Free Days Out

Somerset is full of creative, quirky places where you can paint, build, craft and play together. From pottery studios and arts centres to board game cafés and hobby stores, these spots are perfect for families, friends and anyone who loves hands-on fun and shared experiences.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Bristol

An excellent completely free indoor day out, with three floors covering dinosaurs and natural history, Ancient Egypt, archaeology, art and world cultures. General admission is free, although some temporary exhibitions may charge.

Coates English Willow, Taunton

A fascinating place to discover Somerset’s traditional willow-growing and basket-making industry. The willow walks are free, taking you through withy beds and countryside beside the River Tone; note that the museum itself currently charges a small fee.

Barleymows Farm Shop, Chard

Worth visiting for its countryside setting, local produce and free outdoor children’s play area. Browsing the farm shop and enjoying the views costs nothing, although the summer maize maze/activity field is chargeable.

Beach Day Out

Somerset has some brilliant beaches where the main attraction costs nothing. Pack a picnic, buckets and spades and make a full day of paddling, sandcastles, beach games and walking.

Park Trip & Picnic

One of the easiest genuinely free family days out. Somerset has loads of parks with playgrounds, lakes, woodland, sports areas and open spaces—take your own picnic and you can spend virtually nothing.

See parks page

Museum of Somerset, Taunton

A brilliant free attraction inside Taunton Castle, exploring Somerset's archaeology, history, people and culture. General entry is free, although some activities may carry a charge.

Watch a Local Non-League Sports Team

Village football, cricket and other grassroots sports can provide a fun afternoon out, with many local amateur matches free to watch from the sidelines.

Family-Friendly Pub Games

Some pubs provide free darts, skittles, board games, dominoes or outdoor games. You may spend money on food or drinks, but the entertainment itself can be free.

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Visit Your Local Library

Much more than borrowing books: libraries often have children's areas, colouring, activities, reading challenges and occasional free events. Great for a rainy day.

Free National Trust Countryside

You don't always need to pay to enjoy National Trust countryside. Some walking routes, coast and countryside areas can be explored without buying an attraction ticket, though parking may sometimes cost.

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Walks & Hikes

Somerset is fantastic for free walking, from the Quantocks and Mendips to Exmoor, woodland trails, reservoirs and coastal paths. Take a picnic and turn a walk into a full family adventure.

See walks page

Wimbleball Lake & River Swimming

The Wimbleball area is beautiful for walking, picnicking and enjoying the scenery. For swimming, stick to specifically permitted/supervised locations and check current access and water-safety information first.

Board-Game Cafés

Great for spending a few hours playing together, particularly when it's raining. However, these aren't necessarily completely free—many charge for table/game use or expect customers to buy refreshments.

See Creativity and Games Page

Pubs with Play Areas

A good option for parents with younger children because the playground itself is normally free to use while visiting. Obviously, food and drinks are an additional cost, although some will let you just have water and enjoy their venue.

See family friendly pubs page

Local Clubs & Groups

Look out for walking, cycling, car, motorbike, board-game, card, book and sports groups. Many local clubs offer free meet-ups or taster sessions and are also a great way of meeting people with similar interests.