Cheap and free things to do this May Bank Holiday
Make the most of the extra time off without breaking the bank.
In need of something to keep yourself entertained over the May Bank Holiday weekend?
We have a few ideas, and they’re cheap – or even free!
Try a free festival
There are loads of free and cheap festivals taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend.
On Saturday, the Chelsea in Bloom festival runs alongside the Royal Horticultural Society’s famous Flower Show. It’s a chance to see the streets of Chelsea covered in flowers, with a special royal wedding ‘Summer of Love’ theme. Free walking and rickshaw tours vote for your favourite display and flower crown creating.
The month-long Brighton Festival comes to an end on Sunday with art, theatre, writing and music explored through various events. Many are suitable for children, including a set of seesaws that talk to you.
In Luton, the Luton International Carnival features dancers, huge floats, food, music and entertainment celebrating all things Caribbean. Reading has a similar carnival taking place.
If you’re after something a bit more unorthodox, there are two unmissable showdowns taking place on Monday. Watch competitive cheese rolling at Coopers Hill in Gloucester – and give it a go yourself – or attend the Wool Sack Races in Tetbury. Competitors run through the town with 60lb sacks of wool (35lb for women), accompanied by magic and music.
For more ideas, take a look at free-events.co.uk.
Get a bite to eat
If you register with Frankie & Benny’s Rewards, you get 40% off mains.
You can also nab 30% off mains at ASK Italian (until Sunday) or 40% off mains at Café Rouge via VoucherCodes until 3 June.
Or the kids can eat for free at Giraffe World Kitchen when you buy a full-price adults meal.
Go for a walk
Keep things simple by going for a walk!
If you’re not sure where to go, check out websites such as National Trail and Walking Britain which have lots of free trails to try out.
The National Trust has a variety of talks and guided tours you could try too.
You can also take a look at the Woodland Trust website which has more than 1,000 woodland sites which are free to visit across the country. The website includes a selection of downloadable woodland walks.
If you’re in Yorkshire, the North York Moors National Park is holding WalkFest 2018 across the long weekend. There’s a variety of guided walks and tours, including a special walk to commemorate the 250th anniversary of local boy Captain Cook’s journey on the HMS Endeavour. The minimum age for all walks is 14.
Don't forget to take a picnic! Visit our sister site loveFOOD for some tasty recipe ideas.
Throw a BBQ
Cheap, cheerful and you don’t have to travel anywhere: a BBQ is a great way to enjoy the bank holiday weekend, says Anita Naik, Lifestyle Editor at VoucherCodes.
Luckily, the supermarkets have discounted a range of meat and other BBQ favourites for this weekend only – we’ve listed the best in our supermarket deals roundup.
Catch a film
If you fancy a trip to the flicks but don't want to pay a fortune, take a look at our handy guide How to get free and cheap cinema tickets.
There are bound to be cheap or free events of this kind happening near you over the long weekend, so keep an eye out at local venues.
Get cultured
Many museums and galleries around the UK are free to get into, so it’s worth giving your local one a try if you’re at a loose end this weekend or if the weather isn’t great.
If you want to visit the big hitters in London, head over to Visit London, but for the rest of the UK try Visit Britain.
Visit in the daytime or, for something a bit different, get your culture fix after hours. Loads of museums hold late night openings through the spring and summer months with free talks and exhibitions.
Head to the beach
If the weather stays dry you could head down to your nearest beach for some seaside fun. Find the best in the UK at The Beach Guide.
Alternatively, you could try the quasi-beaches that tend to spring up in towns and cities for those who can’t make it to the coast over the summer.
Have fun at a car boot sale
You might be able to pick up some bargains over the long weekend at a car boot sale.
Or you can set up your own pitch and shift some of your old stuff to earn a bit of extra money. Read: How to be successful at a car boot sale for some tips.
Look out for posters advertising car boot sales in your area or try Car Boot Junction to find your nearest one.
This guide is updated each Bank Holiday
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