Whether you’re planning a theme park adventure, a peaceful garden stroll, or a wild encounter with nature, this summer is one of the best ever to explore Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and with the Great British Summer Savings, it means days out are more affordable.
What is the Great British Summer Savings?
The government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative has been designed to make family days out more affordable this summer. From 25 June to 1 September 2026, there will be a UK-wide VAT cut, reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s restaurant meals, children’s tickets for theatres, cinemas, and exhibitions, and all admission to attractions including soft play, amusement parks, and museums.
Here’s your guide to Hampshire’s Top Attractions this summer – we’ve noted where the VAT saving is being passed on to visitors, and rounded up even more ways to save with our free Hampshire attraction vouchers!
Hampshire Attractions Taking Part in the VAT Saving Scheme
25 June to 1 September 2026
Hampshire’s award-winning theme park, Paultons Park (main image), home to Peppa Pig World and the brand-new Valgard: Valley of the Vikings land that opened in May 2026, is applying the VAT cut to park tickets and short break bookings for the full duration of the scheme.
Applies to: Park tickets and short break bookings Book Paultons Park tickets
The world-famous Beaulieu estate, home to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, and Beaulieu Abbey, has reduced its ticket prices in line with the government scheme. The savings also applies to any events taking place during the period.
Applies to: Admission tickets and events Plan your visit to Beaulieu
BirdworldBirdworld is embracing the scheme on both admissions and children’s meals, making it one of the most family-friendly value attractions to visit this summer. With a Stagecoach South bus stop right outside the entrance and free bus travel for under 16s throughout August, visiting Birdworld is more affordable and accessible than ever.
Applies to: Admission tickets and children’s menu Book Birdworld tickets. And don’t forget: Birdworld also has a voucher for one child free with a full-paying adult, valid all year. Download it here
Use code VATSUMMER at Go Ape for 15% off bookings made between 25th June and 1st September at Itchen Valley, Moors Valley and Alice Holt.
Excludes: Forest Biking, Archery Tag, Disc Golf, Forest Shelters, Party Rooms and time extensions. Find out more here
Enjoy the 180 acres of extraordinary gardens at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, which is giving the full VAT discount on all day entry tickets, plus children’s concert tickets for events happening during the summer period. Plus from Saturday 1 August, all children receive FREE admission Applies to: Day entry tickets and child concert tickets. Book Sir Harold Hiller Garden tickets
Southampton’s much-loved cultural venues SeaCity Museum and Tudor House and Garden are offering discounted tickets for the duration of the initiative. See one of King Henry VIII’s cannons at Tudor House and Garden and enjoy interactive experiences at SeaCity Museum. A wonderful way to explore the city’s extraordinary maritime and Tudor heritage.
See SeaCity Museum and Tudor House and Garden for more.
Hinton Ampner (National Trust) is applying reductions to both admission prices and children’s meals. This means the admission price you pay at the till may be less than advertised.
Applies to: Admission and children’s meals Visit Hinton Ampner
Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway, famous for their Rothschild rhododendron and azalea collection, are offering discounted garden admission for the full summer savings window. The reduction applies to garden admission only, not railway or event tickets.
Applies to: Garden admission tickets only (not railway or events) Visit Exbury Gardens
Spinnaker Tower has layered their own summer offer straight on top of the VAT cut, meaning visitors get to enjoy their lowest prices ever! Adult tickets are just £12 and children £10. Enjoy spectacular views, the thrilling Glass Floor and three viewing decks, making it one of Portsmouth’s best-value family days out this summer.
Applies to: admissions and children’s menu. Plan a visit to Spinnaker Tower
Longdown Activity Farm is delighted to be taking part in the Great British Summer Savings Scheme. Thanks to the VAT reduction, admission prices have been lowered. Enjoy More Farming Fun For Less!
Applies to: Single admissions, Group of Four, Assisted Needs, and Blue Light Holder tickets Book Longdown Activity Farm
Clarence Pier in Southsea is offering a Summer Savings Family Deal: get 4 Unlimited Day Rider wristbands plus 4 entries to The Putt Hutt indoor golf for just £120, a saving of over £40. Available on fairground open days only (weekends and school holidays). Putt Hutt entry must be redeemed on the same day as wristbands. See the Clarence Pier offer
Army Flying MuseumThe Army Flying Museum is supporting the scheme through its Apache Café, where children’s Meal Deals are reduced to just £6.75. Museum admission is already VAT exempt, however, our tickets include a 12-month annual pass, providing excellent value throughout the year.
Applies to: Children’s Meal Deals in the Apache Café. Visit the Army Flying Museum
Enjoy discounted admission this summer to Winchester Cathedral where one entry price allows you to visit for 12 months. The first visit must take place between 25 June and 1 September 2026 to activate 12 months worth of free visits!
Applies to: All admission tickets. Visit Winchester Cathedral.
Let imaginations run wild at Blackgang Chine! From 25th June – 19th July where tickets are just £21. And from 20th July until 31st August tickets are £28.50 including the event day ‘Summer fest’. Plus every ticket includes a 7 day free return, meaning you can visit as much as you like for an entire week!
Applies to: All admission tickets. Visit Blackgang Chine to plan your day out.
The Vyne are temporarily reducing admission prices for the duration of the government scheme. Why not couple it with the free event ‘Summer of Play’ – six fun challenges for young adventurers.
Applies to: All admission prices. Plan your day at The Vyne
Whitchurch Silk Mill have discounted admission prices! Please note events are not included in admission tickets and this offer excludes group visits. Visit Whitchurch Silk Mill
More Great Value Days Out: Other Offers This Summer
Not every attraction is applying the VAT scheme directly, but there are still brilliant savings to be had. Here’s what else is on offer.
Have you heard about Marwell Zoo’s Summer Special Offer. Book online tickets to visit between 25th July and 30th September (excluding 29th – 31st August) to enjoy kids go half price with every full-paying adult. Flexible visits mean visitors can book a date but show up any day before 30th September 2026 (excluding 29th – 31th August). plus there’s also 15% off kids meals during your visit!
Buy your tickets now
Kids to eat free this summer before 26th August at Sky Park Farm! From 4:00pm until 9:00pm, children aged under 12 can enjoy a complimentary meal when accompanied by a full-paying adult ordering a qualifying main course.
Plan a day out to Sky Park Farm
During August, children aged 0 to 16 can visit Stansted House completely free. Trails and activities take place inside the historic House on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday afternoons between 1pm and 5pm (last admission 4pm). Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Book your visit to Stansted Park
Riverside Activity Zone is offering Summer Combo Deals from just £10, giving visitors the chance to enjoy two of their favourite activities for one great price. Why choose just one activity when they can experience two?
Take advantage of this offer from 25th July until 1st September!
Planning a trip to the Isle of Wight this summer? Good news – it could be cheaper than you think…
Under 5s always travel free with Wighlink, and during the school holidays, you can take up to two children aged 5–15 across for free with every adult or senior foot passenger day return ticket. A great little saving for a big family adventure!
Find out more about kids go free
Fly across the Solent in just 10 minutes from Southsea, Portsmouth to Ryde, Isle of Wight via Hovertravel and save money by booking at least 48 hours in advance with Advance Fares, or travel off-peak between 13:00 and 20:00 with the Afternoon Flyer, starting from just £27 for adults and £21 for HoverBlue members. A great way to combine Hampshire savings with a trip to the Isle of Wight.
See Hovertravel ways to save
Summer days just got even BIGGER at Robin Hill Adventure Park from 25 July to 31 August 2026! Get ready for an unforgettable family adventure with 35+ amazing attractions set within 88 acres of beautiful woodland, gardens and open parkland. Whether you’re seeking thrills, adventure or time together in nature, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! And this summer, the fun doesn’t stop when the afternoon ends… Late Night Opening every Tuesday & Thursday until 9.30pm, FREE Bubble & Foam Parties from 5.30pm, LIVE Cheeky Monkeys spectacular circus show, FREE Daily Flying Shows from the Falconry Experience, LIVE Wrestling Show every Friday, and New Family Meal Deals throughout the park! PLUS Adrenaline Zone tickets have been slashed by 50% to just £19.99 for the whole of the summer holidays! With so much included in your admission, there’s never been a better time to visit. Book your adventure
Save 15% on experiences on the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery Tour and Gin Cocktail Masterclass & Distillery Tour at Bombay Sapphire Distillery until 6th September 2026* this summer with code: SUMMER2026
Year-Round Offers
Go Ape’s 20% Family Discount on the Treetop Challenge is available at all Hampshire locations, Sunday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Minimum of 3 people required, at least one under 18 and no more than 2 adults (maximum 6 per booking). Enter the code at checkout. Not valid with other promotions. Get the Go Ape family discount
Go ApeAt the Hawk Conservancy Trust, One child goes free with a full-price adult ticket at this remarkable bird of prey centre, valid throughout 2026. Offer must be used at reception on the day and is not valid for pre-booked tickets or coach parties. Present the HTA voucher at point of purchase. Visit the Hawk Conservancy Trust
The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is free to visit all year round, a genuinely heartwarming day out for families that won’t cost a penny. Perfect to combine with a Wightlink or Hovertravel crossing.
Plan your visit to the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
Take the children to and from the Isle of Wight for less during the school holidays. Under 5s always travel free and when the schools break up, you can bring up to two children aged 5-15 for free with every adult or senior foot passenger day return ticket.
Stack the Savings: Don’t Forget Your HTA Vouchers
The Summer Savings scheme is brilliant, but it works even better when you pair it with our free Hampshire attraction vouchers. Simply register for a free account and you’ll unlock up to 50% off some of the county’s best days out, including one child free at the Army Flying Museum, one child free at Birdworld, 15% off at Butser Ancient Farm, 10% off Action Adventure Experiences at Calshot Activities Centre, and 25% off axe throwing at Baboon Adventures when booked with a scooter adventure.
Browse all vouchers and offers
You can also read our full guide to saving money with Hampshire’s Top Attractions vouchers in 2026 for everything you need to know about making your summer budget go further.
Plan Your Summer in Hampshire
With VAT savings at the gate, free bus travel for children in August, and our library of downloadable vouchers, this summer has everything going for it. Whether you’re a family of four looking for theme park thrills, nature lovers seeking wildlife and gardens, or history hunters tracing Hampshire’s remarkable past, there is a deal for you.
Browse all Hampshire attractions
Offers and prices are subject to change. Always check directly with the attraction before booking. Terms and conditions apply to individual offers.