During the Easter holidays, family days out can quickly become expensive. With two weeks to fill, unpredictable spring weather and children full of energy, the cost of Easter days out, from theme parks to indoor attractions, soon adds up.
The good news? With some smart booking and voucher stacking, you can cut the cost of Easter days out by up to 50 per cent – sometimes even more.
From discounted theme park tickets to savings on castles, aquariums and family-friendly indoor activities, I’ve rounded up the best Easter days out in the UK, plus how to book for less.
Alton Towers and Thorpe Park
Depending on where you’re based and the age of the children you’re entertaining, you may be pleased to know both Alton Towers and Thorpe Park reopen in time for the Easter holidays.
As with most attractions in the Merlin group, you can save a significant amount by pre-booking tickets online rather than paying at the gate.
Located in Staffordshire, Alton Towers is often the more practical choice for families in the Midlands and the North. The theme park is home to CBeebies Land, which is designed specifically for pre-school children, making it a strong option for younger families. The world’s first Bluey-themed ride will be officially open for the Easter holidays, with guests being able to ride it from 28 March.
Thorpe Park, based in Surrey, is typically more convenient for families in the South. The park tends to appeal more to older children and teenagers, with many of its headline rides carrying a minimum height requirement of around 1m or more. If you’re looking to entertain thrill-seekers, it’s often the better fit.
Whether you opt for Alton Towers or Thorpe Park, be sure to book ahead, to avoid paying peak prices.
For more ways to save, check out our dedicated deals pages for Alton Towers and Thorpe Park
Legoland Windsor Resort
While all the major parks will be welcoming families over the Easter break, Legoland Windsor Resort is pulling out all the stops in 2026 with its Ninjago celebration. Running from 28 March to 12 April, the event offers entry from around £37 per person, with Easter break packages (including ticket entry) from roughly £122 per person.
During the event, you’ll get access to the park’s most popular attractions, including Lego Ninjago the ride and the dragon and minifigure speedway. There’ll also be meet-and-greets with Ninjago heroes and Lego building challenges for kids of all ages. Booking in advance not only guarantees your slot, it can also save you up to £31 per person.
For the latest Legoland discounts, visit our regularly updated deals page
Chessington World of Adventures
From 28 March to 12 April, Chessington World of Adventures is hosting a full programme of Easter fun, with tickets from £32 per person when booked in advance.
Families can expect appearances from Bonnie the Easter bunny, plus access to the full theme park, zoo and Sea Life aquarium – all included in the standard ticket price. For younger children, rides such as the Gruffalo river ride adventure and ‘Room on the Broom – a magical journey’ are favourites. Older children and teens can enjoy plenty of adrenaline-pumping rides, including mandrill mayhem and dragon’s fury.
We’re also awaiting confirmation of the opening date for the park’s newest addition: the UK’s first Paw Patrol-themed land. It’s been confirmed for spring but no official launch date has been announced yet – so it’s one to watch if you’re planning an Easter visit.
To make the most of your trip, you can extend your stay at the on-site Chessington Safari Hotel, which offers themed family rooms. Overnight packages start from £52 per person, including early ride time, breakfast, parking and evening hotel entertainment.
Our Chessington discount codes page has even more saving tips and offers
Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is pulling out all the stops for Easter 2026, with a packed programme of live shows, interactive trails and family-friendly entertainment running throughout the school holidays.
Taking centre stage is the bird of prey display: the falconer’s quest. History fans can catch the “legend of the trebuchet”, featuring Britain’s largest working siege engine in a dramatic live show. For younger visitors, Zog’s Easter adventure includes themed trails, live performances and character meet-and-greets, including the Zog live show, Zog and the Flying Doctors live show and a brand-new dragon egg hunt.
There’s still plenty included in standard entry to keep children busy, from the Horrible Histories maze and guided castle tours to the popular Zog playland, with the Castle Dungeon shows available at an additional cost. It’s an ideal Easter day out if you’re looking for something for a range of school ages.
Half-term tickets are currently priced from £29 per person when booked in advance – that’s about £10 cheaper than paying on the day. As with most major attractions over Easter, booking online ahead of your visit is the easiest way to lock in the lower rate and avoid peak pricing.
Find more discounts and saving tips on our Warwick Castle deals page
Sea Life Centres
A visit to Sea Life is a foolproof school holiday day out. With centres located across the UK, most families will have one within easy reach. Among the most popular are Sea Life London Aquarium, Sea Life Manchester and National Sea Life Centre Birmingham.
This Easter, Sea Life London is hosting a “colourful creatures” event, where children can create their own storybook, enjoy live storytelling sessions and come face-to-face with vibrant marine life, including clownfish, lionfish, blacktip reef sharks, piranhas and green sea turtles. It’s an easy indoor option if the British spring weather isn’t on your side.
Most Sea Life centres will be hosting a similar themed event over the Easter break, so be sure to check out your local one.
If you’re visiting the capital, you’ll typically get the best value by upgrading your standard ticket to a joint Merlin pass that includes the London Eye for around £15 extra, saving up to £29, compared with booking both attractions separately.
Alternatively, if you’re only planning to visit one attraction, you can still make solid savings by pre-booking online. Sea Life uses advanced pricing, meaning online tickets are cheaper than on-the-door rates. During peak Easter dates, booking ahead also guarantees your preferred time slot.
Read my review of the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham
National Trust
Families looking for lower-cost Easter fun should consider a National Trust day out. The conservation charity is hosting more than 100 Easter trails and egg hunts across sites in England this spring (note that some trails carry a small additional charge).
As the weather brightens, National Trust properties are an easy win for parents, as they often feature picture-perfect gardens, historic stately homes and wide-open grounds where children have plenty of space to let off steam. Many trails are designed to be interactive, with activity sheets and chocolate egg rewards at the finish line.
If you’re not already a member, there’s an added incentive. New members who sign up via annual direct debit between 21 March and 19 April can use the promo code above to receive free Easter trails for under-18s. If you’re planning multiple visits over the holidays, membership can quickly work out better value than paying for individual entry and trail fees. For the latest deals and offers from the National Trust, visit our deals page.
You can find more offers and discount codes for days out, travel and more in our dedicated deals section
