National Lottery Open Week 2026. Free and discounted days out near Northamptonshire

National Lottery Open Week 2026 is back from 7 to 15 March, and it’s basically a little gift to families who love a bargain day out. Show a National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard, or Instant Win Game and you can unlock free entry, discounts, and special offers at lots of Lottery-funded venues.

As National Lottery Open Week ambassador Joanna Page puts it, “The best days out are always the ones you don’t see coming.” Joanna Page

Below are the offers showing up close to Northamptonshire right now, with the key details so you can plan quickly. Always double check each offer’s rules before you travel, because entry limits and “who’s covered” varies by venue.

How it works:

1. Keep any National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard, or Instant Win Game (paper or digital). Many places also accept proof of play online.
2. Check the dates carefully, some offers only run on certain days within 7 to 15 March.
3. For digital tickets, download it before you arrive. Some venues mention signal can be patchy.
4. Expect “subject to availability”, and in a few cases you’ll need to book ahead.

Local offers near Northamptonshire for National Lottery Open Week Northamptonshire 2026

Delapré Abbey (Northampton)

Free general admission
Dates: 8 March, 11 to 12 March, 15 March
Opening: 11am to 4pm (last entry 3pm)
Booking: no pre-booking required
How it works: free entry when you show your National Lottery ticket. One ticket covers one adult and accompanying children under 18.

Wellingborough Eco Group (Swanspool Pavilion).

Free hot drink and cake
Date: 7 March
Opening: 10am to 4pm
Booking: no booking needed
What’s on: open day and craft fair, with Swap Shop, Food Sharers, local stalls, and café. Show a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard to claim one free hot drink and a cake (per ticket).

Cowper and Newton Museum (Olney)

2 for 1 entry
Dates: 7 March, 10 to 14 March
Opening: 11am to 4:30pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Booking: not required (group bookings are different)
Why go: a lovely, family-friendly way to step into Georgian Olney. The offer is 2 for 1 entry with proof of National Lottery play.

Also check out: Things To Do In Northamptonshire For Families

National Trust. Canons Ashby (Northants).

Free entry
Dates: 7 to 14 March (not available on Sunday 15 March, Mother’s Day)
Booking: generally not required, but some properties may have limited free admissions and ask for advance booking
Who’s covered: one National Lottery ticket can cover one adult and up to 4 children (under 18). Under 5s are free
Tip: download your ticket before arriving, signal can be patchy

National Trust. Stowe Gardens (Buckinghamshire).

Free entry
Dates: 7 to 14 March (not available on Sunday 15 March, Mother’s Day)
How it works: the same National Trust Open Week rules apply, show your National Lottery ticket at reception for free entry during open hours.

Wildlife Trust BCN (Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre)

Half-price membership plus a free gift
Dates: 7 to 15 March
Who it’s for: new joiners only (not existing or renewing members)
How it works: show a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard at the Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre and join by Direct Debit to get 50% off the first 12 months, plus a free gift. One membership and one free gift per household. After the first year, it returns to full price.

HomeGround Cafe at Milton Keynes YMCA.

25% off hot drinks
Dates: 9 to 13 March
Opening: Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4pm
Booking: no booking needed
How it works: show proof of a National Lottery ticket purchase to get 25% off hot drinks.

Buckingham Old Gaol Museum (Buckingham)

Free entry
Dates: 7 March, 9 to 14 March
Opening: 10am, last entry 3:15pm
How it works: adults visit free with a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard (online/app play accepted too)
Accessibility note: the museum has two floors, upper floor is stairs only, but there’s lift access to the ground floor.

BFI Escapes at Savoy Cinemas Corby.

Free special film preview of Amélie
Date and time: 9 March, screening at 18:00
Booking: not required, but strongly recommended to book in advance via the Escapes website
How it works: free tickets as part of National Lottery Open Week. Entry is subject to seat availability, and the offer notes a max of 2 tickets.

English Heritage. Wrest Park (Silsoe, Bedfordshire).

Free entry
Dates: 7 to 8 March, 11 to 15 March
Booking: not essential, but you can book online using code NLOPENWEEK26
Who’s covered: one Lottery game allows access for one adult and two children (book a ticket for each visitor)
Important: bring proof of purchase of a National Lottery game on the day, even if you pre-book.

Ladbroke Church (Warwickshire).

Free bespoke tours
Dates: 11 March, 14 to 15 March
Booking: required (by email)
What’s special: you can choose a 30 minute to 2 hour tour focusing on the church history, stained glass, fossils, or village history (they suggest at least 1 hour for the village tour)
Who’s covered: one National Lottery ticket covers a tour for up to 6 people

Guide Dogs National Centre (Bishops Tachbrook, near Leamington Spa).

Free tour
Date: 9 March
Booking: required in advance via Eventbrite, using discount code GDNLOW to remove ticket cost
What to expect: a behind-the-scenes tour with teas and coffee at the end
Location note: the offer listing is for the Guide Dogs National Centre

Want to find even more offers?

More offers are added regularly. The easiest way is to use the official National Lottery Open Week site and filter by postcode, date, and category.

The National Lottery Open Week Northamptonshire 2026 events listed in this guide are run by third-party organisers, and all details were correct at the time of publication, based on information from their official websites. However, changes or cancellations can happen at short notice. To avoid any disappointment, we recommend double-checking the event information on the official websites before making plans.