National Lottery Open Week 2026 – Free and Discounted UK Days Out

What is National Lottery Open Week and how does it work?

If you’re looking for low-cost days out in March, National Lottery Open Week is one of the best value events of the year, especially if you’re trying to keep spending under control.

The promotion gives players of National Lottery games access to free entry, discounted tickets, tours and special experiences at hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues across the UK, all in return for showing a valid National Lottery ticket or scratchcard. That ticket does not need to be a winner, and qualifying purchases start from just 25p.

What is National Lottery Open Week?

National Lottery Open Week is an annual promotion that has been running since 2017. It was created as a way of saying thank you to players, whose support raises around £30 million every week for Good Causes.

During the Open Week, venues and projects that have received National Lottery funding offer special deals to the public. These can include free entry, two-for-one tickets, half-price admission, free parking, guided walks, tours and community events.

For 2026, National Lottery Open Week runs from Saturday 7th March to Sunday 15th March.

Why National Lottery Open Week is worth paying attention to

Tickets for major attractions can easily cost £20 to £40 per person, sometimes more. Open Week gives people the chance to visit places they may not normally be able to justify paying full price for, or to discover attractions they simply hadn’t considered before.

It is particularly useful for families, couples, retirees, and anyone looking to enjoy days out without blowing their budget, especially during a period when the cost of living still matters for most households.

What kind of offers are available during the National Lottery Open Week

Offers vary by venue and by day, but typically fall into a few clear categories.

Some venues offer completely free entry. Others provide discounted admission, such as half-price or two-for-one tickets. Nature reserves often include free parking or guided walks, while historic sites may run free tours or limited-capacity experiences.

Not every venue participates for the entire week, and many offers are only available on specific dates.

Important things to know before you plan a visit

This is where people can get caught out if they are not careful.

Not all venues allow you to turn up on the day. Some require advance booking, others limit the number of discounted tickets available, and others run offers only on certain days during the Open Week period.

Because of that, it is always important to check the official National Lottery Open Week website before making plans. Each listing shows the exact dates, terms and booking requirements for that venue.

Examples of confirmed 2026 offers

For 2026, the National Lottery Open Week website already lists a wide range of confirmed offers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

These include free entry, free parking, guided walks, free tours, two-for-one admission, and half-price tickets at National Lottery-funded venues, including heritage sites, nature reserves, museums, community projects, and cultural organisations.

The screenshots shown in this post are taken directly from the official Open Week listings and give a good idea of the variety of offers available, but aren't the full lineup. Availability, dates and conditions vary by venue.

Who can take advantage of National Lottery Open Week?

Anyone with valid proof of purchase of a National Lottery game can use the offers.

That includes draw-based lottery tickets, scratchcards and instant win games, whether purchased physically or digitally. The ticket does not need to be current or a winner. Old tickets are accepted as proof of purchase.

If you do not already have a ticket, qualifying purchases start from just 25p, making this one of the lowest-cost ways to access free or discounted days out.

How many tickets do you need?

In most cases, venues require one National Lottery ticket per person. Some venues allow a ticket holder to bring a guest for free or at a reduced price, but this varies and is clearly shown in each listing.

Always check the venue terms for each venue so you know exactly what is included.

How to plan National Lottery Open Week properly

The best way to get value from Open Week is to plan ahead.

Start by visiting the official National Lottery Open Week website and filtering venues by location or postcode. Check which days each venue is participating, whether booking is required, and whether tickets are limited.

By planning a few days in advance, it is often possible to line up multiple low-cost or free days out across the week, rather than treating them as last-minute opportunities.

Why Open Week matters for venues as well

National Lottery Open Week is not just about saving money.

In previous years, surveys have shown that a large proportion of visitors were either first-time visitors or had not been to the venue for several years. That makes Open Week a valuable way for venues to reach new audiences and introduce people to projects supported by National Lottery funding.

For visitors, it is a chance to explore heritage, culture and nature that they might otherwise miss.

Where to find the full list of venues and offers

The complete and up-to-date list of participating venues is available on the official National Lottery Open Week website.

That site includes full terms for each venue, dates of participation, booking requirements and an interactive map to help you find attractions near you.

Because offers can change and some venues limit availability, it is always best to rely on the official listings rather than third-party summaries.

Is National Lottery Open Week worth it?

If you enjoy days out and are looking for ways to reduce the cost, National Lottery Open Week is a great way to discover new places to go, without breaking the bank!

For the price of a cheap lottery ticket/scratchcard, which can have been purchased online or in a shop, it offers you access to offers such as free entry and meaningful discounts at hundreds of venues across the UK. Some years, the offers line up perfectly with places you already wanted to visit anyway!

Like the super-popular Free National Trust offers that pop up from time to time, this scheme is one of the best ways to have a fun day out without blowing the budget in March!

FAQs about National Lottery Open Week 2026

Images courtesy of Marcus Wallis/Unsplash, The National Lottery & Lansons. Information obtained from The National Lottery.