Have a great day out, absolutely free!

With summer in full swing, there are plenty of ways to have a great day out, without handing over a penny!

If you're anything like me, summer is a time for big days out in town or trips to the countryside, always on the hunt for something new and exciting to do.

The great thing is, such trips don't have to cost you a fortune. In fact there are plenty of terrific places you can go, without spending a thing! I've put together some of my favourites.

Entertaining the kids for free

London is great for free museums and galleries. Top of the tree for me is the Victoria and Albert Museum, which boasts a range of exhibitions on everything from fashion and accessories to ancient ceramics. They currently have a free exhibition on fairy tales and enchantments, which should definitely keep the kids happy!

I'd say the Science Museum is also well worth a visit. Its latest exhibition on how astronomy has shaped the way we view the universe should interest any budding young scientists out there. It's absolutely free.

Outside of London, top of my list is the Coventry Transport Museum, where you can get a close up look of some classic cars.

I also recommend National Railway Museum in York, which covers more than 300 years of railway history. They also offer rides on Olton Hall, a steam train used in the Harry Potter movies, each Sunday. Just be aware there is a very small charge of 50p for children (and £1 for all you grown up Potter fans!).

For more ideas to keep the kids entertained this summer holiday, check out Seven free and cheap activities for kids!

A bit of free culture for the adults

Never mind the kids, what about us adults? First up for the culture vultures has got to be the Tate Modern, with enough barmy contemporary art to have you scratching your head for hours. See - with your very own eyes - famous works of art, like the Weeping Woman by Picasso, the famous statue of The Kiss or Whaam! by Lichtenstin, all absolutely free! And if you'd rather get some insight from an expert, you can a free guided tour of the collection from 11am to 3pm.

I also like the look of the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, which is currently running a free exhibition on the work of Charles Darwin, as well as four new galleries dedicated to celebrating art in Wales.

And if you are north of the border, and still in need of an art fix, why not take in the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh? Until 30 August, it is showcasing the best of Scottish classical and traditional music - they are even putting free shows at lunchtimes, so why not pop along?

Have fun for free!

Leaving the kids behind doesn't mean you have to become a culture vulture - you can have a little fun as well!

If you are down in the south west, then why not learn about how cider is made at Perry's Cider Farmhouse? They currently have a museum which demonstrates how cider used to be made, which you can compare the modern presses housed next door. You even get to sample all of the various ciders absolutely free in the farmhouse shop, which sounds like a cracking way to spend a day to me!

Further north, the National Football Museum at Preston's Deepdale Stadium is an absolute must in my book, boasting the ball from the 1966 World Cup final, Maradona's shirt from the 'Hand of God' game in 1986, and a host of items related to Preston's most famous son, Sir Tom Finney.

Free parks

If trailing round a museum is your idea of hell, then why not embrace the great outdoors and spend some time at one of the many free nature parks across the UK?

You can check out some of them on the National Trust website, which also has details on some of the brilliant events being run by National Trust sites in the coming weeks. One which caught my eye takes place at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire, and allows you and the kids to help the head chef make jam tarts, utilising the local summer berry jam - great fun!

A word of warning though - some of the places, and events listed, are not free.

Or why not spend a day out at one of the 14 National Parks sites across the UK, which include Brecon Beacons and the Peak District National Park. Entry is, of course, absolutely free!

Free events

It's not just museums and parks that you can get into free - there are even a range of fantastic events that won't cost you a penny!

From 13-16 August, you can check out Eastbourne Airbourne, for example, an airshow featuring all sorts of planes from the Second World War, helicopters, and even some wing walking!

Or what about the Burnley Show and Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza in Lancashire, featuring fireworks and a local music festival?

Free-events.co.uk is a terrific website for finding brilliant free events right on your doorstep - make sure you check it out!

Free musical events

If you fancy catching some great music without having to pay for it, there's a bunch of cracking shows taking place across the country.

For those in the Nottingham area, you can see a number of free outdoor brass and woodwind concerts in the various parks in the city. For more details, check out the Nottingham council website.

Alternatively, if you are near Liverpool why not get over to the Mathew Street music festival, which claims to be the largest and best free music festival in Europe. Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the festival boasts six outdoor stages, with more than 80 hours of live music, from 95 bands, hailing from 15 different countries! It's sure to be an eclectic mix, so don't miss out!

And if you're in the capital, why not head down to Regent's Park on a Sunday, where jazz club The 606 Club are presenting a series of exciting musical acts.

Now my list is by no means comprehensive - I'm sure you all have great tips for free days out, so why not share them via the comment box below?

More: Seven free and cheap activities for kids! | Nine ways to enjoy movies for less

Compare a host of financial products at lovemoney.com!

More: Seven free and cheap activities for kids! | Nine ways to enjoy movies for less