Budget-Friendly Family Days Out in the North West

School’s out and while the long summer break is a fantastic time for families to reconnect and make new memories, it can also be tricky to keep everyone entertained without breaking the bank.

Fortunately, there are lots of free or low-cost days out that are sure to keep everyone happy. Here are some of the best budget-friendly family days out in the North West.

 

Perfect Parks and Picnic Spots

In the North West you’re never far from open countryside and stunning scenery and we’re blessed with some fantastic locations that are perfect for a family picnic including National Parks and local beauty spots. These make an ideal day out and give everyone a chance to burn off some energy, soak up some Vitamin D and spend time together in nature- and all for free!

Wigan Flashes Nature Reserve

Just South of Wigan town centre you’ll find Wigan Flashes Nature Reserve. With peaceful lakeside and woodland walks perfect for little legs, plus bird hideaways for wildlife spotting and picnic areas is another fantastic free day out for families.

Strawberry Field, Liverpool

Whether you’re a Beatles fan or just want to catch a glimpse inside the iconic red gates, Strawberry Field will be opening its garden to families every Tuesday during the summer holidays from 10.30am. These Get Back to Play sessions are free and there’s no need to book. Each week will have a different ‘theme’ and there’ll be crafts and activities for all ages.

Ilkley Moor

Just over the border in West Yorkshire, Ilkley Moor is the perfect day out for families who want to work up an appetite before spreading out their picnic blanket and enjoying the panoramic views.

The Lake District and Peak District

If you want to go a little further afield this summer, the Lake District to the North and the Peak District to the South have no shortage of scenic spots for a family picnic, like Lake Windermere or Dovedale.

Museums, Libraries and Art Galleries

The Great British weather isn’t always as reliable as we might like during the long summer holidays, but thankfully there’s no shortage of indoor attractions for families to help keep children entertained on those grey days.

The Manchester Museum

Located on Oxford Road on the University of Manchester campus, The Manchester Museum is easily accessible by public transport. The museum has recently undergone a full renovation and is full of fascinating objects to capture the imagination of children of all ages. The museum also holds a range of free activities and events specifically for families, including trails and drop-in sessions over the summer.

World Museum, Liverpool

The World Museum is open every day during the school summer holidays and is free to enter. With objects from all around the world - and even outer space (!) plus an aquarium, there’s sure to be something for everyone.

The museum is also holding Summer Bug Hunts every Wednesday where youngsters can join a bug safari exploring the museum’s wildflower garden in the hope of spotting some creepy crawlies!

The Whitaker, Rawtenstall

Set in the beautiful Whitaker Park in Rawtenstall, the Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery is free to enter and holds regular events for families including craft sessions and family film screenings.

Bradford Industrial Museum

Based in what was once Moorside Mills in Eccleshill, Bradford Industrial Museum is now a time capsule of the heyday of steam-powered industry, with a permanent display of textile machinery and motor vehicles. The museum is open all year-round and is free to enter. Over the summer holidays, they’re also putting on a range of family-friendly events, including an Eco Day on the 21st August when you can get involved in creating artwork from nature and even upcycle an old piece of clothing!

Local Libraries

Library membership is completely free and there’s no minimum age to sign up so even babies and toddlers can have their own library card and borrow picture books to enjoy at home on those rainy summer days.

Libraries also offer a wide range of free events during the school holidays from family crafts to storytime sessions and author visits. Most libraries also offer a Summer Reading Challenge, giving youngsters the chance to discover new books and win prizes for reading.

You can find out more about your local library service and what’s on here:

Blackburn with Darwen Libraries

Blackpool Libraries

Bolton Libraries

Bradford Libraries

Calderdale Libraries

Lancashire Libraries

Liverpool Libraries

Manchester Libraries

Rochdale Libraries

Sefton Libraries

Stockport Libraries

Trafford Libraries

Wigan Libraries

Beaches

It just wouldn’t be summer without a trip to the beach! We’re lucky that here in the North West we have plenty of beautiful, safe beaches to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for miles of soft golden sands like Lytham St Anne’s or Formby beach, the livelier shores of Blackpool or the picture-perfect lighthouse and driftwood shipwreck to be found at New Brighton in Wallasey, with over 60 beaches in the North West, there’s something for all tastes!

Animal Fun

If you’re wanting to take a walk on the wild side this summer, these animal attractions offer free entry and a chance to get up close and personal with a whole host of creatures.

Walton Hall and Gardens, Daresbury

Entry to the park at Walton Hall is free and here you can combine a family picnic with a trip to the children’s zoo which is open every day and home to alpacas, donkeys, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits and birds.

Rice Lane City Farm, Walton

Established over 40 years ago, Rice Lane City Farm covers 24 acres of fields and woodland and is a lovely day out for families with children of all ages where you can meet friendly farmyard animals and spend some time in nature.

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston

There’s no charge to visit Brockholes Nature Reserve and no need to book. You can just turn up and enjoy the stunning 250 acre site. Over the summer holidays, there are also extra events going on, including an Xplorer Challenge and Wildlife Adventurer Day.

Local Fun Days and Events

There are also lots of family fun days being held all over the North West this summer so don’t miss out on these free local events.

Manchester

Manchester City Council’s parks team is partnering with MCR Active and local residents to host a series of summer fun days at Manchester parks throughout the city in August. Locations include Collyhurst, Newton Heath and Harpurhey.

The Rochdale Feel Good Festival is hosting four Feel Good Family Picnics over the summer with free performances and fun activities for children of all ages. All the dates, locations and details can be found here.

Manchester Day is also returning to the city this year, with a theme inspired by the summer Olympics. From 12pm to 6pm on Saturday the 27th July, the city centre will be transformed into a playground for a day of free family fun.

Lancashire

Families in Lancashire are also spoiled for choice, with a wide range of free summer events, including the Darwen Festival of Fun on Saturday 27th July, the Dark Moon Comic Fair on August 31st and Burnley Canal Festival on the 25th of August, where children and young people can become Towpath Explorers or step aboard a floating museum!

 

Families also won’t want to miss this year’s Blackpool Illuminations Switch On. This is a free event packed with live entertainment which will take place on Friday 30th August.

 

Regional HAF Offers

 

Many councils have also teamed up with local leisure and activity providers to offer families a HAF program once again this summer. HAF (or Holiday Activities and Food) is designed to support families during the school holidays by providing fun activities and a lunch for school-age children.

Areas will have their own registration requirements and while most HAF programmes are specifically aimed at children in receipt of free school meals, some councils have opened up their provision to other families.

For example, as part of Bradford’s HAF offer, there will be 12 family fun days held in parks across the city and these are open to all children aged 5 to 14, regardless of whether they’re eligible for free school meals or not.

 

Summer Fun at Olive Branch Fostering

If you’ve been looking for budget-friendly family days out in the North West, we hope this comprehensive what’s on guide has helped!

Here at Olive Branch Fostering we know how challenging the long summer break can be for some children and young people, and we pride ourselves on offering our families fantastic support all year round.

We also run lots of fun, free events for our families throughout the summer so there’s always something to look forward to.

To find out more about our upcoming events for foster carers in the North West, follow us on social media or if you’re part of the Olive Branch family and want to know what’s coming up, get in touch with us.

We hope all of our families have a fantastic summer and enjoy making wonderful memories with our children and young people.