These free days out across the country are perfect for entertaining kids this summer
From camping with Robin Hood and learning to fish, to scarecrows dressed like minions... we've got it all
FANCY doing some different this summer, but don’t want to break the bank?
We’ve listed the most popular attractions in town and cities across the UK that don’t require you to spend a single penny.
There is everything from airshows featuring the Red arrows to free West End theatre tickets up for grabs, if you know where to look.
So if you need to entertain the kids but are feeling a bit strapped for cash, here's some inspiration…
Nottingham
Urban beach
The city's famous beach in Old Market Square is back, featuring 250 tonnes of sand.
Highlights include live music performances, beach bar, fun fountains for the kids and a high-flying swing ride with views across Nottingham.
Robin Hood Festival
Sherwood Forest will come alive with the spirit of Robin Hood in early August.
From July 31 to August 6, families can camp out in front of the Major Oak to see Robin Hood and his Merry Men escape from the evil Sheriff.
Riverside Festival
Stretching a mile along the banks of the River Trent, this three-day festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Fireworks will light up the city's skyline on the Saturday night and during the day families can try out the Dragon Boat challenge, Paddleboard and Duck Race.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth Air Festival
You can watch for free in Bournemouth.
The Red Arrows will be performing to mark the 10th anniversary of the four-day south coast show.
The festival site covers a 1.5 mile stretch of Bournemouth’s coastline, with plenty to see and do.
It kicks off on Thursday, August 31 and finishes on Sunday, September 3.
Eastbourne
25th Anniversary of the Eastbourne Airshow
The F-16AM Fighting Falcon will be sweeping into Eastbourne for the first time in six years at the airshow, marking its one and only appearance this year at an English seaside airshow.
The ‘Blizzard’ flown by the Belgian Air Force will be joining a first class line up at the freeshow in celebration of ’s 25th anniversary from 17 – 20 August.
Along with three days of the Red Arrows, the Typhoon, The Blades, Breitling Wingwalkers and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, there is also a military exhibition, helicopter pleasure flights, children’s entertainment and fireworks.
Yorkshire Dales
Scarecrow festival
Why not meet some Minions with a difference at the?
The event near Skipton, North Yorks, runs from August 12 - 20, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, and is one of the original and best in Britain.
There are hundreds of scarecrows to spot in every corner of the village and fun clue sheets are available to follow two official trails, with the themes this summer of 'Rock and Pop Stars' and 'Historical Eras'.
Staffordshire
Abbots Bromley Horn Dance
The in Staffordshire, taking place on September 11, has run now for 791 years.
It’s one of England’s oldest surviving ritual dances and quirkiest processions - with six men in reindeer antlers, a Maid Marian - who is always male - a Hobby Horse and music.
Believed to date back to the Berthelmy Fair granted to the Abbots of Burton by Henry III in 1226, the Horn Dance starts from St Nicholas Church in Abbots Bromley at around 7am, and follows a set 10-mile route around the village, while attractions also include exhibitions and craft stalls. The dancers then return to the church at around 8.30pm.
London
Free theatre tickets
Free theatre tickets for kids are up for grabs in London's West End throughout the whole of next month thanks to.
Child aged 16 or under can get into a number of shows without spending a penny, so long as an adult pays full price, and adults can also purchase up to two extra children’s tickets at half price.
Shows include the toddler-friendly What the Ladbybird Heard, Thriller Live, The Phantom Of The Opera and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery.
Waterway Festival
This year the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is set to host theon August 28.
Celebrating London’s local rivers and canals, the festival marks the completion of Carpenters Road Lock, that will allow boats to travel from the Old River Lea to Waterworks River for the first time in 40 years.
The celebration will include a boat flotilla, dragon boat racing, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, rowing, pedalos and free boat trips.
There will also be live music and dance performances, children’s activities, heritage walks, food stalls, craft beer and more.
Dartmoor
Moor Otters Trail
If you an otterly brilliant day out then why not head to Devon, where Dartmoor National Park is hosting it's inaugural .
Visitors to Dartmoor are encouraged to find 100 individually hand painted otters located at various locations across the moor, and log the serial numbers as part of completing the trail.
The locations range from campsites to hotels, tearooms to visitor centres.
Talented otter spotters collecting 20 or more serial numbers will be entered into a prize draw and at the end of the summer each of the otters will be auctioned off to raise funds for the national park.
Ipswich
Clangers, Bagpuss & Co at Ipswich Art Gallery
Clangers, Bagpuss & Co are coming tothrough a free-admission childhood-favourites exhibition - on loan from the V & A Museum of Childhood.
All of the favourites will be on show, dating back from the 1950’s to the present.
St Albans
St Albans' Cathedral children's events
St Albans' Cathedral is hosting a number of arts and crafts historically themed workshops throughout August, where children get to explore the Cathedral, unlock its historical secrets and create a work of art to take home in a fun craft session.
Events celebrate several anniversaries, including 30 years of Dick King Smith's classic The Hodgeheg, the 20th Anniversary of Harry Potter and the 350th anniversary of ‘Gulliver's Travels' by Jonathan Swift.
South Wales
Big Cheese Festival
The town of Caerphilly comes to life as people of all ages come to The Big Cheese festival, this year held on 29 – 30 July.
The free extravaganza includes street entertainers, living history encampments, music, dance, traditional funfair, folk dancing, falconry, fire eating, minstrels, troubadours and much more.
The Big Cheese portrays the history, heritage and culture of Caerphilly.
Norwich
Celebrate the anniversary of Black Beauty
This year is the 140th anniversary of Black Beauty by Norwich writer Anna Sewell.
This summer, families can follow the story for a day with a visit to see real-life Black Beauty at near Norwich followed by free entry to the learn more about the story.
There will also be a signed first edition of the book on display, and on August join artist Karl Foster for a horse drawing watercolour workshop.
Countrywide
Learning to fish with the Canal & River Trust
Gather your family and friends and head to your local waterway .
Learn how to identify the variety of fish you find and enjoy the fun to be had counting your catch.
Across the country the Canal & River Trust will be holding free Let’s Fish events – with professional fishing coaches to introduce you to the joy of fishing.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your own rod and tackle as the coaches will provide all the kit you need for your first fishing experience.
Fun in the park
is a free activity programme which is delivered by Coca-Cola Great Britain in partnership with 10 city councils across the UK including parks in Newham, Southampton, Swansea, Stoke, Manchester, Newcastle, Dundee, Glasgow, Birmingham and Nottingham.
The sessions are completely free and are designed to get the best out of the local park, with activities for all ages and abilities including mountain boarding, zorbing, tag archery, rebound boots and family fun days.