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Have fun for free

Aimee Cavener

Written by Aimee Cavener, marketing advisor

We know that the rising cost of living means cutting back on the joys in life to pay for increasing bills.

But planning a fun day out doesn’t have to cost the earth. Here are a few ideas for you to try…

Geocaching

“An anytime, anywhere adventure that can take you to beautiful places”.

Geocaching is a free outdoor treasure hunt. The aim is to find a geocache, a small waterproof treasure box.

If you have a smartphone, download the app and create an account. Use the map to choose the geocache you want to find and start navigating!

Geocaches come in all shapes and sizes, and some are more difficult to find than others. The reward is finding the box, so make sure you leave what you found, but you can add your own treasure if you like.

Once you find the cache (and you’ve celebrated your find!), sign the logbook and mark the cache as found on the app.

No cost museums

Did you know that there are lots of museums in England and Scotland that are free to enter? You might need to do a bit of research to find museums in your area, but here are a few suggestions:

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Great North Museum (Hancock), Newcastle upon Tyne

National Railway Museum, York

World Museum, Liverpool

Mansfield Museum, Nottinghamshire

Falmouth Art Gallery, Cornwall

Find free museums near you.

Your local library

If reading is your thing, head to your local library. Search for some exciting reads and check them out for free. Remember to return them on time so you don’t get charged.

Find your local library

Free leisure card

You could get a free leisure card from your local council if you are receiving benefits. This could entitle you to things like free swimming for kids and other activities. A great way to keep the kids entertained without the cost!

To apply, contact your local authority.

Fill up your water bottle for free

Stay hydrated for free when you are out and about. If you have a smartphone, you can use the Refill app to find places to top up your water bottle at no cost. Refill connects people with locations where they can eat, drink and shop with less waste. This means you are making a planet-friendly decision too.

We know how important enjoyment is to our mental health. We hope we’ve given you some ideas for an exciting day out without breaking the bank.

Customer top tips

Here are some ideas from our Wonder Women customer group:

“When taking children to places not too far, walk, it saves money on fuel, good for your health and the environment!”

“Plan family nights in and play board games. Spending quality time together and not spending a fortune on going out.”

Make the most of your money

We have put together lots of useful benefits and money advice. 

Budget better

Our budgeting tool is here to help you take control of your money. 

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