Free family days out
You might not appreciate the sheer number of attractions that England has to offer for free. You just need to know where to look. We’ve been asking our visitors to share their best free family days out. Below are some suggestions.
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Freedom and fresh air
You can’t beat a picnic and a paddle on a scorching hot summer's day and what better place to enjoy these old family favourites than in the awe inspiring Lake District? Try the beaches of Lake Windermere. Don’t worry if you don’t live close enough for a day out in the Lake District. There are lots of great wild places to go swimming in England, so wherever you are, you won’t need to travel far.
If you’re in the South West, pack a picnic and head for Haytor in Dartmoor National Park. Climb the steps for a magnificent view towards Teignmouth and the sea. You can also explore the ruined medieval village between Haytor and Hound Tor. Watch out for the wild ponies.
If you’re looking for a day out not too far from London, check out the pretty Wey and Arun Canal (www.weyandarun.co.uk/) in Loxwood, West Sussex. The canal side walk offers a perfect way to spend an English summer’s day. The canal is known locally as 'London’s Lost Route to the Sea' and a stroll along the tow path is like a journey back in time.
Also in the South East of England, you can play Pooh Sticks at the original Pooh Bridge at Ashdown Forest (www.ashdownforest.co.uk/) in East Sussex. There are marvellous walks and some great views here. If you’re further up the country in the Heart of England why not spend an afternoon walking alongside the river in Stratford-upon-Avon – a great place to feed the swans and ducks whilst contemplating Shakespeare.
Free beside the sea
Further north, you’ll find some of the most beautiful deserted beaches in the world in Northumberland. These beaches are wonderful locations in which to spend an evening with the family and simply watch the sun go down.
And if its beaches you love, there’s nothing like exploring the fossils in the rocks at Whitby in North Yorkshire (click here to see a video about Whitby). Take the kids and show them what nature might have looked like millions of years ago. You could also walk to the ruins of Whitby Abbey (www.whitbyabbey.co.uk) and show them the building that helped to inspire Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Not too far from here you’ll find some fantastic cliff top walking between Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay. We could quite literally go on forever. Funnily enough England is surrounded by beaches and most of them are free to visit. There are some great beaches to be found in locations from Cornwall to Cumbria. So wherever you are – pack your bucket and spade and head for the coast.
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