Affordable Days Out for Universal Credit Recipients: Enjoy Fun on a Budget – [2024 UPDATE]

Navigating the current cost of living challenges can be tough, especially for those needing extra support. Luckily, there are discounted tickets for fun day trips like London Zoo, Kew Gardens, and the Cartoon Museum. If you receive benefits like Universal Credit, you can access heavily discounted tickets. For instance, visit London Zoo from just £3!

Eligibility for these discounts may be linked to certain benefits, and I will provide further details in this blog post.

Kensington Palace

During the period from October 21st 2023 to June 2024, individuals who are in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance will be eligible to purchase £1 tickets to Kensington Palace. You can book the tickets here. When you present your £1 ticket, you’ll also enjoy a 50% discount on food at their cafés (excluding alcohol and certain items).

The Tower Of London

During the period from October 21st 2023 to June 2024, individuals who are in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance will be eligible to purchase £1 tickets to The Tower Of London. You can book the tickets here. When you present your £1 ticket, you’ll also enjoy a 50% discount on food at their cafés (excluding alcohol and certain items).

Hampton Court Palace

During the period from October 21st 2023 to June 2024, individuals who are in receipt of Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance will be eligible to purchase £1 tickets to Hampton Court Palace. You can book the tickets here. When you present your £1 ticket, you’ll also enjoy a 50% discount on food at their cafés (excluding alcohol and certain items).

Better Leisure Centres

If you receive any of the following benefits: Housing Benefit, Income Support, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Working Families Tax Credit, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, Refugee Status, or Disability Personal Independence Payment, you may be eligible for a discounted concessionary membership at Better Leisure Centres. More info can be found here.

Tate

Visitors who are eligible for Universal Credit or Pension Credit, as well as Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance recipients, can enjoy a discounted rate of £5 for admission to all exhibitions at both Tate Britain and Tate Modern. For families with children aged between 12-18 years old, each exhibition at Tate Britain and Tate Modern will be available at a reduced rate of £5 per child. More info can be found here.

Wakehurst and Kew Gardens

Anyone who is in receipt of Pension credit or Universal credit can pre-book online at www.kew.org or pay £1 on the gate. Proof of Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) must be presented upon arrival.

London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo

Families can purchase tickets starting at £3 (children under 3 are free) for any day of the week until September 2024. To be eligible, you must be receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance. Book London Zoo here and Whipsnade Zoo here.

V&A Museum

While most events at the V&A are free of charge, Universal Credit recipients can obtain complimentary admission to select paid exhibitions by presenting their Universal Credit documentation. Children under the age of 12 can typically enter for free. To view a list of upcoming events, please refer to the V&A website.

Tower Bridge

Are you a resident of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, or the City of London? Take advantage of their Community Ticket offer and explore Tower Bridge for only £1. This is open to anyone regardless of income but I thought I would share this anyway. More info can be found here.

Royal Albert Hall

For select family events, the Royal Albert Hall provides subsidised tickets for £1 to children and families who meet specific criteria. Eligible individuals include children who receive free school meals, those who are looked after by the local authority or in foster care, families residing in social housing, or those who are eligible for housing benefit. Have a look at their family events here.

Little Angel Theatre

The “Puppets For All” initiative is open to individuals who receive state benefits and may not have the financial means to attend a theatre performance. The form can be accessed here.

The Cartoon Museum

Proof of being a Universal Credit recipient is required to obtain £2 tickets to The Cartoon Museum. Tickets can be found here.

Headstone Manor & Museum

While entry to Headstone Manor & Museum is free, some of their events may require payment. However, if you receive benefits, you can purchase tickets for these events at a discounted rate. You can find their family events here.

Wandsworth Borough Residents

Wandsworth borough residents who receive Universal Credit or have families receiving free school meals can enjoy free access to swim and gym facilities. More info can be found here.

The Kings Gallery

Enjoy special £1 admission tickets to The King’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh if you receive Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance. Each household can claim discounted tickets for up to six people, with only one person needing to show supporting documents. Book your tickets here

Westminster Abbey

If you are an adult who is receiving Universal Credit, you have the opportunity to benefit from a discounted admission fee of £7 for either yourself or a family (consisting of one adult and one child) when visiting Westminster Abbey. You just need to present your Universal Credit letter upon arrival. You cannot book these tickets online.

London Transport Museum

If you receive Universal Credit, you can purchase tickets to the London Transport Museum for just £1. Additionally, children under the age of 17 can visit for free! You will need to bring proof of your latest correspondence. Book here.

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery

If you’re planning a visit to Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, you’ll be pleased to learn that certain events at the venue offer £1 tickets for individuals who receive benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit, have a household income below £30,000 per year, or hold a Blue Light Card for emergency service workers, NHS, social care sector, and armed forces. You can discover their family events by following this link.

RHS

Visitors in receipt of Universal or Pension Credit will be able to visit RHS Bridgewater, RHS Harlow Carr, RHS Hyde Hall, RHS Rosemoor and RHS Wisely for just £1.

Chelsea Physic Garden

Individuals who are receiving Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or have Refugee Status can obtain tickets to Chelsea Physic Garden for a discounted price of £5.

Apple Store

Children can participate in the Apple Store workshops for free, regardless of whether their families receive any type of benefits. To learn more about this, head to this page.

Barbican

Every Friday at Barbican, a new release film screening is available at a ‘Pay What You Can’ price. You can choose a price between £3 to £15 and enjoy the movie. It’s an opportunity to watch the latest films at a price that suits you the best. More info can be found here.

Tower Of London

If you reside in Tower Hamlets borough and have either an Idea Store or Tower Hamlets library card, you can enjoy a visit to the Tower of London for just £1.00 regardless of income. This offer is available throughout the year, but each adult cardholder is limited to one ticket per day. If you wish to purchase additional tickets for accompanying children, they can be obtained for £1.00 each. Note that children must be accompanied by an adult. Please be aware that tickets can only be purchased on the day from the ticket office. More info can be found here.

Foundling Museum

If you’re interested in visiting the Foundling Museum, you’ll be pleased to know they provide complimentary golden tickets to local residents and families receiving Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, PIP, or Job Seekers Allowance.

Historic Dockyard Chatham

Medway residents receiving universal credit can avail themselves of a limited number of daily tickets at £2 per person (children aged 3 and under enter for free). This special offer is valid from Saturday, February 10, to Sunday, November 17, 2024. More info can be found here.

Eden Project

The Eden Project offers a daily allocation of Day Tickets for individuals receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or UK legacy benefits. Priced at £1, these tickets are exclusively available for online purchase.

Horniman Museum

The Dinosaur rEvolution exhibition, Aquarium, and Butterfly House at The Horniman Museum, have special £1 tickets are available for individuals receiving Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance. A limited number of these discounted tickets are offered daily and can be purchased in person at The Horniman. Each visitor can buy up to four £1 tickets per attraction. Please remember to bring proof of eligibility, either printed or on an electronic device, when purchasing these tickets.

York Castle Museum

York Castle Museum offers free entry to those on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit recipients (with free entry extended to children in these households). You can find more info here.

Old Royal Naval College

Admission to the Old Royal Naval College is £2 for recipients of universal credit. Proof of eligibility is required for this ticket. Children always receive free admission.

Guildford Spectrum

If you’re planning a visit to Guildford Spectrum for some fun at their leisure pool, ice skating, or bowling, consider their concessionary tickets designed for senior citizens, full-time university students, individuals receiving DLA or PIP, or those on Universal Credit. Remember to verify your concessionary status upon ticket collection. Please note that these discounted tickets apply to individuals only and not the entire booking. Enjoy your visit to Guildford Spectrum!

I will conduct further research to discover additional discounted days out. Please do revisit this page for updates. Be sure to share this post with your family, friends, school newsletters, and beyond!