Days & nights out
Days out are about making memories without the stress, so it matters that the business you book with is clear about prices, timings and what happens if plans change.
Companies in Days & nights out
88 companies
About Days & nights out
Days & nights out covers the leisure experiences people book for a single day or evening, from theme parks, zoos and wildlife attractions to river cruises, escape rooms, dinner shows and guided tours of historic houses. Some of these venues are run by large national operators with multiple sites, while others are independent attractions, family-owned farms, or small tour firms running coach and boat trips from local towns. Customers reach this market through the operators' own websites, through online booking platforms, and increasingly through group deal sites and retail vouchers sold in supermarkets and high street shops.
The sector is shaped by the Visitor Attractions Association and the wider tourism and hospitality trade bodies, which set standards and represent operators in discussions with government. Attractions that handle animals are licensed and inspected by local authorities, while those carrying passengers on water or road must meet safety rules enforced by bodies such as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Ticketing and payment for these businesses fall under consumer protection law, and the Competition and Markets Authority and Trading Standards oversee fair advertising, pricing and refund practice across the UK.
Seasonality, weather and tight margins mean that many operators depend on advance bookings and pre-paid tickets, which makes the way they handle cancellations, rescheduling and vouchers a central part of how they are judged by the public. Prices vary widely between a family day ticket, a premium experience and a group package, and many businesses add booking fees, parking charges or add-ons that can change the final cost. Customers look at the mix of venues and operators across the category, and the same local attraction can be listed under several different booking channels, each with its own terms.
Questions about Days & nights out
How do I choose a company for a day out or a night out?
Start by deciding what kind of experience you want, such as a theatre trip, a spa day, a balloon flight or a meal with entertainment, and then look only at firms that run that activity. Check that the company states its full name, a UK registered address and a contact number on its website, which lets you verify who you are dealing with at Companies House.
What should I compare before booking a day out?
Compare what is included in the price, such as transport, food, entry fees and any gratuities, and whether any extras are charged separately. Check the cancellation and rescheduling terms, the age or fitness requirements, and whether the company holds the licences or insurance needed for the activity.
Do I have to pay a deposit when booking a day out?
Many firms take a deposit at booking under their own terms, and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require the trader to state the total price and payment arrangements before you commit. Read the deposit amount and the date the balance is due, and keep written confirmation of what you have paid.
Can I cancel a day out I have booked online?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have a 14-day cancellation right for distance contracts such as online bookings, but this does not apply to services delivered on a specific date or within a specific period. Most experience bookings fall into that exception, so the company's own cancellation policy will govern refunds, and you should check it before paying.
What happens if the company cancels my booking?
If the company cancels, you are entitled to a full refund of what you have paid, within 14 days under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. If the cancellation leaves you with additional costs, such as non-refundable travel, you may be able to claim those back from the company under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
What are my rights if the day out is not as described?
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 requires that a service is performed with reasonable care and skill and matches what was described to you. If it does not, you can ask the company to put it right, then seek a price reduction or a refund if it is not fixed.
How do I make a complaint to a company about a day out?
Write to the company with your booking reference, the dates, what went wrong and what outcome you want, and keep copies of everything you send. Give the company a reasonable period to respond before escalating.
What if I am not satisfied with how the company handles my complaint?
If the company does not resolve the complaint, check whether it belongs to an approved alternative dispute resolution scheme, such as the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's approved bodies, which will review the case independently. You can also contact your local Citizens Advice or Trading Standards, and for card payments over £100 you may be able to claim under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Is my payment protected when I book a day out?
Paying by credit card gives you protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 for purchases between £100 and £30,000, and chargeback may apply to card payments of any value. Paying by debit card or bank transfer depends on the company's terms, so the protection is weaker and you should check the refund policy before paying.
Which bodies regulate day out and experience providers in the UK?
The Competition and Markets Authority and Trading Standards enforce consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Activity providers may also be regulated by sector bodies, such as the Health and Safety Executive for adventure activities or the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions for attractions.
What should I look for in reviews of day out companies?
Look for reviews that describe the specific activity you plan to book, and check whether they are recent, since staff, venues and prices change over time. Pay attention to comments about refunds, rescheduling and how complaints were handled, as these show how the company behaves when things go wrong.
Are reviews of day out companies genuine?
Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, businesses are prohibited from posting fake reviews and from suppressing negative ones. Look for reviews that mention concrete details such as the date, the venue and what was included, as these are harder to fabricate than vague praise.
Latest reviews in Days & nights out
cheaper than doing it ourselves
Compared with booking the flights and a hotel separately, this worked out cheaper for the two of us. The villa week in Puglia had…
hotel booking through the app
Booked a boutique hotel in Bath through the app, which I use all the time for work trips. Room type and breakfast were both as selected…
Been using them for years
I've been buying days out from them for about six years now, mostly for birthdays and the odd anniversary. The thing that keeps me coming…
Booked a river cruise through the site
I wanted a cabin with a balcony for our anniversary cruise on the Rhine, and the site made it easy to find one. The room was exactly as…
my first time using them
Used the site for the first time to book a parking space near the station. Slot showed up in the app straight away but the instructions for…
Needed a cheap break for the kids half term
I needed somewhere cheap to take the kids during half term and had little time to plan. Found a self catering place on the site that cost…