How to have a cheap holiday in the UK this summer.

Although in Britain we may not have guaranteed sunshine throughout the summer months like most of our European counterparts, we do have an abundance of historic cities and beautiful landscapes. From weekend breaks staying in cityside B&Bs, to getting away from the hustle and bustle whilst exploring the countryside, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down and have a cheap holiday in the UK.

• Ditch the Hotel
• Alternatives to Camping
• Save Money on Travel
• Peak Times Mean Peak Prices
• Try Something Different
• Further Tips to Save You Money

Ditch the Hotel

The UK offers plenty in the way of free activities, from countryside walks and hikes in the highlands to relaxing weekends spent on beaches. The UK has 15 gorgeous national parks to explore, and over 7,000 miles of coastline to see, which make exploring the country’s landscapes a perfect holiday getaway.

To fully immerse yourself in the countryside, camping is the perfect way to keep things cheap and get a true authentic experience.

Camping

Spending a holiday under canvas is the simplest way to save a chunk of money on holiday, but it can also become part of the adventure and magic of the trip. It’s a perfect getaway whether you’re after a peaceful solo weekend, a group outing, a family adventure, or romantic couples trip.

Many campsites also allow dogs, so you can take your pooches with you – which is a great way to save on kennel costs, too!

Find out lots of camping hacks for a truly budget vacation here.

Pitch prices vary depending on location and time of year, but they can cost as little as £8-10 a night, per person. If you are camping during a busy season consider choosing a campsite slightly further away from the main tourist sites in the area for even better prices.

Wild Camping

In Scotland, you can legally wild camp. This means you don’t have to camp on a set site, but instead can pitch up in any suitable area. You can’t do this on private land without the owner’s permission – but with so many forests and national parks, you’re not short of places to wild camp. It’s a great way to get into the true Great Outdoors – and saves money on pitch fees, too! Be aware that in the summer months, there are some restrictions around places like Loch Lomond between 1st March and 31st September each year so make sure you check whether you need a permit.

Wild camping isn’t legal in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Some areas, such as the Lake District and Dartmoor, have a ‘blind eye’ policy if you follow the basic rules (arrive late, leave early, leave everything as you found it, and stay no more than one night in the same place). Countryfile has a useful list of wild camping places to try across the UK.

If you know another spot you’d like to wild camp, find out who the landowner is and ask their permission to camp there. Don’t just rock up and pitch up: ask in advance, and get to know the landowner so they can see you’re trustworthy and will leave everything as you found it.

Glamping

Glamping is another option. It’s still rather cheap but with a bit more luxury for those not quite at home under wet canvas. With glamping, you have better facilities like a private hot shower and fully functioning kitchen.

PitchUp is a great website dedicated to finding cheap camping and caravan parks, also showing users the nearest walking routes, bike hires, activities, and pubs! Campsites is another easy website to use to search for cheap camping sites for pitches, touring, and glamping. All in all, camping is hard to beat at keeping things cheap.

Alternatives to Camping

Finding alternative accommodation is one of the simplest ways to save on holiday. Hotels are notoriously expensive and really not worth the money when there are plenty of other options available. Even if you want a city-based break, you’ll find lots of options such as nearby caravan parks, in-city guesthouses, and other options that get you away from expensive hotels.

Caravan Parks

Like campsites, static caravan sites offer budget holiday accommodation for couples and families. This option costs a bit more, from around £20 a night depending on the number of people the caravan sleeps and what facilities it offers.

You can hire a caravan pitch for your own, or hire a caravan out for the week or weekend for around £40 a night (depending on size and location). Find out how to have a cheap caravan holiday here.

This might be a good time to invest in a caravan. See what we say about potentially buying a caravan here.

B&Bs and Guesthouses

Farm stays, B&Bs, and guesthouses are other alternatives on offer. Still cheaper than hotels, you have your own space and facilities and a bit more comfort then in a tent! It’s also a good way to explore new places without risking the questionable British weather. The options are also ideal if you want to explore cities rather than the countryside, too.

Try Air BnB, local Facebook groups, and FarmStay to find alternatives to camping – for both countryside AND city breaks.

House Swap

To save TONS of money, you could always house swap! Normally, this is done internationally – but you can do it in the UK, too. Obviously, this is subject to making sure your home is fully cleaned and safe for any visitors, as many people are asking for that. However, house swapping is a great way to save lots of cash and see new places. Read our full article about house swapping here.

Hire a Canal Boat

If you want to explore the beautiful Norfolk Broads or the 4,700 miles of canal networks in the UK, a boat is a brilliant way to have an explorer’s holiday without leaving our shores. Did you know the longest canal is the Grand Union Canal, which is 137 miles long and goes from London to Birmingham? It takes around 72 hours to navigate non-stop!

Walking Hostels

If you’re a big fan of the outdoors and the camaraderie that comes with hikers across the UK, plan a walking trip. You might want to do just a long weekend on the main peaks or scaling Snowdon, but you could take on a longer holiday with a coast-to-coast or 100-mile coastline trip. Walking hostels are a cheap way to spend the night under a solid roof to get a proper night’s rest, but they’re basic – so it’s a step up from camping. YHA hostels are some of the best to try.

Save Money on Travel

Avoid any unnecessary travel costs. For example, if you’re driving to your destination, fill up your car before setting off as the fuel at your local petrol station will be cheaper than at petrol stations along motorway routes. Supermarket petrol stations are definitely the cheapest around.

If you’ll be travelling for a long period of time, pack a picnic and snacks for the family as station and services cafes and shops tend to have extortionate mark ups on their products and you’ll end up paying a lot more than you should. Remember to take reusable water flasks like Sho flasks, to save on costs – many places will refill them for free and it’s better for the environment.

Research other travel options that may be cheaper. If you’re travelling without kids or have light baggage, public transport is a good alternative to consider. It may be just as convenient as driving but prove to be a cheaper option. It is also worth investing in a railcard if you’re eligible and plan to take either several rail trips or one big expensive one.

Omio is a useful site for planning a route by public transport and comparing cost versus time. If you are travelling by public transport, booking well in advance, travelling at off-peak times, and investing in a rail or coach card will all make your travel cheaper.

Peak Times Mean Peak Prices

Avoiding the school summer holidays and bank holiday weekends as much as you can will save you from buying into the price increases at these times of year. Although if you’re a family with children this is much harder to avoid.

Holiday prices often drop by between 10 and 15% from the last week of August and into the beginning of September so timing your holiday right could get you better deals.

Also consider taking your big family holiday during the Easter holidays next year instead. Generally the UK gets nice, sunny weather around this time and the prices will be cheaper as well. Next year, Easter 2025 falls almost right at the end of April (20th) which improves your chances of good weather.

Do your research before you travel and check out if there will be any big events going on whilst you hope to be there. Things like football matches, big concerts, or race days will unfortunately whack the prices up on accommodation in the area and you could end up paying a lot more.

Try Something Different

Cities like London, Oxford, and Bath are all very popular tourist destinations but more expensive than some other UK cities. Northern England and Scotland have some amazing places worthy of visiting that are great city breaks but without the large price tag. Liverpool was revealed to be the best value city break in the UK! While other great options include Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, and Aberdeen.

Further Tips to Save You Money

If you’re on a super-tight budget but really need to get away this summer, try these tips to save more cash.

1. Why not rent out your home whilst you’re on holiday? You can sign up for AirBnB easily to host your home and have some extra money coming in whilst you’re away.
2. First time camping? Borrow the camping gear from a friend or family if you can before you spend hundreds on stuff you may not use very often. If you have to buy though, make your purchases out of season for much better deals.
3. Make the most of deals and cashback. Websites like lastminute.com usually have some really good deals available so it’s worth signing up to see what you can get. Another idea is to use cashback sites like Quidco when booking your holiday as you can receive up to 13% back.
4. Make use of age-related discounts. You’ll need to keep your ID on you but being under 18, a student, or over 60, means you can benefit from discounted entry fees and travel passes.
5. Make your home a holiday destination with a little creativity. If you live in or near a city, explore it as if you’re a tourist – and you could benefit from a local resident discount, too! Or take day trips into your nearby countryside to get into nature. Remember that the National Trust and English Heritage both have plenty of free sites to visit.

The post How to Have a Cheap Holiday in the UK this Summer! appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Summer is a great time for a good BBQ wherever you are, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg of lamb to have a great party with good food…safely!

Here are our tips for great BBQs, good BBQ food and a safe and happy experienc

• Best BBQs for the garden or patio
• Best BBQs for picnics
• Have a BBQ indoors!
• Great Barbecue recipes
• Cooking tips from the BBQ experts

Best BBQs for the garden or patio

There are BBQs of every size and price available online and in the shops.

However, we have looked for well-priced, simple ones that anyone can use in their back garden or on the patio.

Smoker & Grill Barbecue

The Bar-be-quick smoker BBQ really is fantastic for any foody. With an RRP of £85 it is a reasonable, compact and flavourful all-rounder.

A Dual-level charcoal grill with heat indicator dial and front-hinged charcoal access door. This smoker BBQ offers huge flexibility as the unit cooks four ways -smokes/grills/steams & roasts. The two cooking grills and larger charcoal pan provide the facility to cater for larger numbers. Easily converts to a charcoal grill. This product is a great introduction to the popular American way of cooking.

Can also be converted to a small portable barbecue by taking away the top section. (Ideal for camping).

the tower health grill

One we are particularly impressed by is the Tower Health Grill from AO which is just £49.

It cooks up to ten portions at once, even though it’s pretty slimline, and the great part about it is that – given the state of our so-called ‘summers’ in Britain – if the weather isn’t kind you can use the top part on a kitchen work-top instead. That’s really handy!

Kettle grill from Wilko

You can’t say fairer than this: £15 for a basic kettle grill BBQ from Wilko.

It’s durable and has a handy shelf underneath for storage. It’s particularly handy for patios and small gardens as it fits into a small space.

Napoleon Kettle Grill

Another fabulous BBQ that looks good in the garden and is sturdy and long-lasting, is the Napoleon NK14 Chartcoal Grill, retailing at £79.99.

It’s good for a family BBQ as it has a large cooking area and a dual-section charcoal basket offering direct and indirect grilling.

The compact design is ideal for any size garden or patio and the lid really helps for that delicious BBQ, smokey flavour.

It has a 5-star review from users so give it a try.

BBQ Pizza Box

…and check this out – if you’re a pizza fanatic you will love the idea of the Charles Bentley BBQ Pizza Box.

What it does is cook pizzas on top of your BBQ. Like having your own outside mini-oven.

It costs £69 and enables you to cook pre-made or fresh pizzas as well as you could in your own oven (or possibly better).

Best BBQs for picnicss

It’s getting easier and easier to have your own bbq anywhere, anytime. You can get disposable ones (mostly a tray with a grill and some charcoal) from the supermarket. Or, go up a notch and get this complete bbq cooking system from Lakeland which also roasts, smokes and cooks, all for £133.50. It’s an amazing piece of kit that can smoke salmon, roast (and marinade) a joint and even cook pizza. Not just your bangers and burgers! It’s an investment item so worth getting if you like to cook and eat outdoors a lot.

Then of course there’s the good old favourite; the portable tray BBQ. These are totally brilliant, actually work and only cost a fiver. What’s not to like? You can get them in supermarkets and independent retailers The Bar-Be-Quick instant barbecue (standard size) retails for just £2 at ASDA. It’s a one-off BBQ and can only be used once but it’s a great addition to beach or country picnics where you would like something hot too!

The Napolean Portable Gas Grill is absolutely incredible. Retailing at £299 they are an investment but will work for both at home and on the road. Don’t be fooled by its size either – it proudly boasts fitting “20 hamburgers at once”. It is sturdy, compact and easy to use.

Have a bbq indoors!

Yes, that really is possible…and often preferable given our changeable weather.

Who knows if our summer will be an actual summer?  At least with an indoor barbecue you know your sausages won’t be soggy!

Try the, very reasonable ProCook Reversible Griddle is a great tool to have in your kitchen all year round. it’s only £29 and will last you for decades.

It can be used on gas cookers, AGA/solid top cookers and BBQs (but not electric hobs). It’s also oven safe.

I’ve tried it and it’s great for doing my favourite thing – char-grilled vegetables!

bbq tips from the experts

heston blumenthal’s advice for perfect bbq’d steak

Here are the celebrity chef’s tips for cooking a great steak on the bbq. There are more bbq tips from him on the Everdure site.

1.       Remove the steaks from the fridge and the packaging approximately 30 minutes prior to cooking. Allow to stand at room temperature.
2.       Salt the meat generously. Don’t add any pepper at this point as it will burn.
3.       Rub a little groundnut oil or grapeseed oil on the both sides of the steak.
4.       Cook the steak, flipping it every 15 seconds. A 2cm steak will take about 2 minutes to reach medium-rare.
5.       Towards the end of cooking, use a digital probe to monitor how close the meat is to readiness. Insert the probe from the side of the steak and ensure it reaches the centre of the thickest part of the flesh. Because of carryover cooking during resting time, the meat should be removed from the bbq, approximately 5 degrees before it reaches your desire temperature.
6.       Cut the steak into slices if you want, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Resting the meat is very important after the cooking process. The time will depend on the size of the meat. For a steak, rest the meat for approximately 5 minutes before serving. It should be rested on a cooling rack on top of a tray. During this time, the fibres will relax was the residual heat continues to cook the steak.

Meat can also be cooked at low temperatures. It some cases, it helps the meat hold on to its juices. It’s also particularly efficient at breaking down the connective tissue that makes meat tough and chewy. So the low-temperature approach lets you take all sorts of neglected and underestimated cuts like brisket, skirt, tongue and cheeks and turn them into something very tender and delicious.

tips from BBQ don and fire expert phil wood of CONTURA

Bringing the BBQ out of hibernation

“Before you even consider firing up the BBQ, give it a good wash with hot soapy water, removing any remnants of last year’s grilling. You should clean the grill after every use, but a deep clean is ideal when bringing it out for the first time after winter.

“As with all outdoor cooking, you are lighting a fire, and need to ensure it’s done safely. Ensure your BBQ is placed on a non-combustible surface, positioned on a patio, gravel or paving slabs is a safe bet, rather than grass or astro turf. You also need to make sure dropped embers aren’t going to cause a fire hazard; most BBQs have a base to catch soot and anything that drops. A drip tray is also handy to catch fat and prevent it from sticking and burning.

What’s cooking?

“When marinating meat, just remember one golden rule – sugar or sugary liquids like barbecue sauce have no place in a marinade. The heat from the grill will cause the sugars to burn, creating an unpleasant charred crust and burnt flavour.

“For vegetarian guests, consider switching out your meat kebabs for a recipe that includes the nation’s favourite squeaky cheese – halloumi. Add crunchy peppers, mushrooms, onions and sweet cherry tomatoes to the skewers for a real crowd-pleaser. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can also toast flatbreads on the grill to serve with the kebabs.

Easy and cheap Barbecue Recipes

jerk baby back ribs

This rather delicious recipe is from Encona who produce hot sauces.

Ingredients

Instructions

Melt in the middle cheeseburger

(from kitchen retailers Andrew James)

Ingredients

• (For 5 Large Stuffed Burgers)
• For the burgers:
• 1kg lean beef mince
• 10 diced sundried tomatoes
• 1 slice of mozzarella per burger
• Salt and pepper

To serve:

• 5 Toasted bread buns
• Salad of your choice
• Condiments

Method

Pre-heat your grill or barbecue so it’s ready to go when you’re burger has been made.

Take a small amount of your beef mince and place it into your burger press (this smaller burger is going to help form a seal around your burger filling). Once pressed, set to one side.

Next, take a larger portion of mince, and place it into the press. This burger will be the base for your filling, so it needs to be quite thick!

Once you’ve pressed the mince, press the centre of the burger down so you create a dip in the centre of your mince.

Now, it’s time to get creative. We stuffed our burger with mozzarella and sundried tomatoes, but you could go with whatever you like! Jalapeños, feta, olives, onion and even cooked bacon make fantastic fillings!

After that, place your smaller burger on top and press the sides down and seal it so you don’t lose any of the filling, especially for when it goes on the BBQ.

Season both sides of your burger with salt and pepper, before popping them onto your pre-heated grill or BBQ.

If you like your burgers medium to well done, we suggest giving them up to 10 mins per side – remember, they’re pretty chunky burgers so need quite a while to cook through!

Serve them in a toasted bun with your favourite condiments and a bit of salad

…and for the veggies…

Homemade Vegan Pulled Jackfruit BBQ Sandwich with Coleslaw and Chips

BBQ don and fire expert Phil Wood, says “for vegetarian guests, consider switching out your meat kebabs for a recipe that includes the nation’s favourite squeaky cheese – halloumi. Add crunchy peppers, mushrooms, onions and sweet cherry tomatoes to the skewers for a real crowd-pleaser. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can also toast flatbreads on the grill to serve with the kebabs.”

And we have these rather fab recipes too…

Grilled Marinated Peppers

Ingredients:

• 2 red, yellow, green and orange peppers

For the marinade:

• 2 cloves of garlic
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Salt and pepper
• Freshly chopped thyme, rosemary, oregano
• 100ml of olive oil

Preparation:

Cut the peppers in half, remove seeds and white release skins, wash and pat dry. Cut the peppers into wide strips and place in a dish.

For the marinade, crush the garlic and stir in a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the freshly chopped herbs and lemon juice. Stir in olive oil and mix the whole thing with the peppers. Leave to marinate for a few hours before heating on the grill. Add additional coatings of the marinade for extra flavour!

bbq’d asparagus with gremolata

Ingredients

• 2 bundles British asparagus, trimmed
• Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
• Juice ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp flat leaf parsley very finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic crushed, plus 1 clove garlic whole
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• 50g fresh breadcrumbs
• Rapeseed oil

Instructions

Coat the asparagus with a little oil, cook on the barbecue for 4-5 minutes turning until cooked through but still retaining some bite.

For the gremolata mix the lemon juice and zest with the flat leaf parsley and garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Heat some oil in a frying pan along with a clove of garlic. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until golden. Place breadcrumbs on some kitchen paper to remove excess oil, remove the garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Toss the asparagus through the gremolata and sprinkle over the bread crumbs before serving.

black bean burgers

Ingredients

• 1 tsp olive oils
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 jalepeno, diced
• 200 g kale, finely chopped
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 100 g cooked quinoa
• 100 g black beans, mashed
• 2 Tbsp sunflower seeds, ground
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Brown rice flour, as needed

Instructions

1. Over a medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic, jalapeno and red pepper in a drizzle of oil until softened. Add the kale and cook until softened.
2. Combine all the ingredients together to form a dough. Add brown rice flour as a binder if needed.
3. Shape the dough into 6 burgers and lightly dust with brown rice flour.
4. Cook on the BBQ until browned and crispy on both sides.

BBQ Asparagus with Gremolata

Ingredients

• 2 bundles British asparagus, trimmed
• Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
• Juice ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp flat leaf parsley very finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic crushed, plus 1 clove garlic whole
• Salt and pepper for seasoning
• 50g fresh breadcrumbs
• Rapeseed oil

What to do

Coat the asparagus with a little oil, cook on the barbecue for 4-5 minutes turning until cooked through but still retaining some bite.

For the gremolata mix the lemon juice and zest with the flat leaf parsley and garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Heat some oil in a frying pan along with a clove of garlic. Add the breadcrumbs and cook until golden. Place breadcrumbs on some kitchen paper to remove excess oil, remove the garlic and season with salt and pepper.

Toss the asparagus through the gremolata and sprinkle over the bread crumbs before serving.

What About Dessert?

For pudding, Choco-banana splits are a nice and easy. Just slice a banana lengthways, top with chocolate and nuts before wrapping in foil and grilling on the BBQ.

You could also bake apples. Wrap up cooking apples in individual foils, having taken out the core and stuffed them with dried fruit and golden syrup.

Or how about cake (not on the BBQ though!)? We have some great cake recipes here so check them out.

Got any tips of your own…or recipes? Tell us about them in the comments below

The post Have the best BBQ on the cheap! appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

It’s coming up to half-term for UK schools, and with the weather being decent you may be looking for things to do that entertain, save money but not scrimp on fun. Aren’t you glad we’re here to suggest tons of things? 

DINE OUT FOR £1! 

The school holidays can be an exciting time for many. Children are excited at the prospect time away from the confines of school and families can spend some quality time together. Some may even have a nice holiday booked or finally have the time to visit family who live far away. 

But the school holidays are not all sunshine and rainbows. For many, school holidays induce a sense of anxiety. Financial worry clouds the minds of many, as many household costs increase during this period. 

Time off school means many parents are spending more time at home with their children. This leads to increased energy use due to more electronics being used, food being cooked and the use of radiators as the days get chillier. Similarly, more food is being eaten at home, with the break not only on education but the provision of free school meals. Many people rely on these meals to feed their children one full, hot meal per day. 

Check out our EATING FOR £1 FEATURE to see where you can take your kids this half term for cheap. 

THEATRE TREATS 

For older children, you could nab £10 theatre tickets for the National Theatre this half term with their 16-25 scheme. Your local theatres may also offer special discounts or there may even be free shows by your local theatre groups in half term, so take a look at your regional theatres to see if you could bag some cheap tickets.

Make sure you prepare for the summer, too, as Kids Week returns this summer. One free child ticket for a paying adult, and you can buy an additional two children’s tickets for half price, too. This is a summer offer that launches on 11th June 2024, with performances between 24th July and 6th September. We’re telling you now so you can put it in your diary to book ASAP as tickets will sell fast!

CINEMA for £2.49 

And there are also heaps of kid-friendly offerings from Vue, with both adult and child tickets from only £2.49 per ticket. Vue’s Mini Morning sessions give both adults and kids the chance to experience big screen entertainment for a very small price, and run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am, plus every day in the school holidays (with availability likely to change depending on when your child’s holidays occur).  

Picturehouse cinemas offer £3 kids tickets on Saturday mornings, while their family ticket for other showings saves a lot overall as adults pay a child’s fee, too! If you’re a frequent cinema goer, it’s also worth looking at investing in an annual membership. Picturehouse, for example, starts from £100 a year for an adult which includes ten ‘free’ tickets, access to £1-only screenings, and booking discounts plus more.

GO TO THE ZOO for only £3 

London Zoo offers £3 tickets for anyone currently receiving Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance.  

• The £3 tickets are available for the whole family and under 3’s go free.  
• Tickets can be purchased from the admissions kiosk on the day, from 11am, every day of the week.  
• Just bring proof of benefit letter (electronic or paper). 
• Check offer details at www.zsl.org/CAS

Here’s a list compiled by TripAdvisor on some of the best zoos and aquariums in the UK. 

 If you regularly go for days out to your local Sea Life, as well as want to participate in other adventures like LegoLand, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers and more, it could be worth investing in a Merlin pass, which gives you unlimited access to tons of places across the UK for a year.

VISIT MUSEUMS

Most local museums are free to enter, donation required, or have a small entry fee that can be minimised with a family ticket. They are a great way to entertain the kids in the May half term, and you’ll often find your local museum runs free activities during the school holidays to help further your child’s education and get them engaged in history.

Outdoor museums are also a great way to make the most of May sunshine while exhausting the kids as you go around!

If you’re in or near London, free museums can each take a whole day to explore, filling your May half term week! The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria and Albert museum are all free, as are the Tate Modern and Tate Britain.

Don’t fret if you’re not in London either – there are literally hundreds of free museums in the UK. The CBeebies website has a brilliant free museum finding tool.

SWIM FOR FREE 

Check your local authority for their free swimming lessons opportunities, as well as the pools in your area. Wandsworth Council, for example, offers free swimming lessons for 5-7 year olds during half term and kids under 8 can always swim for free at their pools.

FREE HOLIDAY CLUBS 

Hundreds of thousands of children across England will continue to access free, nutritious food and engaging activities over the school holidays, as the government  confirmed last year that £200 million to fund the holiday activities and food programme throughout 2023 into 2024. 

These free holiday clubs run across England, supporting parents with childcare costs over the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays by providing free, nutritious meals and enriching activities, such as football, play sessions and cooking classes. New figures out today show that around 600,000 children benefited from the scheme over summer 2022 across over 8,000 clubs, events or organised activities in England. 

While the holiday clubs do not have to provide cover for the May half term, it is worth looking into your local authority and school options to find out if there are any free or subsidised holiday clubs or schemes.

ENGLISH HERITAGE 

250 of the 400 sites run by English Heritage are free to visit. From remote stone circles to ruined abbeys, and Norman castles to Roman temples, you can explore thousands of years of history for absolutely nothing. 

The Neolithic Woodhenge is just over three miles from Stonehenge. Built around 2300BC, we know that six concentric rings of timber pillars once stood here, but no one is quite sure why. The timber posts may have supported a building, or they may have been painted and carved like totem poles. Today the holes where the timber would have been are marked with concrete blocks, but you can still get a sense of the size and atmosphere of this mysterious place. 

Intriguing and important moments in English history from the Roman period right up to the Cold War have left their mark on Dover Castle. It’s a fascinating site to visit. 

The beautiful gardens and woodlands at Wrest Park showcase three centuries of garden design influenced by French, Dutch, Italian and English styles. There are activity packs and audio trails for families as well as a play area by the cafe. 

The remains of Titchfield Abbey are impressive. After the Suppression of the Monasteries it was converted into a grand country house but you can still see some of the medieval remains. Look out for the elaborate chimneys. 

Netley Abbey is the most complete surviving Cistercian abbey in southern England. John Constable once came to paint here, and it’s rumoured to have inspired Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. It’s been a popular place to visit since at least the 1840s, when some visitors complained that the abbey’s atmosphere was being spoilt by ‘the popping of ginger beer’! 

Bishop’s Waltham Palace was once the grand home of the wealthy Bishops of Winchester. A three storey tower still stands, as do the palace’s high walls and some of the windows of its great hall.

The post Cheap and Free Things To Do This May Half Term appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

With the May half term and Spring Bank Holiday coming round fast, it is more important than ever to think about how family finances will be impacted. Many businesses have great offers where kids can eat for £1 or less during the school holidays.

The school holidays can be an exciting time for many. Children are excited at the prospect of time away from the confines of school, and families can spend some quality time together. Some may even have a nice holiday booked or finally have the time to visit family who live far away.

But holidays are not all sunshine and rainbows. For many, it induces a sense of anxiety. Financial worry clouds the minds of many, as household costs increase during this period.

Time off school means many parents are spending more time at home with their children. This leads to increased energy use due to more electronics being used, food being cooked and let’s not forget the seemingly endless piles of laundry! Similarly, more food is being eaten at home, with the break not only on education, but the provision of free school meals. Many people rely on these meals to feed their children one full, hot meal per day.

It can all add up. But, luckily, there are many restaurants and cafes which offer low-cost and sometimes free meals for children during school breaks. Whether it be a low-cost or free breakfast, lunch or dinner, you are bound to find somewhere your little ones will enjoy.

• Beefeater and Brewers Fayre
• Purezza
• Dobbies
• Bella Italia
• Morrisons
• Hungry Horse
• Sizzling Pubs
• Angus Steakhouse
• IKEA
• The Real Greek
• TGI Fridays
• Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
• Dunelm
• Yo Sushi

Beefeater and Brewers Fayre

Two children up to the age of 16 can eat a free breakfast with every adult breakfast purchased. This offer is available at any Beefeater or Brewers’ Fayre branch and includes their delicious unlimited all-you-can-eat breakfast. So, whether your little ones fancy a full English or a more continental option, there is bound to be something they enjoy.

This means if you plus a friend or a partner purchase a breakfast, four children can get a free breakfast. There is currently no end date to this scheme as of yet, but it is currently available for all customers to enjoy.

You can also take advantage of the Half Term Special: a three-course kids meal for just £5.99.

Full T&Cs here.

Purezza

If you fancy a light lunch or a spot of dinner, why not visit vegan Italian favourite Purezza? Children under the age of 10 can get a delicious free mini pizza with a topping of their choice! These mouth-watering options include mushrooms, courgette and vegan sausage.

Only one child can get this offer per adult who is dining. Full T&Cs here.

Dobbies

Garden centres can provide a surprising amount of fun for kids. From the wonderful colours of blossoming flowers to water fountains, shrubs and the wildlife they bring, children can become immersed in the magical surroundings nature brings.

You can get one free kids meal or breakfast at Dobbies garden centres with the purchase of an adult traditional breakfast or main course lunch purchased. Children can choose from the children’s breakfast or lunch menu. There is a £1 supplement for kids’ Sunday roast meals. During half term, you can also get a free child’s hot meal or pick n mix lunch box with every adult meal purchased.

Offer available at all Dobbies restaurants with the exception of Andover, Lelant, Marple, Reading, York and Anchorwood.

Full T&Cs here.

Bella Italia

Family favourite Bella Italia lets kids eat FREE all day every Thursday with the purchase of an adult meal, and for just £1 during the hours of 4-6pm Sunday to Wednesday. This is available for children aged 2-11 years and is available between 4pm and 6pm.

Plus, this offer includes three delicious courses and a drink. For just £1 maximum! You can’t go wrong. Full T&Cs here.

Morrisons

Why not roll your weekly shop and a meal out into one with Morrisons? They have a great deal where one child can eat a free lunch or dinner when you spend £4.50 on one adult meal. Children up to the age of 16 can redeem this offer and get a delicious free meal from the kids menu, including a drink and a piece of fruit.

One free kids’ meal can be redeemed per adult but excludes menu specials.  You can’t use any other offers EXCEPT the Teatime Deal (one adult meal of a toastie or sandwich, hot or cold drink, and a piece of cake for £4.80). Full T&Cs here.

Hungry Horse

Hungry Horse restaurants have a whopping May half term deal: Feed a Family for £15! You’ll get two adult mains and two children’s full meals (main, dessert, and drink) for just £15. The offer runs from Friday 27th May to Friday 31st May 2024, and what’s even better is you can add two more kids’ meals for just £2.50 each.

Throughout the year, Hungry Horse also run a special offer where children can eat for just £1 every Monday. Up to two children can eat per full paying adult. Larger meals are just £1.50.

Choose from a range of mouth-watering delights, from beef  burgers to veggie nuggets. It’s also a good idea to ensure your nearest restaurant qualifies for this deal.

Full T&Cs here.

Sizzling Pubs

Sizzling Pubs is the parent company of many pubs across the UK. Your local may be a Sizzling Pub without you knowing it! You can find your nearest pub here.

During the May half term, kids can eat for just £1 from Monday to Friday after 12pm with the purchase of one adult meal. This excludes breakfast, other offers and the set menu. This offer also runs after 3pm Monday to Friday outside of school holidays.

Full T&Cs here.

Angus Steakhouse

Kids under the age of 8 can eat for free with the purchase of one adult main course every day of the May half term. If you are heading to the big smoke for any reason, it may well be worth keeping this deal in mind! Outside of school holidays, this offer is available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Ensure to request the offer in advance on your booking.

Read more here.

IKEA

If you are browsing for new furniture or want to spruce up your home, IKEA is often the first place people think of to visit. Now, the furniture giant are offering children’s meals from 95p. This offer is valid all day, everyday from 11am.

An item from the children’s menu is just 95p. However, for just £1.50 you can get a combo meal. This includes a hot meal, jelly, a drink and a piece of fruit. Plus, Ikea is a double-whammy during the school holidays, with many stores offering free crafting activities – this May half term, the theme is the ocean. Always double check your local store is participating first!

The Real Greek

Every Sunday, children can eat for free at The Real Greek restaurants, when £10 is spent by an adult. Whether your child is in the mood for a mouthwatering souvlaki wrap with halloumi or would rather a mezze selection, something is bound to tickle their fancy.

One free kids meal per adult (each adult must spend £10) can be redeemed and is available to all children under the age of 12. Full T&Cs here.

TGI Fridays

Kids eat free at TGI Fridays when you order an adult’s main meal, all day, every day. The offer is available for Stripes Rewards members – you’ll just need to join via their app, which is free to download through app stores. You’ll get a complimentary Little League or Major League kids’ meal. The menu includes classic burgers, fish fingers and vegan choices. There is also free Heinz baby food for the smallest guests at TGI Fridays. Find out more here.

OK Diners 

One child under 10 can eat free when an adult purchases a main meal. This offer is available every day at the diners in Derby, Cannock, Leominster, Northop and Oswestry. Read all about it here. 

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants 

At selected Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, kids can eat for free from the Ramsay kids menu when ordering a main. It’s only available for children under the age of eight and you will need to purchase an adult main for every free children’s meal. It’s available at Heddon Street Kitchen, all Bread Street Kitchen and Bars, Bread Street Café, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill and York and Albany.

This offer is available all year around, except on select dates like Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It’s advised to book ahead to make sure this offer is available on the date you want to go.

Dunelm

Many of the furnishing retailer’s branches have an in-store eatery, the Pausa cafe. Kids can get a ‘mini main’, two snacks and a drink for free, as long as an accompanying adult spends £4 or more. The offer is available Monday to Friday after 3pm.

YO! Sushi

From 25th to 31st May 2024, you’ll get one free child’s bento box with any adult meal, up to three children (minimum spend £10 per child on the adult meal – so if you want two free bento boxes, the adult must spend £20). Applicable for children under the age of 12 and for dine-in only – some restaurants are excluded, so check the details before you go.

The post Where Can Kids Eat for £1 or Less for May Half Term? appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Why Ticket Prices Rocket

Use a Verified Retailer

Consider Cashback Sites to Save

Look for Companion Tickets

Save Money on Concert Tickets

How to Avoid Ticket Scams

Volunteer Instead

Why Ticket Prices Rocket

There was a huge hoo-haa when Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and bands like BlackPink were revealed to use something called ‘dynamic pricing’. This means that the more people that are trying to buy the tickets, the higher the price would rise. While some artists denied allowing this strategy was their choice, using verified ticket retailers that do this (like Ticketmaster) can be seen as implicit agreement to using dynamic pricing in ticket sales.

What this means for you, the customer, is that you might have budgeted around £300 for a pair of concert tickets for your loved one’s special birthday. You sit in the ticket queue waiting for them to be released… and then those tickets now cost £600! And, because live music has die-hard fans, there are many who will take the hit on the higher price because the experience is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for them.

There are no rules against dynamic pricing in the UK. And while it is supposed to be a strategy to ‘stop touts and give more back to artists’, what it is actually doing is pushing second-hand ticket sales through the roof at even higher prices. And the people who can afford to buy these tickets to resell? They’re often the ticket touts this strategy is designed to stop.

Use a Verified Retailer

So, how can you make sure you’re not a victim of ticket scams? Well, unfortunately, some venues and some artists will only use a single ticket sales outlet like Ticketmaster. This means you can only officially buy a ticket through them. While it gives you some buyer protection, for example if the concert is cancelled you can claim a refund, it does limit your options.

However, using a verified retailer is much safer than buying tickets second-hand from auction sites or your local Facebook Marketplace. Many tickets are not transferable to others, and need to be sold back to the original ticket seller agency if the buyer can no longer attend. This means that the ticket you’ve bought from Mr. Mysterious down the local pub might not let you inside the venue, and you won’t have any recourse for a refund from him either.

While using a verified retailer means you have to pay the price they set, you do get buyer protections. They also have resale platforms which are official, so if you need to resell your ticket you can do so properly without risking losing your money or getting scammed.

Common Ticket Scams : The Last Minute One

Ticket scams also come in the form of ‘last minute’ sales – someone says they can’t make it at the last minute, but you can meet them at the venue to get the ticket off them if you send them cash to ‘reserve’ it first.

Again, tickets are usually for the buyer only – but even if they aren’t, meeting a stranger to get a ticket isn’t going to end well (and they usually won’t even turn up). If they do turn up, they might demand more cash from you before handing the (dud) ticket over.

Common ticket websites include TicketMaster, LiveNation, See Tickets and StubHub. TicketSwap and ViaGoGo are verified ticket reseller websites. TicketSwap caps resale prices at 20% above face value to avoid ticket scams.

Get Cashback on Tickets

We talk about cashback sites a lot on Moneymagpie – and for good reason! It’s a great way to essentially get a discount on anything you can buy through them. When you’re buying a gig or festival ticket, that could amount to a nice chunk of change back in your pocket, for doing nothing!

All you need to do is sign up to a cashback site and find the ticket sales website through it. So, if you use TopCashBack, you’d log in and search ‘TicketMaster’ or look at the ‘Tickets and Events’ category to find a ticket sales retailer that will give you cashback. Click the link and buy as usual – just remember to select ‘allow all cookies’ when you get to the ticket website, as this means your purchase will be tracked by the cashback site. It needs to do this so it can pay you the right amount of cashback.

Going through a cashback site is another way to avoid tickets scams as you’ll be assured to only visit a verified ticket retailer.

Common Ticket Scams: The Cash Only Offer

If you think you’re on a verified retailer site, but you have to pay by bank transfer or collect with cash in person, STOP!

Paying for your tickets on a credit or debit card gives you consumer protections if something goes wrong – whether that is because you’ve been scammed, or because the concert has been cancelled, or similar. Your bank or card provider has a duty to you under these protection laws to ensure a refund is processed – but if you pay by bank transfer or cash, you don’t get this security.

Look for Companion Tickets

If you have a disability, you could be entitled to a free companion ticket for events. The Cinema Companion Card is a nationally-recognised scheme, for example. Theatre venues will also often offer companion seats, though you need to buy through the venue directly to book.

For stadium events, some ticket sites will have disabled seats with companion seats, but be aware: sometimes, this means an empty space next to a seat, because the assumption is that the disabled person needs space for a wheelchair. While this feels very inclusive, it obviously excludes a lot of disabled people (such as those who require mobility aids but need to sit down for long periods of time). Check in advance with a venue about their disabled seating arrangements, and whether they offer free or discounted companion tickets.

Common Ticket Scams: Scattered Seats

You might think you’ve found an amazing group ticket deal with a huge discount on seats for the theatre or a gig… but when you get the tickets, you realise they’re single seats throughout the venue and you’re not going to be sitting with your friends.

Scammers that do this offer enticing group discounts, often using social media posts that link to what looks like an official website, because single seats at venues are always reduced. So, they buy all the single seats up in a show and sell them to you as a group package. If you want to go with a group that is larger than the maximum ticket allowance on the verified ticket retailer, contact the venue directly to arrange discounts.

Save Money on Concert Tickets

There are a few more ways you can try to save money on buying a ticket for your favourite artist’s world tour or one of the big music festivals this summer.

Sign Up to Mailing Lists

Look for the event mailing list AND the artist mailing lists. Set up a new email address just for these, if you don’t want to get a lot of extra spam. These newsletters will tell you how you can save money with group discounts, give you the chance to win tickets and VIP experiences, and also make sure you’re the first to know when tickets will go on sale.

Check Your Phone Provider

It sounds strange, but some mobile phone providers offer you the chance to save money on concert and festival tickets, as well as entertainment like the theatre, for their customers. O2 Priority is a well-known example, making sure customers get exclusive access to some presales and other offers.

Use Loyalty Scheme Points

Did you know that you could earn loyalty points to spend on your dream festival or concert ticket year-round? Loyalty schemes like Virgin Red allow you to do just that.

American Express customers could do something similar, with exclusive access to specially-reserved seats at all kinds of experiences and entertainment nights.

Getting to and from festivals and concerts also often involves a lot of travel. Make sure you’re using your Tesco Clubcard or your Nectar points to save money on the travel and accommodation for your gig weekend.

Check out LNER Perks App

Even if you don’t use LNER trains to travel, you can still sign up for the LNER perks app. Why would you do that? Because until July 2024, you can get 30% off an annual ATG membership, starting from £35. If you’re a frequent gig or theatre goer, this membership will give you advance access to tickets and special prices, so the annual fee could easily pay for itself within a couple of events.

And if you do use LNER to travel by train, you can also take advantage of the free £5 credit to spend on an LNER journey just by joining the app!

How to Avoid Ticket Scams

There are a few steps you can take to protect yourself from ticket scams, both saving yourself a lot of money and frustration – and not being disappointed when you get turned away from that concert of a lifetime you’ve been looking forward to.

1. Use a verified retailer – if you’re not sure where it is safe to buy a ticket, the venue will always have this information, so use their website. You can also check the Secure Tickets from Authorised Retailers website or the Association of Secondary Ticket Agents to see if a website or reseller is on the list.
2. Don’t use social media – don’t buy tickets from someone online in a forum, local selling group, or even a website that advertises too-good-to-be-true resale prices.
3. Use your debit or credit card – never pay cash or bank transfer for your ticket.
4. Check your ticket Ts & Cs – legitimate tickets will have resale or refund instructions
5. Check the ticket Ts & Cs BEFORE you buy – look at tickets from the ticket retailer to see if they have a resale policy, buyer-specific QR codes, or anything that identifies the ticket buyer as this could mean you are buying a dud ticket (for example, a QR code ticket can be sold to multiple people as a scam, but only one person will be able to get inside the venue with it).
6. Look for dodgy links before you click – always hover over a website link before you click it and if the URL showing is not the website you want to go to, don’t click!
7. If an online payment fails, DO NOT pay again – contact the ticket sales website to confirm if your transaction went through. A scam website will not have customer service you can talk to, and could take several ‘failed’ payments from you.

Volunteer Instead

Tickets for any kind of entertainment are expensive, even when you can find ways to save money on them while avoiding ticket scams. However, there is one route to getting into your desired festival: volunteering.

Festival volunteers work a shift (usually 4-6 hours each day) and can be anything from traffic wardens to crowd control. In return for their work, they get free tickets to the festival (usually including camping tickets in a special staff area, too). It does mean you might have to compromise on which acts you get to see, if your shift is scheduled for a particular time, but it’s a good way to see things for free. Festival volunteering is physically demanding, however, so you’ll need to be in top condition to do it!

The post Save Money This Summer: Avoid Ticket Scams appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

• Breakfast in Bed
• At home pamper day
• Picnic in the Park
• Take a family hike
• Have a Games Night
• Make her a paper bouquet
• Paint a Pot
• Have an afternoon tea
• See a Musical
• Make her a hamper

Breakfast in Bed

Breakfast in bed is a classic mother’s day idea. What’s more luxurious than coffee and croissants whilst wrapped up in your quilt? Maybe add a cheeky mimosa for even more luxury. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate 3-course breakfast extravaganza, even just scrambled eggs of toast would be a treat.

At home pamper day

Spas can be expensive so why not have one at home instead. From making your own facemasks to creating the spa atmosphere at home, this article has you covered. Read it here for some great ideas.

Picnic in the Park

With nice weather forecast, this weekend why not pack up a picnic and head out to your local park. The joy of picnics is that you can make them as complex or simple as you like. You could just pack up a few cheese sandwiches and packets of crisps or go all out and make sausage rolls, buns and more.

Take a family hike

what’s better than wandering around the great outdoors on a Sunday afternoon? You can look for local hiking trails online, you could even just wander around a local park. It’s a great free activity that gets you out of the house for a few hours of the day.

Have a games night

Talking of free options why not hunt down those old board games and spend the evening playing. Maybe not monopoly though, you don’t want to cause a family argument on mothers day.

Make her a paper bouquet

Flowers can be expensive especially when they have such a short life span so why not craft your mum some paper flowers. There are loads of step by step tutorials online for any and all skills levels.

Paint a pot

Paint a pot is a great way to spend time together whilst creating a unique gift. Many towns now have paint a pot places but if not, you could purchase some cheap pottery and paints online and do it at home.

Have an afternoon tea

If you’re a foodie, you’ve probably had your fair share of afternoon teas. You could book yourself a day out for an afternoon tea and put on your posh frocks. Or you could DIY it at home, make some mini cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches, pick up a few fruit scones and a Victoria sponge cake and you’re good to go

See a musical

If you’re in London around Mother’s Day, why not head to the theatre. Check out this article on how to get cheap theatre tickets to over 40 top London shows.

Make her a hamper

If you’re looking for a last-minute present idea, why not make your mum a hamper. You can fill it with anything and everything she likes. From chocolate to stationary and maybe a good book. It is sure to put a smile on her face.

The post 10 Ideas For Mother’s Day appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

• Get Creative in Your Home
• Make the Most of Your Local Space and Community
• The Great Outdoors
• Free Museums and Galleries
• Use Discounts and Deals
• The Good Life Game
• More Useful Reading

Get Creative in Your Home

Keep costs low by making the most of your home space to entertain your kids. There are plenty of activities that will use items you already own so you’re not having to spend more buying new stuff!

Baking

Baking with your kids is not only a great activity you can do altogether but you also get the added benefit of being able to eat all your creations! Look at what ingredients you already have and see if you can make something with them – BBC GoodFood is a great website with masses of free recipes that are worth checking out for inspiration.

Why not make a day of it and host Bake Off themed events? You could create competitions with different themes and challenges, or maybe pair your children up in teams with an adult or older sibling to compete against each other if they may need some supervision.

Board Games

Board games are always an excellent rainy day activity but if you don’t own a few already they can be quite expensive to buy, see if a friend or neighbour could lend you one. Enter our competition to win The Good Life game!

If you want to get a bit crafty why not make your own. You could base it on an old favourite or design a new one completely and get creative with designing and decorating the board too.

If you enjoy a bit of trivia and quizzing then compiling your own pub quizzes with questions suitable for the whole family and taking it in turns to host can be an excellent way to spend an evening.

Create a Scavenger Hunt

A great activity you can play even if you’re limited to your own house, getting more creative if you have a garden or are able to use a public outdoor space. List everyday things for kids to find or get a bit more imaginative and they could hunt for something they think smells nice, or something that makes them laugh.

Make the Most of Your Local Space and Community

There’s loads to do on your local doorstep if you know where to look!

Local Events

Most cities and local organisations will frequently list upcoming events such as movie nights, music and art festivals, and any community celebrations. These events are likely to always be family orientated and children-friendly with the cost of entry either low or free.

Communal Space

A local park or open space is a great place for a picnic, get children involved in making the snacks and then why not go for a walk first and have your picnic as a well-deserved treat afterwards.

Sports Day

Embrace your competitive side and host your own sports day in your back garden or local park. Why not include the egg and spoon race, a DIY hurdle race, and some sprints? You could even have a small prize for the overall winner as another added incentive.

The Great Outdoors

We are lucky in the UK to be surrounded by such vast amounts of beautiful countryside, but not always so lucky with the weather. When we are having days of sunshine it’s best to make the most of it!

Beach days are perfect for embracing when the sun’s out and the bonus you don’t need to spend much either- maybe cash to buy a bucket and spade and a little extra for an ice cream. With plenty of beaches in the UK to choose from you can find the one closest to you or spend some time visiting several and exploring the local towns, too.

National Trust sites are beautiful and perfect places for easy strolls and enjoying the outdoors. Depending how much you visit, a membership may be worth considering or you can buy one off entry and under-5s go free. Bear in mind also that there are several National Trust properties that allow you to walk for free in the grounds even if you are not paying entry into the properties.

Free Museums and Galleries

There are so many free museums and galleries across the UK which are perfect for a rainy day, and many of them organise fun and educational programs for children and families during the school holidays. Try these for a start!

• British Museum, London
• National Gallery, London
• Science Museum, London
• National History Museum, London
• National Football Museum, Manchester
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
• National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
• V&A Museum of Childhood, London
• St. Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
• World Museum, Liverpool
• Nottingham Contemporary
• Royal Armouries, Leeds
• National Railway Museum, York
• Ulster Museum, Belfast

The awesome thing is that you can still visit lots of these places even in lockdown! Check out the gallery or museum website for virtual tours and interactive videos or talks about exhibits.

Use Discounts and Deals

Savvy Magpies use discounts and deals at every opportunity to save lots of cash over the course of the year.

Supermarket Loyalty Points

Using your loyalty points on days out rather than using them in-store does give you a better value for money. In Tesco you earn 1 point for every £1 you spend, and in-store this point is worth a penny. By exchanging points for Clubcard Reward Partner tokens they’re worth three times the value. 500 points is worth £5 in-store, or £15 in vouchers! Sainsbury’s Nectar Partner deals vary but your points can be worth two, or three times the value as well.

Groupon

Groupon offers up to 70% off and has a whole section dedicated to things to do and days out. You can browse through all their deals or search by location and what offers you can get close to you.

365Tickets

Worth checking out 365Tickets to look for deals on days out. Choices range from cultural and historical sites to theme parks and zoos, depending what you’re looking for. With discounts of up to 50% off, guaranteed low prices, and no additional booking or card fees, it is one of the cheapest options for tickets.

2for1

Look out for 2for1 when you go by train deals. Pay one full price ticket to get another free, it includes tourist attractions like St. Paul’s Cathedral and HMS Belfast, but it is available for some restaurants and bars as well.

If you regularly go by train to get to exciting day trips with the kids, consider investing in a railcard. A card is just £30 a year – and offers 30% off adult and 60% off child fares, for up to 4 adults and 4 children travelling together. Whopping savings!

The Good Life Game

Our competition for one lucky winner to win their own The Good Life Board Game is now live! Recommended by the Good Toy Guide, it’s aged for 7 year olds and over and is a great game for a whole family to play together. You move around the board trying to fill your garden and allotment with fruit, vegetables, and livestock, with the winner being the first to become completely self-sufficient. Find out how to win here.

More Useful Reading

• 12 Top Money-Saving Tips For Families
• Family Fun on a Budget
• Free 7-Day Trial With Disney Plus
• Free Ideas to Entertain Your Kids During Self-Isolation and Home-Schooling

The post Cheap Family Entertainment Tips appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

As far as we’re concerned it’s just a great excuse for an indulgent evening for anyone, and a nice way to inject some warm feelings into the cold months before spring.

Of course, if there is a ‘significant other’ in your life then you have a great reason to celebrate in a loved-up kind of a way… or not, depending on what you like.

But if you’re a singleton, or you’d actually like to do something a bit different, then why not treat yourself or your pals to a fun and sweet-filled day/evening on 14th February?

It’s also a great excuse to give yourself a present, or gift a friend who means a lot to you. Maybe you have a friend who really needs a lift. Or perhaps you have a family member who has been really good to you and you’d like an excuse to give them something lovely.

Whatever the excuse, we have lots of ideas for you to make 2024’s Valentine’s Day really special!

• Sweet treats for you and your pals
• Gifts for your Valentine or your friend
• Fun Valentine experiences for you and a special friend
• Have some ‘Me Time’ this Valentines

Sweet treats for you and your pals

If you’re currently a singleton, why not get together with other singleton friends and have your own indulgent party?

Valentine’s Day is a particularly good excuse to overdo the sweet stuff and, as if on cue, Lola’s Cupcakes have a fantastic set of Valentine-themed cakes that anyone would enjoy any day. Their master bakers have lovingly crafted a range of scrumptious sweets such as cupcakes with heart-warming decorations, beautiful layered cakes and decadently indulgent brownies. Choose the cakes that you’d like delivered to your door here.

Also, Creams cafes have some truly indulgent cakes and desserts that you can eat either in store (find your local one here) or have delivered through Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Just Eat. Describing themselves as the UK’s ultimate dessert date destination, their cafes have a host of sweet treats, perfect for sharing between two or enjoying all on your own. They also have hot desserts such as the Sticky Toffee Hot Skillet; Spiced Winter Berry Waffle; Caramel Apple Skillet; and Banoffee Hot Pocket.

CROSSTOWN DOUGH BITES

The season of love has arrived at Crosstown, with the creation of four limited edition dough bite flavours for Valentine’s Day. Everything will be available between 8th and 14th February, with two of the new flavours available exclusively online. Vegan and alcohol-free options also available, as well as DOUGH BITE BOXES including:

Valentine’s 15-pack – A selection of 15 dough bites in three flavours: Ruby Chocolate & Cherry Liqueur, Passion Fruit & Chocolate (ve), and Sauvignon Blanc & Strawberry + the option of adding specialty drinks (from £42.45).

Valentine’s three-pack – One each of the Ruby Chocolate & Cherry Liqueur, Passion Fruit & Chocolate (ve) and Sauvignon Blanc & Strawberry dough bite flavours + the option of adding specialty drinks (from £10.95).

…and tons more, so check out their website… BUT be aware, these are now only available for delivery within Greater London.

For nationwide (England, Wales & lowland Scotland) they have a box of six or 12 Valentine’s Day topper doughnuts – their popular Chocolate Truffle and Homemade Raspberry Jam sourdough doughnuts (both vegan) with three different toppers – Be Mine, I Love You and Happy Valentine’s Day.

FATSO believes chocolate, like life, should be less savoured and MORE devoured. Bored of the seriousness and restraint of posh dark chocolate, FATSO delivers super chunky, personality-packed flavour combos for uncompromising deliciousness. Each of the bars are made from true single-origin, Fino de Aroma certified cacao from Colombia for the highest quality, 100% ethically made chocolate.

The Love bundle, which is made from fully recyclable and compostable materials, is available to buy online, www.sofatso.com (3 x 150g, RRP £19.50).

We’re big fans of Lily O’Brien’s chocs because they taste good and they don’t break the bank. Right now they have a new and exclusive Desserts Collection, designed especially as a scrumptious gift for Valentine’s Day. The usual price is £12 but they have £9 promotions across a range of stores including ASDA. It’s a 24-piece chocolate box containing classic and limited-edition centres from their Desserts Collection including Hazelnut Torte, Raspberry Infusion, and Crème Brulée. Buy yourself a box or treat your loved-one for less!

Spice up your drinks – having the girls around for a ‘we’re single’ Valentine’s evening? Spice up your drinks, whether they are alcoholic or non-alcoholic, with Spice Drops. You can get them in a range of flavours and use them to make fizzy water really interesting!

Relax and recharge with Joe & Seph’s Pamper Night In Box, brimming with luxurious gourmet goodies.

As beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, it comes delivered in Joe & Seph’s signature gold gift box. Comprised of Pina Colada Michel Roux, Strawberries and Cream, Prosecco Popcorn Mini Gift Box, White Chocolate and Raspberry Popcorn Bites and so much more, it promises to delight everyone looking for a little indulgence.

For all lovers of chocolate

For chocolate enthusiasts, the Chocolate Indulgence hamper from Virginia Hayward is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover’s craving. Filled with an array of decadent treats such as chocolate fruit and nut biscuits, glittery chocolate cake, and a warming hot chocolate spoon, this is so moreish, you may not want to share.

If you’re a fan of retro classics then why not try the Valentine Chocolate Bouquet from The Sweet Hamper Company. Containing a combination of luxury chocolate and classics such as Kinder Happy Hippo and  Milky Way Magic Stars for some tasty nostalgia.

We’re big fans of Lily O’Brien’s Truffles at MoneyMagpie. They’re tasty, come in nice boxes and are really affordable. Indulge yourself and your friends with a £5 box of milk chocolate or salted caramel truffles. Great with a cup of tea!

The LoveRaw® Starter Mix is the perfect vegan chocolate selection box: with one of each bar, it’s the perfect way to get a true taste of some game-changing vegan chocolate.

The updated Starter Mix includes:
1 x Caramelised Biscuit Cre&m® Wafer Bar
1 x M:lk® Choc Peanut Caramel Bar
1 x Milk Choc Peanut Butter Cup1 x White Choc Cre&m® Wafer Bar
1 x Salted Caramel Cre&m® Wafer Bar
1 x M:lk® Choc Nutty Choc Balls
1 x M:lk® Choc Cre&m® Wafer Bar

Gifts for your Valentine or your friend

Christmas is long gone, but that doesn’t mean  we’ve lost an excuse to give nice presents to others…or ourselves!

Valentine’s Day is a great reason to give a lovely gift to someone who’s been good to you, or just give yourself a gift…because you’re fab!

Do you need some new boots, trainers or sandals? Or perhaps you’d just like some snuggly slippers to curl up on the sofa with this evening? The online vegan shoe store Heavenly Feet sells all of these with a big heart attached.  The styles are on trend and kind to animals – no leather. They have a range that is particularly light-weight too so that you can skip to your next appointment with genuinely light feet!

• De-stress with this gorgeous aromatherapy handmade necklace. The Hamsa Aromatherapy Necklace (£39) is made from natural Lava & a 14K gold plated hamsa charm. The gift box includes a 2ml bottle of Lavender, Bergamot & Ylang Ylang pure essential oil blend. Simply use the wand inside the bottle to dab essential oil onto the stone to diffuse essential oils throughout the day.  Only available from Boostology

Super Facialist Rose Hydrate Miracle Makeover Facial Oil, £16, available from Sephora, is a dual purpose ‘wonder-blend’ of aromatherapy oils ideal to pre-cleanse, hydrate and calm dehydrated, sensitive skins. Formulated with Avocado and Carrot oils, both rich in vitamins, and hydrating Raspberry oil, known for its high Omega 3 & 6 essential fatty acids content.

Dr Paw Paw YOUR gorgeous SKIN 4 in 1 face serum is the ultimate multipurpose superhero 4 in 1 treatment. This vegan formula effectively delivers multiple skin benefits by combining four serums into one – saving you time, space, and money. £15 from Dr PawPaw

For a new look hairstyle, the Revamp Progloss Hollywood Curl Automatic Rotating Hair Curler will do just that at the touch of a button. We love the right and left handed rotation buttons which alternates the direction of your curls for a true Hollywood look. Available from: revamphair.com and Boots

Homedics 2-in-1 Nail Polish Dryer is easy to use for a quick, fuss-free manicure. Suitable for use with gel polish, nail polish and acrylics, giving nails a flawless finish. Available from homedics.co.uk and Argos

Time for some pampering? The Awesome Hamper Company’s Valentine’s collection has a range of pamper hampers such as its Treat Yourself Gift Box  which includes Lavender Essential Oil and Aromatherapy Candle to truly relax and unwind, or The Awesome Pamper Hamper, a luxurious hamper packed with everything you need for rest and relaxation, from scented candles to luxurious body scrubs.

The luxury lingerie brand Xintima has a marvellous range of sexy nightwear which you can wear for yourself or for your squeeze. It’s also a great range for presents for girlfriends. This mini satin dressing gown, for example, makes a great gift for anyone.

For a more humorous touch and one for the mum’s, this bespoke art print apron features Frank Canvas’ artwork and is available from
Art Merchandise at £29.99.

Fill your kitchen with the aroma of your favourite pizzeria with the Just Spices DIY Pizza Kit. Just follow the simple step-by-step instructions to make pizza the way you like it. The kit includes all the equipment you need, plus a helpful booklet and a range of spice blends to season your sauces and toppings!

VISTAPRINT

Everyone loves photos, collages and albums, and VistaPrint are offering a bunch of great deals that make it easy to treat a loved one to showcases of their own photos, or an album or framed

picture or two of someone or something that will make them smile. From mugs and blankets to calendars and cushions, create a memorable moment with photo gifts that won’t bust your budget. There’s deals on wall calendars, custom mugs and canvas prints. Photo books, cushions and wall art. They’re currently offering 40% off across the range, so there’s bound to be something you can create for your loved one.

LEGO Flower Bouquet – £54.99

Giving and receiving beautiful flowers is such a joy. If you’re looking for a flower gift with a difference, the LEGO® Flower Bouquet (10280) is an inspired choice. Perfect for treating a loved one, this flower bouquet model building kit lets you relax, unplug and create something wonderful. With adjustable stems to tailor to the arrangement for any vase or container, this impressive flower display brings a touch of fun and colour to any room.

Fun Valentine experiences for you and a special friend

The Two Together Railcard entitles you and your BFF to ⅓ off rail travel when you travel together by train – which is more fun anyway! Forget Valentines, this year it’s all about our besties, and Railcard.co.uk can be the perfect easy and affordable Galentine’s gift for you and your fave friend to share.

It’s not just a card for couples – together you can save on practical everyday journeys, fun Galentine’s day trips or relaxing weekend breaks – as many times as you like, saving a 1/3 on rail travel each time you make a trip together.

Have some ‘Me Time’ and Stay Warm this Valentines

The Hoodie Blanket from kudd.ly has a breathable MicroCool teddy fleece exterior and a soft sherpa fleece interior.  30% longer than other hoodie blankets, it’s just what you need for relaxing on the sofa. Available in various colours and patterns and currently on special offer, what’s not to like.

OHS has a fab range of cosy comforts including weighted blankets (from £12) , Fleece Onesie Jumpsuits (from £9) and the return of their popular Faux Fur Hot Water Bottle Foot Warmer (£13). Shop the range here

The Beverley Women’s Waterproof 3-In-1 Jacket – faded pink – teams a fully waterproof coat with a detachable quilted jacket. Layer up and wear this versatile combo as your warmest of winter coats, or use each one separately.  The 3-in-1 concept makes it so easy to adapt to changing temperatures and conditions, so you’ll never be caught out at any time of year.

Tallard Womens Funnel Neck Microfleece – faded pink – is a super soft, comfortable microfleece roll neck jumper that looks great with just about anything, designed to feel fantastic against the skin with a buttery smooth finish on the outside. This is made for cosy days a t home as well as for walks, hikes, camping trips, and meals out at the pub.

Preparing and serving your culinary creations will always be a success when you use this cherry-red coloured mini cocotte from STAUB.

The 10 cm mini cocotte is excellent for preparing small portions of gratin or soufflé. You can serve food in style during romantic events using the heart-shaped mini cocotte. The small dish is suitable for use in the microwave as well as in the oven. The top-notch ceramic ensures the perfect distribution of heat for the best results.

• Ideal for preparing and serving in portions
• Versatile
• Easy to clean thanks to enamelled surface
• Suitable for use in microwave and oven

Ploov is a cordless heating cushion with infrared technology and rechargeable battery. The Original fabric is super soft and fits every style. The cushions warm you efficiently with battery powered heat and infrared technology. This warmth is felt throughout your body and does not heat the entire air unnecessarily, but only you.

Love yourself and your partner

Give yourself ‘Heavenly Feet’

Heavenly Feet have a great range of shoes and boots and Valentine’s Day would be a good time to show your pins some love by buying them some new boots. I did! I got these Weston2 boots in the sale for just £48.95. Check out their range and see what’s on offer!

Pamper yourself

Pamper yourself with Grace & Stella’s fabulous VGP’ Day collection bundle filled with all your selfcare essentials. The moisturising Pink Eye Masks are formulated with plumping fructose, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which are both hydrating and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles; the Rose Spray has anti-inflammatory properties and refreshes the skin leaving behind a beautiful floral scent. The Rainbow Bath bomb nourishes your skin whilst helping you unwind. The smoothing Berry Lip Masks leave lips pillowy soft. These four products are the perfect combination for gifting. Valentine’s is for the Gals and Pals, show your appreciation to those you love by providing them with the self love products they never knew they were missing.!

Get sexy nightwear!

Step into enchantment with the sexy mini satin dressing gown from the amazing brand X Intima.

This mini gown is a delicate masterpiece destined for an elegant Valentine’s Day. The cute little number is adorned with full soft lace and 3D crystal stone embroidery on the shoulder, which exudes sophistication, creating an atmosphere of refined romance. Your every movement will be a graceful dance thanks to the charming, tasselled sleeve.  It retails at £166.75.

The post Valentine’s gift guide for pampering yourself and your pals on the big day appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

The cinema is a great place for adventure. Film fanatics everywhere flock to see the latest releases. But in the last few years, a trip to the cinema has become a strain on our wallets. That’s why we’ve rounded up all the latest deals and offers for you, so you can save when you go to see your faves on the big screen.

• ODEON
• Cineworld 
• Vue 
• Other cinemas
• More deals

ODEON

Member Mondays for £5

Sign up to myODEON for free and get access to cheaper tickets on Member Mondays. Book via the myODEON app and unlock tickets from as little as £5. Any movie, any time, every Monday.

This is exclusive to myODEON members, and can only be redeemed when booking online.

This price includes an online booking fee of £1, however additional upgrades such as seat and format upgrades will cost extra. Price does not apply to special screenings and events.

Sign up for myODEON now

Screen Unseen

With ODEON Screen Unseen, you are able to watch highly-acclaimed, pre-release films from just £6. But there’s a catch: you won’t know which film you’re seeing until the cinema lights go down. If you don’t mind surprises, are a film buff or simply want a nice day out, Screen Unseen could be perfect for you. 

Horror films are not included but Odeon are working on a similar Scream Unseen package and we’ll update you when we’re notified.

With a myODEON account, tickets are £6 when booked online, or £7 when you pay at the box office. Without a free myODEON membership, tickets are £7 when booked online, and £8 when bought in-cinema.

Find out more here.

Kids screenings for £2.75

Children aged 14 and under can get £2.75 tickets on selected Kids screenings, when you book with your free myODEON account. Plus, accompanying adults will pay the same.

Showings are available every Saturday and Sunday and every day during the school holidays. All applicable films will have a green “Kids” label so you know that it’s an Odeon Kids screenings. 

Those without a myODEON membership will be charged £3.50 when booking online, and £4 in-person.

Find out more here

Over-60s Silvers screenings for £3.50

Over-60s can get great discounts with ODEON Silvers screenings. Enjoy films at quieter times of the day and enjoy tea and biscuits before the film starts, included in the ticket price.

Sign up for a free myODEON account and book via the app to get to get tickets for £3.50 or pay £4.50 in the cinema. Without a myODEON account, you will pay £4 online and £5 in the cinema.

Find out more here

Limitless films with a myLIMITLESS membership

If you are a big film lover and go often to see the latest releases, it may be worth getting a myLIMITLESS membership card from ODEON. From £14.99 per month, you can see all the films you want, as many times as you’d like.

Plus, enjoy 10% savings on food and drink at the cinema and you will be notified about new releases and member-only exclusive screenings.

Find out more here.

Cineworld

Unlimited membership

For less than the price of two cinema tickets per month, you can enjoy Cineworld Unlimited. If you are a film fanatic and want to see all the newest releases on the big screen, this may be a more cost-effective way to see all of your faves, as many times as you want!

Plus, you’ll get 10% off snacks and drinks – this goes up to 25% off after 12 months as a member, too! Other benefits include 25% off your total bill at Cineworld’s restaurant partners – Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge and Las Iguanas.

You can also enjoy the celeb treatment, with exclusive member screenings before general release. You’ll also get 50% off special event screenings, such as the opera, ballet or West End show streams. Find out more here.

Tesco Clubcard deals

If you have a Tesco Clubcard, take a lookout what cinema deals are available to you. You can exchange Clubcard Points Vouchers for Cineworld and Picturehouse Cinema tickets. Plus, get double the value than you would in-store at Tesco – 50p in vouchers becomes £1 to use on cinema tickets. You can also use these points towards a Cineworld Unlimited membership.

Find out more here.

Adults pay kids prices

Discounted weekly screenings bring you all the family favourites for just £2.50 per ticket – for kids and adults! Experience the magic of movies with the whole family. Family tickets allow up to four people (two adults max) to enjoy discounted cinema. A family ticket also allows up to 30% off sweet treats and movie snacks, too!

If there aren’t enough of you to get a family ticket, Cineworld Juniors allows you to take your child to selected screenings for just £2.50 – and you pay the same price. Find out more here.

CineSeniors

Every Wednesday, over-60s can enjoy special screenings for just £4.50 per ticket. You’ll get to enjoy your film with complimentary biscuits and hot drinks, and meet new people in the community.

Simply select your local cinema and the date you would like to visit, then select the relevant screening to book. CineSeniors is only available in select Cineworld cinemas. Find out more here.

Three Mobile deals

If you’re a Three Mobile customer and love the cinema, you’re in luck! Every week, you can claim one code which allows you to buy a cinema ticket for just £3 from Friday to Sunday. Book online in advance or in person at the cinema. Please note, you will be charged a 75p booking fee with online bookings.

My Cineworld Plus

My Cineworld Plus is different from Cineworld Unlimited. It’s a paid-for upgrade to the free My Cineworld account. The My Cineworld Plus upgrade lasts for 12 months and during that time you’ll receive a 10% discount on the price of all cinema tickets booked online through your My Cineworld Plus account. 

It’s just £6.95 for a year and gives you £6 worth of complimentary food and drink and the ability to make free cancellations. Find out more here.

Vue

Adults pay kids prices

Vue’s ‘Mini Mornings’ allow you to buy tickets for just £2.49 – and adults pay the same price. Mini Morning sessions run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am, and every single day in the school holidays. Showing the latest and greatest kids films, it ensures low-cost fun for all the family. Find out more here.

Vue membership

Vue members can get free refunds when they cancel a booking, meaning you don’t lose out on money. Members also get freebies and unlock great rewards, including free ticket upgrades and snacks. The best part? It’s free to join! Join here.

Priority

Are you an O2 or Virgin Media customer? You can get two Vue tickets for just £9! Plus, get 20% off food and non-alcoholic drinks. You can use your ticket any day, in any Vue location, within seven days of issue. Find out more here.

Other cinemas

Showcase

You can save a nice chunk of cash on cinema tickets at Showcase cinemas when you join Showcase Insider. With a free membership, you can watch all the latest blockbusters from just £7.50 all day Monday and Tuesday. You’ll also be invited for pre-release screenings. So, whether you are a horror lover, or prefer a charming romantic comedy, check out all that Showcase has to offer here.

Latest offer: Join the Insider club and watch three action films at Showcase cinemas before 19th July 2024 to receive £5 Insider rewards to be redeemed against future visits. Films include The Fall Guy, Bad Boys Ride or Die, Mad Max Furiosa, Kingdom of the Planet of Apes and Twister.

Picturehouse

Picturehouse Cinemas are owned by Cineworld. Some of the offers are the same cross-location, but some are not. With a Picturehouse membership, you can enjoy free tea and coffee on weekdays until 5pm, the occasional free screening, 10% off food and drink (which increases to 20% off after a year of membership), and loads more! You can find out all about Picturehouse membership here.

More deals

Get two free cinema tickets with Tesco and Virgin Red

Virgin Red is joining Tesco Clubcard as a new Reward Partner. This means Clubcard points earned through everyday shopping at Tesco can now be turned into Virgin Points to spend on everything from luxury cruises to skydiving experiences with Virgin Red.

Virgin Red members who exchange Tesco Clubcard points into Virgin Points will get 2x the points value, so members will get more points as well as more choice when it comes to rewards.

To celebrate the new partnership, Virgin Red members who sign up to auto-exchange their Clubcard points for the first time by 18 July 2024 will receive a bonus of 5,000 Virgin Points and those points can be swapped for two cinema tickets at Showcase, Cineworld or Picturehouse cinemas nationwide.

Find out more here

Discounts on cinema tickets with Tastecard

Tastecard members can enjoy some fab deals on cinema. You can get discounted tickets at Vue, ODEON and Cineworld. However, deals and offers vary by location, and each cinema has different terms and conditions. If you’re a Tastecard member, head to the app to find out which offers are available near you.

30% off cinema tickets with Kids Pass

Those with a Kids Pass membership can get up to 30% off cinema trips. Try it now for just £1 for 30 days, and save on all your days out.

Free cinema tickets for you and a friend with the CEA Card

If you need extra assistance at the cinema, or have a disability, it’s worth checking out the CEA Card. it costs just £6 per year, and allows you to get a free cinema ticket for a friend to accompany you to the cinema. To be eligible, you will need to be in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment.

Find out more here.

Save 37% with Boundless membership

Boundless is the membership club that gives great deals all over the country to public sector and civil service workers (current or retired), along with their friends and families. This includes teachers, civil servants, local-government workers and members of the armed forces, fire service, NHS, police and more.

Membership costs just £40 a year and on top of discounts for days out, unlimited complimentary access to Kew Gardens in London, Wakehurst in West Sussex and all nine Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) centres across the UK, members can save up to 37 per cent on cinema tickets through the Cinema Society, including at Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and Showcase cinemas across the UK. 

Check out our other deals pages:

• Food discounts, supermarket offers and takeaway deals
• The best UK deals and offers right now
• Beauty deals: Make-up offers, cosmetic deals and more

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Is it really possible to see a West End Show for £10? In short, yes! Next January & February performances have gone on sale for this incredible price. Now on sale here.

There is something so magical about theatre. I remember the very first time I went.

My mum had managed to get us cheap tickets to see The BFG as part of the kid’s book group we were in, and we had got them for a very reasonable price. I watched in awe as the giant’s huge shoes made their way onto the stage. Everything about it was awe-inspiring: the costumes, the orchestra, even the plush velvet seats made me feel like a Victorian aristocrat. But, the one thing that lacked in that first performance, was the BFG’s actual head. The tickets had been so cheap that we were in the gods, on a level with the horizon, meaning his head was decapitated.

As a young wide-eyed novice, I had believed that this was to express his magnitude; an artistic choice to show how giant he really was. It was only years later when my Mum told the story over dinner, that I discovered it was in fact unintended and merely due to the low price of our tickets. This is because, in those days (the early 90s) cheap theatre tickets were essentially non-existent. It pre-dated the The Official London Theatre New Year Sale. Something which now makes decent seats accessible to all.

The Official London Theatre New Year Sale is now open, returning for its 21st year to offer theatre fans over 100,000 tickets for over 45 of the capital’s best loved shows at the unbelievable prices of just​​ £10, £20, £30, £40 and £50, for performances between 1 January and 29 February 2024.

The Official London Theatre New Year Sale is run by non-profit organisation the Society of London Theatre, and has become a key part of London’s theatrical calendar, offering big shows at great prices, with no booking fees. What better way to see in the New Year than a budget-friendly trip to one of London’s most beloved shows?

Emma De Souza, Director of Audiences and Commercial at Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre, said:

“Getting audiences excited about theatre is at the very heart of what we do, so we’re thrilled to be bringing back the Official London Theatre New Year Sale for another year.

An experience can be the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, and luckily there are amazing shows across London on offer this year, with tens of thousands of tickets available to snap up ahead of the December rush.”

This year’s sale is back with top London shows – from Mrs Doubtfire and The Mousetrap to The Time Travellers Wife and Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The full list of participating shows is available HERE.

Tickets can only be booked online via OfficialLondonTheatre.com/sale. Theatre Tokens can be used to purchase tickets.

For our guide into getting cheap theatre tickets click here.

Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.

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