Finding something to do last minute, is one of those things as a planner is my worst nightmare, but sometimes we have to use up holiday from our job that we are not expecting to take, which I had to last year (not my fault, my boss pressured to take holiday by a certain date and I did not book any), so here is a list of ideas for last minute day trips
Last Minute Day Trips
Visit a local museum or stately home
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| Waddensdon Manor last spring |
I'm very lucky in my local area to have many museums and stately homes that are mostly open year around, some have an entrance fee, or if your are a member like I'm a member of the National Trust and English Heritage most of them are free to visit, the only thing you pay is for the food in the café's, or a few items in the gift shop.
Some do require booking in advance, of your visit, but some if you turn up they can get you tickets for that day of your are very lucky.
Some museums do have special event days so it's best to look up there website before you leave just to check you don't have to pay extra.
Go for a walk on a local footpath
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| Local walk of mine with sheep grazing |
I'm also very lucky to live in area full of footpaths and bridleways, with very beautiful views over the landscape, that follow rivers, or historic cattle droving paths. Most of these paths and bridleways are found through the OS App, leaflets in local council offices, on-line, walking books or magazines.
Some footpaths, go through some villages that do have areas for you to sit and have a picnic whist out walking so, plan for that and also if the weather is not great or changes last minute a rain coat is always a good idea to pack
Visit a local nature reserve
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| View of College Lake |
There are café's at bigger sites, bird hides to watch them (that is if you can see any), and education areas for school children to learn about wildlife, nature and the local countryside
Go on a river/canal cruise
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| Canal Museum, with boat tours available |
River cruises can be a fun way to see parts of the river that you don't get to see everyday from the banks, on most days in the summer, you can turn up and book a cruise on the day, some are on boats, that go on a selected route, some are self guided in small boats which you might have a row yourself or at a museum like a canal museum that does a trip down the canal as part of the visit to the museum
Most of these have a guide that explains the sites on the river or canal that you are on, they can be quite interesting, there is sometimes refreshments on board
Go to the cinema to watch the latest film
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Photo by Myke Simon on Unsplash |
The most rainy day friendly last minute day out is heading out to the local cinema to see the latest film at the cinema, you can just turn up book a seat and enjoy a film.
From the latest film to classics, most cinemas have a good selection of films to see, most prices are reasonable and don't cost a lot of money, plus food for the film it can a budget option
Have a day shopping
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| Photo by Michael Weidemann on Unsplash |
Most large shopping centres are destinations in their own right, and you can spend a day or how ever long you want, with some stores having restaurants inside.
Even the shopping centres have restaurants and activities inside the centre, to attract people to do more than shopping, including Go-kart and Clip and Climb to entertain children, even cinemas as I said in my last suggestion
There are even spa's, hairdressers and nail bars so you can have a pamper day as well in some larger centres
Although spending shopping all day is a good option, the transport costs can be expensive like car park charges so be careful when it comes to that.
Go to the garden centre
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Photo by Kiragan Mercer on Unsplash |
As I said in my last point, spending the day shopping is a great thing to do last minute, so is visiting a garden centre, which if you are me, means spending more money on plants then I have room for!
As well as the plants, pots and garden equipment, many garden centres include a cafe, soft play for young children and other shops including clothes and gifts where you can spend a lot time browsing the selection of products.
Many gardens are out of town, so most include free parking so it's the one of the maybe less expensive last minute days out
