£50 family days out: The perfect budget outings for the kids

A day out in Hampshire and across the Isle of Wight doesn’t need to break the bank. In fact, there are tons of £50 (or less) family days out to keep you and the kids occupied.

Whether it’s getting out into the great outdoors, or sheltering inside from the elements at indoor attractions – there is something to suit everyone. If you need an affordable family outing, then discover some fantastic days out for £50 and under below…

Our top attractions and days out for under £50

For a budget family day out that will spark curiosity visit Winchester Science Centre! Book online three days in advance to take advantage of discounted admission tickets. And don’t forget to book one of their incredible planetarium shows for a truly unforgettable experience!

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is an outstanding 180 acre garden for all seasons including 250m Centenary Border, Hydrangea Walk, Azalea Woodland, Winter Garden, Himalayan Valley and more. The Gardens are a wonderful place to let your little ones play and explore.

With a rare breeds farm, the south coast’s largest ornamental glasshouses, beautiful gardens and 1,000 acres of country park to explore there’s something for everyone to see and enjoy at Staunton Country Park.

Spinnaker Tower stands at 170 meters tall, offering breath-taking views over Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent and Isle of Wight. The iconic structure has something for everyone; boasting a high-speed lift, thrilling glass floor, informative touch screen displays, two cafés and open-air ‘Sky Garden’. Also, get a child goes free voucher with Hampshire’s Top Attractions! A great way to save money on your day out and keep it under £50

Winchester Cathedral is perfect for families! Explore the Cathedral with a free children’s trail and discover over 1000 years of history.  Entry is free for children under 16 visiting with family.

At Beaulieu, there’s something for the whole family and one ticket provides access to the whole of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum, The World of Top Gear, Palace House & Gardens, Beaulieu Abbey, The Secret Army Exhibition and the Monorail & Veteran Bus. An advance Family Ticket (Purchased at least one day before visit) is under £60, keeping this family attraction affordable, although slightly above £50.

Treat your family to a fun day out at the Watercress Line: ride on a steam train, play in the playground, visit the footbridge used in Harry Potter films, pick up a FREE activity sheet and enjoy a delicious picnic box from the buffet.

Enjoy a great family day out at Manor Farm meeting friendly farm animals as you stroll around our traditional farmyard. There is always something new to see with baby animals and all our usual farmyard favourites. And, best of all, it’s under £50 for a family of five.

There’s plenty of space to run, jump and play around Mottisfont, and always something for families to do. Test your limits in Mottisfont’s Wild Play areas, explore the grounds with seasonal trails in school holidays, and enjoy a family-focused exhibition every summer.

Browse the Isle of Wight website for super affordable attractions, including Tapnell Farm Park, the Isle of Wight Planetarium, Haven Falconry, the IW Reptilarium, Brading Roman Villa, Dinosaur Isle, IW Zoo and the Lost World Adventure Golf on Sandown Pier. Find the right attraction for your budget.

Have a fantastic free family day out at Fort Nelson. There’s ramparts and tunnels plus a fully restored Victorian fort to explore, over 350 big guns to discover and a daily gun firing to experience. Talks, tours and special events bring history to life.

Visit the number one rated attraction in Hampshire, according to Trip Advisor, the Hawk Conservancy Trust is a full day out for all the family. Get the children outside and immersed in nature. You will witness some of the most spectacular flying displays in the UK, plus many more activities to keep the family entertained for a full day.

Explore Whitchurch Silk Mill – a Georgian silk mill in the beautiful Hampshire countryside, where new interactive displays engage young minds and small hands. There are indoor and outdoor trails, exhibitions, events and activities so there is always something new to delight. Family tickets last all year, go back as often as you like!

Explore the natural world at Gilbert White & The Oates Collections! Family tickets for this great interactive museum and garden are available the whole year for less than £50, with free children’s trails and activities throughout the year. There is always plenty to see, do or play at Gilbert White’s!

Let the children run free at Hurst Castle, owned by English Heritage on the beautiful Hampshire coast, with spectacular views across to the Isle of Wight. Climb to the top of the Tudor keep built by Henry VIII in 1544, be brave and visit the dark basement, once used for the storage of weapons, food, fuel and gunpowder and take a glimpse into the living conditions of a soldier in the First and Second World Wars.

Two wheels are certainly better than four when visiting The New Forest National Park, so why not swing by New Forest Activities and hire some bikes? With tag-a-longs, trailers, child seats and a host of family-friendly cycle routes available, children of all ages can get involved in the fun! Half-day cycle hire is on a walk-in basis only.

Quizzes, craft days, amazing animal characters and two fabulous Go Wild adventure playgrounds make New Forest Wildlife Park a fun-filled family day out for less than £50. With friendly keepers telling tantalising tales about otters, owls, wallabies, wolves, wild boar and more and plenty of animal antics to enjoy, it’s a hoot.

Birdworld is one of England’s largest bird parks. Just two miles from Farnham, Birdworld nestles on the edge of the ancient Alice Holt Forest and is home to over 1000 birds from 190 different species. Winter weekdays and holiday family tickets are under £50.

Based at the heart of Southampton, SeaCity Museum tells the story of the people of the city, their fascinating lives and historic connections with Titanic and the sea. Visit SeaCity Museum and Southampton to discover how we bring maritime history to life through an interactive experience designed for all ages.

Milestones Museum is a large living history museum where you can immerse yourself in the past by exploring the streets, shops and buildings. You can follow the free trail, take part in interactive displays or try your luck in the vintage penny arcade. Plus fun, family-friendly events and special exhibitions. A great budget day out for all ages.

Visit and be amazed at the authentic sights, sounds and smells of the last steam-driven Victorian brickworks in the UK at The Brickworks Museum. Follow in the footsteps of the brickmakers to see how bricks were once made there by the millions and experience what a Victorian factory with its huge machinery was like.

We hope you’ve found this list of £50 family days out useful and a great way to enjoy a budget and affordable outing. All that’s left to do is explore one (or more) of these amazing attractions in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

We’ve based the above on family ticket prices (2 adults and 2 children) at the time of posting, please see attraction website for current prices. Updated October 2019.