Have you thought about applying for a Blue Peter badge for your kids? Do you know where it will give you free entry for children across the North West? Then this post on the Blue Peter badge attractions North West is perfect for you. There are so many great family days out North West and a Blue Peter badge can make visiting some of them that little bit cheaper. It’s a great way to help reduce the cost of family days out.
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How to apply for a Blue Peter badge
There are 8 different Blue Peter badges that your child can apply for. Children must be between 5 and 15 years old to apply.
The 8 different badges are:
- Blue badge – is awarded to children who send interesting letters or a piece of artwork, shares good ideas for the show or appear on the show.
- Silver badge – are awarded to those children who make an extra effort, for example, if they already have a blue badge and send something different.
- Orange badge – these are given to runners-up in Blue Peter competitions
- Green badge – is awarded for showing how you care about the planet, sustainability and nature.
- Purple Fan Club – is awarded for joining the blue peter fan club
- Music badge – is designed by Ed Sheeran and is a special award for those who show their passion for music by learning a new instrument or being part of a musical performance.
- Sport badge – is awarded for getting active and trying a new sport
- Gold badge – these are very rare. Each year only a few are awarded in exceptional circumstances for outstanding achievements, for example being solely responsible for saving someone’s life, or showing amazing and unique bravery, courage and citizenship.
There is a different application process for each badge so click through to find out how to apply for your chosen badge. Find out how to apply for each badge here.
Each badge entitles the child to free entry into over 200 zoos, theme parks and other attractions across the UK. The accompanying adult must buy a ticket for your chosen attraction. Blue Peter badges can certainly help to reduce the cost of a family days out.
Which attractions in the North West offer Blue Peter badge free child entry?
I’m going to split the list of attractions up by the different counties across the North West region to help you to find the Blue Peter badge attraction that is nearest to you or your next staycation location.
I will be checking this list periodically but I advise you to check with the attraction or the main Blue Peter list to make sure the offer hasn’t changed.
Any of the Blue Peter badges entitle the Blue Peter badge holders to one free child entry into any of these attractions with a full paying adult. You will need to show the Blue Peter badge card to the admissions team at the ticket desk on the day of your visit.
Blue Peter badge attractions Lake District
Beatrix Potter Gallery
Main Street, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NS. This is a National Trust property – Find out more about * Beatrix Potter gallery here.
Birdoswald Roman Fort
This English Heritage site is part of Hadrian’s wall.
Here you can still see the remains of all of the Wall’s defining features. Stand in awe as the longest remaining stretch of the Wall spans as far as your eye can see, and explore the ruins of the Roman fort, a turret and mile castle. Delve into the story of the most famous Roman frontier with a new exhibition in the visitor centre.
Find out more and book here – * Birdoswald.
The Derwent Pencil Museum
Enter the museum through a replica graphite mine. Discover the secret WW2 pencils with hidden maps; one of the largest colour pencils in the world measuring almost 8 metres; The Queen’s diamond Jubilee pencil; miniature pencil sculptures; and much much more!
Find out more here – Derwent pencil museum.
Levens Hall
Explore the fine Elizabethan mansion built around a 13th Century pele tower, filled with Jacobean furniture and early English patchwork. Call in at the Bellingham Buttery for some home-made cooking and wander through the world-famous gardens to find the Living Willow Labyrinth and the Quiz.
Find out more here – Levens Hall.
Blue Peter badge attractions Lancashire
Martin Mere Wetland Centre
There’s so much to do at Martin Mere for all the family. There are play areas, canoe safari, kids activities like pond dipping and lots of wildlife to spot.
Find out more here – Martin Mere Wetland Centre
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
If you’re looking for a day filled with adrenaline-fueled rides then perhaps a visit to Blackpool pleasure beach is the answer. Find full details here – Blackpool pleasure beach.
Blue Peter badge attractions Manchester
Chill factore
We love Chill factore, Manchester. Perfect if you want to learn to ski or just have fun in the snow on sledges and the ice slide. We visited in 2019 for their Christmas event – Find out more here – Santa & snow fun at Chill factore review
RHS gardens Bridgewater
This is the most recent RHS garden and it’s located in Salford. There are lots of gardens to walk around and a fantastic kids play area too. Find out more and book tickets here – * RHS Bridgewater
Blue Peter badge attractions Cheshire
Beeston castle
Beeston Castle is an English Heritage site in Cheshire. You can explore the incredible remains of the castle. They often have great children’s activities on in the school holidays too.
Find out more here – * Beeston Castle.
Jodrell Bank
Jodrell Bank is another great family attraction in Cheshire. It’s being redeveloped and finally they have a new planetarium (from June 4th 2022). I still remember visiting the old planetarium several decades ago.
Find out more about the all new Jodrell Bank here.
Blue Peter badge attractions Liverpool
The Beatles Story
Located on the water front, on the Albert docks. Be transported on an incredible immersive journey as they tell the story of how four young lads from Liverpool were propelled to the dizzy heights of fame and fortune from their humble childhood beginnings.
Find out more here – The Beatles story
British Lawnmower Museum
This museum is perfect if you have an interest in vintage garden machinery. Find out more here – British lawnmower Museum here.
Western Approaches: Liverpool War Museum
Western Approaches is a restored war time bunker opened to the public as a memorial. The bunker was once a top-secret nerve centre in the 1940s and it played a big part in winning the Battle of the Atlantic.
Find out more here – Western approaches
World of glass
Here you can watch live glassblowing demonstrations, be amazed by special effects in the film show, experience life in a Victorian town, and explore the underground tunnels beneath the Victorian Cone House – home to the world’s first continuous glass production tank.
Find out more here – World of glass
Knowsley Safari Park
At Knowelsey you can enjoy a drive-through safari or even a walking one! There are plenty of wild animals to spot.
Find out more and book here – Knowsley Safari Park.
Eureka Science and Discovery
The new interactive children’s museum Eureka science and discover accepts Blue Peter badges as free children’s entry. Simply book online as gift vouchers and show your badge/pass at the attraction.
Book here – Eureka! Science + Discovery, Merseyside
Blue Peter badge attractions across the UK
There are over 200 attractions across the UK so I’m not going to list them all but you can see them all here – Blue Peter attractions UK. Below I’m going to mention a few that are particularly good.
- Dig and Yorvik centre, York. These are some of our favourite things to do with kids in York.
- Eden project, this has been on my must visit list for a long time!
- Edinburgh zoo. Find my review here – Edinburgh zoo review
- Eureka! This isn’t that far from the North West and is a fantastic attraction for kids. Find my review here – Eureka!
- The Scotish seabird centre. Definetly worth a visit if you are near the beautiful North Berwick. Find my review here – Scottish Seabird centre, review
- Slimbridge Wetland centre – Such a fantastic place for families. We loved our visit. Find out more here – Slimbridge wetland centre review.
- ZSL London zoo. A great family day out in London.
I’d love to hear in the comments where you will be heading first.
More family days out in the North West
- Find all the best family walks North West here.
- We love the Lake District and visit often. There are so many things to do in the Lake district with kids.
- Find all the May half term activities North West here.
- Find all the Things to do with kids in the North West summer