Cheap Days Out Find top deals for the theatre, free TV audience tickets, cinema & more

ARCHIVELast updated:
19 Jul 2011
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This is a daily updated list of vouchers, 2for1 deals, and offers on days out.

We aim to ensure all vouchers can be used by everyone but policies can change, so do check before you go.

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Last Updated: 19 Jul 2011
Cut the cost of days out with the kids:
The latest family days out deals
Day Trips & Activities
Kids go free National Trust
Click 'n' print voucher

From Mon 1 Aug, two kids can go free per paying adult to over 200 National Trust gardens, houses and castles until Fri 26 Aug 2011.

How do I get it?

Print this National Trust kids go free voucher and take it with you from Mon 1 Aug. One adult, member or non-member, must pay full price and some attractions are excluded (see below).

What can I see?

There are 200+ places you can use the voucher throughout England, Wales and N. Ireland, such as the Beatrix Potter Gallery, Osterley House and Corfe Castle. See all participating and non-participating properties.

The voucher will get TWO children in free per paying adult, saving you around £3 per child, though costs vary per property. Adult admissions can cost anywhere up to £10ish.

Children are aged 5-16 years (under 5s get in free anyway), and only one voucher can be used per paying adult. It's not valid with other offers or on bank holiday weekends.

Free activities incl skiing, sailing, horse riding
Spend 'n' save

Buy select Nestlé items and get vouchers for a host of free activities, including horse riding, scuba diving, snowboarding, white water rafting and more, at over 5,000 UK venues until 31 Aug 2012.

How do I get it?

Selected Nestlé cereals, confectionary, drinks and yoghurts with orange banners on the front (see Kit Kat image right) come with promo codes which you can convert into free days out. Check the links for items included in the offer.

For best value for money, go for 5-packs of Kit Kat Chunky, Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles or Smarties - all on offer for £1 at Tesco till Tue 2 Aug.

The amount of points towards activities vary by product, but these all give 25 points per pack. Activites cost up to 90 points, so four of these packs (£4 total cost) will get you enough points...

What are the activities?

Activities on offer cost between five and 90 points. The top ones are worth £10-£20ish, though prices differ per activity and location.

  • 90 points - adventure days out, horse riding, sailing, scuba diving, skiing, snowboarding, white water rafting
  • 75 points - canoeing, climbing, windsurfing
  • 30 points - badminton, bowling, golf, paintballing for two, rowing, squash, tennis
  • 15 points - athletics, dance, exercise class, football, gymnastics, rugby, swimming
  • 5 points - gym sessions, hockey, orienteering

How to redeem points

Create an account and enter the codes on Get Set Go Free's website - you can save them up until you have enough points for the activity you want. You get 5 - 45 points per item, and activities cost 5 - 90 points.

Once you have enough points, choose your activity and check which nearby activity centres are participating. Once you book a slot, the voucher will be posted to you. Book at least five days in advance so the voucher arrives in time.

Each activity has its own terms and conditions such as age requirements, so check them before booking. You must redeem points and codes by 31 July 2012 and use vouchers by 31 Aug 2012.

It is worth noting, there is a wide campaign by some to boycott Nestlé due to its worldwide promotion of baby milk formula. We have decided to include both this deal, and this fact, to allow you to make up your own mind.

Kids go free to 31 West End Shows
Book online or by phone

KidsweekWho's eligible? The offer’s available for kids aged 5 – 16 years.

When can I see a show? Watch performances from Fri 12 Aug - Sun 4 Sept 2011. There are 31 shows participating, including Mamma Mia!, Shrek, Legally Blonde, The Wizard Of Oz and 39 Steps. It says availability changes from day to day so it's worth checking more than once.

How to get it. Book now via the website Kids Week or by phone on 0844 248 5151. There’s no booking fee. You'll get one free child ticket per paying adult, plus you can buy up to two extra kids tickets at half price. Kids Week ticket-holders can also attend some show-related activities for free including set design and dance classes. You can book until Sun 4 Sept.

As the adult ticket you buy is full price, it's worth comparing ticket prices first in case you can get a cheaper deal elsewhere.

How many tickets are available? The offer's subject to availability. It won't give us exact numbers, though by its own definition availability is good.

Anything else? ‘Kids Week in the West End’ is run by The Society of London Theatre. The offer isn't valid with tickets already purchased; visit Kids Week for details. You can only book up to 8 tickets per booking.

£5 summer camp days
Book with code by phone

Get one day at King's Summer Camps (for kids aged 4-17) for £5, usually £36, or a week's camp for £108 instead of £132, as long as you've never booked before.

The camps take place Monday - Friday only and are based at 45 schools and universities across the country, such as Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester.

How do I get it?

You need to book seven days in advance. Choose the King's Summer Camp you wish to attend, which programme, date etc. and book by phone on 0845 643 5272 quoting KCGT11.

Only one £5 day is allowed per child. You can book for more than one, but will need to complete a seperate booking form per child.

You can also use the code to attend summer camp for a five days (Mon - Fri), making the cost £108.60 instead of the usual £132. In addition, you can use childcare vouchers and tax credits to pay for this as well.

What's at summer camp?

The organisation is a registered charity and provides a mixture of sports and activities for four age ranges: Scamps (3-5s), Kids Camp (5-10s), Teen Camp (11-14s), Rookie (14-17s).

Here are some general examples of activities:

  • Tennis
  • Basketball
  • Hockey
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Swimming
  • Dodge-ball
  • Street dance
  • Arts and crafts

Each day lasts from 9:30am - 4pm, though this can be extended to 8:15am - 5:45pm to cover childcare needs if required. The cost of extended hours using the code is £8 for a day and £122.20 for a week, usually £36 and £149.

King's has said it has around 15,000 places still left across all its camps over the summer, with a limit of 120 children per camp per day.

King's Camps is a registered children's charity. Read the About King's page for more info on it.

Free holiday classes and activities

You may be entitled to free childcare for 3-4 year old as well as holiday classes for older children through the summer. See Childcare Help for full details. There are also details of free sports schemes open in the holidays, such as tennis, football and swimming on the Cheap Days Out page.

The deal: £5 summer camp days. Valid: At 45 UK venues, check dates available. How: Book online or call 0845 643 5272 and quote KCGT11. Expires: Mon 31 Oct 2011. Offer from: King's Summer Camps . Restrictions: Must be the child's first time at King's Summer Camps. Only one £5 day per child and the code can't be used with other offers.

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Ripley's Believe It or Not 2 for £29
Print voucher

Get two tickets for £28.80 to Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum in Piccadilly Circus, London.

Tickets are normally £22.95 each for adults and £20.95 for children, and this offer includes two Mirror Maze passes and guidebooks.

How do I get it?

Print off this Ripley's voucher and hand over at the ticket office. One voucher is valid for up to six people.

What is Ripley's Believe It or Not?

It's a museum which exhibits lots of bizarre displays (i.e. a Tower Bridge replica made from matchsticks), as well as lots of strange events and facts that are almost unbelievable.

The deal: Two tickets for £28.80. Valid: Mon-Sun. How: Print voucher. Expires: Sat 31 Dec. Excludes: Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year's Eve & Day. Offer from: Ripley's Believe It or Not. Restrictions: Six people per voucher.

Kids swim free
Click 'n' print

Under 16s swim for free throughout the summer holidays at more than 100 locations with every full paying grown-up.

Just print this kids swim free voucher and take it to one of 140 participating swimming centres by Weds 31 Aug.

The offer's part of the Change4Life programme to improve the nation's health and fitness. Most pools are Council/Local Authority run but some private centres are also taking part.

The deal: Under 16s swim free with every paying adult. Valid: Every day until Weds 31 Aug, but check individual swimming pool opening hours. How: Print voucher and find your local participating centre. Expires: Weds 31 Aug. Offer from: Change4Life. Restrictions: Voucher can't be used with any other offer and children must be accompanied by an adult. See individual pool T&Cs. Notes: Children may need proof of age.

Free swims with Schweppes Abbey Well water
Grab selected bottle tops

Get free swims Mon-Fri at c.400 UK pools with Scwheppes Abbey Well water bottle tops.Free swims

All 500ml/750ml bottle tops are valid for the promotion. A 500ml bottle costs anything from around 40p - 70p (currently 50p at Tesco), depending on where you get it.

For your free swim, just take the bottle top (it should say Sch...wim cap on the top) to your nearest participating pool during valid free swim sessions (see below).

Each pool has its own set of T&Cs on the offer, so once you’ve selected your pool, click on 'opening times & more info' and the next page will show you what times you can swim for free at that pool.

The bottle caps are valid until 31 Jan 2012 and they can't be used with any other offers.

The deal: Free swims. Valid: See individual pool T&Cs. How: Hand Schweppes Abbey Mills Sch...wim cap bottle tops at pool reception desk. Expires: 31/01/2012. Excludes: Weekends. See individual pool T&Cs. Offer from: Schweppes. Restrictions: Mon-Fri only. See individual pool T&Cs.

Free football coaching for kids
Book online or by phone

The FA Tesco Skills Programme runs at 36 venues across England during school holidays, excluding Christmas.

You don't need to buy anything - just book online or by phone at least two days in advance. Each session lasts two hours, from 10am-12pm or 1pm-3pm, over one or two days.

Picture of football
The deal: Free football coaching. Valid: During school holidays, 5-11 year olds only. How: Find venue, book online / by phone. Expires: Ongoing. Excludes: Christmas holidays. Offer from: FA Tesco Skills. Restrictions: Subject to availability. Max. 1 session per day. Kids must be signed in by a parent / guardian.

Free tennis coaching & court usage
Just turn up!

Get free tennis coaching sessions and free use of thousands of tennis courts across the UK through a scheme from charity Tennis For Free. Check if there’s a venue or free coaching near to you online.
Courts are free at all times (unless otherwise stated), whilst free coaching sessions run during weekends and are suitable for all ages, with equipment also provided for free.
Picture of tennis racket
The deal: Free tennis coaching & court usage. Valid: Just turn up, unless specified otherwise. How: Find nearby venues and coaching online. Expires: Ongoing. Excludes: Under 5s. Offer from: Tennis For Free. Restrictions: Participating free weekly 2hr coaching sessions run for 50 wks of the year, excluding Christmas / New Year.

Free sports for kids
Get a voucher in store & phone to book

Picture of child in karate outfitKids can take part in free community sports including football, martial arts, dance, golf, bowling, swimming, laser quest and gymnastics, depending on your area.

The offer runs during school holidays, re-starting at the beginning of each. To take part, head into Asda stores and collect a voucher (you don't even have to buy anything, just ask in store, it's free), choose your activity online and phone to book. Check for individual age limits and other restrictions when booking.

The deal: Free sports events. Valid: During school holidays. How: Get a voucher in store, choose an activity online, phone to book, bring voucher. Expires: Ongoing. Excludes: N/A. Offer from: Asda Sporting Chance. Restrictions: See terms. 1 voucher per session.

Cinema
Vue Cinema school holiday £1.25 tickets
Weekend & school holidays offer

Children aged 2-12 can get £1.25 tickets to select morning movies at weekends and in school holidays with the Kids AM offer. What's more, accompanying adults get in for £1.25 as well.

What's on?

Previous films in the offer include Tangled, Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me. See full listings and cinema details for all the info.

The films aren't always the most up-to-date, but with adult tickets usually costing from £6.10 and child tickets from £4.30, it's still a great deal.

How do I get the offer?

You can buy tickets on the day, but seats can always sell out, so go early if possible. To be safe you can book online/over the phone, though you'll pay a 60p booking fee (90p for phone bookings).

The deal: £1.25 kids & adults tickets. Valid: Weekend/school holiday mornings. How: Book online / buy on the day. Expires: Ongoing. Excludes: Adults not accompanied by a child. Offer from: Vue. Restrictions: Selected screenings only. Kids tickets valid for ages 2-12.

Cineworld £1 tickets on Sat mornings
Book online or buy at box office

These £1 tickets are available for selected Saturday morning screenings. Adults and kids can both get in for £1 per head, though adults have to be with a child in order to get the offer. To find £1 tickets, visit the Movies for Juniors offer page, then choose your film and cinema.

Though you can buy £1 tickets at the box office on the day, you may want to book as these tickets can go quickly. As it's only for selected screenings in selected cinemas, check your local Cineworld's participating before you go. Kids tickets are valid for 14s and under.

The deal: £1 cinema tickets. Valid: Sat mornings. How: Book online / buy tickets from box office. Expires: Ongoing. Excludes: Sundays only in Union Square, Aberdeen. Offer from: Cineworld. Restrictions: Offer on Sat & Sun in Bolton, Falkirk, Liverpool & Wandsworth.

Vue cinemas £4 Tuesdays

Grab £4-ish tickets on Tuesdays at selected Vue cinemas (exact price varies depending on cinema).

How do I get it?

All you have to do is register for a free ‘Cheap Day Tuesday’ card at the cinema, then show it when you next buy tickets.

The offer’s only on at 18 of Vue’s 64 cinemas, so check whether yours is taking part by going to Vue and clicking on your local cinema. If you see a 'cheap day Tuesday banner' - you're in!

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Odeon adults go free with £1 - £2.50 kids' tix
Weekend & school holiday offer

One adult goes free per every child ticket, which cost £1 - £2.50 depending on location, in the Odeon Kids offer.

How do I get it?

The offer is for select movies on weekend/school holiday mornings. Check cinema listings for what's on and where. You can either just turn up at the cinema on the day and trust there'll be seats available or book online (though you'll pay 75p booking fee per ticket).

What's on?

Screenings are obviously aimed at a younger audience, so you won't find anything above PG certificate. Recent films include Megamind and The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

The deal: 1 adult goes free per child ticket (£1 - £2.50). Valid: Weekend/school holiday mornings. How: Book online / buy on the day. Expires: Ongoing. Excludes: Adults not accompanied by a child. Offer from: Odeon. Restrictions: Selected screenings only. Kids tickets valid for age 12 & under.

Cineworld £4 adult tickets, £2.50 child tickets
Use Tesco Clubcard Rewards tokens

If you’ve got a Tesco Clubcard, you can use your Clubcard points to buy Cineworld tickets.

How do I get it?

Just go to the Tesco rewards website to exchange £4 worth of reward points for one Cineworld adult token, or £2.50 worth of points for a child token. For a full explanation of how this works, read the full Boost your Loyalty Points guide.

How do I use them?

Your tokens will be sent to you within five working days. Take to your nearest Cineworld box office to exchange them for the ticket. Cineworld rewards tokens are non-transferable, and can’t be used in Dublin, Jersey or London’s West End cinemas (Chelsea, Fulham Road, Haymarket and Shaftesbury Avenue).

Free preview cinema tickets
Register online

What's the deal?

Sign up to film preview websites and they'll email you 'screening codes' for selected new films. Enter the code on their website, and if you're quick enough and a cinema near you is participating, you get in free.

Who are the companies?

There are quite a few, inc. Show Film First, See Film First, Momentum Screenings and Disney Screenings. The more companies you sign up to, the more chance you have of getting a code.

Why do they give free tickets?

To spread the word. Agencies are hired by studios to get people talking about new films, possibly with the hope that if you've seen a film for free you're more likely to give it good reviews. On occasion, they may request feedback via email or text message.

What can I see?

Recent blockbusters shown for free include The King's Speech, Gulliver's Travels, Unstoppable, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network.

Only selected films have previews, and participating cinemas nationwide vary per showing, so there may not be any near you. Often there's more than one screening, with times/cinemas changing, so be quick to snag a seat!

The screenings are at less busy timeslots (ie, not weekend evenings) and are usually reserved for Mon/Tues early evenings.

Anything else I can do to get them?

Take a look at our Free Cinema Tickets forum and Free Cinema Tickets discussion threads, which are full of people on the hunt for free screenings, sharing codes, advice and reviews.

CEA card - 2for1 tickets for those in care

Carers and the person they care for can get 2for1 cinema tickets at 500+ cinemas nationwide with the CEA card. The card is £5.50, and valid for as many films as you like for one year.

How do I get it?

The person being cared for must apply and to be eligible must either be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance or be registered blind.

Fill out the CEA card application form and post it together with a passport-sized photo, proof of eligibility (examples given on application form) and £5.50 (cheque or postal order - no cash). Alternatively, pick up an application from participating national cinema chains.

It will take roughly three weeks to receive the card.

How do I use it?

Check for your nearest participating cinema and simply show the CEA card at the box office whenever you go. The person in care must buy one full price ticket, enabling their carer (who can be a parent, family member, friend, care worker etc.) to get in free.

The deal: 2for1 tickets. Valid: On the day. How: Buy CEA card (£5.50). Apply online or at participating cinema. Expires: One year after issue date. Offer from: The Cinema Exhibitors' Assocation Ltd Restrictions: Only valid for use of carer and person they care for.

Theatre Tickets
Arts tickets for Northern Ireland residents
Book online

Northern Ireland residents over 18 can get guest tickets to arts events across Belfast as part of a new ‘Test Drive The Arts’ programme. There's no charge; to get the tickets, choose your show online, fill in the form and your tickets will be sent in the post. The programme will be rolled out across Northern Ireland in April 2010.

Test Drive The Arts logo
The guest tickets are available for selected theatre, music, dance, cinema, comedy, family events and festivals. They’re allocated on a first-come, first served basis so get in quick if you want them.

Tickets will be available a minimum of three weeks before the show, and must be booked at least seven days in advance. There’s a limit of one show per person, and you’ll be asked to fill out a short survey the day after and the following year to provide feedback.

The deal:
Guest arts tickets for NI residents. Valid: Over 18s. How: Book online. Expires: Aug 2011. Excludes: Valid at selected locations in Belfast & NI. Offer from: Belfast City Council & Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Restrictions: Must not have attended a live performance at chosen venue in past 3 years. Subject to availability. 1 show per person.

Royal Opera House £10 student tickets
Register online

This is a great deal that’ll get you Student Standby tickets to The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera at London’s Royal Opera House. Tickets are generally £25 - £200, so these are a bargain, though as they’re unsold tickets they aren’t guaranteed for specific performances.
When they’re available, you’ll get an email with a code and link to a booking website (approx. once per month, sent a minimum of 24 hrs before the performance).

If you’re interested, you’ll need to get in quick as they’re subject to availability.
Ballet Shoes Picture
The deal: £10 ROH tickets. Valid: Students only. How: Register, book online when available, collect from Box Office. Expires: Ongoing. Excludes: N/A. Offer from: Royal Opera House. Restrictions: Non-transferable. Max. ten tickets per student. Each ticket holder needs valid student ID.
Comedy
highlight Comedy 2for1 tickets + free main
Telephone booking

Get 2for1 tickets to Fosters live comedy nights at highlight Comedy Clubs. Ticket prices vary per venue, but are around the £15 mark.

How do I get it?

Ring 0844 844 0044 and quote code VJUN241. There's a £1.50 booking fee per ticket.

What do I get?

The offer's valid at all nine highlight Comedy Clubs nationwide on Fosters live comedy nights, which are on Fridays and Saturdays with two-three stand-up acts per show.

You'll also 2for1 main courses worth £7+ with the offer. Here's the menu to see what you can choose from.

The deal: 2for1 comedy tickets and 2for1 mains. Valid: Friday and Saturday Fosters live comedy nights. How: Ring 0844 844 0044 and quote code VJUN241. Expires: Weds 21 Sept 2011. Offer from: highlight. Restrictions: Subject to seat availability, over 18s only and must be booked in advance and max. party size 18 people. Cheapest main will be free. £1.50 booking fee per ticket.

Free TV Audience Tickets
Free audience tickets
Register online

There are many websites out there designed to get your bums on seats to watch the recording of TV shows, sitcoms, comedies and chat shows. Just sign up online and apply for the tickets for free. Some shows offer travel and some even provide a cuppa and a biscuit when you arrive. Here is a list of some of the bigger ticket companies and examples of the shows you can see for free:

  • The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent & others. For big shows like this, register your details with Applausestore. The very big shows such as X Factor operate a reserve list system where you register your interest in the show and if you are successfully chosen one of the site's researchers will be in touch with show dates.
  • Deal or No Deal. If you go to the Deal or No Deal website you can apply for tickets to the show, or, if you're feeling brave, you can also apply to be on the show on Deal or No Deal's contestant page.
  • Harry Hill's TV Burp, Russell Howard's Good News. Visit TV Recordings. The shows on this site are predominately filmed in the London area.
  • The Graham Norton Show, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week & others. If comedy and game shows are more your thing register with SRO Audiences. The shows on this site are also filmed in London and the South East, but it does also offer tickets for Countdown, which is filmed in Manchester.
  • Strictly Come Dancing & others. The BBC website has tickets for BBC programmes, although these tend to get booked out quickly, and for radio recordings for shows such as Friday Night is Music Night for Radio 2.
  • The Paul O' Grady Show, The Apprentice: You're Fired and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. If you'd like tickets for these shows, register your details with Lost in TV. The shows on this site are also mostly filmed in studios around the South East of England.

A lot of these shows tend to overbook, so make sure you arrive at least one hour before the show is due to start to ensure you get a seat. Often, if you do get refused entry due to over booking, the organisers will try and arrange for you to get priority seating at the next week's showing.

Some of the bigger shows have a waiting list so you might have to wait for a cancellation to get a seat at a very popular show. Always make sure you check out the lists for these free ticket shows so you never end up paying money for them on ebay or other ticket sites. Depending on availability you should always be able to get them for free.

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Regional Days Out
London and the South East
2for1 Madame Tussauds & more
Buy National Rail ticket & print vouchers

Get 2for1 to loads of London attractions including Madame Tussauds and The Churchill War Rooms through National Rail's Days Out Guide scheme. The catch is you need that day's train tickets, yet savings can be big even if you're not going by train - you can get cheap singles for £2ish (e.g. London Bridge to Waterloo) and still qualify!

How do I get it?

Choose your offer online from the Day Out Guide, register 'n' print the voucher, and bring it on the day with your two National Rail train tickets (sadly Oyster Cards and London Underground tickets aren't accepted). A valid ticket will have the Double-Arrow (or 'crows-foot') National Rail logo on it. You can print as many vouchers as you like; check the individual offer pages for full terms.

How much can I save?

A one-way ticket from a Central London station e.g. Marylebone (for Tussauds) to Wembley is around £4 and both visitors must have a rail ticket. Entry to Madame Tussauds is £28.80, so with £8 spent on trainfare you save £20.80. Even if you don't use your train ticket, the saving on your admission ticket makes it worth it.

Most offers are valid until 31 Oct 2011, though the London Eye offer ends Sat 30 Apr 2011 and from Mon 11 - Mon 25 Apr it's only valid after 4pm.

South East attractions 2for1s & kids go free
Register and print vouchers

The tourist board for South East England has 2for1s, kids go free and 20% off vouchers for a range of attractions across the South East. Just go to the South East Offers website, select the offer you want and fill in the online form. You’ll then be emailed a personalised voucher to print out and bring to the attraction.

Each offer has its own terms and conditions and dates that it can be used. Offers include 2for1 at the Roald Dahl Museum in Buckinghamshire valid till 31 Dec 2011, and kids go free at Dinosaur Isle in Sandown, Isle of Wight valid till 30 April 2011. All the offers are subject to availability so it’s worth phoning to check before you go.

Midlands
West Midlands attractions 2for1s
Click 'n' print vouchers

Go to the tourist website VisitTheHeart and you'll find loads of 2for1s and discount vouchers to be used on days out across the West Midlands area. Just visit the website, click on your desired location and print your vouchers straight off.

Offers include kids go free at Cadbury World with a full price adult ticket, saving you around £10.40, 2for1 at the National Sea Life Centre, saving you up to £14.28, and 2for1 at the Black Country Living Museum, saving you around £12.60. Just visit the website, choose where you'd like to go and print your discount voucher.

Free Museums & Art Galleries

For all the UK's Free Museums and Art Galleries, see Free Museums & Galleries.




Theme Park Deals

For the full list of Theme Park deals, see the Cheap Theme Parks A-Z deals page.






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Free protection for all shopping

There’s a secret phrase that turns any credit card into a financial self-defence superhero. "Section 75" laws means your plastic must protect anything you buy over £100 for free, so if there’s a problem or the company goes bust you can still get your money back.

Although Section 75 doesn't apply to debit cards there is something else to fall back on if you paid on a Visa debit or electron card, or Visa credit card under £100 (otherwise go for Section 75). Known as Visa Chargeback, this is part of Visa’s internal rules and not a legal requirement. Full details of Section 75, chargeback and how to claim in the Section 75 Refunds guide.

As well as the deals above, there are tons of permanent ways to cut the cost of family fun.

Save 66% with Tesco Clubcard

One of the cheapest ways to entertain kids is to spend your Tesco Clubcard vouchers on days out. This way, you effectively get them for a third of the normal price. This is because 100 Clubcard points are only worth £1 if you use them in-store.

Yet spend the points on goodies from its Deals Brochure and you get three times the vouchers' face value, eg, £22.33 worth of Clubcard vouchers gets you an annual Legoland pass worth £67.

There are nearly 200 days out on offer, including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and National Trust Scotland. For a full list of ways to maximise Clubcard points, check out the Loyalty Schemes guide.

2for1 days out in London and the South

There's a trick to get 2for1 activities to hundreds of theatres, museums and theme parks throughout the South, with National Rail's Days Out Guide scheme. To take advantage, you need a train ticket valid on the day you want to visit. Yet with savings of up to £25, buy the cheapest £2ish ticket and you’ll still be quids in.

As an example, London Zoo costs £17 for adults and £13.50 for kids, so entry for a family of four is normally a jumbo £61. But buy a £1.90 single to and from any station, present it with the voucher, and you’ll slash the cost to £30.50, saving £28.60.

You can print as many vouchers as you like and the cheapest person gets in free. Attractions include everything from Madame Tussauds to Les Misérables the musical.

2for1 London days out

Another useful way to get 2for1 vouchers for theme parks, attractions, shows and restaurants in London is through National Express' London 2for1 Offers scheme. This has printable 2for1 vouchers for a range of days out, including Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon and the London Aquarium.

You'll need two valid National Express Coach tickets to London to use them though, so this is good if you're planning to get the coach to London anyway.

Even if you're not travelling by coach, it may be worth getting two cheap National Express tickets to London from a nearby destination, though make sure they don't cost more than you'd save with the voucher.

You'll need to register after you've selected your offer in order to print the vouchers, which are personalised. Expiry dates vary, so make sure you check these on the voucher before you go.

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Take a stroll

There’s an innovative free exercise system which involves advancing the feet alternately in bipedal locomotion: walking. Great British country walks are among the best bargain days out, as well as being a great excuse for refuelling with a pub lunch or an afternoon tea. There’re loads of free walking ideas and trail maps on the sites nationaltrail.co.uk, ramblers.org.uk and walkingbritain.com.

Free high-tech treasure hunts

If you’ve a GPS navigation device, geocaching.com is a fun free way to put a smile on kids’ faces. It’s a giant high-tech treasure hunt, where you hunt for ‘geocaches’, tupperware boxes filled with tiny treasures, hidden by other geocach fans (we’re talking plastic kids’ toys, not iPods).

Just go to the website, type in your postcode and a map pops up with all the geocaches near you. Then enter the coordinates of the geocache you want to find on your GPS, and off you go. The treasures are hidden at spots like waterfalls and parks.

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Reely cheap cinema tickets

Taking the family to the flicks can burn a huge hole in your pocket, but every Wednesday, Orange customers can go to almost any cinema nationwide and get 2for1 entry. Even if you’re not on Orange, sign up for a pay-as-you-go Orange sim card and you'll be able to bag half price cinema tickets too. Get the full lowdown in the Orange 2for1 guide.

Watch unlimited Cineworld films

Regular moviegoers who live near a Cineworld should check out its Unlimited Card. For £13.50 a month (£16.50 including London West End) you can see as many films as you want. Regular ticket prices vary, so compare at your local cinema for savings; as a rule of thumb, the cards are worth it if you see more than one film a month.

Plus we’ve confirmed with the Cineworld press office that the card works with Orange Wednesday codes, so passholders can take mates for free. Do remember that Cineworld makes its money back on expensive popcorn and drinks, so take along your own cheap snacks, provided the cinema's cool with it.

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Family flicks from 95p

Many cinemas run cheap family screenings on the weekends. Some films may have been out a few months, but they're just as much fun for little'uns. Vue's Kids AM' club costs just 95p per person (adult or child). All adults must be accompanied by one child.

There's also the Odeon Kids' club on Saturday and Sunday mornings. You get one adult free per paying child.

Halve the cost of London Vue tickets

Lastminute.com sells ‘stand-by’ tickets for selected London Vue cinemas at £6.50 with a 65p booking free, compared with £12-ish normally. To grab one, simply buy and print a voucher before 4pm on the day you want to go.

Then take the confirmation e-mail to the cinema any time from 12pm to book your film; tickets to your choice of movie are subject to availability, so arrive early. The vouchers are valid on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Tuesday £4 tickets at selected Vues

It’s also possible to grab £4-ish tickets on Tuesdays at selected Vues (the exact price varies depending on cinema). All you have to do is register for a free ‘Cheap Day Tuesday’ card at the cinema, then show it when you next buy tickets.

The offer’s only valid in 18 of Vue’s 64 cinemas across the UK. To check whether yours is taking part, go to Vue, click on your local cinema and look for a cheap Tuesday banner on the right hand side.



If you know of a voucher we've missed, or you have feedback on those above, then please post it in the discussion and we'll add it to the list.

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Thanks to all the Moneysavers who originally suggested the deals above.