Cheap family days out in Leicester 2022
Has the rising cost of living left you wondering how to keep the kids entertained this summer?
Are you looking for fun things to do in Leicester that don’t cost a small fortune?
Then keep reading, because we’ve put together three ideas for cheap family days out in Leicester that are fun and free — or budget-friendly.
Fun things to do in Leicester — for less
These low-cost local ideas could help you save some money towards your living costs.
Or they could make your budget go further, so you have money left over for a treat or another day out.
1. Leicester city centre museums
If it’s a wet day and you need some indoor activities, Leicester has some fascinating museums. Most of these are free to visit and are within walking distance of each other, so you could visit more than one.
There’s no parking at any of these sites, so use public transport or one of the main city centre car parks.
Leicester Guildhall
Leicester’s Guildhall dates back to medieval times and was originally a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi. It’s had many other uses over the centuries, including as a theatre where Shakespeare himself may have performed!
The museum takes you through the history of the Guildhall itself, and through the streets of medieval Leicester where you’ll discover what the city was like back then.
Opening times
Daily: 11.00am to 4.30pm.
Charges
General entry to the museum is free.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for Leicester Guildhall is LE1 5FQ.
Links
The Leicester Guildhall web page.
The Newarke Houses Museum
The Newarke Houses Museum looks at the social history of Leicester, so you can see how people used to live, the household objects they used to use and the toys they used to play with.
You can also see a copy of a First World War trench and walk down a recreation of a 1950s cobbled street.
Outside the museum there are some beautiful gardens to explore.
Opening times
Monday to Saturday: 10.00am to 4.00pm. Sunday: 11.00am to 4.00pm.
Charges
Entry to the museum is free, except on event days.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for The Newarke Houses Museum is LE2 7BY.
Links
The Newarke Houses Museum web page.
Leicester Museum & Art Gallery
The Leicester Museum & Art Gallery offers a world of discovery with numerous galleries to explore. See the wonders of ancient Egypt, stand beside a real-life dinosaur skeleton and get inspired by arts and crafts from years gone by.
The museum is also home to a wide range of temporary and touring exhibitions, so there’s always something new to see.
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 11.00am to 4.30pm. Saturday and Sunday: 11.00am to 5.00pm.
Charges
General entry to the museum is free.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for the Leicester Museum & Art Gallery is LE1 7EA.
Links
The Leicester Museum & Art Gallery web page.
2. Abbey Park, Abbey Pumping Station & Belgrave Hall
Abbey Park, Abbey Pumping Station and Belgrave Hall are all located north of the city centre, with just a short drive or bus ride between them, so you could easily visit two on the same day.
Abbey Park
Abbey Park is one of Leicester’s leading public parks and has something for everyone.
Take a walk around the boating lake and sensory garden, test your fitness at the outdoor gym, wander through the historic ruins and visit the animals at pets’ corner.
There’s a play area, a miniature railway and lots of green space for playing and picnicking.
Opening times
Daily: 8.00am to 6.00pm.
Charges
Entry to the park is free, but there are charges for parking your car and for some of the attractions inside.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for Abbey Park is LE4 5AQ.
Links
The Visit Leicester web page for Abbey Park.
Abbey Park and Grounds Visitor Guide (PDF download).
Abbey Park Trail Routes (PDF download).
Abbey Pumping Station
Abbey Pumping Station is Leicester’s museum of industry and technology. Here, you can learn the fascinating history of science, industry, transport, health and hygiene.
The museum has both historic and interactive exhibits including four huge beam engines and a selection of vintage vehicles.
Outside is a technology-themed children’s play area and sensory garden.
Opening times
Daily: 11.00am to 4.30pm from February to October.
Parking and charges
Paid parking is available at the National Space Centre next door. The cost for this is £3.00 all day.
Entry to the museum itself is free, except on special event days when there will be a charge.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for Abbey Pumping Station is LE4 5PX.
Links
Abbey Pumping Station website.
What’s on at Abbey Pumping Station.
Belgrave Hall
Belgrave Hall dates back to 1709 and has been home to some prominent Leicester residents over the years. It’s now a Grade II listed property, set in two acres of beautiful gardens.
On Heritage Open Days, you can walk through the Hall and see the architecture inside.
Opening times
Wednesdays and the first full weekend of every month: 11.00am to 4.30pm.
Closed from October to March.
Parking and charges
There is no parking at the site, but you’ll find on-street parking in the surrounding area.
General entry is free, except on event days when there will be a charge.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for Belgrave Hall is LE4 5PE.
Links
3. Leicester canal and river walk and Aylestone Meadows Nature Reserve
If you’re into nature and wildlife spotting, you’ll find it all here.
Leicester canal and river walk
The Leicester canal and river walk is a two-mile walking circuit, which starts and finishes at the Pack Horse Bridge. For the first half of the journey, you’ll follow a path that runs between the Grand Union Canal and the River Soar.
The path is lined with trees and greenery and the area is home to a variety of wildlife, birds and water fowl.
On the return, you’ll walk along the Great Central Way. This was formerly the Great Central Railway and used to be a main line rail connection between Manchester and London.
Parking and charges
There’s a small free car park next to the Pack Horse Bridge.
Entry to the walk is free.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for car park and the start of the Leicester canal and river walk is LE2 8LT.
Links
The Leicester canal and river walk web page.
Route map and instructions (downloadable PDF).
Aylestone Meadows Nature Reserve
Aylestone Meadows is Leicester’s largest local nature reserve and is home to a variety of wildlife.
The reserve has lots of walking and cycling paths to explore. There are also tennis courts, football pitches and a play area.
Parking and charges
Free parking and free entry into the nature reserve.
How to get there
Plan your journey on public transport by entering your postcodes on the Traveline website.
The postcode for Aylestone Meadows Nature Reserve is LE2 8DZ.
Links
Aylestone Meadows Visitor Guide (PDF download).
Additional money-saving tips
Pack a picnic
Picnics outside in the sunshine are fun — even if it’s in your own garden, at a friend’s house or at the local park.
And if you’re heading out, taking your own food and drinks can be much cheaper than buying food from a cafe or van.
Save on public transport
If you’re taking the bus, ask the driver about family tickets and saver options that could save you money.
Buy treats in bulk
For example, buying a box of ice-creams from a supermarket on your day out is cheaper than buying individual ice-creams from an ice-cream van.
Looking for more ways to save money?
Clockwise Credit Union has a range of products and resources to help you save money, manage your money and find help with the cost of living crisis.
To find out more, visit our website or call the team on 0330 1755 792 (9.30am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday).
