The ultimate guide to Universal Credit summer holiday discounts and days out

Getting through the summer holidays can be tough for parents. Keeping the kids entertained without draining your budget can be pretty tricky.

However, there is lots of help on hand if you claim benefits such as Universal Credit.

Here we break down the free or £1 tickets days out to top UK attractions, as well as looking at where you can get a discount on holidays.

London Universal Credit discounted days out

If you live in or around the capital there are plenty of places that you can get free tickets or pay just £1-3 for a ticket when you claim benefits including Universal Credit.

• Tower of London

Book a trip to the Tower of London to take in 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 just need to show proof of benefits when you arrive.

• Kensington and Hampton Court Palace, plus Banqueting House

You can also feel like a royal for the day and 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.

• 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.

Zoo and wildlife parks

Get up close to exotic and exciting animals with a range of zoos and parks offering cut-price tickets for Universal Credit claimants.

• London and Whipsnade Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side with discounted tickets to London or Whipsnade Zoo when you claim Universal Credit and other benefits.

The discount available depends on the day but you can expect to pay £10 entry for an adult compared to £30 as standard.

• Chester Zoo

Keep an eye out for flash reduced-price £1 tickets on selected dates such as Christmas. There are currently none available for summer, but that could change so it's worth checking the website regularly if you live local.

• Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park

Discounted tickets of £8 are available for up to six people per household. You'll need to book in advance online and show proof of benefits.

Museums and other major attractions

If you fancy taking in a bit of culture or exploring a new topic, there are plenty of free museums across the country. However, where paid entry is required you can often get a discount if you receive Universal Credit and other benefits.

• Eden Project

Universal Credit holder tickets for adults cost £13.13 over the summer and £6.56 for children aged five to 16. That compares to £31.06 for standard adults and £12.50 for children.

There’s a limit of two adults and two children per household and there are limited tickets available with the discount so book as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.

• York Castle Museum

If you claim Universal Credit, you can get free entry to the museum which usually costs £18 for an adult and £10.80 for a child.

You'll just need to show proof of receipt.

• Coral Reef swim park

This watery world in Bracknell, Berkshire is a blast for kids offers discounted tickets for those claiming selected benefits including Universal Credit.

Expect to pay £14.55 as an adult compared to £20.55 as standard.

Family Holiday Charity

If you want to take a break this year but are struggling to afford the cost, there is help available.

The Family Holiday Charity offers funded UK holidays for low-income families who meet certain criteria.

Generally, you'll need to have a household income below £24,000, at least one child under 18, and no family holiday in the previous four years.

Applications usually need to be made through a professional referrer such as a school, social worker, charity worker, or family support service.

If you think you could be suitable for the programme it's worth mentioning to a teacher or professional who could refer you. They will need to sign up to become a referrer.

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 the school holidays 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.