| When did days out get so expensive?! 08:10 - May 26 with 5933 views | Zx1988 |
We're over in the West Country with Mrs Zx's family for a short break. Since when did everything become so eye-wateringly expensive?
Wells Cathedral - £15
Cheddar Gorge & Caves - £27
Wookey Hole - £30
Bath Baths - £33
I had in my head that £20 was probably the cost of a day out at a decent attraction. I get that prices have increased, but by so much? Surely there's a greed premium being tacked on on top of the increased operating costs, hoping that owners will be able to get away with laying it all at the Government's door? |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:17 - May 26 with 3359 views | ITFC_Jenx |
Wookey Hole would have been around £90 for a family of 5. Couldn't justify it. |  | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:17 - May 26 with 3353 views | cressi |
It's not just days out ie football tickets up 12%
It's the everyday things utility bills, fuel and food welcome to rip off Britain ever since covid making sure they get their money back plus a bit more does anyone believe after the Iran war fuel will ever drop to what it was before. | | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:19 - May 26 with 3330 views | Zx1988 |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:17 - May 26 by ITFC_Jenx |
Wookey Hole would have been around £90 for a family of 5. Couldn't justify it. |
That's one of the things that really struck me - the minimal difference between adults' and children's entry fees these days. | |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:21 - May 26 with 3318 views | Steve_M |
"Surely there's a greed premium being tacked on on top of the increased operating costs, hoping that owners will be able to get away with laying it all at the Government's door?"
Inputs are getting more expensive, energy costs most obviously but so are staff costs. The rise in the minimum wage and employer's National Insurance contributions all have an effect here.
The underlying problem remains that the UK has fallen far behind the rest of Europe since the financial crisis of 2008, we are just getting poorer over all. |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:28 - May 26 with 3258 views | Zx1988 |
I think it's the Roman baths and Wells Cathedral that are the most galling - they're significant parts of our national heritage, and shouldn't be locked away behind a velvet rope.
I've always maintained that things like this should be free (or heavily subsidised) for British residents, with the tourists paying the hefty admission fees. Same with the big free museums in London.
When we went to Ephesus the other year, Turkish citizens could get in for a relative pittance, whilst we had to pay something like €40 to get in, which I don't begrudge at all.
I'm sure the National Trust could do similar (especially as their properties were, essentially, gifted to the nation). Have two lists - regional and national. National stuff would be things like Stonehenge, and free for all Brits. Regional lists could contain the minor stately homes like Blickling etc., and be free for more local residents. [Post edited 26 May 8:49]
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:34 - May 26 with 3186 views | Churchman |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:21 - May 26 by Steve_M |
"Surely there's a greed premium being tacked on on top of the increased operating costs, hoping that owners will be able to get away with laying it all at the Government's door?"
Inputs are getting more expensive, energy costs most obviously but so are staff costs. The rise in the minimum wage and employer's National Insurance contributions all have an effect here.
The underlying problem remains that the UK has fallen far behind the rest of Europe since the financial crisis of 2008, we are just getting poorer over all. |
Of course there’s profiteering. Maximise profit is what companies are duty bound to do. Shareholders first. It’s why on certain things, particularly utilities, they should never be in private hands and on other vital things there should be controls.
Aside from the obvious disaster of Brexit, the main reasons for ever increasing fall in standard of living in recent years is the tories austerity war and successive govenment lack of belief in investment in anything. They simply are not interested and haven’t been for decades.
The tories took the view that cuts cuts cuts was the only game in town and just print money. The current mob? No idea what they are doing beyond internal squabbling but the economy, investment is seemingly at the bottom of their priority list. |  | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:34 - May 26 with 3190 views | Keno |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:28 - May 26 by Zx1988 |
I think it's the Roman baths and Wells Cathedral that are the most galling - they're significant parts of our national heritage, and shouldn't be locked away behind a velvet rope.
I've always maintained that things like this should be free (or heavily subsidised) for British residents, with the tourists paying the hefty admission fees. Same with the big free museums in London.
When we went to Ephesus the other year, Turkish citizens could get in for a relative pittance, whilst we had to pay something like €40 to get in, which I don't begrudge at all.
I'm sure the National Trust could do similar (especially as their properties were, essentially, gifted to the nation). Have two lists - regional and national. National stuff would be things like Stonehenge, and free for all Brits. Regional lists could contain the minor stately homes like Blickling etc., and be free for more local residents. [Post edited 26 May 8:49]
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I totally agree, especially if you add in food and drink
When I were a boy we could t’day out at local rec for a £5 including moldy cheese sandwich, cup of warm water and a treat for the whippet |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:48 - May 26 with 3114 views | hoppy |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:17 - May 26 by ITFC_Jenx |
Wookey Hole would have been around £90 for a family of 5. Couldn't justify it. |
Not to mention being one of the less attractive parts of the Star Wars tour… |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:48 - May 26 with 3115 views | Swansea_Blue |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:28 - May 26 by Zx1988 |
I think it's the Roman baths and Wells Cathedral that are the most galling - they're significant parts of our national heritage, and shouldn't be locked away behind a velvet rope.
I've always maintained that things like this should be free (or heavily subsidised) for British residents, with the tourists paying the hefty admission fees. Same with the big free museums in London.
When we went to Ephesus the other year, Turkish citizens could get in for a relative pittance, whilst we had to pay something like €40 to get in, which I don't begrudge at all.
I'm sure the National Trust could do similar (especially as their properties were, essentially, gifted to the nation). Have two lists - regional and national. National stuff would be things like Stonehenge, and free for all Brits. Regional lists could contain the minor stately homes like Blickling etc., and be free for more local residents. [Post edited 26 May 8:49]
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It’s doable in the uk too, it just depends on political choices. We have free entry to our main museums over here in Wales and a lot of subsidised and free ticket options for heritage sites. It depends what the government and its people see as important. Another issue for those sites you mention is that are council-owned and we all know how the councils have been hammered into the ground since 2010, so you can see why they are trying to get money from wherever they can. |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:58 - May 26 with 3028 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:21 - May 26 by Steve_M |
"Surely there's a greed premium being tacked on on top of the increased operating costs, hoping that owners will be able to get away with laying it all at the Government's door?"
Inputs are getting more expensive, energy costs most obviously but so are staff costs. The rise in the minimum wage and employer's National Insurance contributions all have an effect here.
The underlying problem remains that the UK has fallen far behind the rest of Europe since the financial crisis of 2008, we are just getting poorer over all. |
Indeed - the same people that moan about wages then get upset when things cost more. Funnily enough, the countries with the highest wages, typically also have the highest cost of living. The UK now has one of the highest minimum wages (only one employment cost) in Western Europe, even higher than Germany where typically wages are higher. As you correctly identify, we also have the highest energy costs in the west thanks to our reliance on gas, and ridiculous pricing system.
The real issue in the UK is that housing costs take up such a high proportion of people’s incomes, driven by our rapid population growth and expensive land. | | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:02 - May 26 with 3011 views | Lesta_Tractor |
I wanted to go on the train up Snowdon with my wife and our toddler last week, £90 for the three of us and we were going to walk down! |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:05 - May 26 with 2982 views | hoppy |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:02 - May 26 by Lesta_Tractor |
I wanted to go on the train up Snowdon with my wife and our toddler last week, £90 for the three of us and we were going to walk down! |
Do they ever have a bus replacement service? | |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:35 - May 26 with 2807 views | ElderGrizzly |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:58 - May 26 by SuperKieranMcKenna |
Indeed - the same people that moan about wages then get upset when things cost more. Funnily enough, the countries with the highest wages, typically also have the highest cost of living. The UK now has one of the highest minimum wages (only one employment cost) in Western Europe, even higher than Germany where typically wages are higher. As you correctly identify, we also have the highest energy costs in the west thanks to our reliance on gas, and ridiculous pricing system.
The real issue in the UK is that housing costs take up such a high proportion of people’s incomes, driven by our rapid population growth and expensive land. |
Places like Thorpe Park are nearly £70 for an adult now if you buy on the day.
So for a family of 4 nearly £280 for a day. Without any fast track passes etc.
Yes, there are hacks to get them cheaper but it is mad now. And the parks here are SO poor. |  | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:44 - May 26 with 2776 views | SuperKieranMcKenna |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:35 - May 26 by ElderGrizzly |
Places like Thorpe Park are nearly £70 for an adult now if you buy on the day.
So for a family of 4 nearly £280 for a day. Without any fast track passes etc.
Yes, there are hacks to get them cheaper but it is mad now. And the parks here are SO poor. |
And yet Thorpe Park made an operating loss of >£100m in 2024, and a loss of over £50m last year so a nice demonstration of how expensive it is to run a business in the UK. | | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:51 - May 26 with 2738 views | Vaughan8 |
Agreed. Pretty much everything is a £20+ each for a day out now.
In recent years we've got he English Heritage and/or National trust passes, which i think are about £120-140 for the year for 2 adults and 5(?) kids.
However, my son (now 9) is getting tired of them, so if anyone has any other ideas, let me know! | | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:57 - May 26 with 2692 views | leitrimblue |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 08:28 - May 26 by Zx1988 |
I think it's the Roman baths and Wells Cathedral that are the most galling - they're significant parts of our national heritage, and shouldn't be locked away behind a velvet rope.
I've always maintained that things like this should be free (or heavily subsidised) for British residents, with the tourists paying the hefty admission fees. Same with the big free museums in London.
When we went to Ephesus the other year, Turkish citizens could get in for a relative pittance, whilst we had to pay something like €40 to get in, which I don't begrudge at all.
I'm sure the National Trust could do similar (especially as their properties were, essentially, gifted to the nation). Have two lists - regional and national. National stuff would be things like Stonehenge, and free for all Brits. Regional lists could contain the minor stately homes like Blickling etc., and be free for more local residents. [Post edited 26 May 8:49]
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Couldn't agree more, access to our own history and heritage should be heavily subsidised and free. Its owned by us not the feck1n National Trust. |  | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:01 - May 26 with 2672 views | Zx1988 |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 09:51 - May 26 by Vaughan8 |
Agreed. Pretty much everything is a £20+ each for a day out now.
In recent years we've got he English Heritage and/or National trust passes, which i think are about £120-140 for the year for 2 adults and 5(?) kids.
However, my son (now 9) is getting tired of them, so if anyone has any other ideas, let me know! |
It probably doesn't help that so many of these places have changed over the years, to become more of an 'experience'.
I can't just pay to go to Cheddar/Wookey to see the caves. I have to buy a ticket that includes access to all the interactive/fun add-ons they've added over the years. I don't want that - I just want an afternoon in a nice cold cave, looking at rock formations. | |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:05 - May 26 with 2642 views | bluelagos |
Alton Water have set up a water park so a cheap family visit on a hot day - or it would be if it wasn't £20 per hour ffs. |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:12 - May 26 with 2582 views | Radlett_blue |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:01 - May 26 by Zx1988 |
It probably doesn't help that so many of these places have changed over the years, to become more of an 'experience'.
I can't just pay to go to Cheddar/Wookey to see the caves. I have to buy a ticket that includes access to all the interactive/fun add-ons they've added over the years. I don't want that - I just want an afternoon in a nice cold cave, looking at rock formations. |
This is commercialisation. Wookey Hole is owned by the family of circus entrepreneur Gerry Cottle.
It's not just Britain. I visited Iguazu Falls this year & the contrast between the Argentinian side, which had remained fairly true to nature, with trails & paths to walk but not much else and the Brazilian side, which was full of hotels & other commercial stuff, was amazing. Our guide said that the Brazilian government had privatised their side, selling the rights to an entrepreneur, who was clearly keen to maximise his profit. |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:14 - May 26 with 2564 views | leitrimblue |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:01 - May 26 by Zx1988 |
It probably doesn't help that so many of these places have changed over the years, to become more of an 'experience'.
I can't just pay to go to Cheddar/Wookey to see the caves. I have to buy a ticket that includes access to all the interactive/fun add-ons they've added over the years. I don't want that - I just want an afternoon in a nice cold cave, looking at rock formations. |
The adding if 'interpretive centres' to heritage sites is a part of a wider scheme to monetize heritage sites in order for them to 'pay their own way'.
Roughly, it's easier to justify charging a fee into sites if your paying for a larger experience | | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:24 - May 26 with 2508 views | Benters |
You want to take a family of 4 to Legoland at Windsor for Saturday and Sunday and stay Saturday night,now that’s big bucks 🥵 |  |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:24 - May 26 with 2513 views | RobTheMonk |
We were in York a week back and wanted to check out the Minster. £20 per adult to get in and have a look around. Yeah, no thanks. |  | | |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:29 - May 26 with 2476 views | Radlett_blue |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:24 - May 26 by RobTheMonk |
We were in York a week back and wanted to check out the Minster. £20 per adult to get in and have a look around. Yeah, no thanks. |
Sure, that's poor value & extra if you want to climb the tower. A bit like selling indulgences, eh?
But I guess any cathedral costs a fortune to maintain so this has to be funded somehow. And many sites are so popular, even with the entry fees, that they would be rammed if they were free. | |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:29 - May 26 with 2468 views | Benters |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:14 - May 26 by leitrimblue |
The adding if 'interpretive centres' to heritage sites is a part of a wider scheme to monetize heritage sites in order for them to 'pay their own way'.
Roughly, it's easier to justify charging a fee into sites if your paying for a larger experience |
We need Wetherspoons to have attractions buh.
I see they have shed loads of Hotels as well now,and are starting up a take away service in certain establishments. | |
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| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:32 - May 26 with 2447 views | leitrimblue |
| When did days out get so expensive?! on 10:29 - May 26 by Benters |
We need Wetherspoons to have attractions buh.
I see they have shed loads of Hotels as well now,and are starting up a take away service in certain establishments. |
At least if they put Spoons in charge of heritage they'd make it financially accessible to all | | | |
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