A new study has ranked every county in England on how well-equipped it is to keep children entertained during the six-week summer holidays, and one county has come out on top for free family activities. Outdoor toy retailer Outdoor Toys analysed holiday search demand, the number of things to do with kids, free-entry activities, family attractions, and hotel prices across the country to build the ranking.
Devon and the West Midlands lead the overall table
Devon topped the overall ranking with a school holiday score of 9.10 out of 10. The county has 610 things to do with kids, more than anywhere else in England, plus 664 free-entry attractions and 27 water and amusement parks, including Babbacombe Model Village and Gardens, rated 4.6 out of 5 on Tripadvisor.
The West Midlands finished second with a score of 8.86. It offers fewer activities overall, 269 kid-friendly options and 341 free-entry attractions, but wins on affordability, with 3-star hotels averaging just £91 a night. Family favourites in the area include Cadbury World and the Black Country Living Museum.
North Yorkshire and Cornwall also rank highly for free days out
North Yorkshire (690 free activities) and Cornwall (589) also offer plenty of no-cost options for families, giving parents in those areas a wide choice without needing to spend on entry fees.
At the other end of the scale, Herefordshire had just 80 free-entry activities and finished last overall with a score of 1.40, while Gloucestershire and Rutland also struggled on both free options and overall variety.
So which county has the most free activities? Kent
Kent takes the top spot for free family days out, with 885 free-entry activities, more than any other county in England. It also ranked third overall with a school holiday score of 8.80, backed by 488 kid-friendly activities in total.
The White Cliffs of Dover are the county’s best-known free attraction, rated 4.6 out of 5 on Tripadvisor from more than 3,000 reviews. Westgate Gardens in Canterbury is another popular choice, offering gardens, riverside walks and children’s play facilities.
With The Children’s Society finding that 57% of parents say school holidays are financially stressful, Kent’s free options could make a real difference for families watching their budget this summer. Alex McMullan, Product Designer at Outdoor Toys, said children don’t need expensive days out to have a memorable summer, and that mixing free activities with simple games at home can keep them entertained without adding pressure to the family budget.
