With nearly half (48%) of UK households reporting they are cutting back on holidays or skipping them altogether due to cost pressures, everyday outings such as cinema trips and local days out are likely to play an increasingly important role in how people spend leisure time. However, planning a day out with family or friends can quickly add up.
To better understand how these costs compare across the country, credit card brand Aqua has analysed the affordability of a day out in 28 UK towns and cities. The study looks at a range of typical expenses, including the cost of a meal, a coffee, local transport, cinema tickets, and four hours of parking. It also considers the number of free attractions and indoor soft play venues available in each city and the number of parks and play areas to reveal which cities are the most affordable for a family day out.
Southend-on-Sea is the most affordable place in the UK for a day out, according to the study
While the top five locations perform well overall, each stands out for different cost-related reasons.
Southend-on-Sea, which ranks as the most affordable location for a day out in the UK, is also one of the most affordable places for a trip to the cinema. The average ticket price is £6, the lowest recorded in the study, tied with Hull. Combined with relatively low local transport costs (£2.00 one-way ticket) and a good number of free attractions (60), this helps keep the overall cost of a day out lower than in many other UK cities.
Kingston upon Hull ranks second, offering great value for coffee lovers, with cappuccinos averaging £3.16, making it the third most affordable in the study. As well as affordable coffee, Hull also ranks as the most affordable for a trip to the cinema, alongside Southend-on-Sea, with a cinema costing £6.
Stoke-on-Trent ranks as the third most affordable in the study. Parking is among the most affordable, with four hours costing around £4 on average, and cinema tickets are priced at approximately £10.50. The city also stands out for families, as it has the highest number of indoor and soft play venues of all locations analysed (302), which are often seen as a more cost-effective activity option.
Newport takes fourth place and stands out as the second most affordable in the study for eating out. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs an average of £14.00 for one person, the lowest price across all locations analysed. Cinema tickets in the city also rank among the top five most affordable, costing around £7.75.
Ranking fifth, Bradford benefits from low parking costs and access to free activities. Four hours of parking costs around £4, placing it among the most cost-effective locations for drivers, while the northern town also offers close to 60 free attractions, helping to balance out spending across the day.
Top 10 most affordable locations in the UK for a day out
| Rank | Location | Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant(GBP) | Cost of a Cappuccino(GBP) | One Way Ticket (local transport)(GBP) | Average cinema ticket | Cost of parking (4 hours) | Number of free attractions |
| 1 | Southend-on-Sea | £15.00 | £3.34 | £2.00 | £6.00 | £5.84 | 60 |
| 2 | Kingston upon Hull | £15.00 | £3.16 | £2.75 | £6.00 | £4.00 | 65 |
| 3 | Stoke-on-Trent | £16.00 | £3.17 | £2.10 | £10.50 | £4.00 | 49 |
| 4 | Newport | £14.00 | £3.45 | £2.40 | £7.75 | £5.00 | 27 |
| 5 | Bradford | £15.00 | £3.51 | £2.00 | £10.00 | £4.00 | 59 |
| 6 | Preston | £12.47 | £3.11 | £3.00 | £12.50 | £4.00 | 43 |
| 7 | Belfast | £15.00 | £3.37 | £2.30 | £10.00 | £7.00 | 130 |
| 8 | Ipswich | £16.00 | £3.49 | £2.15 | £10.00 | £5.31 | 56 |
| 9 | Newcastle upon Tyne | £15.00 | £3.68 | £2.20 | £8.00 | £8.00 | 131 |
| 10 | Cardiff | £15.00 | £3.45 | £2.50 | £7.75 | £9.38 | 105 |
Figures are averages and may vary depending on venue, timing and personal spending habits.
Stoke-on-Trent is the most affordable place in the UK for a family day out
The study also identified the most affordable UK locations for a family day out by also analysing the number of parks, playgrounds and indoor soft play venues in each location, as well as the other cost metrics. Parks offer a fun, low-cost option all year round, from summer picnics to winter walks, while soft play provides an affordable, all-weather choice for families with young children.
Stoke-on-Trent ranks as the most affordable for a family day out, offering plenty of low-cost activities to enjoy year-round. The city is home to 302 indoor and soft play venues, alongside 58.14 parks per 100,000 people, giving families an abundance of options whatever the weather.
Southend-on-Sea takes second place, offering 190 indoor and soft play venues and 30.17 parks per 100,000 people, giving families plenty of options for affordable days out. Completing the top three is Bradford, with 231 indoor and soft play venues and 56.77 parks per 100,000 people, making it another great choice for family-friendly activities throughout the year.
The top five most affordable locations for a family day out in 2026
| Rank | Location | Number of indoor and soft play venues | Number of parks and play areas (per 100,000 people) | Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant(GBP) | Cost of a Cappuccino(GBP) | One Way Ticket (local transport)(GBP) | Average cinema ticket | Cost of parking (4 hours) | Number of free attractions |
| 1 | Stoke-on-Trent | 302 | 58.14 | £16.00 | £3.17 | £2.10 | £10.50 | £4.00 | 49 |
| 2 | Southend-on-Sea | 190 | 30.17 | £15.00 | £3.34 | £2.00 | £6.00 | £5.84 | 60 |
| 3 | Bradford | 231 | 56.77 | £15.00 | £3.51 | £2.00 | £10.00 | £4.00 | 59 |
| 4 | Preston | 207 | 69.05 | £12.47 | £3.11 | £3.00 | £12.50 | £4.00 | 43 |
| 5 | Kingston upon Hull | 92 | 58.47 | £15.00 | £3.16 | £2.75 | £6.00 | £4.00 | 65 |
Scott Yule, Commercial Strategy Director at Aqua, shares how planning can help keep days out affordable:
“Small choices can make a difference when it comes to the cost of a day out. Travelling off-peak, using public transport where possible and keeping an eye out for free attractions can all help keep spending under control. While some UK cities may offer more cost-effective options than others, affordability is influenced just as much by planning and personal choices as by location.
“Free attractions can help reduce the cost of entertainment, but extra expenses like travel, food and parking can still add up, particularly in larger cities. Eating and shopping like a local, rather than in busy tourist areas, can also be more affordable. Everyone’s financial situation is different, so it’s about finding what works for you and planning ahead so you can enjoy the day without worrying about the cost.”
Photo by Mike Bird: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-an-amusement-park-near-the-sea-4168495/
