17 best free days out for summer 2025 according to which?

THE EXPERT ADVICE BODY HAS LISTED THE MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, CATHEDRALS AND HISTORICAL SITES THAT ARE WELL WORTH A VISIT THIS YEAR 13:40, 04 Jun 2025Updated 13:42, 04 Jun 2025 Which? has

revealed the 17 best free days out for summer 2025 from across the UK. More than 4,000 people took part in the survey designed to find the country's best museums, with another 3,000

people taking part in a survey about the best historic attractions. It turned out that some of the most popular places on the list were completely free to visit, making them ideal

destinations for the upcoming summer holidays. Having ranked a number of UK attractions to find the country's top value days out, the site then listed the 17 best budget friendly

attractions. Certain attractions require a degree of planning ahead, but many of them are open all year round and charge no entry fee. While many of these attractions are a fair distance

from Merseyside, it's a UK-wide list that covers the length and breadth of the country. Many of the attractions below also have special appeal for kids, with tours and games tailored to

families, as well as playgrounds. These are the 17 best free days out for summer 2025 according to the Which? surveys. Each attraction includes a brief description of what to expect and

what's on offer for children. THE 10 BEST FREE MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES ST FAGANS NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY, CARDIFF (94%) Article continues below Which? said: "This open-air museum

has a reconstructed historic street as well as demonstrations of traditional crafts such as blacksmiths and clog-making. Farm animals and the large play area will be popular with

children." NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, YORK (91%) Which? said: "The best way to arrive at the world’s largest railway museum is by the road train from York Minster. Small children

will also love the play area and there are family-friendly science shows for older children. The museum is undergoing some refurbishment in spring and summer 2025, so check this part of the

website to ensure your trip won’t be disrupted by closures." ROYAL AIR FORCE (RAF) MUSEUM COSFORD (91%) Which? said: "Along with its collection of military aircraft, from the

Dornier Do 17 to the Vulcan V Bomber, interactive exhibits ensured the museum earned full marks for engagement in our survey. For children, there's an aviation-themed playground."

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND (90%) Which? said: "As well as holding Scotland's collection of internationally important science, technology and natural history artefacts, the

National Museum has interactive galleries aimed at children of all ages." CARDIFF NATIONAL MUSEUM (87%) Which? said: "Turner, Monet, Rodin and Van Gogh are all represented, as well

as celebrated Welsh artists such as Augustus and Gwen John. The Evolution of Wales gallery, featuring dinosaurs and woolly mammoths, is most popular with children." KELVINGROVE ART

GALLERY AND MUSEUM, GLASGOW (87%) Which? said: "Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross is its most famous attraction, but it also has a mini-museum for under-fives and an activity trail

for families." ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM, LONDON (87%) Which? said: "The second RAF museum to feature in our top 10 has exhibits from the RAF's 100-year history. There are also

climbable models of planes, such as the Spitfire in the children's play area." WALKER ART GALLERY, LIVERPOOL (87%) Which? said: "One of the biggest art galleries outside

London, it has works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Turner. The Big Art for Little Artists gallery caters to children, with art materials and costumes for dressing up." OXFORD UNIVERSITY

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (86%) Which? said: "This museum is home to more than 7 million objects, including giant sea lizards called plesiosaurs. Children can join regular tours or opt

for interactive ‘hands on Saturdays’, and there are also autism-friendly open days throughout the summer." SCOTTISH NATIONAL GALLERIES (86%) Which? said: "Of Edinburgh's three

great national art galleries (The National, Portrait and Modern), the Modern on Bedford Road is particularly good for kids, with its under-5s Art Stomp activities including sculpture tours

and leaf-kicking. The National, in the centre of town, has tours for older kids and a world-class collection including works by Botticelli, Raphael and Titian." SEVEN FREE HISTORIC

ATTRACTIONS FOR SUMMER 2025 DURHAM CATHEDRAL, DURHAM (86%) Which? said: "The highest-rated cathedral in our survey has been described by travel writer Bill Bryson as 'the best

cathedral on planet Earth'. Visitors under the age of 17 go free on guided climbs of the famous 325 step tower but must be accompanied by an adult." ST DAVID'S CATHEDRAL, ST

DAVID'S (80%) Which? said: "Britain's smallest city is home to one its most ancient sites of worship. There have been services here since the sixth century, and the current

purple-stoned building dates back to Norman times. You can visit without a ticket, but there's a suggested donation of £5 per visitor." CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL, CHICHESTER (77%)

Which? said: "Chichester's glorious spire can be seen from miles across the flower meadows of West Sussex. It's also the only medieval English cathedral visible from the sea.

Admission is by voluntary donation, with a suggested donation of £5 per visitor." HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON (76%) Which? said: "The home of democracy in the UK can be pricey if

you just turn up for a tour. Adult tickets cost £27 or £29 on the day (one accompanying child, aged 5-15, goes free). However, any UK resident can contact their MP or a member of the House

of Lords to request a free 75-minute guided tour. UK residents also have the right to visit Prime Minister's Questions or other debates, again by contacting your MP. " BURY ST

EDMUNDS ABBEY (73%) Which? said: "England's grandest monastery was destroyed by Henry VIII's men during the Reformation, but two great towers still remain, as well as peaceful

gardens to explore, from where you can imagine how huge and imposing this place must once have been." SOMERSET HOUSE (71%) Article continues below Which? said: "For a grand,

neoclassical building that's right on the Thames, Somerset House feels tucked away from the rest of central London. It has a charming courtyard where you can lounge on the grass in

front of the fountains. There are also regular exhibitions, although some may charge." BRISTOL CATHEDRAL (68%) Which? said: "The best time to visit is probably 5.15pm (3.30pm on

Saturdays), when the Romanesque architecture echoes to evensong. Admission is by voluntary donation, with a suggested donation of £5 per visitor."