Enjoy summer on a shoestring in South East England with free and affordable days out and festivals

From gardens to galleries, castles to forests and beaches to urban adventures, there’s a wealth of affordable family fun to be had in South East England. Creating special family moments needn’t break the bank so head to South East England for a summer filled with thrifty family fun.

Follow the lions, discover the pride, NEW centenary celebration trail, Portsmouth, Hampshire

As part of the Portsmouth100 centenary celebrations,the city of Portsmouth will come alive with a pride of lion sculptures, each uniquely designed by talented artists and inspired by the spirit of the vibrant city.  From 13 July to 13 Sep 2026, follow the colourful city-wide trail of lion sculptures designed by artists and local community groups to discover and celebrate the city’s  rich heritage, with art that’s bold, beautiful, and bursting with pride

Make four-legged friends at the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary, Wallingford

Set in 22 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, the Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary is wonderfully peaceful (with the exception of the occasional “hee-haw”). Entry is free to the home to 120+ rescued donkeys. Bring some carrots, apples, swede (or even ginger nuts or polo mints), which are mixed into the donkeys’ feed for treats. Talk to the team to discover the donkeys’ stories and bring a picnic or grab some grub in the café. Free entry.

PYO in the Garden of England, Deal

Tucked between the pretty coastal towns of Sandwich and Deal, Felderland Farm is one of the largest Pick Your Own farms in Kent, The Garden of England.  Pick the sun ripened seasonal fruit including strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, plums and apples; blow off some steam in the play area and enjoy Kentish ice cream, toasties, snacks and drinks at the Coffee Hut. Free entry to the farm Tues – Sun, June to October. Purchase empty punnets to fill with the farm’s fruit. 

Unlock your imagination at the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Buckinghamshire

Step through the Wonka gates and into a world of pure imagination. Discover how Roald Dahl's childhood experiences inspired his books, see props and costumes from film and tv adaptations, peek in drawers and have a go on the Spark-o-meter. Get creative in the Story Centre; dress up as Roald Dahl characters, create Wondercrump rhymes, or direct a Splendiferous stop-motion animation. 12 month tickets: Adult £13.95, Child (5-18) £9.95, Under 5s FREE. Open Thur – Sun.

Build a sandcastle or search for sea creatures

With the mildest climate in the UK and 400 miles of coastline, visiting the beach in South East England is an absolute must. Head to the vast stretches of golden sands at Margate Main Sands Beach, Kent, Camber Sands, East Sussex or Sandown Bay on the Isle of Wight to build sandcastles, play ball games or fly a kite.  For investigative adventures, go rock pooling to discover marine life, or beach combing to find shells, fossils and other coastal treasures. The chalky coast and rocky shores at Birling Gap and Holywell near Eastbourne, East Sussex are hiding a wealth of sea creatures and fossils, all waiting to be discovered.

Get Active in Swinley Forest, Windsor

Just outside Windsor, you’ll find Swinley Forest, 3000 acres of rolling evergreen forest and part of the Crown Estate. Bring your bike (or hire one for a rental fee) and explore the 24km of all-weather, purpose-designed, free bike trails for all skill levels and bike types. The 1km easy green trail and multiple leisure trails offer a relatively flat, easy ride through the natural beauty of the forest, perfect for young children and those on bike trailers and the red trail offers more speedy adventures with steep gradients, tight turns and fast-paced trail cycling. Free entry to the trails, fees apply for bike hire.

Ride the world’s smallest Railway, Folkestone

Step back in time with a ride on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RHDR), the world’s smallest Railway, where the one-third full size Steam & Diesel locomotives power their way 13½ miles along the Kent coast. Visit the Model Railway Exhibition, museum and children’s play area at New Romney station, or stop off at Dymchurch where a short walk to the village centre offers a children’s amusement park, shops, cafes and sandy beach. Single tickets from £5 child / £10 adult.

Discover Urban Wildlife in Southampton

Southampton is a city where nature and urban life exist side by side. The largest and most popular green space, Southampton Common covers 365 acres and is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Play games on the grassy expanses, hide and seek in the ancient woodland, follow the nature trail, splash about in the paddling pool or learn about the city’s abundant wildlife at The Hawthorns Urban Wildlife Centre. The Common is also home to seasonal events including fun fairs, festivals and concerts so check the calendar to see what’s on.

Follow in the footsteps of King Henry VIII at Southsea Castle, Portsmouth

Built in 1544 to protect the country from invaders, it was at Southsea Castle that Henry VIII watched his beloved flagship, the Mary Rose, sink to the bottom of the Solent in July 1545. Explore the Castle’s keep, discover the effort that went into firing the castle’s cannons, take part in seasonal workshops and walk the ramparts for panoramic coastal views. Free entry, Tues to Sun, April to October.

NEW Search for Huge Brick Dinosaurs in Reading Town Centre, Berkshire

Reading town centre is preparing for an invasion this summer as giant brick-built dinosaurs arrive for the brand-new Reading Dino Trail, Available from 25 July to 23 August 2026, the free trail will transform Reading into an epic day out, with 19 huge dinosaur models hidden across the town centre, in both indoor venues and outdoor public spaces. Built entirely from toy bricks, the collection includes everything from a towering 180,000 brick stegosaurus to a detailed T-Rex skull and a collection of adorable baby dinos. Spot the clues and enter the online competition to win prizes.

Free Summer Festivals in South East England

Live at the Bandstand, 20 June – 13 September 2026,  Windsor, Berkshire

Grab your family, friends and a picnic and head to Alexandra Gardens in Windsor for free live music every weekend over the summer.  The performances feature a variety of bands, vocalists and choirs and all types of music, from traditional brass band marches to contemporary film music. Bordering the Thames and with stunning views of Windsor Castle,  Alexandra Gardens is a wonderful setting for live music, a picnic, outdoor games and a family day out.  2pm & 4pm, most weekends, please check the website for the full line up and timings.

Bedford Place Summer Festival, 28 June 2026, Southampton, Hampshire

Discover what makes Bedford Place such a popular part of Southampton at their free Summer Festival. Expect live music, performances, street food and plenty to explore throughout the area from 11am - 8pm. Browse the independents, stopping for food and drinks, or spending time enjoying the entertainment and atmosphere with family and friends.

NEW - Dover Harbour Festival, 4 – 5 July 2026, White Cliffs Country, Kent

The brand new Dover Harbour Festival replaces the Dover Regatta and marks an exciting new era for the town and its vibrant waterfront. The festival will bring some of the most popular events of the Regatta, such as challenging races and marine performances, together with a wider range of onshore family-friendly activities and Kent’s award-winning food and drink.

Southsea Food Festival, 4 – 5 July 2026, Southsea, Hampshire

Southsea Food Festival showcases the best of Portsmouth’s independent food scene, alongside regional favourites. The roads are closed as more than 100 traders set up their food stalls. There’s also live demonstrations by local chefs and producers on The Kitchen Stage, plus a live music stage and family entertainment. NEW for 2026 - visitors can also follow a tasting trail or book onto a guided taste tour with Portsmouth Foodguide, sampling local specialities and discovering the stories behind city food businesses.

St Leonard’s Festival, 11 July 2026, St Leonards, East Sussex

St Leonards Festival returns to Warrior Square Gardens for a vibrant day of live entertainment, creativity and community celebration on the Sussex coast. From 12pm to 5pm the gardens will come alive with live music, dance, storytelling, walkabout performers, drumming, children's workshops and a joyful community parade.

Southampton Mela Festival, 18 – 19 July 2026, Southampton, Hampshire

Southampton’s Mela Festival is a celebration of international flavour and the vibrant diversity of traditional and modern Asian culture.  Running for two decades, the Southampton Mela Festival is now the largest free festival in the region, attracting approximately 30,000 thousand people to enjoy a fusion of world class music and dance, authentic Asian food and family activities.

Rye Pirates and Smugglers Day, 8 August 2026, Rye, East Sussex

Set Sail for a swashbuckling family day out like no other with laughter, treasure hunts, and hands-on excitement for all ages. From mischievous pirates to cunning smugglers, your whole crew will be swept into a world of mystery and adventure. Step into the cobbled streets and historic waterfront of Rye to discover the town’s tales of piracy and smuggling.

Airbourne, Eastbourne International Air Show, 13 – 16 August, Eastbourne , East Sussex

Airbourne – voted the UK’s best free airshow - returns with four days of spectacular flying featuring the best of the RAF and international display teams in the breathtaking location of Beachy Head and the Eastbourne seafront.  As well as aerobatic displays, there’s also children entertainment areas, arena events, evening concerts, military exhibitions and the always spectacular, end of show fireworks

Sandwich Festival, 29 – 31 August 2026, White Cliffs Country, Kent

The Sandwich Festival is three days packed with entertainment and community spirit, live performances and unique traditions.  Witness the parade of the hand-crafted 'Giant' through the streets of Sandwich - this unique spectacle brings history and creativity to life. Take part in activities on the Quay Green including archery and axe throwing. Enjoy live music, classic cars, market stalls, medieval demonstrations and a duck race on the River Stour.

Portsmouth International Kite Festival, 12 – 13 September 2026, Southsea Common, Hampshire

Recognised as one of the biggest and best events of its kind in the world, Portsmouth International Kite Festival offers spectacular displays of kite flying and kite making in the wonderful setting of Southsea common overlooking the Solent. Expect to see kites in a huge range of shapes and sizes; and multi-line kites, flown skilfully to music. There will also be the chance to meet the kite fliers and fly a kite with the guidance of one of the experts.

For more ideas and inspiration for great family days out visit https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/

NOTES

For additional or alternative images, please contact Rowena Moore, Destination PR Manager, Tourism South East, rowenajmoore@gmail.com