The full list of Universal Credit October half term discounts and days out

Kids will soon be breaking up from school for October half term and parents will be looking for fun and cheap activities.

Halloween coincides with the break so you might want to get in the spooky spirit.

If you claim benefits such as Universal Credit, you can save on great days out across the UK.

Here are all the free or £1 tickets days out to some of the best attractions, including those getting in the Halloween spirit.

Just remember that you'll often need to book in advance to secure your discounted tickets.

London Universal Credit discounted days out

Head to the capital during half term for some spook-tastic fun, there are plenty of places where you can get free tickets or pay just £1-3 for a ticket when you claim benefits including Universal Credit.

• Tower of London

The Tower of London puts on an epic Halloween day out. You can also peek at the crown jewels and more on this fab day out. If you claim Universal credit, you can book £1 tickets in advance online only.

You'll also be able to book for up to four other people per household, and only one needs to claim support. You will need to show proof of benefits when you arrive.

• Hampton Court Palace

Expect plenty of spooks and ghouls during October half term at Hampton Court Palace - plus, you'll get reduced £1 tickets to Kensington and Hampton Court Palaces, as well as Banqueting House if you claim Universal Credit.

You'll need to book online and in advance and can again take up to four people per household.

You can also get £1 tickets if you claim Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, and Jobseeker’s Allowance.

• Kensington Palace and Banqueting House

You can also get reduced £1 tickets to Kensington Palace, as well as Banqueting House if you claim Universal Credit.

Again, you'll need to book online and in advance and can take up to four people per household.

• Kew Gardens

Enjoy more than 50,000 plants at Kew Gardens - a great day for both children and adults alike.

If you claim Universal Credit you can buy a ticket for £1, as well as up to four additional guest tickets. A guest can be a child aged 4-15 or another adult/person 16 years or older.

• Cutty Sark

Enjoy the museum ship with £3 tickets if you claim Universal Credit. You can take up to six people per household at the discounted rate.

• London Transport Museum

Marvel at the history of transport around the capital with a £5 annual pass for eligible benefit recipients including those on Universal Credit. It means you can go as many times over the year as you like.

Universal Credit days out in the South West and South East

Families in the South West can find discounted days out at attractions including the Eden Project in Cornwall.

• Eden Project, Cornwall

Universal Credit claimants can get discounted tickets to the Eden Project during the summer.

Adult Universal Credit tickets cost £13.13, while children aged five to 16 pay £6.56.

That's compared with standard prices of £31.06 for adults and £12.50 for children.

There is a limit of two adults and two children per household and discounted tickets are limited, so it's worth booking as far in advance as possible.

• The Roman Baths, Bath

The Roman Baths in Bath offer £1 tickets for visitors receiving Universal Credit.

An eligible adult can bring up to four accompanying children aged six to 18, with each child paying £1.

Children under six are free.

The normal 2026 admission price is £16 for adults and £8.50 for children so it's a great saving.

The £1 tickets must be booked in advance online or through the Roman Baths' customer service team.

• RHS Gardens

If you claim Universal Credit you can visit RHS Gardens for £1 a ticket, which includes RHS Wisley, Surrey, RHS Rosemoor, Devon, and RHS Hyde Hall, Essex.

The offer allows you to book tickets at £1 for yourself and up to five people in the group.

Proof of benefit entitlement must be shown on arrival and pre-booking is needed.

• Coral Reef Waterworld

Coral Reef Waterworld in Bracknell, Berkshire, offers discounted tickets to people receiving selected benefits, including Universal Credit.

Eligible adults can expect to pay £14.55 compared with the standard £20.55 price.

Universal Credit days out in Birmingham and the Midlands

If you're looking for cheap Universal Credit days out in Birmingham or the Midlands, there are several attractions offering discount tickets to families receiving benefits.

• Chatsworth House Universal Credit tickets

Families claiming Universal Credit can visit Chatsworth House in Derbyshire for as little as £1 per child.

Adult tickets cost £3, while children aged three to 16 can enter for £1 – a huge saving on the usual admission prices.

The discounted ticket includes access to Chatsworth House, the gardens, farmyard and adventure playground, so there is plenty to keep the family entertained.

At least one person in the household must receive an eligible benefit, including Universal Credit, and you'll need to provide proof of your entitlement when you arrive. Tickets must be bought online in advance.

• Dudley Zoo and Castle Universal Credit tickets

Dudley Zoo and Castle in the West Midlands also offers discounted admission for people receiving Universal Credit. Current listings show tickets at £7 compared with around £23 for standard admission.

Check the zoo's website before booking to confirm the current discounted price, eligibility requirements and whether you need to book in advance.

Universal Credit days out in Manchester, Yorkshire and the North

There are plenty of top days out offering discounts to families receiving Universal Credit.

• National Football Museum

Football fans claiming benefits could save on a trip to the National Football Museum in Manchester, which offers concession prices to people receiving benefits, including Universal Credit.

If you live in the Manchester City Council area, you can also get free admission. You'll need to bring photo ID and proof of your address, and you must pay your Council Tax to Manchester City Council to qualify.

• Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo has previously offered £1 tickets on selected dates to people receiving certain benefits.

At the moment, half term isn't on offer but it is offering £1 tickets for Christmas from 17 to 31 December 2025 to people receiving Universal Credit.

It's worth checking the website regularly in case new discounted dates are released.

• York Castle Museum

Universal Credit claimants can get free entry to York Castle Museum, which normally charges £18 for an adult and £10.80 for a child.

You'll need to show proof that you receive Universal Credit or another eligible benefit.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme: Free school holiday activities and meals

As well as support with days out, families on Universal Credit can get help with activities for children during school breaks through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.

The government-funded scheme helps children from low-income families with access to free holiday clubs, healthy meals, childcare, sports, creative activities and enrichment programmes during the Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays.

The programme is delivered by local authorities across England and is mostly for children who receive benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM).

We have put together a help guide on who qualifies for Free School Meals and how to apply.

However, local authorities can also use part of their funding to offer places to other children who may benefit from additional support, depending on local needs.

Local authorities arrange activities through schools, charities, leisure providers, sports clubs and community organisations - they include physical activities as well as creative and educational sessions.