Museums, Castles & Gardens : page 2 TopDogDays – Discounts and deals for days out in the UK

Merlin Pass Deals for 2012

January 13th, 2012

Half Price Merlin Pass Deals 2012

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

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Trentham Gardens; Discounted Ticket Offer

January 9th, 2012

Trentham Estate £3 Offer

Trentham Gardens are currently offering discounted tickets to this popular Staffordshire attraction for just £3 per person. Simply visit Trentham Estate between 3 January & 10 February 2012 to take advantage of this offer. With standard tickets normally priced at £6.10 an adult, this is a great way to enjoy a day out on a budget.

Trentham Estate Deals

Free Entrance to Trentham Estate for RHS Members

Royal Horticultural Society Members can take advantage of FREE entry to Trentham Gardens during January, February & March 2012. Simply present your valid membership details to the ticket kiosk & enjoy a day out for free!

Plenty more Trentham Garden Deals available t00 including Trentham Ice Skating Deals 2012.

Whilst the ice rink remains open, there is a separate charge for this attraction at Trentham Estate.

Liz

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Free Entry to the Eden Project for Armed Forces

January 4th, 2012

Free Entry to the Eden Project

Members of the Armed Forces can take advantage of free entry to the Eden Project this weekend. Simply present your ID at the ticket kiosk on 6, 7 & 8 January 2012 and enjoy a free day out.

Eden Project Free Ticket Giveaway

Eden Project Local Annual Pass

Here’s a great deal from the Eden Project for residents of Devon & Cornwall that offers an annual pass for just £5 per person! Simply visit between 3 January & 10 February 2012 with proof of primary residence in Devon/Cornwall plus photo ID and you can visit all year for just £5! There is also the option to extend this to a 2 year annual pass for an additional £5, (ie 2 years annual pass for just £10). Worth moving for!

More Eden Project deals available too.

Liz

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Tesco Clubcard Vouchers & Christmas Shopping

December 6th, 2011

Tesco Clubcard Vouchers & Christmas Shopping

Have you considered using your Tesco Clubcard Vouchers to shop for Christmas presents? Whilst I’m not advocating using your vouchers in store, by exchanging vouchers for rewards, you can max out your clubcard vouchers & reduce your Christmas spend as well.

Budget deals for Christmas

Tesco Clubcard Vouchers & Magazine Subscriptions

This is a great way picking up an annual magazine subscription at a fraction of a price. With annual subscriptions priced around £14 in clubcard vouchers, it can work out great value for money. Plenty of choice too from Cosmo, Good Housekeeping, Gardeners’ World, Countryfile plus many more.

Tesco Clubcard Vouchers & Giftcards

Tesco have recently run a number of half price giftcard promotions in the run up to Christmas. Whilst both the half price iTunes giftcard & House of Fraser giftcards sold out very quickly, it’s worth keeping an eye out for similiar promotions & be ready to move fast! Generally these deals offer a £25 giftcard for 12.50 in clubcard vouchers.

Family memberships with clubcard vouchers

Tesco Clubcard Vouchers & Annual Memberships

Makes for a great family present that lasts all year long and only a fraction of the normal membership prices.

English Heritage Annual Membership; 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).

Standard Merlin Pass; a Merlin Pass gains you entry to Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland and plenty more Merlin Attractions. Whilst there are now greater restrictions upon use & incurs parking charges, it still works out as value for money at £42.50 in clubcard vouchers.

Merlin Pass deals & clubcard vouchers

Ramblers Annual Membership; for those active friends & family, you can pick up a single membership, (£10.50 in vouchers), or joint membership, (£14 in vouchers).

Also up for grabs is RSPB Memberships, Woodland Trust Memberships & Applause Membership, (for those wanted to attend TV & radio programmes live!)

Tesco Clubcard Vouchers & Chocolate Hampers

Redeem your vouchers for a range of Thornton’s chocolate hampers for avid chocolate lovers. With hampers available from £13 in clubcard vouchers, it could be worth a look but be aware there are some restriction on order dates with these offers.

Tesco Clubcard Vouchers & Pantomines

Prefer to use your clubcard vouchers to bring on the festive spirit, you can now redeem vouchers for panto tickets! Plenty of choice and at only £9 in vouchers per person, could save a fortune!

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

Liz

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Annual & Regional Passes for Christmas Presents

December 2nd, 2011

An Annual Pass for Christmas?

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

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30 November Strike; What to do with the Kids on a Budget

November 29th, 2011

Public Sector Strike; Go Ice Skating

With the ice rinks now open for the winter season, here’s a chance to take to the ice and miss the queues at the same time. We’ve hunted high & low to find our Top Dog Ice Rinks for 2011 & 2012. Also worth checking out the deal running at Blackpool Beach Arena Ice Rink that is offering half price ice skating sessions on 30 November.

Ice Skating with Chilly Penguins

Public Sector Strike & Orange Wednesday

Don’t forget that this strike falls on a Wednesday so Orange customers can take advantage of Orange Wednesdays & bag 2 for 1 on cinema tickets. To take advantage of this offer, just text Film to 241 and await your text code. Show this code to cinema box office and pick up your 2 for 1 tickets for the movies.

Orange Wednesday isn’t just about cheap cinema tickets, you can also bag a bargain at Pizza Express too! Flash your code at Pizza Express and you can receive 2 for 1 on pizzas plus free garlic bread or dough balls.

Swimming Deals

Public Sector Strike; Swim for it

Gulliver’s Splash Zones at both Milton Keynes & Warrington remain open and offers plenty of fun for a day out with the kids. Check out our review at Gulliver’s Splash Zone Review.

The Theme Park maybe closed, but Alton Towers Waterpark remains open and plenty of deals available too. More details can be found at Alton Towers Waterpark Deals 2011.

Water World in Stoke are running a buy one get one half price deal that is valid until the end of the year. More details are available at Water World Deals 2011.

Many local authority pools maybe closed with the public strike so best to check before you set out.

Public Sector Strike & Twinlakes Theme Park

Twinlakes are offering 25% off their Winter Wonderland tickets for tickets purchased onine for 30 November 2011. More details available at Twinlakes Winter Wonderland Deal.

Eden Project

Public Sector Strike; Eden Project & £5 Annual Pass for Locals

Devon & Cornwall residents could take this opportunity to pick up an annual pass for the Eden Project for just £5 per person. Can’t beat this for value for money! More details available at Eden Project £5 Passes.

Public Sector Strike & Crealy Adventure Park

Crealy Adventure Park in Devon is opening its doors for the day with a £5 per person entry ticket. Whilst the outdoor park rides will not be open the indoor adventure area will be.

Public Sector Srike & Trentham Gardens for £2.50

If there’s 12 or more in your party, (and this can be a group of friends and family), you can take advantage of group rates of just £2.50 per person! This will gain you access to the adventure park, maze, gardens, lakeside & cafe, (this does not include the Trentham Ice Skating). More details available at Trentham Gardens £2.50 deal.

Liz

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Free Ticket Giveaway for the Eden Project

November 24th, 2011

5pm 5 December…competition now closed & congratulations to H. McCabe & K. Ford. Plenty more Eden Project Deals & Free Eden Project Ice Skating available too!

Free Family Passes for the Eden Project

Here’s your chance to pick up free tickets to the Eden Project that are valid all year long. Simply sign up for our email newsletter or or leave us a comment below and we’ll add your name into the draw.

Eden Project Ticket Giveaway

We’ve two family passes up for grabs that will gain you free entry to the Eden Project for up to 2 adults & 2 children.

Whether you choose to save them for the summer or take part in some of the winter activities including child friendly ice skating sessions, (additional charges apply), this is a great day out for all the family. Competition closes on 4pm on Monday 5 December 2011.

Remember, there are plenty of other Eden Project Deals available too plus you could pick up Free Ice Skating for you & your family/friend if you take part in the lantern procession.

Good luck!

Liz

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Free Weekend Pass for Historic Scotland Settings

November 23rd, 2011

Free Weekend Pass for Historic Scotland 26 & 27 November 2011

Here’s a chance to pick up a free family pass for this weekend, (26 & 27 November) from Historic Scotland. Your family pass is valid for up to 2 adults & 3 children and gives you access to over 40 historical settings within Scotland. Included in this deal is free entry to;

Edinburgh Castle
Dunfermline Abbey & Palace
Stirling Castle
St Andrews Cathedral
Urquhart Castle & more

Urquhart Castle

Simply register online and then download the emailed voucher, (proof of ID will be required on the day of your visit). Children under 5 automatically enter for free and do not need to be included in the participating numbers in your party. The voucher is valid all weekend and you can visit as many settings as you wish during the weekend. More details and to download a voucher, go to Free Family Pass for Historic Scotland.

Liz

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Best Ice Skating Rinks for 2011/2012

November 23rd, 2011

Most Glamorous Ice Rink; Somerset House

Somerset House is a not to be missed ice skating experience set in the heart of London. Somerset House manages to combine beauty & magic with all the glamour of winter cocktails, a Michelin-starred restaurant & Tiffany gourmet treats! More details at Somerset House Ice Skating.

Ice Skating at Somerset House

Unfortunately, it’s popularity can also be it’s downfall so be prepared to share the rink with plenty of others and it’s perhaps wise to pre-book & take the hit on the ticketmaster booking fee. You can avoid this booking fee if you can purchase tickets directly from Somerset House but don’t expect to get directly onto the ice especially during the school holidays & other peak times.

Chilly Penguin Sessions at the Eden Project Ice Rink

Check out these Chilly Penguins that offer stability to children as they take to the Ice Rink. Whilst these penguins are available at many Ice Rinks around the country, we particularly like the Chilly Penguin sessions that run on Sundays at the Eden Project from 10.45-11.45am. You may also want to check out the parent & toddler ice play sessions they also run complete with toys & diggers…great thinking! See our free ticket giveaway for the Eden Project below.

You can even pick up a free ice skating session for you & your family/friends if you take part in the lantern procession. More details available at Ice Skate for Free at the Eden Project.

Most Impressive Ice Skating Backdrop; Ice at the Towers

If you like to glide in style, then try the Tower of London Ice Rink. Set down in the dry moat, this ice rink offers you a spectacular view of the Tower of London that becomes even more impressive when lit up at night. A must for any first time visitors to London. With peak & off peak times, it is again wise to book in advance and take advantage of family & concessionary rates.

Ice at the Towers

Prettiest Lakeside Ice Rink; Trentham Ice Rink

If you fancy combining beauty with ice, then Trentham Estate in Staffordshire might be the answer. Ideally situated lakeside, ice rink admission also includes entrance to the stunning Italian Gardens & adventure play park area. More details for cheap tickets can be found at Trentham Ice Rink Deals.

Trentham Ice Skating Deals

Combining Culture & Fun; Natural History Museum Ice Rink.

With the Natural History Museum as the backdrop for this ice rink, you have the chance to combine learning & laughter in one afternoon. We loved the cafe bar & balcony situated rink side with a great range of festive treats from Mulled Wine, Viennese coffees & fun pots of nibbles. Remember entrance to the Natural History Museum is free too!

Natural History Museum Ice Rink

Free Family Ticket Giveaway for the Eden Project

Here’s your chance to pick up free tickets to the Eden Project. We’ve two family passes up for grabs that will gain you free entry to the Eden Project, (there is an additional charge for ice skating), for up to 2 adults & 2 children. Simply join up for our email newsletter or leave us a comment below and we’ll add your name into the draw. Competition closes on 4pm on Monday 5 December 2011.

Happy Skating!

Liz

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Freebies; Drayton Manor, Eden Project, Travelodge, Historic Scotland & Eureka!

November 22nd, 2011

Sing for Free Entry to Drayton Manor; pick up free entry to Drayton Manor Theme Park if you are willing to sing Christmas Carols during their festive period. More details available at Drayton Manor Deals or check out this 2 for 1 Drayton’s Magical Christmas Deal.

Drayton Manor Deals

Carry a Torch for Free Ice Skating to the Eden Project; pick up free ice skating for you & your family or friends if you agree to carry a lantern on the day of your visit. More details available at Eden Project Free Offer.

Free Rooms for Jesus, Mary & Joseph; Travelodge are giving away free rooms for UK residents named Jesus or married Mary & Joesph couples over the festive period. You will of course need to show ID with this one but if you are interested, simply contact christmas@travelodge.co.uk.

Family Photo Shoots at Eureka for Free Annual Passes; parents, carers & children that take part in promotional photo shoots for Eureka Children’s Museum, will secure a free family annual pass as a thank you. If this is one for you, simply email a photo to web@eureka.org.uk.

Urquhart Castle

Free Weekend Passes to Historic Scotland; pick up a free family pass, (for up to 2 adults & 3 children), for over 40 Scottish historical settings including Edinburgh Castle for use during 26 & 27 November 2011. More details available at Free Family Pass to Historic Scotland.

For more deals on days out, subscribe to Topdogdays & sign up to our email newsletter.

Liz

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