GETTING out and about with the family in 2025 doesn’t have to break the bank – particularly if you get benefits.
There are loads of UK attractions that offer heavily discounted or even free admissions for anyone who gets Universal Credit or other key benefits.
This means that some of the most famous historical landmarks, culture spots, and even zoos are more accessible for you and your family.
We’ve rounded up all the key places that offer discounts, including how much tickets cost and what you can expect during your visit.
While we’ve included everything we can find, if you’re planning a trip to a local attraction, it’s worth contacting the admissions office or checking websites to see if discounted tickets are available.
ZSL London Zoo and Whipsnade zoo
Located in London’s Regent’s Park, London Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals including lions, tigers, and gorillas.
There are even free talks throughout the day so you can learn more about some of your favourite animals.
Its sister zoo, Whipsnade, which is based in Dunstable – also boasts elephants, which you can’t see in London, as well as a railway attraction.
Tickets cost just £3 per person for those receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Given peak tickets normally start from £33, this is a mega saving and makes trips significantly more affordable.
You need to book in advance online and you will need to bring a proof of benefits letter with you, when you visit.
Historic Royal Palaces
- The Tower of London
- Hampton Court Palace
- Banqueting House
- Kensington Palace
- Kew Palace
- Hillsborough Castle
You can get discounted tickets for several of the UK’s most famous palaces.
Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that looks after key landmarks including the Tower of London and Kensington Palace.
It offers tickets for just £1 if you receive Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Tickets must be booked online.
You can take up to six people from your household, and only one needs to show supporting documents.
Cutty Sark
Step aboard this historic British clipper ship in Greenwich, now preserved as a museum.
You can learn about its remarkable maritime history and its role in transporting goods around the globe.
Royal Museums Greenwich is offering tickets priced at £2 per person for anyone who gets Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance.
You can find out more and book here.
London Transport Museum
Located in Covent Garden, the London Transport Museum delves into the history of London’s iconic travel network.
While you’re there, you can see everything from vintage buses to the evolution of the Underground, with engaging exhibits for all ages.
You can get unlimited annual passes for £1 per person for those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance.
Proof of benefits is required, and passes are sold on an individual basis.
Tate Galleries
There are four Tate Galleries in the UK including the Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North and the Tate St. Ives.
Everything you need to know about Universal Credit
- What is Universal Credit? Everything you need to know including how to apply
- Universal Credit calculator: How much can I claim and how do I apply?
- Universal Credit login: How do I sign in to my online account?
- How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced and do I get a work allowance?
- What is a Universal Credit advance payment? How to apply and pay it back
- Are Universal Credit payments going up and how much more will I get?
- How to claim Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
- How many hours can I work on Universal Credit and will my payment be reduced?
- What is a Universal Credit budgeting advance and how much could I get?
- What is the Universal Credit housing element and how much of your rent does it pay?
While entry to most galleries is usually free for everyone, if you get certain benefits, you can also get exhibition tickets for the discounted price of £5.
You’ll need to receive one of: Universal or Pension Credit, Income Support, Personal Independence Payments, or Job Seekers Allowance recipients.
The Tate St. Ives does have an entrance fee for general admissions, which does not appear to have a discount for people on benefits.
Westminster Abbey
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey has been the site of many significant events in British history, including coronations, royal weddings, and funerals.
It’s also the final resting place of many notable people, including 17 monarchs.
Since October 2024, the Abbey has introduced a discount rate for people who get Universal Credit.
You’ll pay just £1 for you, or you and one child.
You need to show your Universal Credit letter on entry, and you can’t yet book the discounted rate online.
Eden Project
Based in Cornwall, the Eden Project promises that visitors will experience “an extraordinary day out where you’ll rediscover the natural world as you’ve never experienced it before.”
That includes the world’s largest indoor rainforest, outdoor gardens, contemporary art, and even performances.
The Eden Project offers discounted day tickets for people receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit or UK legacy benefits.
These tickets can be purchased online, and cost £5 for adults and £1 for children.
A very limited number of tickets may be available on the gate – but you’re strongly advised to pre-book to avoid disappointment.
You will be required to show proof of either your Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or other UK legacy benefit on arrival.
Edinburgh Zoo and Highland wildlife park
Edinburgh Zoo is home to a whole host of animals from penguins and giraffes to Scotland’s only sloths and koalas.
The Highland Wildlife Park is now home to over 200 amazing animals including native Scottish species as well as rare and endangered animals from around the world.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which operates both parks, offers a limited number of discounted tickets for people who receive Universal Credit.
Those eligible will be able to visit the parks for just £7 per person – a discount of 70% for adults and 55% for kids.
You can book up to six tickets and all must be from the same household.
Under 3’s and carer tickets must be included in the party of six. You must book these tickets online in advance.
RHS Gardens
If you want to visit a Royal Horticultural Society garden, there are great discounts on offer.
You can pay just £1 if you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
Locations include RHS Bridgewater in Greater Manchester, RHS Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire, RHS Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Rosemoor in Devon and RHS Wisley in Surrey.
You can book £1 tickets for yourself and up to five people coming with you.
This can be a mixture of children and adults. Only one member of the party needs to be receiving benefits.
You will need to present proof of your benefits on arrival at the garden.
This offer applies to standard garden entry only and is not valid on separately ticketed events such as RHS Glow.
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens boasts over 300 acres of landscape including a collection of 14,000 trees, four major glasshouses, art galleries, an award-winning children’s garden and the popular Hive installation, as well as free temporary festivals and exhibitions all year round.
Anyone receiving Universal Credit or Pension Credit can get tickets for just £1.
Each benefit holder is entitled to one universal credit adult ticket each.
Visitors may also purchase up to 4 additional guest tickets. You will need to show proof of benefits.
Opera North
Opera North is a national opera company based in Leeds.
Current upcoming productions include the Magic Flute, Love Life, and The Flying Dutchman.
People on Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance and Universal Credit can get £10 tickets – excluding the Dress Circle.
There will be no booking fee.
Chatsworth House
Chatsworth is home to the Devonshire family and has been passed down through 17 generations.
It is the home of the Devonshire Collections, which includes works of art that span 4,000 years, from ancient Roman and Egyptian sculpture, and masterpieces by Rembrandt, Reynolds and Veronese, to work by outstanding modern artists, including Lucian Freud, Edmund de Waal and David Nash.
There are over 25 rooms to explore, including the magnificent Painted Hall, regal State Rooms, restored Sketch Galleries and atmospheric Sculpture Gallery.
Universal Credit tickets provide entry at a reduced price for those who are eligible.
They include access to the house, garden, farmyard and adventure playground and are priced at:
- Adult: £3
- Child (aged 3-16 years): £1
Universal Credit tickets are available for those who currently receive one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Those in receipt of PIP payments
These tickets are only available to purchase online in advance, and proof of eligibility is required at the entrance on the day of your visit.
Free cash schemes if you're struggling
Many of us are still struggling with the high cost of living - but there's help you can get.
New or expectant parents can get up to £442 a year to spend on food through Healthy Start scheme.
Some new parents can get £500 via the Sure Start Maternity Grant. The money is designed to help you cover the costs of having a child.
Councils also offer support through the welfare assistance schemes, to help cover the costs of essentials, from buying new furniture to food vouchers.
The amount you can get varies but an investigation by The Sun found that hard-up Brits can apply for help worth up to £1,000.
Discretionary Housing Payment is a pot of money handed out by councils to those struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
A scheme is available for those who find themselves unable to cover housing costs, though the exact amount varies as each local authority dishes out the cash on a case-by-case basis.
Many energy forms offer grants to help cash-tight customers. The exact amount varies depending on your supplier and you circumstances, but could be as much a £2,000.
York Castle Museum
The York Castle museum showcases hundreds of years of York’s history in one place – from the world renowned Victorian street Kirkgate, to meeting the infamous prisoners in the spooky cells and all the way to the swinging sixties.
Any claimant of means tested benefits including Universal Credit can enter for free.
Children in those households also enter for free. You may need to show proof of eligibility on entrance.
National Theatre of Scotland
Theatre lovers can sign up to Theatre for a Fiver to get £5 ticket deals for National Theatre of Scotland productions across Scotland.
Once you sign up, you will receive a regular email containing the latest offers and discount codes to access great theatre for only a fiver.
The scheme is available to people on low-income benefits including: Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Carer’s Credit, Housing Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
Tank Museum
Tickets to Dorset’s largest indoor attraction can be purchased at a reduced rate for those who receive universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit, employment and support allowance, income support, or jobseeker’s allowance.
The museum is home to the finest collection of military vehicles in the world and is set amongst bold, interactive exhibitions.
Kids can dress up, get hands-on, and let off steam on the tank themed outdoor play area and indoor soft play.
Tickets are limited to six people per household and can only be purchased onsite at The Tank Museum. Proof of eligibility is required.
Discounted travel
In addition to reduced entry at attractions, discounted travel is also available for people on certain benefits.
The Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card offers up to 50% off train tickets for eligible job seekers.
Additionally, many local councils and transport providers provide concessionary fares or free travel.
Be sure to check with your local authority or transport operator to see what’s available in your area.
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