With the school holidays just around the corner, you’re probably on the lookout for fun things to do in the UK this summer. The good news is that there’s a whole host of activities to enjoy nationwide without spending a penny, and the great news is that we’ve pulled together a list of just some of our favourites to give you a little innspiration!
From the south coast to Scotland, here’s a roundup of free UK attractions to keep all ages entertained. Plus, with over 800 great-value Premier Inn hotels across the UK, we’ll be there to help you rest easy after your days out.
Get your summer staycations sorted with the help of our list of free UK attractions
Simon Ewins, our Chief Operating Officer here at Premier Inn, said:
“What a better time to highlight the attractions people can enjoy-without breaking the bank this half term. With over 800 locations, Premier Inn is perfectly located near all of the UK’s favourite free attractions and so is a great place to start your summer break”.
Some attractions on this list are within walking distance of our Premier Inn hotels – meaning you won’t have to shell out on public transport – and with many hotels also offering free on-site parking, you can enjoy some savvy-spending on your summer staycations!
Most popular places to visit in the UK for free
Top outdoor attractions across the UK
- Peak District National Park (Nearest Premier Inn: Buxton)
- Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool (Nearest Premier Inn: Liverpool City Centre)
- Valley Gardens, Harrogate (Nearest Premier Inn: Harrogate)
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (Nearest Premier Inn: Dumbarton/Loch Lomond)
- Royal Victoria Park, Bath (Nearest Premier Inn: Bath City Centre)
- Botanic Gardens, Belfast (Nearest Premier Inn: Belfast City Centre Alfred Street)
- Brighton Beach (Nearest Premier Inn: Brighton City Centre)
- Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire (Nearest Premier Inn: Nottingham North Daybrook)
- Roman Gardens, Chester (Nearest Premier Inn: Chester City Centre)
- Pembrokeshire National Park (Nearest Premier Inn: Tenby Town Centre)
The Peak District
Royal Albert Dock
Loch Lomond
London attractions
Greenwich Park
- Greenwich Park
Nearest Premier Inn: Greenwich
- Kensington Gardens
Nearest Premier Inn: Kensington Olympia
- Regents Park and Primrose Hill
Nearest Premier Inn: London Euston
- Olympic Park
Nearest Premier Inn: London Stratford
- London Wall Walk
Nearest Premier Inn: Tower Bridge
South West England attractions
Cycle tour in Bristol
- Free cycle tour in Bristol
Nearest Premier Inn: Bristol City Centre
- Birdwatching at Langford Lakes, Wiltshire
Nearest Premier Inn: Salisbury
- Royal Victoria Park, Bath
Nearest Premier Inn: Bath City Centre
- Meadfoot Beach, Torquay
Nearest Premier Inn: Paignton Seafront
- Gwithian Beach, Cornwall
Nearest Premier Inn: Hayle
South East England attractions
Brighton Beach
- Brighton Beach
Nearest Premier Inn: Brighton City Centre
- St Catherine’s Hill, Winchester
Nearest Premier Inn: Winchester
- Pett Level Beach, Hastings
Nearest Premier Inn: Hastings
- The White Cliffs of Dover
Nearest Premier Inn: Dover East
- Bournemouth Gardens
Nearest Premier Inn: Bournemouth West Cliffe
East England attractions
Great Yarmouth Beach
- Great Yarmouth Beach
Nearest Premier Inn: Great Yarmouth Seafront
- Walks around The Broads National Park
Nearest Premier Inn: Lowestoft
- Norwich City Centre Market
Nearest Premier Inn: Nelson City Centre
- Felixstowe Beach
Nearest Premier Inn: Felixstowe Town Centre
- Clacton-on-Sea Pier
Nearest Premier Inn: Clacton-on-sea seafront
West Midlands attractions
West Park
- West Park, Wolverhampton
Nearest Premier Inn: Wolverhampton City Centre
- Stafford Castle
Nearest Premier Inn: Stafford North Hurricane
- Malvern and Brueton Park, Solihull
Nearest Premier Inn: Solihull town centre
- Walsall Arboretum
Nearest Premier Inn: Walsall
- Sutton Park National Nature Reserve
Nearest Premier Inn: Birmingham North
East Midlands attractions
Sherwood Forest
- Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Nearest Premier Inn: Nottingham North Daybrook
- Cleethorpes Beach
Nearest Premier Inn: Cleethorpes
- Gibraltar Point, Skegness
Nearest Premier Inn: Skegness Seafront
- Leicester Abbey
Nearest Premier Inn: Leicester City Centre
- University of Leicester Botanic Garden
Nearest Premier Inn: Leicester South
North West England attractions
Royal Albert Dock
- Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool
Nearest Premier Inn: City Centre Albert Dock
- Peak District National Park
Nearest Premier Inn: Matlock
- Picnic in Roman Gardens, Chester
Nearest Premier Inn: Chester City Centre
- Central Pier, Blackpool
Nearest Premier Inn: Blackpool Central
- Lake Windermere
Nearest Premier Inn: Premier Inn Kendal Central
Yorkshire attractions
Hackfall Wood
- Hackfall Wood
Nearest Premier Inn: Thirsk
- Malham Cove
Nearest Premier Inn: Skipton North Gargrave
- Victoria Quays, Sheffield
Nearest Premier Inn: Sheffield City Centre Angel Street
- St Ives Estate, Bingley
Nearest Premier Inn: Hayle
- Valley Gardens, Harrogate
Nearest Premier Inn: Harrogate
Northern Ireland attractions
Crawfordsburn Country Park
- Crawfordsburn Country Park
Nearest Premier Inn: Carrickfergus
- St George’s Market, Belfast
Nearest Premier Inn: Belfast City Centre Alfred Street
- Botanic Gardens, Belfast
Nearest Premier Inn: Belfast City Centre Alfred Street
- Derry City Walls
Nearest Premier Inn: Londonderry
- Portrush Coastal Zone
Nearest Premier Inn: Derry/Londonderry
Wales attractions
Llandwyn Island
- Dyslwyn Castle
Nearest Premier Inn: Llanelli Central West
- Margam Country Park, Margam
Nearest Premier Inn: Port Talbot
- Llandwyn Island, Newborough Warren
Nearest Premier Inn: Caernarfon
- Monmouth and Brecon Canal
Nearest Premier Inn: Abergavenny
- Pembrokeshire National Park
Nearest Premier Inn: Tenby Town Centre
Scotland attractions
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
- Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Nearest Premier Inn: City Centre Charing Cross
- Inverness Botanic Gardens
Nearest Premier Inn: Centre River Ness
- River Ness and Ness Islands, Inverness
Nearest Premier Inn: Centre River Ness
- Balloch Castle and Country Park
Nearest Premier Inn: Dumbarton Loch Lomond
- The Kelpies, Falkirk
Nearest Premier Inn: Falkirk East
We hope this helped kick start your half term holiday and summer UK staycation plans, and that you’re looking forward to getting out and enjoying the great outdoors this summer without breaking the bank. Why not check out our short breaks page, family holiday ideas or the UK’s most picturesque walks according to Instagram page for even more innspiration?