Great British Summer Savings: cheaper things for families to do!
3 July 2026
It's that time of year again! We're heading towards the summer holidays and little ones are nearly out of school for the summer. If you're organising things to do for you and your kids over the summer break that won't break the bank, we've put together a blog on enjoying our activities that will help you and your family save some pennies.
Cheaper tickets for Smeatons Tower and Elizabethan House
Are your children mad on history? If you take them to our historic sites this summer, you'll be pleased to hear that entry prices have been have been reduced as part of the Great British Summer Savings VAT reduction scheme. You'll make a further saving if you book ahead online.
You could make a dedicated day of history by exploring The Box (Tuesday-Sunday), Smeaton's Tower (open Tuesday-Sunday) and Elizabethan House (open Friday and Saturday pm). From learning about Plymouth's history in The Box's galleries, to climbing 72 feet higher in Smeaton’s Tower and the breathtaking views of Plymouth Sound, or exploring a 16th century Elizabethan House and finding out all about who lived there.
The Box is free entry, and Smeaton's Tower and Elizabethan House tickets between 25 June - 1 September 2026 are:
Adults
£7 - on the door (was £8)
£6 - advanced ticket (was £7)
Children 5-15 (under 5s go free)
£3.50 - on the door (was £4)
£3 - advanced ticket (was £3.50)
Family & Friends (up to 2 adults and 3 children)
£16.50 - on the door (was £19)
£14.50 - advanced ticket (was £17)
Discount on meals in Kitchen and Bar
As part of the same scheme, we have discounted our kids meals in The Box Kitchen and Bar. If you decide to treat the family to lunch out with us, then you can enjoy a kid's meal for £5.25 (between 25 June-1 September), reduced from £5.95.
Choose from a mini breakfast, jacket potato, sausage and fries, vegan sausage and fries or homemade macaroni cheese. All meals come with a juice box.
On offer we also have a seasonal menu that includes local produce, daily specials and gluten-free options. The Kitchen & Bar serves food until 3pm (Tuesday-Sunday) and drinks until 4pm.
You are also welcome to bring your own food with you that you can eat whilst sitting on the steps between our cafe and shop area, or outside on Tavistock Place in good weather!
Free activities during The Box's Summer of Expression
For completely free activities this summer, we'll be running our popular family drop-in sessions with weekly themes including Dartmoor, giant bugs, gelli-plate printing and lighthouses!
With some schools breaking up early, activities in our first week begin on Wednesday 22 July and also run on Thursday (23) and Friday (24). From the following Tuesday 28 July until Thursday 28 August, our days will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Come along between 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm (last entries 15 minutes before the sessions end.
Find out about the full programme on our Family Fun: Express Yourself webpage!
Beryl Cook sculpture trail
Don't forget that this fun trail of characters straight out of Beryl Cook's paintings will be on display in the city throughout the summer and beyond. How many can you spot in one day?