You don’t need a car to have a great day out
With the school holidays drawing to a close, there’s still time for one last summer adventure. Thanks to free bus travel for children in England throughout August, and more visitor attractions than ever accessible by public transport and bike, sustainable days out are easier than you might think.
Whether you’re exploring a historic castle, visiting a National Trust property, heading to the beach, enjoying a city break or venturing into a National Park, there are plenty of memorable destinations you can reach without a car. Here are some of our top suggestions for a car-free day trip.
Find inspiration with Good Journey
Good Journey are the UK experts in car-free leisure travel. They help destinations and attractions welcome visitors by train, bus, bike and foot.
Their website is packed with ideas for car-free days out, alongside a handy journey planner and a range of offers, incentives and rewards for visitors who choose to travel sustainably.
Discover National Trust properties
There are hundreds of National Trust properties across the UK that can be reached by public transport. The National Trust website highlights options for car-free visits, with some participating properties offering specific perks—such as free hot drinks or cafe discounts—when you arrive by bus, train, bike, or foot.
Explore England’s history with English Heritage
English Heritage manages hundreds of historic sites across England and highlights a range of locations that are easy to reach by public transport, including 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey & Battlefield, Dover Castle, Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, and Whitby Abbey.
Better still, visitors who show a bus or train ticket, or even a bike helmet, can receive 20 per cent off the walk-up ticket price at participating sites.
Take a train-powered city break
Fancy a city escape? National Rail has compiled a list of the UK’s top cities to visit by train. Travelling by rail can also unlock discounts on some of the country’s most popular attractions, so it’s worth checking whether your ticket comes with any special offers.
Enjoy the great outdoors in a National Park
The UK’s National Parks offer stunning landscapes, miles of walking and cycling routes, and free entry. Many are surprisingly easy to reach by public transport.
For example, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park is particularly well suited to car-free travel. The Sherpa’r Wyddfa shuttle bus circles the base of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), while the Conwy Valley and Cambrian railway lines provide access across the park from stations such as Llandudno and Shrewsbury. For a truly memorable journey, you can even explore the area using the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland narrow-gauge railway.
The National Parks website provides information on travelling to all of the UK’s National Parks by public transport or bike.
Get your adrenaline fix
If you’re after thrills rather than tranquillity, National Rail’s Days Out Guide offers discounted entry to some of the UK’s most popular theme parks when you travel by train, including Alton Towers, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Thorpe Park.
You can also claim 2-for-1 entry at selected museums and cultural attractions, making it easier to soak up some history, art and culture for less.
Head to the coast
Some of the UK’s best beaches are accessible without a car. In the North East, the Tyne and Wear Metro provides direct links from Newcastle and Sunderland to popular seaside destinations including Cullercoats, Tynemouth and Whitley Bay.
Even better, up to three children can travel free with a fare-paying adult on the Metro, making it an affordable option for families.
If you’re looking further afield, the Beach Stays website lists some of the UK’s best coastal destinations that can be reached by public transport, including Tenby in Wales, St Ives in Cornwall and Broadstairs in Kent.
Leave the car at home this summer
With free bus travel for children in England throughout August and discounts available at many attractions for people who arrive car-free, there’s never been a better time to leave the car at home.
Whether you’re heading to a historic site, exploring a National Park, relaxing on the beach or discovering a new city, travelling by bus, train, bike or on foot can make the journey part of the adventure. So make the most of the final weeks of summer and see where sustainable travel can take you.
