UK museum and hub of space science
The government has confirmed that most under-16s will not pay for travel on most local bus services throughout August, easing cost pressures during the school holidays. The Department for Transport is also promoting VAT cuts on family-friendly attractions and a new bus fare cap set to start next year.
UK theme parks and Halloween events are rolling out discounts for advance bookings as a new wave of attractions launches. Thorpe Park marks 25 years of Fright Nights with a brand‑new scare maze and reimagined shows, while Universal Studios adds a daytime behind‑the‑scenes tour. Other family deals cover travel, memberships and multi‑attraction passes.
A total solar eclipse has crossed parts of Spain, Iceland and Greenland while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from the UK since 1999. Scientists have used airborne and balloon experiments to study the Sun's corona and the event has drawn large crowds despite patchy clouds and local viewing limits.