30 outdoor attractions in the UK with free parking

Looking for holiday activities with the kids that won’t cost the earth? Here are 30 outdoor attractions in the UK with free parking.

With the cost of living still on the rise and school holidays on the horizon, you may be starting to wonder how you’ll entertain the kids this year while sticking to a budget.

As every parent knows, they grow up so fast – so, it’s important to make memories and spend quality time with the whole family while you can. Family activities can also help to build sibling bonds. However, paying for transport, meals out, and tickets for attractions also means that the cost of holidays and day trips can really start to add up.

To help you make lasting memories with your children without breaking the bank, the automotive experts at My Motor World have rounded up 30 family-friendly attractions across the UK that offer free parking (and in some cases, even free entry). So, all you need to do is pack up the car, and you’ll have one less cost to worry about!

Outdoor attractions with free parking in England

1) London: Richmond Park

Free parking might seem like a tall order in the country’s capital city, but you may be surprised to learn that Richmond Park offers free parking to its visitors. Here you can treat the kids to a break from city life and enjoy one of the many outdoor activities they offer, including horse riding, power kiting, bike hire, and rugby.

Find out more at the Richmond Park website.

2) The North-East: Beamish Open Air Museum

Based in County Durham, Beamish is a world-famous open-air museum that brings the history of North-East England to life. Much more immersive and engaging than your average textbook, its doors are open to families (and dogs!) every day from April to November.

Find out more at the Beamish website.

3) The North-West: Chester Zoo

One of the UK’s largest zoos, Chester Zoo has over 20,000 animals and 128 acres of zoological gardens to explore. As well as special events like shark experiences, they even offer exclusive after-hours access, food, and drinks packages, making it a perfect destination for family trips out in the North-West.

Find out more at the Chester Zoo website.

4) Yorkshire: Castle Howard 

As well as being an impressive historical landmark and walled garden, Castle Howard caters for kids of all ages. Children can ride the land train through the grounds to the lakeside play area and Adventure Playground, enjoy lunch and an ice cream at the café, and get a birds-eye view from the new treetop walk.

Find out more at the Castle Howard website.

5) The East Midlands: Stonebridge City Farm

The perfect break for families in the city, this farm in Nottingham runs a petting zoo, café, and community events like music and dance workshops. Both parking and entry is free, but the farm is a charity so relies on visitor donations to keep running.

Find out more at the Stonebridge City Farm website.

6) The West Midlands: Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World

This zoo and dinosaur park in Birmingham boasts the UK’s most realistic dinosaurs and is a great way to teach your kids about prehistoric animals. Their family-run zoo also has interactive exhibits about conservation and houses animals like wolves, big cats, meerkats, and much more.

Find out more at the Hoo Zoo & Dinosaur World website.

7) The South-East: Frimley Lodge Park

This park in Surrey doesn’t charge for parking and has plenty of woodland and picnic areas for you and the kids to explore. They also have a miniature railway, a pitch and putt course, and football and cricket pitches available to hire.

Find out more at the Frimley Lodge Park website.

8) East Anglia: BeWILDerwood Treehouse Adventure

Ideal for experiencing the great outdoors, BeWILDerwood is an award-winning forest that boasts treehouses, wobbly wires, slippery slopes, storytelling, boat rides, marsh walks, and more. And if that wasn’t enough, parking is free to all visitors!

Find out more at the BeWILDerwood website.

9) The South-West: Longleat Safari Park & Stately Home

Longleat is the number one safari park in the UK, and the first to open outside of Africa back in 1966. Home to over 120 species, you and the family can see their amazing animals by car, foot, train, bus and boat, or book a spot in a close-up animal encounter show.

Find out more at the Longleat website.

Outdoor attractions with free parking in Wales

10) South-West: Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo

Here the whole family can explore the zoo, barn, fairground, and playground, with indoor and outdoor options in case of wet weather. What’s more, Folly Farm have been named Accessible Welsh Venue of the Year for the second year in a row, and disability carers enter for free.

Find out more at the Folly Farm website.

11) North Wales: Zip World

Park for free and get your adrenaline pumping at Zip World in the Conwy Valley. Try out the Fforest Coaster (the UK’s only alpine coaster of its kind), the Treetop Nets, adventure courses, the Zip Safari, or even Europe’s highest giant swing, Skyride, if you dare!

Find out more at the Zip World website.

12) East Wales: Powis Castle and Gardens

Marvel at this medieval castle built by Welsh princes and its Grade I listed garden, before enjoying a light lunch and an ice cream at the Courtyard Café. Check out the Clive Museum and buy a souvenir at the National Trust Gift Shop.

Find out more at the Powis Castle and Gardens website.

13) Pembrokeshire: Manor Wildlife Park

Take the kids to learn about conservation and natural habitats in this Pembrokeshire wildlife reserve, without paying to park your car for the day. Choose from animal experiences to meet red pandas, rhinos, monkeys, and more in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Find out more at the Manor Park website.

14) Tenby: The Dinosaur Park

Giving Jurassic Park a run for its money, here you can explore the exciting dinosaur trail on your own or book a Guided Safari walking tour for more fun facts and trivia. There’s plenty of rides and playgrounds to choose from, too!

Find out more at The Dinosaur Park’s website.

Outdoor attractions with free parking in Scotland

15) Aberdeen: The Den & The Glen

The Den & The Glen is designed to encourage boys and girls to have fun, make friends and eat healthily! The Den is an indoor play barn with a restaurant that can cater for large birthday parties, while outside in the Glen you’ll find acres of land filled with nursery rhyme and fairy-tale characters.

Find out more at The Den & The Glen’s website.

16) Argyll: Puck’s Glen

Lace up your walking boots and take the family along a magical trail that winds along a Victorian walkway up a dramatic rocky gorge that is said to be home to mischievous spirits. Pass several waterfalls beneath the Douglas firs and stop for lunch in the onsite picnic area, all free of charge!

Find out more at the Puck’s Glen website.

17) Dundee: Camperdown Wildlife Centre

Teach the kids about the importance of animal conservation at this independently run wildlife centre in Dundee, without paying for parking. See a variety of species ranging from brown bears, otters, and golden eagles to horses, lemurs, and owls.

Find out more at the Camperdown Wildlife Centre website.

18) Ayrshire: Heads of Ayr Farm Park

Perfect for a whole host of outdoor activities, at this Ayrshire park the whole family can enjoy bumper boats, electric tractors, trampolines, and quad biking. Not only this, but you can introduce your children to cute animals at their onsite petting zoo.

Find out more at the Heads of Ayr Farm Park website.

19) Dumfries: Dock Park

This popular waterfront park in Dumfries doesn’t charge for parking, and as well as a large playground, your little ones can have fun bowling, playing mini golf, and tiring themselves out on the trampolines! There’s even a café to enjoy a coffee and a cake while the kids play.

Find out more at the Dumfries & Galloway council website.

20) Edinburgh Zoo

Opened in 1913, Edinburgh Zoo is home to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and houses more than 2,500 incredible animals from all around the world. This is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions and is open every day of the year, with the exception of Christmas Day.

Find out more at the Edinburgh Zoo website.

21) Fife: Muddy Boots Adventure Park

If your family have been lacking some quality time outdoors, head to Muddy Boots in Fife. This family run farm, shop, café, and kids adventure play area has attractions and activities for everyone, including laser tag, waterslides, and pottery painting, and offers free parking to visitors.

Find out more at the Muddy Boots website.

22) Glasgow: The People’s Palace Museum

Set in historic Glasgow Green, the People’s Palace Museum is home to a collection of artefacts, photographs, prints, and films which give a unique view into how Glaswegians lived, worked, and played in years gone by. Teach your kids about the city’s history before they blow off some steam at the swing park and café onsite.

Find out more at Glasgow Life.

23) The Highlands: Highland Wildlife Park

Part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, this wildlife park within the Cairngorms National Park is home to exotic animals including an Amur tiger, European grey wolf, Japanese macaque, snow leopard, and even a polar bear!

Find out more at Highland Wildlife Park’s website.

24) Moray: Duffus Castle

Teach the whole family about Scottish history at this medieval stronghold once owned by the Moray family. Within the free car park, you’ll find a seating area and a refreshments hut to enjoy a warming cup of coffee or hot chocolate after a day’s historic sightseeing.

Find out more at Historic Environment Scotland.

25) Perthshire: Active Kids Adventure Park

This park does what it says on the tin! In this beautiful Perthshire setting, your little ones can let off steam and get some exercise in 11 acres of Scottish countryside. There are both indoor and outdoor spaces, so you’re covered no matter what the weather throws at you!

Find out more at The Active Kids Adventure Park website.

26) Scottish Borders: East Links Family Park

Kids and adults will be spoiled for choice in this East Lothian farm. Choose from go-karts, pedal tractors, crazy bikes, slides, sand pits, a hay barn, trampolines, a musical maze, and even 18-hole crazy golf, and finally their Safari Train to meet all the friendly animals.

Find out more at the East Links website.

Outdoor attractions with free parking in Northern Ireland 

27) Carrickfergus Marine Gardens

Marine Gardens is a beautiful, waterfront parkland within sight of Carrickfergus castle. As well as a play park, you’ll find a winding walk as far as Fisherman’s Quay, where visitors can make their return to the castle along the delightful seafront promenade with fantastic views across Belfast Lough.

Find out more at Discover Northern Ireland.

28) Gruffalo Trail, Belfast

As Ireland’s only official Gruffalo Trail, this Julia Donaldson-endorsed guided walk is a must for families. Bring your little ones along and go right inside the glorious Gruffalo and Stickman stories – the guided walk includes an ‘I met the Gruffalo’ certificate and a book by Julia Donaldson and friends!

Find out more at Colin Glen.

29) Edenvilla Park & Secret Garden

Located on the outskirts of Portadown, in this quiet, residential park you’ll find sculpture trails, a play park, an open space for games and picnics, a secret garden with a fishpond, bird aviary, and toddler play area – and of course, free onsite parking.

Find out more at the Edenvilla Park website.

30) Slieve Gullion Forest Park

There’s something in this forest park to keep kids of all ages entertained. The Adventure Playpark includes a toddler’s area, adventure and play equipment for the older kids, the Slieve Gullion ZIP, and even a trim trail for the adults. Burn off some energy on the slides, climbing frames, maze, and outdoor gym equipment and treat yourselves to a cake at the café.

Find out more at Ring of Guillon.