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Mon, 27 Jul 2026

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 Will summer discounts make family days out cheaper?

Parents welcome summer discounts but say days out can still cost more than £100.
A temporary VAT reduction, part of the £300m Great British Summer Savings scheme, has been introduced to help families save money on summer outings. The 15% cut applies to children's meals and family attraction tickets until September. However, some visitor attractions in the West have questioned its impact, with one saying it creates more work for them when prices are raised again. Parents have expressed concern that costs of keeping children entertained during school holidays remain high, with some saying outings can cost over £100. A financial expert estimates holiday costs now stand at £1,145 per child for the six-week summer break. Some attractions are passing on the savings to customers, while others see it as an opportunity to build a relationship with them. A visitor attraction manager said that while they welcome any support for families, it's too early to tell what impact the discounts will have. Another noted that some parents may not be aware of the VAT reduction. The scheme also includes free bus travel for children aged 5-15 in England. For some, the savings are a welcome relief, but others believe changes to parking charges would make a bigger difference in making family days out more accessible.