Where should we take the kids? These are the most expensive family days out from Alton Towers to Legoland – so where will YOU go?

Britain’s beloved family days out are under threat as high parking charges pile pressure on already cash-strapped parents.

A MailOnline investigation can today reveal the shocking cost of parking at some of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, with families forking out as much as £30 just to leave the car – on top of steep ticket prices.

At Legoland Windsor, a walk-up family ticket for four comes in at a staggering £272, before adding up to £18 just to park.

At Chessington World of Adventures, the gate price for a family of four reaches £264, plus £20 for an ‘express’ car space – taking the total to £284 for a single day.

It is a similar story at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, where entry for four costs £156, with a further £20 to park at its North Car Park.

At Whipsnade Zoo, families who don’t want to use a distant free parking area face a £30 charge for a space closer to the entrance.

Money and business expert Maddy Alexander-Grout, 41, said ‘It’s expensive enough to visit these theme parks without adding parking charges on top.

‘Families are already stretched day to day with rising costs, so to then face a hefty parking fee feels like a hammer blow which prices many out. 

LEGOLAND, WINDSOR: At Legoland Windsor, a walk-up family ticket for four comes in at a staggering £272, before adding up to £18 just to park

ALTON TOWERS, STOKE: Standard parking at Alton Towers costs £12, but for a premium space, families must cough up £20. That is on top of £272 for four walk-in tickets

THORPE PARK, CHERTSEY: Thorpe Park charges up to a total of £272 for a family day out for two adults and two children

‘Attractions already make huge profits through ticket sales, food and drink, and adding parking charges just feels greedy. You’re already spending so much once you’re inside the park.

‘I really think parking should be free as part of the experience. I’m lucky that at Paultons Park, just down the road from me in Southampton, parking is free – it makes a real difference and more attractions should follow that example.’

Standard parking at Alton Towers costs £12, but for a premium space, families must cough up £20. That is on top of £272 for four walk-in tickets.

Other Merlin-run destinations do not fare much better – with Thorpe Park charging up to £20 and Warwick Castle asking up to £10 for parking.

Meanwhile families in the UK could spend up to £65 on parking alone during day trips to the most popular visitor attractions, which do not have dedicated car parks.

The nearest private car park to Buckingham Palace costs £64.99 for an eight-hour Saturday stay, dwarfing the £38 charged near the British Museum, or £36 close to the Tower of London.

In Edinburgh, parking near the Castle or National Museum of Scotland could cost up to £40.

A few big-name attractions still offer free parking, including Chester Zoo, Flamingoland in North Yorkshire, and Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire. 

EDINBURGH CASTLE: In Edinburgh, parking near the Castle or National Museum of Scotland could cost up to £40

TITANIC BELFAST: In Northern Ireland, Titanic Belfast charges by the hour -with a full day and entry for four costing £78.60, though officials insist online deals could bring it down to £65.60 with early booking and shorter stays

EDEN PROJECT, CORNWALL: The Eden Project has free parking but the ticket prices for a family of two adults and two kids is £157 

In Northern Ireland, Titanic Belfast charges by the hour -with a full day and entry for four costing £78.60, though officials insist online deals could bring it down to £65.60 with early booking and shorter stays.

A spokesperson said: ‘We continually benchmark parking prices across Belfast city to ensure that we are in-line with others.’

Many venues offer free or discounted entry for smaller children, and online ticket deals can help cut the cost.

ZSL, which runs Whipsnade Zoo, said it offers free parking in an off-site area and free entry for children under three.

For visitors to London Zoo, a spokesperson added: ‘As well as supporting ZSL’s conservation work at London Zoo and beyond, the car parking charge ensures the spaces in it are reserved for London Zoo’s visitors.’

Merlin, which runs Thorpe Park, Chessington, Alton Towers and Legoland, said: ‘We regularly review our prices to ensure that we continue to deliver the best possible value and experience for our guests.

‘The prices quoted are our gate prices, however the overwhelming majority of guests book online in advance to get the best deal. A number of our attractions provide on-site parking, with prices in line with market standards.

Lavania Oluban, 38, (pictured) a parenting blogger from Birmingham, West Midlands, and mother to Arlo, eight, said attractions’ steep parking charges ‘wind her up’

‘In 2024, we saw a further year-on-year increase in visitor numbers and our highest ever levels of guest satisfaction. We are confident that the vast majority of guests will continue to book in advance to get the best deals and have memorable days out at Merlin attractions.’

Catherine Warrilow, visitor attraction brand strategist at The Plot, told MailOnline: ‘For many attractions, parking fees have become a vital source of revenue to cover rising costs ranging from maintenance and security to staff and insurance.

‘Separating parking charges from ticket prices enables attractions to keep headline admission fees more competitive in a market where visitors shop around online for deals and discounts.

‘It makes tickets also appear more affordable, even if the total cost tells another story

‘However, for many families, the cost of parking is now the straw that breaks the camel’s back on a supposedly fun day out.

‘It’s not just an annoyance, it’s a major factor pricing people out of precious summer experiences – that’s before you’ve even got to the restaurant or gift shop.’

Lavania Oluban, 38, a parenting blogger from Birmingham, West Midlands, and mother to Arlo, eight, said attractions’ steep parking charges ‘wind her up’.

LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK, WILTSHIRE: Longleat boasts free parking but a family of four ticket costs £157.30

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, LONDON: While it is free to visit Buckingham Palace, the nearest parking costs £65 for eight hours

BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH: At Blackpool Pleasure Beach, entry for four costs £156, with a further £20 to park at its North Car Park

She said: ‘Even when you hunt for special offers or discounts, the hidden costs like parking really sting.

‘What’s worse is how unclear these charges often are online, so you don’t even know the full cost until you arrive.

‘It feels unfair when ticket prices are already sky-high and there’s no real alternative, especially for theme parks or rural attractions where public transport just isn’t practical.

‘You’ll get there and pay £20, only to be directed onto some boggy overflow field with no attendants.

‘Then, at the end of a long day, you’re exhausted, the kids are tired, and you end up stuck in a car park gridlock with no proper system to get out.

‘It’s hard to see how they justify these prices when the service doesn’t match. It makes me more reluctant to spend money at these attractions and so I will take my own packed lunch and avoid the gift shop to claw some of that expense back.’