Whilst the Merlin Pass sale has officially ended early, there is still a way to pick up a half price pass before the 31 January!  More details available at Half Price Merlin Passes Still Available.

Half Price Merlin Pass Sale

Alternatively, if you can make it to Alton Towers Hotel this weekend, ( 28 &29 January between 2 & 8pm) you can pick up a half price Merlin Pass without requiring the confirmation email.

Alton Towers Waterpark Deals

If you are making your way up to Alton Towers for a half price Merlin Pass, then they may want to know that the waterpark is now back open after it’s annual clean.  There are plenty of Alton Waterpark Deals too.

Gulliver’s Theme Park Splash Zone 2 for 1 Voucher

If you want to get away from the bad weather, check out this 2 for 1 voucher only available this weekend at the Splash Zones at Gulliver’s Theme Parks at Milton Keynes & Warrington.  More details available at Splash Zone 2 for 1 Voucher.

Splash Zone Deals

Cadbury World 20% off Voucher

Another indoor attraction set in the Heart of England is Cadbury World and here’s a 20% off voucher that you can use…remember to pre-book with this one as it does get busy.  More details available at Cadbury World Vouchers.

Try Somewhere New; Stockport Air Raid Shelters

Why not try something new this weekend that again keeps you away from the elements.  Check out our review of Stockport Air Raid Shelters, located just 7 miles from Manchester City Centre.

London Midland Vouchers

London Midland vouchers are now available for discounted travel from 4 – 19 February including February half term.  Worth downloading your vouchers now as can be very popular especially during the school holidays.  More details available at London Midland Great Escape.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Season Pass Deals

If you can make to a registration event at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on Saturday 28 January between 10 & 12 noon, then you can pick up a Diamond Pass for £20, (unlimited ENTRY to the park) or a Platinum pass, (unlimted use of the rides during the season) for £99.

Have a good one whatever you do,

Liz

Cadbury World Deal

A good way to save money on a day out at this Birmingham attraction is to get Cadbury World Vouchers, which offer 20 per cent discounts for every entry (valid for up to six people, so they’re great for families).  Simply by visiting Smartsave, chocolate lovers can find discount codes which are redeemable when you purchase your tickets at the counter or online.

Visitors begin the tour at a full-size replica of Bull Street, where John Cadbury opened his shop in 1824, and from there find out about Spanish galleons bringing cocoa beans to Europe, and travel 1000 years further back in time to the source in Aztec Mexico.

Kids will enjoy hopping on one of Cadbury’s Beanmobiles and puttering through colourful “Cadabra” where fun-filled characters live in a world filled with chocolate, while certainly one of the biggest highlights is when visitors learn how to combine ingredients to create the mouth-watering Cadbury taste, and get the opportunity to write their names in liquid chocolate in the demonstration area.

Offering school and group bookings, Cadbury World is a chocoholic’s dream; just remember to apply for your discount codes before you go.

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

Here’s a 2 for 1 voucher for Cadbury World exclusive for facebook fans in May 2011.  This 2 for 1 deal is available from 7 to 15 May 2011 for up to a maximum of 6 people.  You will need to telephone book your visit and hand in your voucher on the day to receive your discount.

Plenty more deals and discounts are available at Cheap Tickets to Cadbury World 2011.

Liz

Cadbury World are continuing with their 2 for 1 offer on off peak Thursdays throughout 2011.

Simply take this voucher with you on the day of your visit to Cadbury World for free entry when accompanied by a full paying person.  Each voucher can be used for up to 2 adults and excludes 21 & 28 April, 2 June, 21 July – 1 Sept, 20 & 27 October 2011.  More details are available at Cadbury World 2 for 1 voucher.

Cadbury World Deals & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers

Another to reduce your spend at Cadbury World is to redeem your Tesco clubcard vouchers for reward tokens – for every £5 in clubcard vouchers will give you £15 off full price admission charges.

Cadbury World Kids Go Free Voucher

Here’s a  voucher from visittheheart that offers 1 free child entrance with every full paying adult up to 3 adults and 3 children in one party.  This is for telephone bookings only.  More details at Cadbury World; kids go free vouchers.

Cadbury World 20% off voucher

Here’s a 20% discount voucher from smartsave that is available for up to 6 people.  Simply print off and take with you, more details available at 20% discount voucher for Cadbury World

A great tip for Cadbury World is to get hold of a ticket to the staff shop for the best deals on chocolate!

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

Liz

Tips for a budget day out

Should I use my Tesco Clubcard Vouchers in store?

If you spend clubcard vouchers in store, you only manage to save the value of the voucher.  Even when Tesco run their clubcard voucher exchange, (allowing you to double the value of your clubcard vouchers), it’s still financially beneficial to exchange for partner benefits, (where you receive up to three or four times their value) rather than in store.

How Can I Find the Most Cost Effective Tesco Clubcard Deal?

Whilst reward vouchers can be redeemed for either three or four  times their value, some deals effectively offer you less than this.

Annual memberships from Tesco Clubcard deals can potentially offer the best value for money in days out.  Not only do annual memberships give you access to your favourite top attractions throughout the year, they often come with plenty of additional benefits to maximize your savings.

Alton Towers Deals

Retrieve lost or forgotten tesco clubcard vouchers

Here’s a great tip  to retrieve old tesco clubcard vouchers you’d forgotten all about. This relatively new service from Tesco allows you to  check out your current voucher balance and highlights any issued clubcard vouchers that have yet to be redeemed.

Simply click on ‘Your Vouchers’ on the clubcard site to see a table listing your unspent clubcard vouchers.  You can then redeem any remaining vouchers instantly using the online code given..I’ve done this and gained £40 in vouchers in the past!

Annual Memberships from Tesco Clubcard deals can potentially offer the best value for money in days out.

Not only do annual memberships give you unlimited access to your favourite top attractions, they often come with plenty of additional benefits to maximize your savings.

Saw, the Ride at Thorpe Park

Merlin Annual Pass & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers: this gains you entry to Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle and plenty more.  In addition you can secure Early Ride Time at Alton Tower, (great for queue busting),  20% off food, drink & souvenirs at many of these settings!  The standard Merlin Pass is priced at £42.50 in clubcard vouchers.  You can also upgrade to a Premium Merlin Pass by paying an additional £30 cash per person to enhance your Merlin benefits.

English Heritage Membership & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers; The advantage with this deal is that adult membership gives you free entry for up to six  accompanying children (under 19) within your family group!  So for every £10 in clubcard vouchers, you will receive £30 towards an English Heritage Annual Pass, (membership priced at £44 an adult or joint adult£77)….bargain!!

Blenheim Palace & Tesco Clubcard Vouchers; As with plenty of other days out deals, every £5 in Tesco clubcard vouchers will gain you £20 towards entrance charges.  The great deal with this one is that if you purchase a day ticket at Blenheim Palace you can then exchange this for a full annual pass for this visitor attraction!

Blenheim Palace & Tesco Clubcard

What about hotel vouchers & Tesco clubcard deals?

Redeeming your tesco vouchers for hotel rewards is another good way of making that mini-break affordable.  Currently every £10 in clubcard vouchers will secure you £30 worth of hotel vouchers.

Any new deals for Tesco clubcard vouchers?

Yes, Disnyeland Paris 2011 is on offer for just £29.50 per person in Tesco vouchers.  This is a pay in full deal and offers 1 child or 1 adult a ticket for Disneyland Paris, offering access to both Disneyland Parks during the one day.  This is particularly good as it’s very difficult to secure Disneyland ticket deals without booking up for a stay at the resort.

Another great option you can now purchase is a Family & Friends Railcard, (also available for the Young Person & Senior Railcards too), with your clubcard vouchers.  For £14 in vouchers you can pick up your discount railcard and take advantage of discounted rail travel all year long.

Additional clubcard points promotions.

Clearly this is what Tesco want you to do, but it is worth keeping an eye out for additional points promotions to build your rewards as long as you are buying necessary household items!

Thinktank 2 kids free voucher: Now expired…..Thinktank science museum in  Birmingham has a great deal running until 31 January.  Simply download a voucher that offers up to 2 children free entry with one full paying admission.  Just type ‘thinktank 2 kids go free voucher’ into google and pick up this useful voucher!

Cadbury World kids go free voucher or £6 entry: now expired…Cadbury World has two deals going until 31 January.  Choose between a kids go free voucher or £6 discounted entrance for up to 6 people, take your pick!

Chill Factore deals: now expired...this popular ski centre has a number of deals running this January.  Choose from two hours off peak on the slopes for just £15 or 4 hours peak or off peak for just £25.

Try visiting somewhere for free

Free Swimming; many local authorities now offer for under 16’s and over 60’s.  This is a great way to stay active whilst amusing the children on the cheap. To find out your nearest pool that offers free swimming sessions, go to free swim sessions for under 16’s.

Free entry to many Museums & Art Galleries; there are plenty of museums and art galleries around the country that offer free access.  A core aim nowadays for a thriving museum is to reach out to younger visitors and you maybe surprised at the range of activities and interactive exhibits available to attract young families at minimal/free charge.  Check out the Science Museum in London,  Manchester Art Museum or Princess The Diana Memorial Playground at Kensington Gardens.

Vouchers against admission charges

There are plenty of vouchers out there to reduce the family spend on a top visitor attractions. How about kids go free at Cadbury World or 2 for 1 at Conkers or even free annual upgrades at The Eden Project & Magna Science Centre.

Why not check through our list of attractions and see what is currently available to bring the cost of admissions down.

Take a packed lunch

There is no need to purchase refreshments on site.  Plenty of attractions allow a picnic in; some even provide lockers.  For those that do not offer this option, a picnic in the car can be fun too!

Agree spending money before you go

Children can often enjoy the experience of spending to a budget so work out what you are prepared to spend beforehand with the kids…and then stick to it!

Visit off peak times

Plenty of attractions offer discounted entry to entice you in at quieter times.  Consider a mid morning movie for just 95p per person or after 4pm discounted entry to Legoland Discovery Centre.

Let us know if you have any other budgeting tips we can pass on for saving money on days out.

Liz

Cadbury World Kids Go Free Voucher; here’s a kids go free voucher that can be used until 31 January 2011.  One voucher is valid for up to 6 persons and offers free kids entry with a full paying adult.

Simply book online or by phone and quote the promotional code ‘Christmas’ to receive your kids go free discount.  More details available at Cadbury World Voucher

Cadbury World £6 Discounted Admission Voucher; this voucher offers £6 admission per person for up to 6 people with each downloaded voucher. This is a facebook offer and requires you to pre-book to gain your discounted admission price.  More details available at Cadbury World £6 Admission.

A great tip for Cadbury World is to get hold of a ticket to the staff shop for the best deals on chocolate!  Check out more top tips at our Insider Guide to Cadbury World.

Liz

Simply book online or by phone and quote the promotional code ‘Christmas’ to receive your kids go free discount.  More details available at Cadbury World Vouchers & check out our Insider Guide to Cadbury World packed with deals, discounts and tips to beat the queues.