Universal Credit Days Out: Cheap Tickets for London Zoo, Cutty Sark & More London Attractions [2024 Update]

Navigating the challenges of the current cost of living can be daunting, especially for individuals needing extra support. Thankfully, there are discounted tickets available for enjoyable day trips to popular attractions like London Zoo, Kew Gardens, and the Cartoon Museum.

If you receive benefits such as Universal Credit, you can access these heavily discounted tickets. For instance, London Zoo offers tickets starting from just £3 for eligible recipients. Eligibility criteria for these discounts are typically tied to specific benefits, which I’ll detail further in this post.

Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and The King’s Galleries

People receiving Universal Credit and other specified benefits can access £1 tickets to Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and The King’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh during select times. Eligible benefits include Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, and Jobseeker’s Allowance. With just one person in the household providing proof of eligibility, the £1 ticket offer is available for up to six people per household. More info here.

Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre

In the upcoming weeks, the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre will be trialling £1 Universal Credit tickets. Tickets are available to book now.

📍81-83 High St, Great Missenden HP16 0AL

London Wetlands Centre

At the London Wetlands Centre, a limited number of reduced-price tickets are available for individuals currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Pension Credit. Tickets are either £3 or £5, with children under 4 going free. The link to book is here.

📍Queen Elizabeth Walk, London SW13 9WT

Battersea Arts Centre

At Battersea Arts Centre, you can use the “Pay What You Can” scheme for tickets, which usually start at £8. If you feel you need to pay less than £8, you can contact the Box Office.

📍Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN

Stratford East

At Stratford East, you can enjoy Pay What You Can performances for many of their shows. Special Pay What You Can performances offer tickets starting from £6, which can be booked online. These tickets are available for any seat in the auditorium.

📍Gerry Raffles Square, Theatre Square, London E15 1BN

Design Museum

Concessionary tickets are available for Museum Association members, visitors aged 65+, visitors with disabilities, NHS staff, and those receiving Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance at the Design Museum’s exhibitions.

📍224–238 Kensington High Street London W8 6AG

Cutty Sark

Royal Museums Greenwich has introduced a new £2 ticket for the famous tea clipper Cutty Sark. This offer is available to visitors receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance.

📍King William Walk, London SE10 9HT

Dulwich Picture Gallery

At Dulwich Picture Gallery, £1 concession tickets are available for anyone receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit to help with the cost of ticket prices. These £1 tickets can be booked online or at the Gallery on the day. Online tickets must be collected on the day, and you must bring proof of eligibility.

📍Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD

Kensington Palace

During the period from October 21st 2023 to September 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).

📍Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX

The Tower Of London

During the period from October 21st 2023 to September 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).

📍London EC3N 4AB

Hampton Court Palace

During the period from October 21st 2023 to September 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).

📍Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU

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.

📍Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP

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.

📍Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP

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.

📍63 Wells St, London W1A 3AE

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.

📍Headstone Manor, Headstone Recreation Ground, Pinner View, Harrow HA2 6PX

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.

📍Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA

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.

📍London WC2E 7BB

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.

📍Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing Grn, London W5 5EQ

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.

📍66 Royal Hospital Rd, London SW3 4HS

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.

📍Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS

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.

📍40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ

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.

📍Main Gate Rd, Chatham ME4 4TZ

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.

📍Bodelva, Par PL24 2SG

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.

📍100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ

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.

📍Tower St, York YO1 9RY

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.

📍London SE10 9NN

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!

📍Parkway, Guildford GU1 1UP

Lightroom

If you receive Universal Credit, you can buy Lightroom tickets for £5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 1pm. To book, email tickets@lightroom.uk and quote ‘Universal Credit Tickets’.

📍12, Lewis Cubitt Square, London N1C 4DY

Mudlarks Family Gallery

Mudlarks is an interactive space for children aged up to 8 years old and their parents or carers. Visitors who receive Universal Credit or other legacy benefits can visit Mudlarks for free during off-peak times.

📍No 1, West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL

Harlow Playhouse 

Harlow Playhouse also offers Pay What You Can tickets, starting at £2. Recommended pricing is provided to help you choose a price that works for you. If you need to pay less than £2, please contact the Box Office.

📍College Gate, Harlow CM20 1LS

Keep this post bookmarked as I continuously discover more free and affordable days out for Universal Credit recipients.