Best Free & Cheap Summer Camps in England: 2025 Guide for Parents
Looking for budget-friendly ways to keep the kids busy this summer? Whether you’re juggling work or just want to avoid the dreaded “I’m bored” every five minutes, we’ve rounded up the best free or low-cost summer activities and campsacross England that are perfect for kids and kind to your wallet.
From football clubs to nature trails, here’s how to enjoy the school holidays without breaking the bank.
⚽ KOOSA Kids HAF Holiday Clubs – Hampshire & Beyond
A total lifesaver for working parents! KOOSA Kids is part of the government-funded Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) scheme, offering FREE activity clubs for eligible children during the summer holidays.
Expect active games, crafts, and themed days to keep kids moving and smiling all week long.
🗓️ When: 21 July to 29 August 2025
💸 Price: Free (for HAF-eligible families)
📍 Where: Fleet, Hampshire & other venues
🏕️ Local HAF Programmes: Coventry, Bury, St Helens
Councils across England are offering free HAF camps, with morning or full-day sessions packed with sport, food, and creative fun. Just book ahead!
🗓️ Coventry: 21 July to 31 August
🗓️ Bury: 21 July to 29 August (excluding 25 August)
🗓️ St Helens: 28 July to 31 August (booking opens 14 July)
💸 Price: Free
🧗 Camp Horizons – East London
A creative, energetic summer day camp with activities like dance, drama, and sports. While not free, it’s great value for London parents wanting a full day of reliable fun.
🗓️ When: 29 July to 23 August 2025
💸 Price: From £42/day or £190/week
📍 Where: East London
🌳 BeWILDerwood Twiggle Tots – Norfolk & Cheshire
A magical outdoor park with treehouses, slides, and storytelling. And weekdays this summer, adults can bring a toddler for free with a special deal.
🗓️ When: Weekdays from 21 July through August
💸 Price: £12.50/adult, toddler goes free
📍 Where: Norfolk & Cheshire
🏃 Junior Parkrun – Nationwide
The perfect way to burn off some Saturday or Sunday morning energy. Free, timed 2k runs for kids aged 4 to 14, run by volunteers at parks across the country.
🗓️ When: Every Sunday throughout summer
💸 Price: Free
📍 Where: Over 400 parks across the UK
🎨 Dobbies Little Seedlings Gardening Clubs
If you’ve got a budding green thumb at home, Dobbies Garden Centres run free one-hour kids workshops every weekend. From planting sunflowers to prehistoric plant fun, it’s a fab way to connect with nature.
🗓️ When: Sundays through July and August
💸 Price: Free
📍 Where: Dobbies centres nationwide
🎾 Tennis for Free – Local Parks
Serving up a hit for sporty families! The Tennis for Free scheme partners with local councils to offer free family-friendly coaching and open court access in parks across the UK.
🗓️ When: Summer weekends
💸 Price: Free
📍 Where: Various public parks
🌲 Forestry England Family Trails
Get the kids out exploring with self-guided nature trails from Forestry England. Pick up activity packs or download printable scavenger hunts.
🗓️ When: All summer starting 20 July
💸 Price: Free or small parking fee
📍 Where: Cannock Chase, Blackdown Hills and more
📚 Library Summer Clubs: Check your local library
Local libraries are stepping up this summer with free craft clubs, science challenges, and storytelling sessions. It’s the perfect indoor break from all the running around.
🗓️ When: Various dates from 20 July onward
💸 Price: Free
📍 Where: Libraries in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and more
🛶 Try-a-Paddle Days: Canal & River Trust Events
Community canoe clubs and water activity centres are running free or low-cost taster sessions for kids to try kayaking, paddleboarding and more.
🗓️ When: Weekends from 20 July
💸 Price: Free or around £5 donation
📍 Where: Mersey River, Midlands, and selected waterways
🦖 North East Bonus: Great North Museum: Hancock – Newcastle
A must-visit for dino lovers and science fans! The Great North Museum offers free exhibitions on natural history, ancient civilisations, and more.
🗓️ When: Open daily through the holidays
💸 Price: Free (donations welcome)
📍 Where: Newcastle upon Tyne
🧪 Life Science Centre – Newcastle
Explore hands-on experiments, live science shows, a planetarium and more. Great for curious minds!
🗓️ When: Open throughout the holidays
💸 Price: Adults from £12, under-5s go free
📍 Where: Newcastle city centre
🌿 Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Perfect for rainy days. Enjoy free entry to galleries, interactive exhibits and a lush indoor botanical garden.
🗓️ When: Open daily
💸 Price: Free
Still Need Ideas?
Other great value UK days out include:
🦋 Tropical Butterfly House – Sheffield
🧗 Clip ‘n Climb – Nationwide
🧜 Alpamare Waterpark – Scarborough
🧛 Warwick Castle
