Luxury annual passes for perfect family days out

Spring has sprung, summer is just around the corner and it’s time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. If you are stuck for ideas of things to do with your little ones then it’s time to get a pass. Annual passes work out much better value, so here are my favourites. Our top tip of course, is to pick a pass that covers the attractions closest to you! And don’t forget to read the small print as some passes aren't valid at certain times of the year.

1 - MERLIN ANNUAL PASS

If you want to visit LEGOLAND, Alton Towers Resort, SEA LIFE, Coca-Cola London Eye and many more, this pass gives you access to 32 magical worlds across the UK. Keep an eye out for their sales, to save even more money. The great thing about having an annual pass is being able to pop in for an hour or two and not feeling like you need to spend a whole day to get your money’s worth.

2 - NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERSHIP

Members get unlimited access to hundreds of unforgettable places including London’s Morden Hall Park and Richmond’s Ham House and Garden, and help protect them for generations to come. Many locations have acres of space to run around with family-friendly facilities and you can often bring the dog too. Movie and TV buffs should check out the locations that have played key roles for film and TV locations, such as Castle Ward in County Down which became Winterfell, home of the Stark family in Game of Thrones.

3 - ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Gardening buffs should sign up for unlimited days out in the four RHS gardens of Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carr, exclusive access to shows and expert advice, all while keeping Britain beautiful. Pls you get access to over 180 RHS partner gardens across the UK for free during selected periods. Many offer play areas for children as well as cafes; the Glasshouse Cafe at Wisley has a soft play area attached and is open daily except for Christmas.

If none of these float your boat then it’s worth checking out places near you that offer their own annual passes, such as soft play centres, petting farms or leisure centres. If you reckon you’ll go there often enough then go for it. Letting your kids run off steam without destroying your house and/or sanity is worth every penny. Even better if they have indoor rainy day options, given the Great British Summer...