Annual passes for North West England
An annual pass can save you a significant amount of money and they also make great birthday or Christmas gifts. This post will show you all the options for annual passes for North West England days outs so you can choose the right one for your family. This article is art of a series on Family days out North West England.
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The information in this guide is as accurate as possible in December 2024 when it was written. As always, I would encourage you to check the full terms and conditions, prices etc with the provider of the pass before purchasing. I have provided links so you can easily do this.
UK wide annual passes that are great for North West families
I’m going to start by telling you about the UK wide memberships and what they offer in the North West. These may also open up additional benefits if you will be holidaying else where in the UK.
Once I have shown all the nationwide annual passes, I’ll show you the options for annual passes at individual attractions in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and Cumbria.
We have a National Trust membership that we use loads in the North West but we also use it a lot whilst we are travelling else where in the UK. I love stopping at a National trust instead of a motorway service station.
National Trust
We’ve had National Trust membership for many years now. We first bought ours when we had a baby and were looking for pram-friendly walks. We are spoilt for choice with National Trusts in the north west. As well as accessible paths, many have play areas and put on fantastic children’s activities in the school holidays for free or a very low cost.
In the north west we have:
- Dunham Massey
- Lyme park
- Quarry Bank
- Tatton Park
- Alderley edge
- Hare Hill
- Little Moreton Hall
- Speke Hall
- Gawphrope Hall
- Rufford Old Hall
- Allan Bank
- Wray Castle
- Fell foot
- Acorn Bank
- Sizergh castle
- Aira Force
- Hill top
And many more car parks and smaller National Trusts too.
Annual membership costs vary depending on how many adults and children over 5 are in your family.
One adult – £96 per year (£8 per month)
Joint membership – £160.80 per year (£13.40 per month)
Family with 2 adults (and their children or grandchildren) – £168.60 per year (£14.05 per month)
Family with 1 adult (and their children or grandchildren) – £103.80 per year (£8.65 per month)
Join here – * Membership: Join the National Trust
English heritage
English heritage membership gives you unlimited days out at over 400 historic sites across England. Over benefits include half price admission in your first year and free from your second year of membership at Cadw Welsh sites, more than 70 sites in Scotland. There are 40 sites in Ireland and all Manx National Heritage sites on the Isle of Man.
It’s a good few years since we had English Heritage membership. In all honesty, we found it better while travelling than in Cheshire where we live. However this could be different if you live in Cumbria or travel a lot.
English Heritage sites in the North West include Beeston Castle (Cheshire), Birdoswald fort (Hadrian’s wall, Cumbria), Brougham castle (Cumbria), Carlisle castle (Cumbria), Furness Abbey (Cumbria), Stott Park bobbin Mill (Cumbria) and Lanercost Priory (Cumbria).
Family membership costs £144 a year or £12 a month (2 adults), 1 adult £82 a year or £6.83 a month and up to 6 children go free with each adult member.
Buy your membership here – * English Heritage
RHS membership
There are 5 RHS gardens in England that you can visit with RHS membership. We have RHS Bridgewater gardens in Greater Manchester which is fantastic for families. There is also Harlow Carr in Yorkshire and the other 3 gardens which are down south.
Membership also includes a monthly gardening magazine (paper or digital), unlimited, personalised gardening advice, savings on tickets to RHS shows and free entry for 1 adult to over 200 partner gardens.
The RHS run fantastic school holiday activities for families. I love that they have a real mix of free activities and the change regularly which is fantastic in the 6 week holidays. There are a mix of family trails, theatre & storytelling, crafts and family gardening activities.
We had RHS membership previously and I would buy it again in the future. We visited RHS Wisley once in our year and then visited RHS Bridgewater for weekend walks/playground trips and in the school holidays for the activities.
Family membership is £89.99 if paid by direct debit, otherwise £119.99. This includes 2 adults, up to 4 children and you can take a family guest too.
Buy your membership here – * RHS membership
Merlin pass
A Merlin pass gives you access to some of the biggest UK attractions. There are lots within our region as well as even more across the UK. It’s perfect if you are planning some UK short breaks and staycations.
There are loads of attractions included and different levels of membership so you can tailor the cost and benefits to your needs. Restrictions on some of the lower cost passes include being able to visit on specific dates only so these might need a little planning on your part before you work out if you need to buy a higher cost membership.
Attractions that are included in the Merlin pass in the North West include:
- Sea Life Manchester
- Sea Life Blackpool
- Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester
There are many more across the UK including Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Warrick castle, Cadbury world and many more.
Buy your pass here – * Merlin Annual Pass
National Membership Forestry England
Did you know you can now buy a National membership to Forestry England? With it you can park for free in all Forestry England car parks where charges apply (there are a few exceptions so do check but none of these are currently in our region). You’ll also receive a welcome pack, emails to help you explore the forests, newsletters about the work you are supporting in their forests. You’ll also get a one-visit free pass to Westonbirt, the National Arboretum (Gloucestershire).
In the north west we have:
- Cheshire – Delamere Forest
- Cumbria – Whinlatter Forest
- Grizedale
- Ennerdale
- Dodd wood
- Lancashire – Gisburn
You can even purchase National Membership as a gift voucher so that the recipient can choose when to start their year of membership.
At the time of writing the membership is priced as £96 for 12 months. Find out more and buy yours here – Membership | Forestry England
You can still buy local membership which is for one forest only where the cost varies depending on the forest. Find out more here – Local Forest Membership | Forestry England
National Art pass
The National Art Pass gives you free entry to hundreds or museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK and 50% off major exhibitions.
In the North West, free entry includes Dunham Massey,
Nearby offers include 50% off entry to Chatsworth, free entry to Yorkshire Sculpture Park,
Individual membership is £62.25 direct debit (or £83 card payment) or £93 for double membership. Children can be added either annual pass for £15.
Buy your pass and explore more places you can use it here – National Art Pass
Historic houses
Historic houses membership gives you access to 100s of beautiful houses and gardens nationwide.
Within the North West you can visit for free:
- Arley Hall,
- Bramall Hall,
- Broswholme Hall,
- Capesthorne Hall,
- Cholmondeley Castle gardens,
- Dalemain Mansion,
- Dorfold Hall,
- Hoghton Hall,
- Holker Hall,
- Levens Hall,
- Lowther Castle and
- Lytham Hall as well as many more.
Membership is £68 for 1 adult and £128 for 2 adults. It’s unclear if children are also £60 per year each.
Buy your pass here – Historic Houses
Kids Pass
Kids pass membership gets you discounts of 1000s of days out, cinemas, restaurants and more across the UK including many within the North West.
You can get up to 56% of theme parks including Blackpool Pleasure beach, up to 40% off at zoos including Blackpool zoo, up to 40% off at Blue Planet aquarium and many more offers.
Your first 7 days is just £1 and then it is £3.99 a month.
Find out more and get your * kids pass here.
Annual passes Cheshire
Chester zoo
If you love animals and live close enough to visit Chester zoo a few times a year then annual membership might be fantastic for your family.
You also get 50% off tickets for friends and family on members day throughout the year. You also get early access to new animal habitats and seasonal events as well as one free entry to another zoo and zoo diacounts.
Adults £131.25 (£105 by direct debit), Juniors (3 -15) £99 (£79 by direct debit), little explorers (1-2 years) £10 (£8 by direct debit). Family passes are £400.50 (£320.40 by direct debit) for 2 adults and 2 children or £269.25 (£215.40 by direct debit) for 1 adult and 2 children.
Buy your membership here – Membership
BeWILDerwood
We love BeWILDerwood and their annual membership just got even better. As well as unlimited day visits to BeWILDerwood (Cheshire and Norfolk), you now get discounted entry to other attractions. At the moment this is jut Cholmondley Castle gardens in the North West but more attractions will be added shortly.
Other membership benefits include a one single day ticket to bring a friend (once only), 15% off drinks, food and gifts, 15% off special events like the glowing lanterns and BeWILDerwood presents Christmas and free access to members evening events.
Costs are based on height. Anyone between 95cm and 105cm is £65, over 105cm £75. Adults over 65 are £45.
Buy your membership here – Tickets | BeWILDerwood
Blue planet aquarium Chester
This is a large aquarium near Cheshire Oaks. Annual membership gets you unlimited visits, discounts in the shop and restaurant and 10% off entry to Deep Sea World in Scotland and Bristol Aquarium.
There are lots of different options but for example a family pass (2 adults, 2 children) is £274.80.
Book here – Blue Planet Aquarium
The ice cream play pass
This one isn’t quite an annual pass but you can buy a 20 play pass (saving you £30). That can be used over multiple trips to reduce the cost per play. A 20 play pass costs £60. There are other options from 4 – 30 plays.
Book here – Play Pass – The Ice Cream Farm
Catalyst, Science and Discovery Centre and Museum
Catalyst is a fun, interactive science museum where you pay once and then you can return as often as you like for the next 12 month.
Prices – Adults £12.65, child £10.45, concessions £10.45
Find out more here – Family visits and Prices – Catalyst Science Discovery Centre
Jodrell Bank
This is another science museum where you can visit as much as you like over 12 months for the cost of your first visit.
Jodrell Bank is great for kids and they have extra activities on in the school holidays.
Prices – Adults – £14.85, Children aged 4-18 years £12.60 (other discounts available)
Book here – Jodrell Bank
Find out more about visiting Jodrell Bank with kids here – Jodrell Bank for kids
Gulliver’s world
There are 5 Gulliver’s theme parks including Gulliver’s World in Warrington, Matlock Bath, Milton Keynes and Rother Valley.
For £99 you can have unlimited entry to the 5 theme parks for 12 months among other benefits.
Buy your annual passport here – Gully’s Annual Passport – Gullivers Theme Park
Norton Priory museum & gardens
As a member you get:
- 12 months free entry to Norton Priory Museum & Gardens during opening hours
- Free tickets or discounted entry for selected events
- 10% discount in the Museum gift shop
- Regular e-newsletters to keep you up to date with Norton Priory news and events
- Discount in the Museum Brooke Café
The current cost is costs £38 for an individual and £65 for two adults (up to 3 children can visit for free per adult with a valid membership).
Full details here – Norton Priory Museum & Garden
Alton towers
Ok, Alton towers is outside of Cheshire but it’s a popular family attraction for many families in the north west.
An annual pass start from £64.
Find out more here – * Annual Passes Alton Towers
Annual passes Lancashire
Farmer Ted’s
This is a fantastic children’s farm where you can purchase a season pass. With this you can get priority booking on seasonal events, take part in exclusive pass holder activities (term time) as well as free entry. Prices for a full season start at £80
Full details and buy here – Season Passes | Farmer Teds
Martin Mere WWT
WWT membership is £87 a year for families or you can buy single or joint adult membership (with under 4s free). You will then be able to visit all the WWT wetland sites for free throughout the year.
Full details here – Membership | WWT
Find out more about Martin Mere here.
Butterfly house & mini zoo, Williamson Park, Lancaster
This mini zoo offers a family wild card (annual pass) for £60.
Buy yours here – Butterfly House & Mini Zoo – Lancaster City Council
Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool zoo offer a variety of different annual passes. You can buy them for a child, adult or a family pass (from £139.49).
See all the different prices here – Select Passes | Blackpool Zoo
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
If you love a trip to Blackpool pleasure beach then you can save a lot of money with a season pass. There are various different options with different benefits to choose between.
You can buy a full year platinum pass which also gets you access to 7 amazing theme parks in Europe including our favourite, Efteling. You can also buy passes for different seasons of the year too for different prices.
Find the full range of passes for 2026 here – Season Pass 2026 | Pleasure Beach Resort
Astley Hall
Astley Hall within Astley Park, Chorley offers family season passes for £45.
Find out more and buy yours here – The Hall – Astley Park Chorley
Wild Discovery, Preston
This is a zoo that is part of Ribby Hall Village. It is open to everyone though, not just holiday guests.
They offer daily interactive and educational talks and animal encounters. There is a mix of animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Annual passes are £38 for adults and £34 for children
Buy yours here – Wild Discovery
SEA LIFE Blackpool
Sea Life Blackpool offer an annual pass for £32 per year for anyone over 2 (one per person).
Buy yours here – SEA LIFE Blackpool
Annual passes Greater Manchester
I’ve only found 2 so far in Manchester.
SEA LIFE Manchester
If you have children who love visiting aquariums you might like to consider an annual pass to SEA LIFE Manchester via the * Merlin annual pass.
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester
Again you can use an annual Merlin pass here but you can also purchase a local annual pass just for Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester. Prices start from just £30 per adult.
Buy your annual pass here – * Legoland Manchester Annual Pass
Annual passes Liverpool (Merseyside and The Wirral)
Knowsley Safari Park
If you love a trip to Knowsley Safari Park then an annual pass might be a great option. You’ll get unlimited visits and various discounts too.
Adult membership £87, child 3-15 years £78
Buy your membership pass here – Memberships
Eureka! Science and Discovery, Merseyside
Standard admission to Eureka! includes an annual pass, so pay just once and visit as many times as you’d like for a whole year. This is not the case if you use Tesco Clubcard points to book tickets.
Adults and children 3+ £16.95, aged 1 or 2 years. £7.45
Full details and book your tickets here – Eureka! Science + Discovery, Merseyside
Annual Passes Cumbria and the Lake District
Lowther Castle
Lowther Castle has one of the best playgrounds in the North West! The gardens are also lovely to explore throughout the seasons. Find out more about Lowther Castle Adventure playground here.
You can buy adult annual passes for £48 and children (3-15) for £38. You get a 10% discount if you buy 4 or more annual passes at once too.
Buy your annual pass for Lowther Castle here.
Walby farm Park
An annual family pass (maximum 5 people, including 1 adult) £390
Buy your here – Walby farm park
That is all the annual passes that I am currently aware of. Please do leave a comment below if you know any more places that offer annual passes in the North West and I will get them added.
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I also have a guide to Discounts on days out North West which I try to keep up to date.
