The ultimate guide to half term days out that are absolutely FREE

KEEPING the kids entertained in the school holidays can be a costly challenge, with prices rocketing.

Tickets for Kew Gardens in London can be more than £20 each, while Stonehenge is from £57 for a family.

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But days out with the children don’t need to come at a price.

Pack a picnic and head to one of these beautiful beaches, scenic walks or amazing museums, all completely free to enjoy.

North West

Blackpool, Lancashire: Kids will adore the miles of sand and seeing the trams, piers and donkeys.

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Lake District walks, ­Cumbria: Check out the best buggy, child and ­wheelchair-friendly strolls at .

Science and Industry Museum, Manchester: Explore the best big ideas of the past 250 years, with exhibitions on the solar system and more.

See .

Tate Liverpool: Whether you’re a fan of Andy Warhol or Monet, there is art to suit all at .

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East of England

Southwold, Suffolk: Spot boats and visit the Victorian pier as you amble along the seafront town.

See .

Museum of Zoology, Cambridge: See specimens from the entire animal kingdom, from molluscs to elephants, at

Great Notley Country Park, Braintree, Essex: Explore a play trail with giant seesaw, climbing forest, tyre swings and sandpits.

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Ferry Meadows in Nene Park, Peterborough: This 500-acre country park has lakes, meadows, woodlands and riverside to explore.

See .

East Midlands

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire: This traditional resort has a glorious Blue Flag beach that slopes gently down to the North Sea, flanked by grassy dunes.

See .

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Green’s Windmill and Science Centre, Nottingham: Climb to the top of this working windmill and learn how they make award-winning flour.

Plus check out the science area and playground.

See .

Museum of Making, Derby Silk Mill, Derbyshire: The site of the world’s first factory now tells the story of the area’s industrial and creative heritage.

See .

London

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford: Explore rock pools, a treehouse and sand pits at Tumbling Bay Playground near the ArcellorMittal Orbit.

See .

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Imperial War Museum, Lambeth: See Spitfires, trench art and more. Must book entry in advance at .

Horniman Museum, Forest Hill: A quirky museum with taxidermy and more.

See .

Changing of the Guard, Buckingham Palace: Takes place daily at 10.45am for 45 minutes.

South East

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, Sussex: Unspoilt sands and lots of birds, .

Windsor Great Park, Berkshire: Acres of parkland, woods and trails with years of royal history.

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Viking Coastal Trail, Kent: Takes in the coast of Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate where you can see Viking ship Hugin.

See visit .

Fort Nelson, Hampshire: A defensive fort overlooking the Solent.

Must be pre-booked at .

Wales

St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff: Walk around Wales from Celtic times to today at this open-air museum.

See

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Llandudno, North Wales: Traditional seaside town with Victorian pier, Punch and Judy shows and an Alice In Wonderland trail. A short hop from Conwy.

See .

Big Pit National Coal Museum, Torfaen: Experience life as a miner, 300ft underground.

See .

Tenby, Pembrokeshire: Lovely resort with three beaches and castle.

See .

West Midlands

Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, Cinderford, Gloucs: Features stunning artworks set in beautiful woodland.

See .

Tolkien Trail, Birmingham: The places and people that inspired Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit.

Visit .

Cannock Chase Forest, Staffs: Woodland walks, cycle rides and a “fairy tree” on Route To Health sculpture trail.

See .

Sheldon Country Park, Birmingham: 300-acre oasis with 17th century dairy farm and views of planes flying from airport.

See .

South West

Ashton Court Estate, Bristol: 850 acres at this Grade I-listed country park and mansion with hot air balloon rides and roaming deer.

See .

Studland Bay, Dorset: Stunning stretch of sand with one of the best climates in Britain.

Visit .

Bath City Farm, Wilts: Lots of livestock for kids to meet.

See.

Donkey Sanct­uary, Sidmouth, Devon: A working farm with donkeys and nature trail.

See .

North East

Bamburgh, Northumberland: Vast expanse of golden sand, with views of Bamburgh’s striking castle too.

See .

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Discovery Museum, Newcastle: See Turbinia, once the world’s fastest steamship.

Details at .

Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland: Red and white 1871 lighthouse on cliffs that are home to a host of birdlife.

See

Northumberlandia, Cramlington: Land sculpture at commu-nity park.

See

Yorkshire

Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorks: Enjoy fantastic rock pooling and fossil hunting.

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Brimham Rocks, Ripon: Spot the dancing bear and turtle among the weird and wonderful rock formations.

See .

National Railway Museum, York: Classic locos such as the Mallard.

See .

Royal Armories Museum, Leeds: The national collection of arms and armour, with combat demos and jousting events.

See

Scotland

V&A, Dundee: Next door to the RRS Discovery the museum is home to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s restored Oak Room.

See .

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West Sands, St Andrews, Fife: Two miles of beautiful beach backed by dunes featured in movie Chariots Of Fire.

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National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh: Meet Dolly the Sheep and make a Chinese dragon dance.

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