May Bank Holiday Ideas On A Budget

The two May Bank Holiday’s are only a few days away, and in preparation, we’ve put together 15 ways to enjoy the two weekend’s on a budget for all the family.

In the UK, May is blessed with two bank holiday weekends, and it seems a shame to spend those rare three day bank holiday weekends at home when there are so many fantastic places to escape to.

The May Day bank holiday (Early May Bank Holiday) on the first Monday and the Spring Bank Holiday on the last represent the two Bank Holiday’s in May, with the actual bank holiday Monday’s falling on the 4th and 25th May in 2009.

The actual origins of the May Bank Holiday’s, especially May Day, are somewhat unclear, originating in pre-Christian Europe, yet adopted to mean many things to many people. The May Bank holiday celebrations are now usually seen as the start of summer, providing a chance to rid you of the winter blues over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

1) Free Walking Guides

Download free walking guides to beaches, forests, moorland and villages looked after by the National Trust at www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

The site also lists National Trust properties and gardens that offer discounted entry or a tearoom voucher to car-free visitors, to promote greener travel.

2) Car Crazy

Visit Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey, where a week of free events includes high-precision driving from the Silver Arrows Display Team.

See www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/world to find out more.

3) A Celebration Of Imagination

A series of events (many free) are celebrating the heritage of the Heart of England. This year, Ironbridge is marking its 300th anniversary as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

It costs nothing to stroll along the gorge-backed high street. See www.visitironbridge.org.uk

4) Festival Fever

Free and paid-for music, dance and theatre make up the Brighton Festival and Fringe Festival in May. Brighton Festival has more than 70 shows for £10 or less, as well as 11 free events. The festivals run side by side from 2-24 May (the Fringe finishes 25 May).

Tickets and more information from www.brightonfestival.org and www.brightonfestivalfringe.org.uk.

5) Walk It

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is the biggest festival of its kind in the UK and takes place from 9-24 May. There are more than 300 walks of varying pace, distance and difficulty.

Visit the site to find your ideal walk and check booking requirements. Many walks are free or request a charity donation. www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk.

6) On Your Bike

Fancy getting out in the open? The National Cycle Network is made up of more than 12,000 miles of routes.

Find a free map at www.sustrans.org.uk, together with ideas for easy or long-distance rides.

7) Great Gardens

Abbotsbury Sub-Tropical Gardens in Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, Dorset are filled with rare plants from around the world. In spring, camellias and magnolias are at their peak. More than 200 gardens are offering deals in the Gardens to Visit booklet,

8) A Date With Nature

Spring is the start of the RSPB’s ‘A date with nature’ events. There’s plenty of wildlife spotting on offer and not always where you expect. Cardiff City Hall clock tower is the unusual location where a pair of peregrines are nesting.

You can use the RSPB’s telescopes and binoculars, and its staff are on hand to answer questions. Almost all events are free and you don’t have to book.
See www.rspb.org.uk/datewithnature for details.

9) Free History

Abbeys, castles, ruins and stately homes are among more than 400 English Heritage sites open this half term and plenty are free. The English Heritage website also has details of half term events and venues that offer reduced price family tickets.

See www.englishheritage.org.uk for details.

10) Special Offers

You can find more than 200 discount vouchers offering two-for-one admission and kids-go-free offers at www.enjoyengland.com.

The site has plenty of ideas for days out grouped into themes, such as family fun, and food and drink.

11) Enjoy A Dahl Day

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in South Bucks has free storytelling and craft activities for children and families at weekends and every day during school holidays in Bucks (normal charges for admission apply).

The museum was the Enjoy England’s Best Small Visitor Attraction 2008 and is aimed at 6 to 12-year-olds and their families. It gives visitors the chance to find out about Roald Dahl’s life and stories.

See www.roalddahlmuseum.org.

12) A Taste Of Scotland

A whisky month in May is part of Homecoming Scotland 2009 – a year of celebrations to mark the country’s contribution to the world.

See www.homecomingscotland.com for more events.

13) Ticket To Ride

Between Liverpool and Southport, and a 30-minute train ride from the city centre, is a stretch of unspoilt shore known as Sefton’s Natural Coast. You have to pay for the train, but the beach is free.

Visit www.seftonsnaturalcoast.com for events and to download a walking and cycling guide.

14) Off With Her Head!

This year marks the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne.

There will be a range of exhibitions and events to bring history to life, including Tudor cookery displays at Hampton Court Palace.

Meanwhile, a new exhibition called ‘Henry VIII: Dressed to Kill’, displaying armour belonging to the King, is now on at the Tower of London.

See the Historic Royal Palaces website www.hrp.org.uk for more details.

If you’re planning to visit both the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, you can save 20% on the cost of your entrance by getting a combined ticket.

15) The Sky At Night

Discover the wonders of space, stars and Living history planets with a trip to The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. The observatory’s new planetarium has live tours throughout the school holidays giving children and adults the opportunity to explore the night sky through the wonders of technology.

Entrance to the Royal Observatory and the famous Greenwich Meridian Line is free, while discounted family tickets for the Planetarium’s live shows cost £16.

Visit www.nmm.ac.uk to find out more information.