What’s available this summer?
Two new measures come into effect this summer to reduce the cost of days out, travel and getting around for families with children.
UK wide
VAT cut on children’s days out 🎡
Reducing VAT from 20% to 5%
We’re cutting VAT to reduce the cost of children’s restaurant meals, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and all tickets for attractions like soft play, amusement parks, and museums. That means lower prices at the till, automatically.*
Find attractions near you offering the VAT reduction→
England
Free bus travel for children 🚌
Free travel on local bus services in August
Children aged 5-15 travelling on local bus services in England can travel free in August. Whether it’s going on a day out, visiting family or just getting around, the bus is on us.
This applies to local bus services in England. It does not apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where travel support is devolved.
Find bus routes near you →
* Full eligibility details and participating venues for the VAT cut will be published shortly. This page will be updated as further details are confirmed.
Free and low-cost things to do this summer ☀️
Alongside the new savings measures, there’s a range of free activities available to families across England, from museums and parks to holiday food programmes and reading clubs.
- Free museums and galleries – some venues across England offer free entry all year, with special summer programmes for children. Find museums near you
- Summer Reading Challenge – free at your local library for children aged 4–11. Find your nearest library
- Holiday Activities and Food programme – free holiday activities with meals for children on free school meals. Find a place near you
- Parks, nature and the outdoors – national parks, beaches and local green spaces with free ranger-led events. Browse outdoor activities
Supporting Summer Savings as a business
Businesses across the UK can help families enjoy more affordable days out this summer. Through the Summer Savings scheme, the government is temporarily reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s meals, children’s tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts and exhibitions, and admission to many attractions.
If you run a restaurant, attraction, theatre, cinema or activity venue offering eligible activities for children, you can use the Summer Savings business toolkit to promote your participation and signpost customers to your savings.
The toolkit includes:
- Campaign logos and branding
- Posters, stickers and venue graphics
- Ready‑to‑use social media posts
- Website and newsletter copy
Wider cost of living support
These summer measures are part of a broader package the government has put in place to help households with the pressures of rising costs.
Fuel costs
Fuel duty frozen. Fuel Finder to compare prices. £3 bus fare cap extended to April 2027.
Find cheaper fuel →
Families and children
Free breakfast clubs. Free school meals. Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Children’s support →
Wages and work
National Living Wage up 4%. 2.7 million workers receive at least £900 more a year.
Check your pay rate →