The summer holidays can feel long, and keeping the family entertained isn’t always easy. We believe that a great day out doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and with a little imagination there are plenty of free and low-cost adventures to enjoy right on our doorstep. Alongside these, we’ve also included some special activities and paid attractions for when you’re looking to treat the family. Whether you’re keeping costs down or planning a bigger adventure, we hope our guide inspires you to explore everything our local area has to offer…
Royston & SG8…
1. Take a picnic and enjoy an outdoors adventure on Therfield Heath, Priory Memorial Gardens or Ashwell Springs. Enjoy the fabulous playparks at Shepreth, Barrington and Whaddon, or, slightly further afield, head into Newnham on our side of Cambridge, where you can feed the ducks too for a fun day out.
2.Try pottery painting as a family with Glazed Creations. They offer weekday morning and afternoon sessions, it’s not just the perfect activity for a rainy day – but for heatwave days too with their air-conditioned studio! Book online at www.glazed-creations.co.uk
3. The Splash Park in Priory Memorial Gardens, Royston, is open daily 10am-6pm until Sunday 6th September with interactive water jets and play streams for children!
4. Younger children (aged 11 and under) can take part in Royston First’s Jurassic Takeover Trail, running throughout the summer holidays. The trail is free to enter, and runs from Saturday 25th July to Sunday 16th August. Pick up an entry form from Royston Library, Glazed Creations or Ladds and follow the trail around town, spot the dinosaurs in the shop windows and answer the questions for a chance to win a family pass to Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn (which is also a fabulous day out!) For full details, visit: roystonfirst.com/dino
For older children, visit Royston Library and pick up a copy of the Historic Town Trail Guide, for either a 45 minute or 1.5 hour explore of Royston’s history.
5. Royston Museum invites you to five weeks of fun, every Thursday to Sunday from 30th July – 30th August, with Playmakers. Step into a world of fun and imagination with hands-on activities and crafts with different themes each week, from making and discovery to role play and puzzles. Just £3.50 per week, or £9 for a summer pass. There’s free storytelling in the courtyard on Thursdays (excluding 27th August) at 11.30am and 2.30pm, and a free Bubble Show on Sundays (excluding 30th August) at 2.30pm. Plus, discover the toys and games people played in the past with the summer pop-up exhibition. Full details at: www.roystonmuseum.org.uk
6. The “Read to the Beat” Summer Reading Challenge at Royston Library runs all summer. Children are challenged to read six books or complete six challenges, collect stickers along the way, with a medal and certificate for finishers. Plus weekly Baby Rhyme Times and Storytimes for little ones.
7. Royston’s newest creative space, The Art Room, offers a summer programme of mini artists and parent and child guided art sessions. Find out more at www.theartroomroyston.co.uk
8. Outside of the Box in Royston offer a programme of inclusive and alternative education and holiday activities suitable for all abilities, including board games, sensory play, crafting and building sessions. For more details, visit www.outsideofthebox.uk
9. Take part in Wildlife Explorers Walks for babies, toddlers, children of school age and their grown‑ups with Nature Nell. Explore nature together, spot birds and bugs, and enjoy a calm outdoor adventure together. Find out more at www.naturenell.com
10. Shepreth Wildlife Park is offering reduced entry prices under the VAT scheme until 1st September 2026, with further discounts for those arriving by train. Look out for their special event days too. For full details, visit: www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk
Further Afield…
Discover more activities just a short drive (or train ride) away this summer. We hope our guide inspires you to explore our wider local area. In addition, the Government has introduced a temporary reduction in VAT, from 20% to 5% for attractions, from 25th June to 1st September 2026, and we can see that many venues are passing this saving on directly to visitors.
1. Enjoy the beach! We might be miles from the sea, but there are two beaches to choose from this summer: The Common in Saffron Walden, daily 23rd July – 31st August, 10am-4.30pm, and The Market Place in Hitchin, daily 20th July – 31st August, 10am- 4pm. There are splash parks in Letchworth, Hitchin or Baldock, which can be made all the more exciting by taking the train, and for older children, there are Lidos at Hitchin, Letchworth and Jesus Green, Cambridge. Let’s all hope this glorious summer continues!
2. Wimpole Estate has launched Summer of Play, full of opportunities for families to get active, get creative, get dramatic, get into the Pokémon zones and get close to nature. There’s a theme each week, from Rainbows to Pollinators to Bugs and much more. Discover the full programme at https://bit.ly/WimpoleSummerOfPlay
Entry as part of general admission: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
3. Grand Arcade in Cambridge invites you to explore the underwater world with ‘Grand Depths’, a free, immersive ocean-themed exhibition in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Museum of Zoology, daily from 18th July – 31st August, 9am – 6pm. Continue your exploration of marine wildlife across the road at the University Museum of Zoology, where you can dive deeper into the wonders of ocean life. Children and families can also participate in a wide range of free activities, such as a trail map encouraging exploration across the centre, a ‘draw your favourite sea creature’ competition, where the winning design will be turned into a toy, and educational engagement days with appearances from museum zoologists. To find out more, visit: www.grandarcade.co.uk/events/grand-depths
4. Saffron Screen in Saffron Walden has introduced Morning Movies on Saturdays and Kids Club on Sundays, with films including Toy Story 5, PAW Patrol, The Pout-Pout Fish and a selection of animated adaptations of Julia Donaldson’s much-loved stories, giving families the perfect opportunity to enjoy affordable cinema together. Tickets start at just £4.38 for a Child or £8.76 for 1 Adult & 1 Child. For the full programme and tickets, visit: www.saffronscreen.com
5. Stapleford Granary Arts Centre has a programme of Messy Tuesdays & Crafty Thursdays throughout the summer. These 60min sessions are just £4 per child (incl. materials), and suitable for age 3+. Plus enjoy the Children at Play exhibition to discover how ‘playing out’ has changed over the years, explore the old orchard and enjoy refreshments from the beautifully restored horsebox. Advance booking at: www.staplefordgranary.org.uk/whats-on/events
6. The Great British Summer at Audley End House and Gardens, CB11 4JF offers fairground games, a circus skills station, puppets and mini golf. Children can pick up their activity passport and collect special stamps to complete their summer adventure. Daily, Sat 18th July – Sun 6th September, 10am-5pm. Entry as part of general admission: www.english-heritage.org.uk
7. Visitors to Cambridge University Botanic Garden, CB2 1JE can enjoy drop in craft and nature events on selected dates from 10.30am-1.30pm. Normal Garden admission for accompanying adults. For the full programme, visit: www.botanic.cam.ac.uk
