Leisure and day trip discounts
Taking a break, even for a day, can be a challenge when you're looking after someone. On this page, you can find offers and discounts to help make that much needed change of scenery a reality.
What options are available?
Day trip providers
What do the National Trust offer?
There is an 'Essential Companion Card' that the National Trust offers for up to two companions/ carers of someone who has a disability or needs assistance.
The Essential Companion Card provides you with free entry as a carer. Find out more details.
They also offer support with accessibility needs. You can explore what support they offer here: access guides.
What do English Heritage offer?
They can offer a free carer ticket if you're accompanying someone who has a disability. They may ask for evidence such as a PIP letter or Blue Badge.
RHS Gardens and Flower Show
With proof you are a carer, they can offer free entry to certain places such as RHS Wisley and RHS Chelsea.
Their website says 'We offer free entry for essential carers accompanying visitors with a disability, when you visit one of the main RHS Gardens – Wisley in Surrey, Hyde Hall in Essex, Rosemoor in Devon, Harlow Carr in Yorkshire and Bridgewater in Greater Manchester. If your membership has a guest entitlement you can still use this in addition to your carer.'
Find out more on their website: https://www.rhs.org.uk/
Theatre
Sometimes, there are discounted theatre tickets you can purchase if you enjoy going to the theatre and would like to assist someone you're looking after. They may also be entitled to a concession.
Some theatre providers even offer free companion tickets. See the helpful links from some companies below:
https://trh.co.uk/access-for-all/
https://www.rsc.org.uk/your-visit/access/access-needs
It is always worth contacting the theatre in advance to find out what they can offer if this is not obvious on their website.
Cinema
There is a national scheme run by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA) called the CEA card.
Its purpose is to make the cinema a more accessible experience for all, including carers who may not always get the opportunity to go.
As a cardholder, you would have the option to go for free if you were accompanying someone. Read more here:
https://www.ceacard.co.uk/
The annual fee for the card is currently £6.50.
Some cinema providers may also offer discounts regardless of this so it is always worth checking in advance.
Theme parks and wildlife centres
There are a number of theme park attractions across the UK that provide concessions if you are a carer. Examples include:
Thorpe Park (England) - read more
Alton Towers (England) - read more
Chessington (England) - read more
LEGOLAND (England) - read more
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park (Scotland) - read more
M&D's Scotland Theme Park - read more
Landmark Forest Adventure Park (Scotland)
Those who provide proof of disability are admitted at 50% of the standard full rate, and as a carer, your entry is free - read more
Northern Ireland days out
This guide details what discounts are available for carers in Northern Ireland.
Cadwr
(Wales)
They represent, offer access to and protect many of the historic sites Wales has. They offer discounts to young carers and free entry to people with a disability and those accompanying them - read more
The National Botanic Garden of Wales
(Wales)
Admission for carers and those with a disability or in need of support is free - read more
Grants
Some charities offer grants for carers and families on a low income who would like a break. Their websites will offer more information on what they can offer, what their eligibility criteria are, and what the application process is. Examples include:
Family Fund:
https://www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/are-we-eligible/
The 3H Foundation:
https://the3hfoundation.org.uk/
The Respite Association:
https://respiteassociation.org/
The League of Helping Hand:
https://lhh.org.uk/
There is a directory of accessible venues that you can look up on the AccessAble website:
https://www.accessable.co.uk/
They also provide detailed access guides understanding that different people will have different levels of need and accessibility requirements.
