Pension Credit days out: Cheap and £1 attractions for October half-term

If you claim Pension Credit you can enjoy an amazing day out to some of the best attractions across the UK for just £1 tickets, which could save families and grandparents more than £100 during October half-term.

The cost of keeping children happy and entertained when school is out can quickly rack up.

But if you receive selected benefits, including Pension Credit, top venues offer ticket prices of just £1 per person and you often can bring children, grandchildren or other family members for the same low price.

The main thing to remember is that you often have to book online and in advance.

With October half-term fast approaching, discounted tickets will likely get snapped up quick.

We've rounded up the royal palaces, castles, gardens and historic site offering Pension Credit discounts so you can plan your cheap day out.

You will usually also need to show proof that you claim Pension Credit at the point of admission so remember to take a DWP confirmation letter or similar along with you.

Can I use my Pension Credit discount for children or grandchildren?

In most cases you can bring grandchildren along for £1 a ticket, giving grandparents a great way to treat grandchildren without breaking the bank.

It's especially useful way to make savings when taking kids out during the October half term.

Just remember to book in advance, as popular dates such as school holidays can book out.

Discounted Pension Credit tickets are usually limited in numbers.

Royal Palaces £1 days out: Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace

The Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace all offer £1 tickets to people claiming Pension Credit.

If you are a grandparent, it's good to know that the offer includes admission and can be used for up to four people per household, with only one person needing to provide proof of their benefit - making the offer ideal for using over half term.

For example, at the Tower of London, the attraction's normal adult ticket is £37 and a child ticket is £18.50.

It means a family of two adults and two children would normally pay £111, compared with just £4 using the Pension Credit discount

That's a huge saving of £107.

For all three venues, the £1 tickets must be booked online in advance and are limited, so bag October half-term dates sooner rather than later.

You'll need to bring Pension Credit proof and ID with you.

Royal Collection Trust £1 days out: Windsor Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

The Royal Collection Trust has one of the biggest £1 schemes available for people claiming Pension Credit.

Venues taking part in the scheme include Windsor Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace,

Pension Credit recipients can get £1 tickets for up to six people per household at qualifying royal attractions.

Only one person in the household needs to show supporting documents, and an extra six people per household can get £1 tickets.

If you are visiting Windsor Castle, normal advance admission is currently £32 for an adult and £16 for a child, coming to £96 for two adults and two children,

Whereas under the Pension Credit, four tickets are £4 making a saving of £92.

The £1 ticket includes standard admission.

Just make sure you check opening times and dates when choosing an October half-term date and book online through Royal Collection Trust before visiting.

You must bring your Pension Credit DWP confirmation letter, another form of identification and your ticket confirmation.

Kew Gardens and Wakehurst £1 tickets

Kew Gardens in London and its Sussex site, Wakehurst, both offer £1 entry to people receiving Pension Credit and you bring up to four extra guests paying £1 each.

That means five people could potentially visit for just £5.

The standard peak online price for Kew Gardens from 2 September to 31 October is £23 for adults. Child tickets are £2 from 2 September.

So two adults and two children would normally cost £50, compared with £4 under the £1 offer.

You can book online or walk up pre depending on availability may be able to pay £1 at the gate.

You will need proof that you receive Pension Credit

RHS Gardens – £1 tickets on Pension Credit

People receiving Pension Credit can visit each of RHS Gardens five venues for £1 a ticket, which includes RHS Wisley, Surrey, RHS Rosemoor, Devon, RHS Harlow Carr, North Yorkshire, RHS Hyde Hall, Essex, and RHS Bridgewater, Salford.

The offer allows the benefit recipient to book tickets for themselves and up to five people accompanying them.

The group can be a mixture of adults and children, and only one person in the party needs to receive a qualifying benefit.

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

Normal admission for RHS Hyde Hall is £18.40 on the day for adults, while children aged five to 16 cost £6.

Using those prices, a family of four would normally pay £48.80.

Using the Pension Credit discount, four £1 tickets would cost £4, saving £44.80.

The Roman Baths – £1

The Roman Baths in Bath also offers £1 tickets for visitors receiving Pension Credit.

The scheme is particularly useful for grandparents because 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.

For example, if a Pension Credit recipient took one other adult and two children, normal admission would be £49.

Under the £1 scheme, the eligible adult and two children would pay just £3 saving £46.

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