Britain on the Cheap

Yes, it’s posh and pricey, but the The Rubens at the Palace in London is offering a free children’s cinema, kid-favourite foods, and special children-only activities during August. The movies, such as “Shrek,” “The Lion King,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Princess Diaries,” “School of Rock” and the first five Harry Potters, will be shown daily [...]

The City of London Festival, June 26-Aug. 12, is going island this year—with an Oceania theme that celebrates Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. There are dozens of free events, including concerts, dance performances and lectures throughout the fest.  

London’s Marylebone Summer Fayre will close down the street 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 19 and fill it with market stalls, entertainment and festive food and drink. In Paddington Gardens and Paddington Street, the fest will have a day’s worth of live music from The Bedford Bandstand, hosted by Tony Moore. Marylebone Summer Fayre raises money [...]

Torridon Hotel in the Highlands, recently named Scottish Hotel of the Year 2011, is offering complimentary outdoor activities for guests throughout June. The activities instructor will lead half-day sessions in rock climbing, archery, loch kayaking, gorge scrambling and guided walks, normally costing from £25-£60/$41-$98 per activity. Children over 10 are welcome. Double rooms with breakfast [...]

Pirates: the Captain Kidd Story opens today at the Museum of London Docklands and runs through Oct. 30. Original artifacts, archaeological finds and hands-on interactives will reveal London’s links with piracy dating back to the 17th century, including the capital’s gruesome history as a place of execution for pirates. The infamous Captain Kidd himself met [...]

Families in London for February’s half term can play vintage games like giant dominoes, hopscotch, tic-tac-toe, quoits and roll-a-ball at Tower Bridge Feb. 19-27. Family tickets for the traditional Victorian games start at £11/$20. Younger visitors can also learn bridge history with the Guy Fox Tower Bridge Passport, a sticker-based activity free for every child. [...]

Can’t wait for the 2012 London Olympics? Get a free countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games with the Destination Greenwich App. Local actor Nick Day narrates the app highlights. Greenwich is a host borough for London 2012. In addition to sports, the app will provide the latest on the Greenwich Festivals, from street theater [...]

The NewcastleGateshead Winter Festival will throw an epic finale with the free New Year’s Eve Winter Carnival from 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Newcastle’s Ice Queen and her entourage will lead the fun, with a carnival atmosphere in the streets around the city monument. At 5:15 p.m., you can join the parade on its way to [...]

A glittery Gateshead Winter’s Tale will unfold as part of the Enchanted Parks program Dec. 8-12 at Gateshead’s Saltwell Park. Tickets are free for children under 16 and £5/$8 for adults. The popular holiday event will include a Cabinet of Curiosity’s Winter Wardrobe—just step through the wardrobe and enter a land frozen in eternal winter. [...]

Titchwell Manor, a coastal boutique hotel near Brancaster, North Norfolk, is offering free Twixmas breaks for kids between Dec. 27 and Dec. 30. Two children under 12 years can stay B&B for free when sharing their parents’ room. Prices start at £45/$71 per person per night B&B and £70/$111 with dinner; children pay for their [...]