The National Art Pass isn’t just galleries – here’s what else you can see

From codebreaking museums to Cold War submarines, the National Art Pass you get free with Boundless Plus membership unlocks some amazing days out.

One of the many benefits of being a Boundless Plus member is that you get free access to the National Art Pass. Don’t really like art galleries? Well, here’s the thing – the National Art Pass unlocks free or discounted entry (or in some cases money off in the shop or café) at hundreds of attractions across the UK – not just art galleries but museums, stately homes, historic dockyards, and much more.

Whether you're looking for a family day out, a memorable date or a place to spend some time on your own, there's a huge variety of experiences waiting for you to discover. To prove it, we've handpicked some of our favourites, categorising them by geographical area to help you find something close to where you live. Let the adventures begin!

National Art Pass attractions in London and the South East

Getty ImagesEltham Palace and Gardens

Cared for by English Heritage, Eltham Palace (pictured above) is loved by historians for its dramatic contrast in styles. At its heart is a grand medieval hall that harks back to the palace’s days as a royal residence, while just a few steps away is the stunning Art Deco house commissioned in the 1930s by eccentric tycoons Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. There’s plenty to see, including the exquisite dining room and Virginia’s gold-plated bathroom. Afterwards, explore the outdoor area, which includes a sunken rose garden and a children’s playground.

National Art Pass offer: Get free entry to Eltham Palace and Gardens.

Sir John Soane's Museum

One of Britain’s most renowned architects, Sir John Soane loved amassing weird and wonderful artefacts. Located in London, his former home has been left exactly how it was when he passed away in 1837, giving visitors the chance to discover his incredible collection. As you browse this multi-storeyed museum, you’ll stumble upon ancient sculptures, paintings by the likes of Turner and Canaletto, more than 30,000 architectural drawings and more. It’s a veritable treasure trove for the whole family.

National Art Pass offer: While the museum is free for all, the National Art Pass will enable you to save 10% in the museum shop.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

If you don’t like art, here’s something that might float your boat. A key maritime hub from the 16th century until the 1980s, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is now an award-winning attraction offering 80 acres of activities for adults and kids alike. You’ll get to climb aboard historic warships, take a ride on a vintage steam railway, marvel at feats of Victorian engineering, explore interactive exhibitions and even set foot on a genuine Cold War submarine. All aboard for a great day out!

National Art Pass offer: Get free entry to The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

National Art Pass attractions in the South West and Wales

Lily Amateur via UnsplashNo. 1 Royal Crescent

With the possible exception of Coronation Street, Bath’s Royal Crescent is just about the most recognisable row of houses in the UK. A masterpiece of Georgian architecture when viewed from the front, it’s equally fascinating once you step inside – and you’ll get the chance to do that at No. 1 Royal Crescent. The first house to be built on the street is now an immersive museum, magnificently restored to its 18th- century pomp. With period furniture, paintings and objects complemented by audiovisual effects, it offers a tantalising trip back in time.

National Art Pass offer: Get 50% off entry to No. 1 Royal Crescent.

Tyntesfield

Having made their fortune in the Peruvian guano trade, the Gibbs family built Tyntesfield – a Gothic Revival house near Bristol. Now cared for by the National Trust, this breathtaking property attracts thousands of visitors every year, who come here to explore the lavishly furnished rooms, admire the chapel – joined to the main house by a bridge – and discover the patchwork of outdoor spaces. During your visit, enjoy a cuppa in Home Farm Café, housed in a grade II-listed Victorian dairy.

National Art Pass offer: Get free entry to Tyntesfield.

St Fagans National Museum of History

If you want to know how Welsh people lived in days gone by, then St Fagans National Museum of History is the place to go. Hailed as “the UK’s first open-air museum”, this 100-acre ‘village’ features over 40 buildings cherrypicked from across Wales and painstakingly rebuilt here. From woollen mills to workmen’s institutes, merchant’s houses to medieval churches, there’s plenty to explore, while working demonstrations and craft stalls add a live-action slant to proceedings.

National Art Pass offer: While the museum is free for all, the National Art Pass will enable you to save 10% in the museum shop and café.

National Art Pass attractions in the Midlands and the East

Getty ImagesBletchley Park

Britain’s Second World War campaign wasn’t just fought on the battlefield. Behind the scenes at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire (pictured above), codebreakers worked around the clock to uncover the enemy’s secrets and gain an advantage. Nowadays, Bletchley is a hugely popular museum complete with faithfully recreated ‘war rooms’, interactive displays and audiovisual experiences. No matter what your age, you’ll love unravelling this remarkable story and learning about the brilliant minds that helped Britain emerge victorious.

National Art Pass offer: Get 50% off entry to Bletchley Park.

Coughton Court

A grand Tudor mansion in the heart of Warwickshire, Coughton Court has its fair share of stories to tell. Home to the Throckmorton family for centuries, it played a key role in both the 1605 Gunpowder Plot and the Catholic emancipation of the 19th century. Walking through the house is an enthralling experience, with gripping tales, family portraits and period furnishings around every turn. And the gardens are equally rewarding, from the sweetly scented Rose Labyrinth to the historic Orchard, teeming with fruit.

National Art Pass offer: Get free entry to Coughton Court.

The Coffin Works

Satisfy your morbid fascination with a trip to Newman Brothers’ former factory in Birmingham. The company manufactured coffin furniture for over a century – even supplying fittings for the likes of Princess Diana and the Queen Mother – before finally ‘closing the lid’ on operations in 1998. Visiting The Coffin Works is like stepping into a time capsule, with machinery and tools left exactly as they were when the factory closed its doors all those years ago. Downbeat it may be, but it’s also deadly fascinating.

National Art Pass offer: Get 50% off entry to The Coffin Works.

National Art Pass attractions in the North

Getty ImagesYorkshire Sculpture Park

There’s something very surreal about walking round the corner to find a giant sculpture standing in your way. You can expect that to happen a lot at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, though. Spread across 500 acres of rolling parkland, it features 90 extraordinary works by artists from around the world – including such luminaries as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Ai Weiwei. Add in a natural play space for the kids, and you have a great day out for the whole family.

National Art Pass offer: Get free entry to Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

The Bowes Museum

So vast was the collection amassed by 19th-century art enthusiast John Bowes and his wife Josephine, they built a chateau-style country house to contain it all. Set within 22 acres of landscaped parkland, The Bowes Museum is much more than just a gallery – this opulent attraction houses more than 58,000 objects, from paintings to porcelain, fashions to furniture. Highlights include the remarkable Silver Swan – a lifesize replica containing 2,000 moving parts – and one of the largest lace collections in the world.

National Art Pass offer: Get free entry to The Bowes Museum, along with any temporary exhibitions.

People's History Museum

For decades, ordinary folk in Britain have been fighting – sometimes literally – to get their voices heard. Located in Manchester, the People's History Museum brings some of their stories to life, focusing on the campaigns and protests that have helped shape politics in this country and beyond. Containing a wealth of exhibits, from posters and badges to over 95,000 photographs, it’s both an educational and thought-provoking experience.

National Art Pass offer: While the museum is free for all, the National Art Pass will enable you to save 20% in the museum shop and café.

National Art Pass attractions in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Getty ImagesJupiter Artland

OK, Jupiter Artland is a gallery, but definitely not in the traditional sense. Situated just outside Edinburgh, this award-winning attraction sees dozens of contemporary artworks scattered across 120 acres of meadows and woodlands. As you make your way around, you’ll come across numerous installations and immersive experiences, with Tracey Emin and Laura Aldridge among the artists represented. With temporary exhibitions also happening throughout the year, it’s a nature walk like no other.

National Art Pass offer: Get 50% off entry to Jupiter Artland.

Dovecot Studios

Established in 1912 by weavers from William Morris’s workshops, Edinburgh’s Dovecot Studios is now one of the world's leading tapestry studios. Housed in what was once a Victorian swimming pool, it offers a fascinating and inspirational visitor experience. Skilled needleworkers can be seen diligently crafting their latest masterpieces, while exhibitions by leading international artists prove that this centuries-old tradition is still very much alive across the globe.

National Art Pass offer: Get 50% off exhibitions at Dovecot Studios.

Ulster Transport Museum

Planes, trains and automobiles are in abundance at the Ulster Transport Museum – one of Belfast’s most popular attractions. Celebrating engineering innovation in Northern Ireland, it’s packed with eye-popping displays, including vintage buses and bikes, horse-drawn carriages, a DeLorean car – just like the one in Back to the Future – and even a model replica of the Titanic. After seeing all these awesome vehicles, driving home in your family hatchback will seem boring by comparison!

National Art Pass offer: Get free entry to the Ulster Transport Museum.

^{This article was accurate at the time of publication. Please note information and offers shown may change over time.}