Adults Go Free Deal (Alton Towers & Other Merlin Attractions)

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Adults Go Free Deal (Alton Towers & Other Merlin Attractions)


This fantastic deal is back. Purchase a promotional pack of Kelloggs cereal and you can buy a child ticket to a Merlin attraction and an adult will go free. A quick and easy way to save money on a day out. 


Full list of attractions: 

  • Alton Towers 
  • SEA LIFE aquariums 
  • The Dungeons 
  • Thorpe Park 
  • Chessington World of Adventures 
  • LEGOLAND Windsor 
  • LEGOLAND Discovery 
  • Warwick Castle 
  • Blackpool Tower 
  • Shrek Adventure 
  • Bear Grylls Adventure 
  • Blackpool Tower Circus 
  • Madame Tussauds 
  • London Eye 
The closest attractions to us in the North East are:
  • SEA LIFE Scarborough
  • York/Edinburgh Dungeons
  • SEA LIFE and LEGOLAND Discovery Manchester 
  • Blackpool Tower / Blackpool Circus / Blackpool Madame Tussauds 

How to Get This Deal 


Buy a promotional box of Kelloggs Cereal / Snack Pack (look out for the deal promo on the packaging). One adult can visit an attraction for free when accompanying a paying child (or adult). You need to enter the 10 digit offer code from your cereal packaging and book your day out in advance here. 




Once you have paid for your ticket, they will be emailed to you ready to download/print and take to your chosen attraction on your chosen day. 

This deal is valid until 30 June 2023 so there is plenty of time to enjoy It does state in the t&cs that only one deal can be used per person but it also does say in the t&cs that you will need additional codes for every two people you book so read into that what you like. 





I'd recommend shopping around before using this deal as prices are based on 'on the door' prices which are more expensive than booking in advance. 

There are sometimes cheaper ways to visit attractions with multi-ticket passes/Tesco vouchers, advance tickets etc......so do shop around to get the best deal, it may not be this one. 

Also, try and visit as an even number to get the best value. 

Child ages do vary depending on the attraction - typically they are around 14/15. After this age, you can still use the deal but it will be more expensive as you'll have to buy an adult ticket. 

Date Exclusions 

There are quite a few date exclusions to be aware of. Click on the image below to view/zoom in. 2023 exclusion dates will be announced in the New Year: 








Recommended Days Out Using This Deal 

REMEMBER TO CHECK THE DATE EXCLUSIONS ABOVE


Scarborough 




  • SEA LIFE is available from £17.50 for one adult and one child using this deal. 
Scarborough is easy to visit as a day trip from Newcastle (you can also travel by public transport with the Go North East X11 service ).

Scarborough SEA LIFE is one of the better ones however still don't expect to spend much longer than a few hours here. You can expect to see penguins, sharks, otters and there's a seal hospital too. 

There is loads to see and do in Scarborough around the SEA LIFE centre if you wish to make a day of it including a lovely beach, Peasholm Park with squirrels, a putting lake and mini golf, alpamare swimming pool, a mini train and traditional water chute. 

Read my guide to visiting Scarborough North Bay here. 


Where to stay in Scarborough: 

  • Haven Holidays have three lovely sites in Scarborough which are perfect for a short break. We really like Reighton Sands as it's nice and chilled and Primrose Valley is ideal for those looking for lots to do. There is the Blue Dolphin too. Prices are available from £89 per caravan for a short break. Find out more, check prices and book here.

  • If you'd prefer to stay in the centre of Scarborough, I'd recommend Premier Inn North Bay which is within walking distance of the SEA LIFE centre and North Bay attractions. 

  • Sykes Cottages also offer a range of two and one bed apartments right on the sea front (again, within easy walking distance of SEA LIFE). We've stayed in these apartments before and they're fantastic with beautiful views. 

York 



  • York Dungeons are available to visit from £15.50 for one adult and one child using this deal
We love York Dungeons and I'd recommend for ages 8+ who aren't of a nervous disposition. I actually think York Dungeons are my favourite of them all. 

York is super easy to get to from Newcastle by train as a day trip or park and ride and this one might me a nice one to tie in with York Christmas Markets. You can read about our experience in York Dungeons here. 

Where to stay in York: 

  • There are no less than five Premier Inns to choose from in York. I recommend the city centre ones if your budget will stretch. Check prices here. 

  • The Hilton York often has special offers available and is in a prime city centre location 


Blackpool 




  • Blackpool Dungeons is available from £16 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • Madame Tussauds is available from £17.50 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • Blackpool Tower Eye is available from £15 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • Blackpool Tower Circus is available from £17.50 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • SEA LIFE is available from £18.50 for one adult and one child using this deal
If you wish to visit several attractions, Blackpool is an excellent alternative to London for us up North. I recommend a trip between 2 Sept & 3 Jan and combining with a trip to see Blackpool Illuminations. 

It's tricky to pick a favourite as all of these attractions are good fun but if you were going to pick just one attraction I'd go with Madame Tussauds as in my opinion, it's better than the one in London and much less busy. The Blackpool Tower Eye is also must-do if you haven't been up there before. 

Read my blog guide to the Blackpool Merlin Attractions here. 


Where to stay in Blackpool: 

  • Village Hotel Blackpool is on the outskirts of town (around 30 mins on foot). They often have some cracking deals available, especially in their sale, with rooms available from £39. Facilities are good and include a swimming pool, golf course and on site pub. Check prices and find out more here.

  • A few years ago we stayed at the Hilton Hampton which is right on the sea front and they let five of us in one room (hurrah!). Find out more here. 

  • We have stayed at Premier Inn Bispham twice now. I like it as it's out of the way with free on site parking and usually pretty cheap. There is a tram stop at the end of the street and it's the perfect place to stay for the illuminations as you get to admire them on your tram back to the hotel. Check prices here. 

  • If you'd like to push the boat out, it has the be the Big Blue which is joined onto the Pleasure Beach. You can read our review of this hotel here. 

  • Looking to stay longer? There are two Haven Holiday Parks near Blackpool. You can check prices here. 



Alton Towers 




  • Alton Towers is available from £60 for one adult and one child using this deal
There's no denying Alton Towers is expensive and even with this money saving deal, it's still a pricey day out. It is a fantastic theme park though. We love it! I would recommend trying to visit off peak if you can to keep those queue times low. You can read my guide to visiting with tweens here. 

Where to stay near Alton Towers: 

  • We usually stay at Darwin Forest which is a lovely holiday park with luxury lodges. 

  • If you wish to push the boat out, nothing beats staying on site at Alton Towers itself. A range of accommodation is available from lodges to themed suites.

    We have stayed in Splash Landings twice and would certainly recommend as a fun and memorable place to stay with kids and they have evening entertainment for kids. Check for the best prices and book Alton Towers Resort here 

  • If you're on a budget, Premier Inn Uttoxeter is usually a good bet

Manchester 




  • LEGOLAND Discovery is available from £16.95 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • SEA LIFE is available from £16.95 for one adult and one child using this deal

We visited LEGOLAND Discovery by train a few years ago. It's pretty easy to get to from Newcastle and there is a connecting bus from the train station to the Trafford Centre. SEA LIFE is next door so it's super easy to combine the two. Read our review of LEGOLAND Discovery here. 


London 




  • London Eye is available from £32.50 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • London Dungeon is available from £25 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • Shrek Adventure is available from £25 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • London SEA LIFE is available from £28 for one adult and one child using this deal

  • Madame Tussauds is available from £33.50 for one adult and one child using this deal
I've visited all of the above attractions over the years and honestly, I do feel like the London Merlin Attractions are a little over-rated.

They are just SO busy, you feel like you're on a never-ending conveyor belt of tourists and they're just not a relaxing experience. 

Saying that though, if you can and if you're so inclined, they are worth a visit and all have some plus points. I am pleased I have seen them but probably wouldn't rush back. London SEA LIFE is one of the largest aquariums in an iconic location, Shrek Adventure is a lot of fun if you like the film, London Dungeon is brilliant for older kids and Madame Tussauds has a brilliant Star Wars section. 

Read our review of Madame Tussauds here.

All of these attractions are next door to each other on the South Bank (with the exception of Madame Tussauds) and it's a nice place for a walk, there's a playground, boat trips and countless other attractions closeby. It's super touristy and busy though, you've been warned. 

Where to stay in London: 

  • When visiting the Merlin attractions we tend to stay at the Premier Inn County Hall which is right next to the attractions on the Southbank listed above (with the exception of Madame Tussauds) and a playground plus close to transport links and lots of restaurants. 

Southern Merlin Parks 



  • Thorpe Park £59 for one adult and one child using this deal
  • Chessington £53 for one adult and one child using this deal
  • LEGOLAND £62 for one adult and one child using this deal

A few years ago we booked a cheap glamping deal in Surrey and used it as a base to visit Thorpe Park, Chessington and LEGOLAND (at the time, we had a Merlin Annual Pass). 

It was actually one of our best ever holidays in the UK and we really enjoyed Thorpe Park and Chessington in particular. You can read about that trip and our reviews of the above places here. 

There's no denying these places are expensive but if you're planning on visiting anyway, you might as well use this discount. 


Loch Lomond 



  • SEA LIFE is available from £12.95  for one adult and one child using this deal

This is the cheapest attraction on our list and using this deal works out at just £6.50 per person. This SEA LIFE centre is in a unique position overlooking Loch Lomond and offers stunning views as well as an insight into the creatures you will find here. We visited as part of a stay at nearby Cameron Lodges which you can read about here. 


Edinburgh 


  • Edinburgh Dungeons is available from £15.95 for one adult and one child using this deal.
This is the one Merlin attraction on this list I haven't actually visited myself but it seems like a bargain and Edinburgh is easy to get to for us from the NE so I think it's worth a mention. If it's like the other Dungeons, it will be brilliant for older kids and teens. 


Find out more, check t&cs and book here: 


If you're looking for other ways to save money on days out, don't miss this DIY hotdog hack. 

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