The best over 60s discounts in the UK

Getting older comes with its highs and lows, but you’ll be surprised at the number of discounts and perks targeted at those aged 60 or over. In this guide, we highlight some of the best over 60s discounts in the UK, helping you identify the discounts for over 60s that might help with day-to-day life. So, from everything for money off travel and food to pensioner discounts on energy bills, read on and see how you can save some money.

What discounts for over 60s are available?

Activities and attractions discounts for over 60s

As you get older, it is important to keep active, and with the incentive of a discounted day out, there is no reason why you can’t. Whether it’s a historical exploration, a game of football or a trip to the cinema, there are several over 60s discounts to take advantage of.

English Heritage

For many years, English Heritage has offered discounted prices for seniors at over 400 historic locations. With many of their sites being easily accessible, the homes of our ancestors have been a popular attraction for over 60s due to their fascinating pasts, excellent tour guides and the thought of a relaxing coffee and cream tea afterwards.

English Heritage offers an annual senior membership for £59 instead of £66 for individual adult membership, giving you free entry to all of their sites.

National Trust

The National Trust’s collection of properties is a great option for those who enjoy the outdoors and historic buildings. The National Trust offer a great over 60s discount, with their Senior Membership available to those who have been a member of the National Trust for five years out of the previous 10.

The National Trust senior membership costs £57.60, while a joint membership is just £95.40.

Royal Horticultural Society

One of the best discounts for over 60s in the UK comes courtesy of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The RHS offer a discounted life membership for over 60s, meaning anyone over 60 can become a life member for £935, saving over £500. The membership means that over 60s can enjoy the incredible RHS gardens across the country for free.

Alnwick Castle

There are hundreds of independently owned locations that make the perfect location for any day out. Alnwick Castle is just one of these fantastic attractions offering over 60s discounts on a splendid day out. We asked Jonathon from Alnwick Castle why they think it’s essential to offer discounted prices to senior visitors:

“Discounted entry to Alnwick Castle allows the over-60s the chance to experience one of the UK’s most significant heritage destinations. Home to the Percy family for over 700 years, visitors can admire the incredible collections of art, furniture and ceramics and hear stories about the family’s fascinating history, including George Percy, who became the 5^th Duke of Northumberland at the age of 87!

“A significant proportion of Alnwick Castle’s visitors are over-60s, particularly during the months of May, June, September and October. Often, we meet visitors who have had a long-standing connection to Northumberland or have had the wish to visit Alnwick Castle for many years, if not decades.

“Sometimes, our over-60s visitors have their own personal connections due to the teacher training college that was situated on our site from 1949 until 1977. Occasionally, we are visited by former pupils of Newcastle Church High School, who evacuated to Alnwick Castle during the Second World War. All their stories become part of the castle’s continuing history.”

Other attractions with discounts for over 60s

Hundreds of other attractions across the UK also offer over 60s discounts. However, it’s always worth asking about discounts for pensioners and seniors, as there are occasions when they aren’t advertised or displayed.

Longleat Safari Park offers a discounted annual pass of £90 for over 60s, and historic locations like The Tower of London, Tower Bridge and Highclere Castle also offer discounted tickets for over 60s.

Football discounts for over 60s

Various football clubs offer discounted ticket prices, allowing seniors to see some of their favourite teams’ biggest matches. Over 65s can enjoy priority seats at some of the biggest games in the football calendar, including the Premier League and FA Cup.

Clubs, including Liverpool FC, offer over 65s discounted tickets from £9 to £44 to watch them at some of their biggest Premier League matches, and Chelsea FC provides discounted tickets for seniors from £19.50.

Cinema discounts for over 60s

If a relaxing night in front of the big screen is on the cards, Vue and Odeon offer discounted tickets for over 60s.

Vue cinemas offer senior screenings designed with the over 60s in mind, complete with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Odeon offers a similar service called Odeon Silver Cinema which provides tickets for just £3.50, including tea, coffee, and biscuits.

Food and restaurant discounts for over 60s

There are some fantastic over 60s restaurant discounts in the UK and perks that pensioners can use when they don’t want to cook. Someone else cooking your dinner can be quite the treat; that’s why various food outlets conjure special menus and discounts for their senior visitors.

Greene King

Greene King’s chain of pubs has its own Golden Years menu- designed to serve smaller portions and offer a range of traditional dishes. Tuck into dishes like Sausage and Mash, Wholetail Scampi and a traditional Roast Beef Dinner as part of the deal.

Fish and Chips

Many local fish and chip outlets will offer a ‘Senior Fish and Chips’ portion for those with less of an appetite. Check the menu or ask the till assistant about the options available to you.

Travel discounts for over 60s

Getting out and about can take up a significant part of a person’s budget. The good news is that some great over 60s discounts are available to help people save money on travel.

National Rail Senior Railcard

For those who like to travel by train, whether to see family or enjoy a day out, you can take advantage of the National Rail Senior Railcard.

Explaining how the card works, Sarah from National Rail shares: “The Senior Railcard gives you 1/3 off Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance rail fares. This means you can save money on trips to see friends and family and explore more of Britain by train. Costing just £30 a year (or £70 for three years), you’ll save an average of £76 a year.

“You can also save money by getting 2-FOR-1 entry on many great attractions when you travel by train. Just pick where you want to go, what you want to do when you get there and download your voucher from daysoutguide.co.uk before you travel.”

Sarah also explains: “National Railcards were introduced and have been developed for two main purposes; the first being to encourage rail travel amongst groups of people who do not regularly travel by train and secondly for people for whom rail travel may be particularly difficult or cost prohibitive, such as disabled travellers or senior citizens.”

National Express Senior Coachcard

If you live and travel within England and Wales and are over 60, you can apply for a Senior Coachcard with National Express for just £12.50. The card entitles you to save 1/3 on all Standard and Full Flexible coach fares, helping you to travel around the UK by coach.

Free London Travel

If you live and travel within London and are over 60 years old, you can get a 60+ Oyster Card, allowing you to travel on London’s public transport for free!

Londoners can also apply for a Freedom Pass that allows free travel on buses, trains, trams and the tube in the central area.

Bus Pass

You can apply for a free bus pass in England when you reach State Pension Age. Enter your postcode on the Gov.uk page to determine eligibility and apply for a free bus pass.

In Wales, you can get a free bus pass when you are 60, and over 60s in Scotland can enjoy free bus travel via the National Entitlement Card.

Passport Fees

Free passports are another excellent discount for over 60s. If you were born before 2^nd September 1929, you are entitled to a free passport. In addition, if you have recently applied for a passport and fall into this bracket, you can receive a full refund. Just head to the Gov.uk website to check eligibility.

Discounted hotels

It’s always helpful to find savings on accommodation, especially when booking a holiday. Over 60s discounts are available for specific hotel chains, such as RH Hotels, which offers discounts for those over 60 in locations like Benidorm, Calpe, Gandia, and Peñiscola y Vinaros.

Health discounts for over 60s

As you get older, health can start to deteriorate, and you may need a helping hand to ensure you stay as fit and healthy as possible. You can join a range of free health checks and discounted schemes to enable this.

Free eye tests, prescriptions, and dental work

Over 60s might be eligible for free eye tests, prescriptions, and dental work, depending on your circumstances and what benefits you receive. Utilise the Gov.uk website to see what you are entitled to.

Over 60s discounts at Specsavers

Specsavers offer free eye tests for senior customers and 25% off glasses and lenses for over 60s when they pick a pair of glasses over £69.

Over 60s discount at Boots

There is a great over 60s discount at Boots, with savings of 25% on glasses and prescription sunglasses. Hearing-aid wearers can also save money at Boots, thanks to 15% off all hearing aids.

There are also discounts for over 60s with a Boots Advantage Card; their over 60s rewards allow members to enjoy 8 points per £1 on Boots brands and selected exclusives.

Over 60s discounts for the home

Keeping monthly house bills down is more important than ever, so look at some of these discounts for over 60s to help save money on things like energy and council tax.

We asked Lara from Gransnet why she thinks offering discounts to the senior generation is important: “There are many perks to being over 60, especially when you reach retirement. No early morning alarm clocks, no commute, the luxury of time to pursue your hobbies or spend it with family and friends. But for many, the drop in finances can be a strain and can affect your quality of life. It’s important to keep up to date on any discounts, offers and benefits made available to you when you reach 60, especially as many of these are not well-publicised.”

Council Tax reduction

If you are over 60 and are on a low income, it’s worth checking if you are able to get a reduction on your Council Tax. If you are found eligible, you will be able to get a discount on your bill; start by looking on Gov.uk.

Gas safety check discount

Most gas suppliers offer free gas safety checks for over 60s; all you need to do is contact your supplier to see if you are eligible.

Winter Fuel Payment

The UK has a Winter Fuel Payment for the over 60s, providing comfort and warmth during the colder months of the year. If you were born before 26th September 1956, you could be eligible for between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. If you are eligible, you should receive the payment automatically.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Keeping your home warm during winter is a priority for all of us. The good news for over 60s is that you can get a discount on your winter electricity bill if you receive the guaranteed element of Pension Credit.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme runs annually, providing a very helpful £140 off your bill between October and March. If your energy provider supplies both gas and electricity, you might be able to receive a discount on your gas bill instead.

Perks and benefits for over 60s in the UK

As you can see, some fantastic over 60s discounts and perks are available. If you live in the UK, make sure you take advantage of some of the above.

If you are looking for even more tips for saving money, Lara from Gransnet says: “The online community on Gransnet like to discuss and keep up to date on the latest deals. If you know where to look, significant savings can be made in every area of life and range from hefty travel discounts to cheap exercise classes and even reduced vet bills.”

As Lara mentions, if you are unsure what sort of discounts you are entitled to, plenty of chat forums, websites and groups are available that’ll be happy to help you with any queries you may have.

Along with the discounts, perks, and benefits we have discussed, there is plenty of other help and support to make your life as easy as possible. Get in touch and discuss how our straight or curved stairlifts can help you on a day-to-day basis, enabling you to lead a healthy and active life.

For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our news page.

0808 303 8537