Summer UK Day Trip Ideas on a Budget


It’s summer. The kids will soon be out of school, if not already, which means one thing: expensive holidays.

Prices of going away skyrocket during the 6 weeks holidays meaning that people can get priced out of having a good day out.

In order to find the best deals, you will likely need to find some discounts or vouchers.  If you plan on visiting any theme parks, zoos or anything more expensive, check out My Voucher Codes to find offers that save you the most money.

This article will be exploring 3 cities in the UK that can give you plenty of experiences that you don’t need to break the bank.  So without further ado, here are some UK day trip ideas you can do on a budget!

View of the Houses of Parliament in London over the Thames River with a bridge to the right hand side

London

The nation’s capital and one of the most famous cities in the world and perfect for a summer UK day trip.

There is always something to do in London and plenty of them you can actually do while spending as little as possible.

If you have the stamina, it is possible to walk everywhere.  There is so much history in every corner of the city so taking it all in is worthwhile.  However, there is always the option of taking the Tube and getting a day pass if you would prefer to stick to a plan.

One thing you must do in London for free is to take a tour of the Natural History Museum.  There are hours worth of exhibitions to explore here and often have special events going on in the summer.  The new blue whale skeleton is on display in the main hall where you can really get to grips with how big these animals really are!

You should also head to Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard.  It is brilliant to watch, especially as the bands play. They even have their own take on some current songs specifically to entertain the crowds that gather.

Finally, take a walk through Covent Garden for a lesson in culture.  It may also be a nice place to get a quick bite to eat or drink before heading back out.

People walking on the beach in low tide with a view of a pier and tower in the distance: summer UK day trip

Blackpool

There is something for everyone in this popular UK beach town.

Close to the seaside is the iconic Blackpool Pleasure Beach.  There are always shows going on here in the theatre as well as some of the nation’s favourite rollercoasters for the thrill seekers.

If you book online, you can buy a ticket for £25, which is £14 cheaper than buying at the gates.  However, if you go to just have a wander around and soak in the atmosphere while on your way to the beach, you can get access to the park for just £6.  

There is also far more than just the theme park in Blackpool.

Notably, take a walk around the Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve.

Just a few miles away from the tower, there is plenty of wildlife to experience to take a break.  Bring some bread and feed the ducks.

While you’re there, visit the Comedy Carpet to find jokes written by the UK’s most famous and best comedians.  This is below Blackpool Tower and will bring a smile and laughter to all.

And finally, we get to Blackpool Tower.  As you have seen, there are plenty more activities than visiting this attraction.  

There are multiple things to see and so here, including the circus and seeing the iconic ballroom.  The perfect ending to the day.

two people walking up steps to get to a small castle on a mound: summer UK day trip

Cardiff

The Welsh capital is fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in the entire UK and it’s easy to see why.  Plus, it can be done on a budget, especially if you’re looking for a summer UK day trip.

Cardiff Castle is a must-see.  It is full of history and often in the summer, many events get held on the grounds.  The surrounding grounds are pretty and if you catch the timing right, there are a bunch of flower and gardening festivals to experience. Even without the showers, the gardens are beautiful.

When you get peckish, there is a unique restaurant called The Clink which is nothing like you have never experienced. Why is that? This restaurant is in the prison. The staff are prisoners. Crazy as it sounds, the restaurant has won many awards for its amazing food and charity work.

Something you must also experience when taking a day trip to Cardiff in the summer is Cardiff Bay.  Visit the Norwegian Church towards at one end of the walkway and stroll on through to the other side where you find a whole bunch of wildlife.  Again, the bay will have plenty of events going on to keep everyone entertained.

To extend the experience, take a walk from the bay to Penarth via the barrage.  The town is gorgeous.

The Penarth beach is beautiful in the sun.  Take a walk along the pier and you will see fisherman bringing in the local catch.  

A great day out for the entire family.

All these cities will give you a great summer UK day trip and will let you create memories that won’t burn a huge hole in your purse.

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This is a Guest Post by Becky Gillard. Becky is a fashion and lifestyle writer for discount code website MyVoucherCodes. Becky has a Master’s degree in Investigative Journalism and has been working in the digital media industry for over 6 years, with a background heavily focused on fashion and online marketing. Becky enjoys travelling and writing fun and topical fashion pieces.
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