usually cheaper. You can find travel deals on the National Rail website.

In a nutshell

A UK staycation has a lot to offer and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it without spending more than you need to. A little planning before you go can make a big difference to your bank account and help your money go further.