24/1 update..now sold out.  Warwick Castle currently have a limited number of tickets available for  £13 per adult, (12 years & over) or £12 a child, (aged 4-11 years).  Tickets must be purchased online and visits to take place before 29 February 2011.

Half Price Merlin Pass

Warwick Castle remains under the Merlin Pass offer that is currently available at half price until 31 January 2012.  If you are considering visiting a number of Merlin attractions throughout the year, a reduced price Merlin Pass could work out as a cost effective method for days out on a budget.  More details available at Half Price Merlin Pass Offer.

Liz

Trentham Gardens are currently offering discounted tickets this weekend to this popular Staffordshire attraction for just £3 per person.  More details available at Trentham Gardens Offers 2012 or Trentham Gardens Ice Skating Deals 2012.

Trentham Ice Skating Deals

Purchase a Half Price Merlin Pass

This Half Price Merlin Pass sale is only running until 31 January 2011.  You can pick up an individual Merlin Pass for just £78 per person, (standard price £156) but only of you can visit selected Merlin attractions in person. If you are considering picking one up from Alton Towers, check out opening times at Alton Towers & Half Price Merlin Pass Sale

£5 Eden Project Annual Pass for Locals

For local residents living in Cornwall & Devon, you can pick up an annual pass for the Eden Project for just £5 per person!  Simply visit up to 10 February 2012 with proof of primary residence in Devon/Cornwall & 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).

Eden Project

Vue Cinema; £1.25 per ticket

Vue cinemas offer mid morning family movies every weekend from just £1.25 per person.  Children must be 12 or under and accompanying adults can also gain entry for this discounted ticket price.  This weekend’s selection includes Mr Popper’s Penguins, The Smurfs & Happy Feet 2.  Simply check your local Vue cinema for details & listing times.  Plenty more Cinema Deals available too.

Blackbrook Zoo; £1.99 per ticket

Here’s a chance to visit Blackbrook Zoo 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.  Simply visit the ticket kiosk on the day of your visit to take advantage of this deal.

Have a good one!

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

30 June….Stop Press…Looks like all the tickets have now been sold for this deal.

Warwick Castle have released 500 tickets priced at just £1 a ticket and available for visits up to 24 July 2011.  There are a set number of tickets allocated for each day between now and 24 July, so if you can be flexible with your dates you are more likely to pick up a bargain!

There is currently some availability for tomorrow’s teacher strike but I’m sure they won’t last long.  More details available at Warwick Castle £1 Tickets.

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.

Welcome Break service stations are currently issuing 2 for 1 Vouchers for Merlin Attraction with purchases of £5 or more.  2 for 1 Vouchers are valid at:

• Alton Towers
• Thorpe Park
• Chessington World of Adventures
• Legoland Discovery Centre
• Sea Life Centres
• Warwick Castle
• Madame Tussauds

Each voucher gives 1 person free entry when accompanied by a full paying adult.  The voucher is valid until 31 July 2011 with some exclusion on dates, (as set out in the small print on the voucher).  Only one voucher can be used per transaction so split into small groups at the ticket kiosks to get value for money!

For more deals for Alton Towers, go to Alton Towers 2 for 1 Vouchers 2011.

For more deals for Thorpe Park, go to Thorpe Park 2 for 1 Vouchers 2011.

Liz

Simply print the voucher and take with you to the ticket kiosk on the day.  The small print says that only one voucher can be used per person and per transaction, so make sure you print off enough copies for your party and split into small groups at the kiosk!  More details available at Warwick Castle; kids go free voucher.

Liz

Aerial Extreme half price tickets; bag yourself some half price tickets for Aerial Extreme for bookings between 12 & 27 February 2011. This offer is only available to the first 50 customers per course, so worth cracking on!  More details available at Aerial Extreme half price tickets.

Tesco clubcard 2 for 1 voucher; some of you will have received a 2 or 1 voucher with your clubcard statement for Warwick Castle, Legoland Discovery Centre, Madame Tussauds, SeaLife Centres & The Dungeons during February half term.  Only one voucher per transaction, so split into smaller groups at the kiosks!

Trentham Estate Deals; there’s plenty of deals around for Trentham Estate including a 2 for 1 and free entry for Brownies & Guides!  More information available at Trentham Estate Deals

Unlimited travel with London Midland Trains for £10; fancy a day out to London, Liverpool or Birmingham..then check out this off peak unlimited travel of just £10 an adult & £5 a child.  More details at London Midland £10 train deal for February half term.

Free swimming: many local authorities now offer free swimming 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 Annual Passes: if you considering a day out to a visitor attraction, bear in mind places where your can secure a free annual upgrade that will save you money throughout the year.  For more details on visitor attractions offering this, go to Free Annual Upgrade Visitor Attractions.

Alton Towers for February Half Term: if you fancy an early trip to Alton Towers this year, then check out the best deals for Alton Towers for February half term.

Drayton Manor Kids Go Free: Drayton Manor have teamed up with Westfield Kids Club to offer kids go free vouchers that are valid for February half term.  More details available from Drayton Manor; kids go free voucher.

Eden Project: plenty of deals going at the Eden Project with 2 for 1 vouchers and 25% off.  More details available at Eden Project deals.

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.

Half Price Merlin Passes, (April 2011 – this deal has now expired). are currently available from Birmingham Sea Life Centre.  This deal is running until 28 February 2011 with an individual half price Merlin Pass setting you back £72.

Worth noting that this standard Merlin Pass has lost some of it’s benefits as set out below;

• there is no free parking with this pass
• no entry to London Eye, Madame Tussauds, London Dungeon, Sea Life London during August
• no entry to Legoland, Windsor before 2pm in August
• additional fee for Fright Nights at Thorpe Park

However with access to wide range of Merlin attractions, such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventure, Legoland, Sea Life Centre & plenty more, this is still a pretty good deal for the year!

Liz

Tesco clubcard 2 for 1 voucher; is on it’s way with your clubcard statement and can be used at Warwick Castle, Legoland Discovery Centre, Madame Tussauds, SeaLife Centres & The Dungeons during February half term.  Only one voucher per transaction, so split into smaller groups at the kiosks!

Trentham Estate Deals; there’s plenty of deals around for Trentham Estate including a 2 for 1 and free entry for Brownies & Guides!  More information available at Trentham Estate Deals.

Unlimited travel with London Midland Trains for £10; fancy a day out to London, Liverpool or Birmingham..then check out this off peak unlimited travel of just £10 an adult & £5 a child.  More details at London Midland £10 train deal for February half term.

Stay, Play, Explore Ticket; this a great way to pick up a bargain on midland attractions throughout the year.  This tickets gives you the flex to choose from 3 of the 5 attractions, (Conkers, Twycross Zoo, National Space Centre, Snibston & Bosworth) at a discounted price.  More details available at Stay, Play, Explore midland attraction discount ticket.

Liz