Here’s a fun deal for Bristol Zoo Gardens for February half term – simply take along a piece of fruit or veg & receive discounted entry for the kids!

Bristol Zoo Deals

To gain £5 entry to the zoo, each child should take along an item of fruit or veg from the following;

• Apple
• Carrot
• Pear
• Lettuce
• Broccoli

I did original wonder why Bristol Zoo were stipulating that..”the fruit or veg must be of edible quality and not beyond the best before or use by dates” until I realised that the fruit & veg would be used to feed the animals!

Discounted entry only applies to children, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer and is valid between 11 & 19 February 2012.  Love fun deals like this!

Bristol Zoo Gardens 2 for 1 Voucher

Travel by train to Bristol Zoo Gardens and you can take advantage of a 2 for 1 voucher plus reduce your carbon footprint to boot.  Arrive by First Great Western Trains and present your train tickets with a downloaded 2 for 1 voucher for Bristol Zoo for a great deal.

Liz

Check out the Half Price Merlin Pass sale  that is currently running until 31 January 2012.  You can pick up an individual Merlin Pass for just £78 per person, (standard price £156) if you can visit selected Merlin attractions in person.  You can also take advantage of a half price Merlin Pass & upgrade to a Premium Merlin Pass if you pay an additional £35 per person in cash.

Merlin Pass Deals

Merlin Pass & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers

If you are a regular spender at Tesco, this can offer a great way to slash costs on a Merlin Pass.  You can pick up  a standard Merlin Annual Pass for just  £42.50 in vouchers & again,  you can upgrade to a Premium Merlin Pass for an extra £30 cash per person.

2 for 1 Vouchers at Merlin Attractions

Merlin Attractions including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland & Sea Life Centres run a number of 2 for 1 vouchers throughout the season so if you are paying full price…you are paying too much!  It’s worth considering your family’s future plans & whether taking advantage of a couple of 2 for 1′s would suffice for the year.

London Eye; Up Close & Personal

The Merlin Pass Offer

A standard Merlin Pass offers entry to over 40 plus visitor attractions around the UK.  Whilst standard Merlin Passes no longer receive free parking and there are some restrictions on use, (see below), a Merlin Pass offers value for money if you intend to visit a number of attractions throughout the year.  Consider also some of the passholder perks associated with the standard Merlin Pass that includes;

• Up to 20% off food, drink & souvenirs
• Early Ride Time at Alton Towers
• Deals on photographic souvenirs
• 20% off Alton Towers Waterpark

Remember restrictions on use with a standard Merlin Pass will include;

• No access to London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon & Sea Life London during August
• No access to the London Eye on 14 February, 29-31 October
• No access to Blackpool Tower 22-30 October
• Passholder fee for Fright Nights at Thorpe Park

However if you discount the August restrictions, (& I wouldn’t fancy visiting some of these London Merlin Attraction in peak summer time anyway), there is plenty of choice for all the family and can work out as great value for money.

Liz

Here’s a chance to visit Blackbrook Zoo, Staffordshire for just £1.99 per person this January.  With standard gate prices normally running at £9.95 an adult, this is a great chance to pick up a deal and enjoy a day out on a budget.

All Blackbrook Zoo tickets are currently priced at £1.99 per person with this deal running through until 31 January 2012.  Simply visit the ticket kiosk on the day of your visit to take advantage of this deal.

Liz

Sea Life Centres come under the Merlin Pass list of attractions.  Whilst there are some restrictions on use at the London Sea Life Aquarium in August, most Sea Life Centres have unrestricted access under the standard Merlin Pass.  Worth noting that there will be a Half Price Merlin Pass Sale starting on Boxing Day.

Birmingham Sea Life in Lego

Sea Life Centres & 2 for 1 Vouchers

Sea Life Centres run a number of 2 for 1 vouchers throughout the year.  2 for 1 vouchers have historically been available through Kelloggs, Tesco, WH Smith, Burger King, Vanish products & many more.  Keep up to date with Topdogdays and we’ll let you know when 2 for 1 vouchers become available.

2 for 1 Voucher for Sea Life Centres with Kelloggs

Keep hold of those 2 for 1 vouchers for Sea Life Centres that were available on promotional packs of Kelloggs Frosties, Rice Krispies & Cornflakes. These vouchers remain valid until  30 June 2012.

Sea Life Centres Deals & Tesco Clubcard

If you are a regular spender at Tesco, this can offer a great way to slash costs at Sea Life Centres.  Daily entrance fees can be redeemed for £4 an adult or £3.50 a child in Tesco vouchers or a standard Merlin Annual Pass works out at £42.50 in vouchers.  You can even upgrade to a Premium Merlin Pass for an extra £30 cash per person.

Merlin Pass Deals

Tesco have historically run a number of 2 for 1 vouchers during the theme park season that includes Sea Life Centres, so we’ll let you know when these become available again.

Birmingham Sea Life Centre; Kids go Free Voucher

Here’s a kids go free voucher for Birmingham Sea Life Centre from Visittheheart.  Simply download the Kids Go Free Voucher for Birmingham Sea Life Centre and take with you to the ticket kiosk on the day of your visit, (some restrictions on use).

Free Entrance to Sea Life Centres with a Blue Peter Badge

If you are aged 6 & 15 and hold a Blue Peter Badge & Card, you can gain free entrance to many Sea Life Centres around the country.  More details available at Free Entrance to Sea Life Centres with Blue Peter Badges.

To keep up to date with deals for Sea Life Centres, why not Sign Up for Free with Topdogdays & subscribe to our email newsletter.

Liz

Stuck for ideas for Christmas, then consider an annual pass, membership or regional card  that keeps on giving all year long.  These passes & cards can offer substantial savings on entry with many offering additional benefits such as free parking or discounts on secondary spending.

Family mini breaks away on a budget

Stay, Play, Explore Family Short Break

Here’s a way to treat the whole family with a voucher for a short break away in Leicestershire with a Stay, Play, Explore Family Fun package deal.  For £109 a family of four can take advantage of an overnight stay in a 3 or 4 star hotel, (breakfast included), plus entry to any 3 of the following 5 visitor attractions;

• Twycross Zoo
• Conkers
• National Space Centre
• Snibston
• Bosworth Battlefield

The hotels offer a range of leisure facilities too including swimming pools, health clubs & even a junior chef school!  All in for £109…bargain!  More details available at Stay, Play, Explore Gift Vouchers.

National Trust membership deals

National Trust Membership for Christmas

National Trust membership offers free entry plus free parking to over 300 settings. You can secure a discount on the  first year’s National Trust membership if you buy online and pay by direct debit. This deal will in effect give you 3 months National Trust Memership for Free.  For double deals, head over to Quidco that will give you the 3 months free membership plus 30% cash back on your membership too.  More details available at National Trust Cash Back Offer.

Merlin Pass for Christmas

With attractions ranging from Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland & London Eye, there’s plenty of choice with this pass.  Whilst the standard Merlin Pass no longer includes free parking & there are some restrictions on use, this can still offer value for money. If you are looking for a deal, you can pick up a Merlin Pass for just £42.50 in Tesco clubcard vouchers.

Merlin Pass Half Price Deal

Alternatively, Merlin Passes are going to be  available at half price from Boxing Day.  More details available at Merlin Pass Half Price Sale

English Heritage Annual Pass for Christmas

This pass offer fantastic value for money as each adult annual pass membership gives you free entry for up to six  accompanying children (under 19) within your family group!

Membership is priced at £46 an adult or joint adult for £80 & for a double deal, pay by direct debit to receive 15 months membership for the price of 12 months. Alternatively pay using tesco clubcard vouchers for this and receive £30 off an English Heritage Annual Pass for every £10 in clubcard vouchers.

Christmas deals for all the family

Nickelodeon Pass from Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is now offering a Nickelodeon Pass that could be of interest to young families. This season pass offers unlimited use of the 12 new Nickelodeon rides specifically designed for younger children and is currently available at a reduced price of £75 per person until 24 December 2011, (standard price £99).  More details available at Nickelodeon Pass from Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Forestry Commission; Discovery Pass

A Discovery Pass gives you free parking to the forest of your choice for a full year plus local deals often linked to food & drink or cycle hire reductions.  However it’s the national Go Ape 20% discount that may also prove invaluable, (Monday – Friday, term time only) for avid tree climbers!  Passes range from just £20-£40 with more details available at Discovery Pass Offers.

For more deals & discounts, why not Subscribe to Topdogdays & sign up for our email newsletter.

Liz

To mark it’s 175th Birthday, Bristol Zoo is offering half price tickets on Monday 11 July 2011 for anyone turning up in Birthday hat!!  No specifications on the birthday hat so you can have a bit of fun with this one!  Love these deals.

For more deals on a day out, why not subscribe to Topdogdays and sign up for our email newsletter.

Liz

It can pay to use public transport as plenty of travel providers have linked up with visitor attractions to offer deals on a day out.  Not only are you reducing you carbon footprint but often you are avoiding car parking fees too.

Birmingham Sea Life in Lego

Network Westmidlands have done just that and are offering substantial discounts on top visitor attractions when you arrive by bus, tram or train.  Discounts include;

• 2 for 1 Entry for Black Country Living Museum
• 30% off the Think Tank
• 2 for 1 Entry to Birmingham Sea Life
• 30% off the Imax Cinema
• Kids Go Free at Dudley Zoo

For more details, go to Cheap Tickets for Midlands Visitor Attractions.

For more green ideas, go to Cheap Tickets for the National Trust & Eden Project.

Liz

Take your Dad for free to Aerial Extreme on Father’s Day on Sunday 19 June 2011.  This is a great offer that does not require any additional purchase for your Dad to have a go for free.  Simply ring up to book a place on 0845 652 1736.

Aerial Extreme Deals

Dad’s Go Free at Bristol Zoo

Go Ape at Bristol Zoo this Father’s Day and take your Dad to Bristol Zoo for free.  Simply download a voucher that allows Dad’s to go free when accompanied by a full paying adult or child.  More details available at Dad’s Go Free Voucher for Bristol Zoo.

Dad’s Go Free at the National Botanic Gardens In Wales

Stroll around the Botanic Gardens for Father’s Day this year and take advantage of the Dad’s Go Free offer running on 19 June 2011.  No vouchers or conditions attached to this deal & there are even entertainers and a play area for the kids.

Dad’s Go Free at the National Space Centre

Explore the universe at the National Space Centre this Father’s Day with Dad’s going free of charge.  Simply download with Dad’s Go Free Voucher and take along a full paying or child to take advantage of this offer.

Dad’s Go Free at Bosworth Battlefield, Leicestershire

Go back in time at Bosworth with this Dad’s Go Free offer on Father’s Day when a child’s exhibition ticket is purchased.  It’s the archery competition on the interactivelongbow that interests me!

Dad’s Go Free at Longleat Safari Park

This Dad’s go free offer is available on 18 & 19 June 2011 when accompanied by a full paying child.  Simply download a voucher & book online to secure this deal; more details available at Dad’s Go Free Deal at Longleat Safari Park.

Dad’s Go Free at Dartmoor Zoo

Mingle with the animals, (not literally), at Dartmoor Zoo this Father’s Day with this Dad’s Go Free Voucher.  Simply download this voucher and ensure you are  accompanied by one paying adult.

For more deals for top visitor attractions, why not subscribe to topdogdays & sign up to our email newsletter on the right hand side of the screen.

Liz

To tie in with National Family Week, these top visitor attractions are offering deals and discounts to reduce the cost of a family day out;

• Half Price Children’s Tickets for Go Ape
• 2 for 1 Voucher for Whipsnade Zoo
• 2 for 1 Voucher for Ripley’s Believe It or Not
• Free child’s ticket to the Imperial War Museum in London

For more details on all of these deals, go to Deals for the National Family Week.

Looking for more ideas, check out our Deals & Ideas for May Half Term.

Liz

Will & Kate married couples can take advantage of a free trip on the London Eye from the week beginning 29 April!  To secure your free tickets for the London Eye, you will need to produce both your marriage certificate and ID!  I wonder if they get any takers for this one?

Free Entry to Will & Kates at Whipsnade & London Zoos

Those named Will or Kate could also take advantage of free entry at Whipsnade or London Zoo during the weekend of Friday 29 April to Monday 2 May.  Take along photographic evidence as proof and enjoy a day at the zoo in celebration of the big event.

Will & Kate Couples Receive a Free Day Out at Drayton Manor Theme Park

Couples called William and Kate, (or Katherine), that turn up together to Drayton Manor Theme Park will receive free entry on 29 April.

To qualify, you need to show valid proof of ID, (passport, photographic driving licence or CitizenCard) with couples needing to be aged 16 or over.  At least you don’t need to married for this one!

Free Train Travel for Wills & Kate

Free Entry for Wills & Kates at At-Bristol Science Museum

This interactive science museum is opening its doors free of charge on 29 April to visitors named William or Kate in celebration of the Royal Wedding.

Free Entry to Warwick Castle for Wills or Kates

If you fancy a trip back in time, those named Will or Kate can gain free entry to Warwick Castle on the day of the Royal Wedding.  You’ll be in Royal company too with Queen Elizabeth I, Henry VIII & Queen Victoria all making an appearance!

Free Entry to Crich Tramway for Wills or Kates

Why not travel in style on the specially decorated Royal Wedding Tram at Crich Tramway to celebrate the Royal Wedding.  For those names Will or Kate, (William or Catherine), you can also gain free entry to this popular attraction on 29 April.  Simply take along some ID and enjoy a day out for free!

Free Entry to Newquay Zoo for Wills & Kate plus those in fancy dress.

All Williams & Kate’s can take advantage of free entry at Newquay Zoo until the end of April when they bring along photographic ID.  Children can also gain free entry on Friday 29 April if they arrive in royal fancy dress!

Will or Kate Namesakes Gain Free Entry to Gladstone Pottery Museum, Staffordshire

For those named Kate or Wills, you can take advantage of free entry to to Gladstone Pottery Museum on 29 April.

Will & Kate Couples Receive a Free Honeymoon Break at Travelodge!

You would perhaps not usually think Travelodge when considering a honeymoon …but as it’s free, think again!  If you are a married couples named William & Kate, simply send an email to williamandkateoffer@travelodge.co.uk

To keep up to date with all  the latest deals and discounts for top visitor attractions, why not subscribe to topdogdays or sign up to our email newsletter on the right hand side of the screen.