30 Family Days Out in Staffordshire for Under £30

Let’s face it there’s no getting away from the rising cost of living and keeping the kids entertained during the Summer 2024 school holidays could well be a challenge for many UK families.

At Enjoy Staffordshire we think everyone deserves the chance to escape, and as the UK’s biggest and best playground, Staffordshire is the ideal place to do so.

So read on for a whole host of ideas, including free days out in Staffordshire!

Budget days out Summer 2024

To help you make the most of Summer, we’ve put together a handy list of 30 different family friendly places to visit and things to do in Staffordshire, that won’t break the bank – in fact they all cost less than £30* for 2 Adults and 2 Children to get in, and some are free family days out!

Our popular #30Under30Pounds campaign aims to fill your Summer with fun, whether your family is active, creative, curious, looking for adventure or simply loves wildlife, we’ve plenty of ideas and inspiration for you.

Each of our suggested attractions is either free admission, or costs no more than £30* for a family of four to enter (unless stated), so start planning your family Summer days out in Staffordshire now!

Active family days out in Staffordshire

Burn off some energy on family walks, off-road cycle routes, adventure playgrounds or snowy slopes.

1. Baggeridge Country Park, near Wombourne – free to enter, with well-equipped play area, family mountain bike trail, and fishing at Island Pool (£5 adults, £3.50 child/concessions)

2. Cannock Chase Forest, near Rugeley – Gruffalo Trail pack £4; Bike hire from £15 child, £28 adult. Full day parking £11.

3. The Churnet Valley Way, free cycle trail from Oakamoor to Denstone

4. Snowdome, Tamworth - it's £22 for the Snow Fun Park, £32 for a 2 hours of Ice Skating, and £15.38 for Swimming for bookings made before 18th August

5. Tittesworth Water, near Leek – free to enter, parking £3.50 to £7

6. Stafford to Newport Cycle Route - free cycle trail

Ideas for Adventurous families

Step-back in time, and literally let off some steam, at our heritage steam railways, all located in beautiful countryside with walks and activities nearby.

Explore a WWI trench, re-enact your own Mercian battle, or play the role of an actor, potter, doctor or vet!

And the Frontline Dance Explorers Tour, at libraries across Staffordshire, will take you on a wonderful story-telling adventure through dance, colour, sound and teamwork. Find out more at https://frontlinedance.co.uk/performance/ 

7. Apedale Valley Light Railway – Family ticket £23.00 for two adults and up to four children. Day tickets £4 return (adult), £2 return (child). And the stunning Apedale Country Park is next door!

8. Chasewater Railway – Family ticket £23 (adjacent Chasewater Country Park), adult day ticket £7.95, child day ticket £5.50

9. National Memorial Arboretum – Free admission; land train tours £7.50 adults, £3.75 children. Guided walks £5. Some free talks available. Parking £6 on the day, £4 in advance.

10. Rudyard Lake Steam Railway – adjacent to Rudyard Lake, adult return ticket £5.50, child return ticket £3

11. Staffordshire Regiment Museum – Family ticket £20.00 (two adults and up to four children), adult day ticket £7, child day ticket £4

12. Tamworth Castle Pleasure Grounds – Free admission to grounds. Castle family ticket £37.50 (up to 5 persons). Adults £9.95, children £5.50.

13. Adventure Mini Village at Waterworld, Stoke-on-Trent - Children £9.50, adults £3.50 for a two-hour play session.

Things to do in Staffordshire for Creative families

Head for Stoke-on-Trent the World Capital of Ceramics for some seriously creative hands-on pottery fun.

Have a go on the Potter’s wheel, get clever with clay, paint & decorate pottery and be inspired by our famous designers and makers.

Also, Staffordshire Libraries have Meet The Maker events in July and August at libraries across the county, including Rugeley, Uttoxeter, Perton and Kidsgrove. Full details are available at https://www.facebook.com/staffordshirelibraries/events

14. Emma Bridgewater Factory – Free admission; Decorating session £2.95 pp + cost of pottery.

15. Gladstone Pottery Museum – Family ticket £25.50. Annual pass 2 adults + 2 children £47.74, adult day ticket £8.50, child day ticket £5.95.

16. Middleport Pottery – Free admission to site; Heritage Trail from £4pp, Factory Tour from £10pp

17. Potteries Museum & Art Gallery – Free admission

18. World of Wedgwood – Free admission to site; Decorating session £2.50pp deposit, blanks from £4.50 each. Factory Tour £12.50 per adult (kids free).

Staffordshire has plenty of options for Curious families

Stir their imaginations and feed their curiosity with a peek into Staffordshire’s history and heritage.

Most of the below sites are free admission, parking fees may apply and some offer extra paid-for activities and events.

19. Ancient High House, Stafford - try the free Mouse Hunt

20. Brampton Museum & Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme

21. Lichfield Cathedral - The Beach is back (24th July-1st Sept), and there are free things to do including a new explorers trail; magician & circus skills; story-telling sessions and more!

22. Museum of Cannock Chase, Hednesford

23. Weston Park - get 20% off family tickets by booking online, and explore the beautiful woodland and gardens, with adventure play area, miniature railway and more

24. Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield

More to explore for Wild families in Staffordshire

Who doesn’t love learning about wildlife, animals or farmyard friends?

Get back to nature and discover the amazing flora and fauna flourishing in rural Staffordshire.

There are more than 100 events across the county, organised by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, which budding conservationists will love, like pond dipping and mini beast hunts. Visit https://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events for details.

25. Billy’s Farm Barn at Amerton Farm, near Stafford – families from £18.96; adults from £2.99, children from £6.99

26. Branston Water Park, near Burton on Trent – Free admission

27. Dorothy Clive Garden, near Newcastle-under-Lyme – 2 adults + 2children £28.00. Annual Pass £24 adult, £48 family.

28. RSPB Coombes Valley & Consall Woods, near Leek – Free admission

29. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Wolseley Centre, near Rugeley – Free admission

30. The Animal Zone at Rodbaston, near Penkridge – adults £9, child £6

Other ways to save money on Staffordshire days out

PYO Fruit in Staffordshire

There are a host of farms with plentiful crops if you fancy some summer fruit-picking, and in many cases you only pay for what you pick.

Check out Canalside Farm (Stafford), Essington Farm near Featherstone, Manor Farm Fruits (Lichfield), and Woore Fruit Farm near Newcastle-under-Lyme. 

Annual passes, season tickets and memberships

These are the ideal way to save money on admission fees, particularly for local residents and regular repeat visitors.

Some of the UK’s biggest and best attractions are located in Staffordshire, and most of them offer great value for money annual ticket deals which pay for themselves within 3-4 visits.

• Alton Towers Resort – Annual Pass £99 (Silver) or £139 (Gold). Savings available by booking in advance.
• Drayton Manor Resort – Annual Pass £79 (Silver), £99 (Gold) or £175 (Platinum). Savings available by booking in advance.
• Peak Wildlife Park – Annual Pass £64.95 adult, £55.95 child, £60.95 concessions. 
• Play@ Lower Drayton Farm – Annual Membership from £150 pp. Summer Pass: £33 for six visits.
• Tamworth Castle – Annual Pass £29.75 adult, £22.50 child, £100 family (up to 5 persons). Concessions £26.75.
• Trentham Estate – Annual Membership £20-£71 (Standard), £20-£115 (Gold), or £100-£300 (Platinum). Savings available by booking in advance.
• Trentham Monkey Forest – Annual Membership £35 adult, £25 child, £30 concessions. Savings available by booking in advance.
• Weston Park – Standard Membership £38.50 adult, £95 family (two adults, three children), £33 seniors.
• Waterworld - £99 (Silver) or £149 (Gold)
• The National Trust – Annual Membership £99 (1 adult family), £159 (2 adult family)
• English Heritage – Annual Membership £72 (1 adult family), £126 (2 adult family)

Look out for special offers and loyalty schemes too, such as Tesco Clubcard, day ticket upgrades and multi-visit discounts which help to make cheap family days out.

Book online in advance

For day trips, book your attraction and theme park tickets online at least 5 days in advance of your visit to get the best prices & discount deals.

• Go Ape! Cannock Chase – Families save 15% on the Treetop Challenge course. Use code FAMILY15. Other offers also available.
• National Forest Adventure Farm – Advance day tickets £9.99pp (general farm) or £16.99 (Farmarama).
• Play@ Lower Drayton Farm – Advance day tickets £8.50-£16.50pp.
• Waterworld & Adventure Mini Golf – Advance combo ticket deal £30pp.

Blue Light discounts

If you are a member of the emergency services, NHS, social care sector or armed forces, you may be eligible for Blue Light discounts at Alton Towers Resort, Drayton Manor Resort, the Snowdome, and Go Ape.

Find out more at https://www.bluelightcard.co.uk/

^{_{*prices correct at time of publication, July 2024.}}

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