23 discounted days out for families on universal credit and other benefits this summer holiday

The summer holidays can be costly for families, especially when it comes to treating your little ones to a day out. But fortunately, there are lots of discounts at major attractions across the UK for people claiming universal credit and other benefits so that your children don’t have to miss out this summer.

From zoos in London and Edinburgh to the famous Eden Project in Cornwall and a trip to the opera, there are plenty of options for your family to make the most of cheaper tickets, not just over the school holidays but all year around.

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to spend a lot to have a good day out with your kids. As part of the Big Issue’s Summer Survival Guide, we recently shared some options for free and cheap things to do with your children over the summer holidays.

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Many museums across the country are free, and there are national parks and local farms which rarely ask for more than a small donation.

But if your kids are begging to go to a major attraction, and it looks like there’s a hefty entrance fee, it’s worth checking if there could be a universal credit discount (not just for people claiming universal credit but also for other benefits).

Here is a round up of universal credit discounts for families claiming benefits this summer holiday and beyond.

London Zoo

You can get tickets for London Zoo at £3 per person if you are claiming universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, employment and support allowance (ESA), income support or jobseeker’s allowance.

These tickets must be purchased online and in advance, and it’s available for up to six people at a time. If your child is under three, they will always go free and you don’t have book a ticket for them.

Edinburgh Zoo

There are discounted tickets to Edinburgh Zoo at £7 per person for people on the following benefits: universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, housing benefit, income-related ESA, income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance.

It is a discount of 70% for adults and 55% for kids. Tickets are available for up to six people per household and proof of receipt of benefits must be brought along on the day. Visitors must have received a payment in the last month and may be asked for photo ID. The offer is available until the end of September.

Highland Wildlife Park

Much like Edinburgh Zoo, you can also get £7-per-person tickets to Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland. You have to be on universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, housing benefit, income-related ESA, income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance.

Six people per household can attend. Bring proof of benefit payments and photo ID along with you!

Whipsnade Zoo

There are also reduced price tickets to Whipsnade Zoo for people on universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, employment and support allowance, income support or jobseeker’s allowance.

These will cost you £3 per person and must be booked online in advance. You’ll need to bring proof of eligibility along with your ticket – that could be as simple as logging into your universal credit portal when you get there or bringing your proof of benefit letter.

You must have received a payment in the last month. You might also be asked to show photographic ID.

RHS gardens

You can visit RHS gardens across the UK for £1 if you receive any of the following benefits: income-related ESA, universal credit, pension credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, housing benefit, income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance.

You can book £1 tickets for yourself and up to five people coming with you. Only one member of the party needs to be receiving benefits. You will need to present proof of your benefits on arrival at the garden. Pre-booking is required.

Locations are RHS Bridgewater in Greater Manchester, RHS Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, RHS Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Rosemoor in Devon and RHS Wisley in Surrey.

London Transport Museum

You can get unlimited entry to the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden for a whole year for just £1 if you get the following benefits: universal credit, pension credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, and ESA. You must provide proof of receipt of benefits.

Kids go free and don’t need an annual pass but will need a free timed entry ticket.

Eden Project, Cornwall

The Eden Project in Cornwall offers discounted tickets for people on pension credit, universal credit or benefits including PIP, attendance allowance, disability living allowance, housing benefit, income-related ESA, income-related jobseeker’s allowance, child tax credits, working tax credits or income support.

It will cost you £5 for adults and £1 for children. It’s a good idea to book in advance, and you should bring ID and proof. Up to four people can benefit from this offer.

Tower of London

There are £1 tickets for a day visit to the Tower of London available to anyone receiving universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, pension credit, ESA, income support or jobseeker’s allowance.

It’s only available for online booking, and you’ll need to bring proof plus ID. Up to six people can go.

V&A museum

Access to the V&A is free, but did you know that you can also get free entry to exhibitions if you are on universal credit? You’ll need valid universal credit documents. Exhibitions on at the moment include NAOMI in Fashion, Japan: Myths to Manga, Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence and Fragile Beauty: Photographs from Elton John and David Furnish Collection.

Hampton Court Palace

Up to six people can get £1 tickets to Hampton Court if one person in the party is receiving universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, pension credit, ESA, income support or jobseeker’s allowance.

It’s only available for online booking, and you’ll need to bring proof plus ID.

Kensington Palace

It’s the same £1 ticket offer at Kensington Palace! It’s for up to six people if you get universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, pension credit, ESA, income support or jobseeker’s allowance.

It’s only available for online booking, and you’ll need to bring proof plus ID.

Kew Gardens, Surrey and Wakehurst, Sussex

It’s £1 to visit Kew Gardens or Wakehurst if you have proof of claiming PIP, DLA, housing benefit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA, child tax credits, working tax credits or income support on arrival.

Each person is entitled to one universal credit adult ticket each. Visitors may also purchase up to four additional tickets.

Cutty Sark, London

You can visit famous tea clipper Cutty Sark for £2 if you get universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, pension credit, employment and support allowance, income support or jobseeker’s allowance.

You’ll need to bring your letter of confirmation for your benefit, as well as proof of ID. You can reserve and pay for up to six tickets, and it’s online only.

Tate Modern and Tate Britain, London

There is free general entry at Tate Modern and Tate Britain museums in London – but you can also get discounted entry to exhibitions if you’re on universal credit, pension credit, PIP, JSA or income support. Tickets will be £5 per person, and it’s recommended to buy online in advance.

Westminster Abbey, London

Adults receiving universal credit will pay a reduced rate of £8 – including if you have a child with you – to get into Westminster Abbey (for context, it’s usually around £29). You just have show your universal credit letter on entry. It’s not available online.

Opera North, Leeds

You can get £10 tickets to see the opera at Opera North in Leeds if you’re receiving pension credit, disability living allowance, PIP, attendance allowance, universal credit and Leeds Card Extra. It’s the same price for kids. Find out more.

Eureka! Science + Discovery on the Wirral

Eureka! Science + Discovery is offering £1 day tickets for families on universal credit over the summer holidays. Every day up until the kids go back to school in September, families in receipt of universal credit (or being migrated onto the new system) will be able to pay just £1 each for a day’s admission.

Chatsworth House, Derbyshire

Universal credit tickets at Chatsworth include access to the house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground and are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for children.

These tickets are available for those who currently receive one or more of the following: universal credit, pension credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, ESA, income support, jobseeker’s allowance.

You’ll need to book online and bring proof on the day.

Royal Albert Hall, London

The Royal Albert Hall offers subsidised tickets of £1 for children who are eligible for free school meals, children who are looked after by the local authority or in foster care, families who live in social housing and families who are eligible for housing benefit. Call the box office on 020 7589 8212 to book.

York Castle Museum

You can go to York Castle Museum for free if you get universal credit or another means-tested benefit. It’s also available for Max Card holders – which are for foster families and families of children with additional needs, asylum seekers and others. Find out more here.

National Theatre of Scotland

If you’re on pension credit, universal credit, carer’s credit, housing benefit, ESA or JSA, you can get theatre for a fiver at the National Theatre of Scotland.

Sign up to Theatre for a Fiver for free to gain access to the £5 ticket deals. Once you sign up, you will receive a regular email containing the latest offers and discount codes.

Tank Museum, Dorset

Tickets to Dorset’s Tank Museum (which claims to contain one of the world’s finest collections of fighting vehicles) can be purchased at a reduced rate for those who receive universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, employment and support allowance, income support, or jobseeker’s allowance.

It’s £10.75 for adults and £6 for children and you can purchase up to six tickets (a maximum of two adults and four children). You will need to bring proof of eligibility with you and show this when you arrive at the Tank Museum.

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