The best discounts for over 60s in the UK

If you’re entering your 60s or have already passed the milestone, then reduced bills, travel savings, and discounts at cinemas and attractions are just some of the things you can enjoy. There are many advantages to being older, and the fantastic variety of discounts available to those in later life are just some of them.

It doesn’t matter if you have just turned 60; you will find discounts here to help you. Whether shopping for essential items or simply saving on attractions and travel, this guide has collected some of the best over 60 discounts in the UK and deals for pensioners to help you take advantage of the savings available.

What discounts are available for over 60s?

Over 60 discounts on travel

National Rail senior railcard

Do you travel a lot on the train? An over-60s railcard will help you save money. Every year, National Rail offers an annual senior discount card that offers a third off all rail fares as well as discounts on days out, holidays and even theatre tickets.

Over 60s can buy this railcard for £30 for one year or £70 for three years, and it saves an average of up to £76 a year for older people.

Some of its special offers can be seen below:

• Virgin Wines: £50 to spend on wine
• Railbookers: enjoy 5% off rail holidays
• Cottages.com: save 5% on a booking with the firm
• Haven Holidays: save up to £50 off holiday prices

Pensioner’s bus pass

One of the best over 60 discounts available is the pensioner’s bus pass. Those in England can get a bus pass to enjoy free travel once they reach the state pension age.

In Wales, the offering is even better, as you have access to a bus pass when you are 60. In Scotland, those over 60 can get free bus travel via the National Entitlement Card.

Free London travel

If you’re over 60 and living in one of the 32 London Boroughs, you can ride the capital’s public transport for free with the 60+ Oyster Card.

The Freedom Travel Pass also allows older adults who reach pension age to travel free across London and enjoy free local bus journeys nationally, too. For those over 60s outside of London who have a bus pass, you’ll be able to use it on London’s buses for free.

Discount travel in Wales and Scotland

With the Arriva Club 55 and the ScotRail Club 50 card,  people can get discounted travel on local buses in Wales and Scotland. Scotland also offers free travel on national bus services, and in some areas, older people can enjoy free rail travel.

National Express senior coach card

With the National Express Senior Coach Card, older adults can save a 1/3 on Standard and Fully Flexible coach fares to hundreds of towns, cities and airports across the UK.

With the card, there are no restrictions on-peak and off-peak travel times, so you can travel when it suits you best, including on public holidays, bank holidays and weekends.

Interrail pass

Interrail is a fantastic European rail pass, but over 60s can get even more discounts, with 10% off rail fares. The Pass lets you explore 33 countries by train, and if you want to travel Europe and see some of the sights, a pass like this is a great way to save money.

Discounted flights

Over 60s can benefit from discounts from a variety of airlines, and if you’re going on holiday, it is something you should look out for when making a booking.

Airlines like British Airways have previously offered 25% off their year-round fares to the UK and Europe, while other airlines such as Air France, Delta, and American Airlines also offer special discounts for older people.

Discounted hotels

When booking a hotel, you might find that the hotel offers discounts for over 60s. For example, RH Hotels has discounts for over 60s in locations like Benidorm, Calpe, Gandia, and Peñiscola y Vinaros. They also offer free wine and water at meals if you are over 60.

Other over 60 hotel discounts:

• Travelodge: offers 25% discount on stays.
• Princess Hotels & Resorts: up to 20% extra discount on certain destinations.
• Marriott Hotels and Resorts (now referred to as Marriott Bonvoy): offer anything from 5 to 30% discount for Seniors (62 and over) depending on the hotel and room rate.
• Radisson Hotels: typically the business offer a 10% discount off their standard rates for “senior citizens”.
• Hilton Hotels: for guests 65 years of age or older, you can save up to 7% on stays.

Over 60 discounts on attractions and activities

National Trust senior membership

If you love exploring areas of outstanding natural beauty or old buildings, then the National Trust Senior Membership is something you can benefit from.

The Senior Membership is offered to over 60s who have been a member of the National Trust for five years out of the previous 10. Those who qualify will get a hugely discounted membership, which is 25 per cent off the normal adult rates. It’s just £63 for a senior membership, while a joint membership is just £104.40.

With this, you can explore more than 500 places, and below are just a few of the attractions you can enjoy:

• Chartwell
• Cragside
• Polesden Lacey
• Snowshill Manor

READ ALSO: 5 National Trust locations to visit in Gloucestershire

English Heritage senior membership

With English Heritage, over 65s can take advantage of a cheaper membership, and this gives you unlimited access to over 400 historic sites across the UK.

It costs £63 for an annual senior membership, while a regular individual adult membership costs £69. A joint senior membership is £96 compared to a general joint adult membership, which costs £120.

As well as being able to access all the historic places, members can get free entry for up to six children, a free handbook for planning your days out, free or reduced entry to events occurring throughout the year, a subscription to a quarterly magazine and special offers on other brands.

READ ALSO: 5 English Heritage locations to visit in London

Royal Horticultural Society senior life membership

The Royal Horticultural Society has some fantastic locations across the country, perfect for anyone who loves gardens and plants. They offer a discounted life membership for over 60s, helping individuals save over £500, and joint members can save even more. It’s a great saving that also includes all the benefits of being an RHS member, such as free entry to their five amazing gardens.

Cinema tickets

Got some time on your hands? Sometimes, there is nothing more appealing than relaxing with a good film. Going to the cinema can be a real treat, especially for movie lovers, and can be enjoyed alone or with friends.

There are various cinema ticket discounts available to those over 60 years old, including:

• Odeon Silver Cinema screenings are from just £3.50, and the price includes tea, coffee, and biscuits.
• Vue cinemas Senior Screenings are discounted for over 60s and include a cup of tea and a biscuit.
• At Empire Cinemas, their ‘Seniors’ screening tickets are just £3.75, taking place every Wednesday morning with tea, coffee, and a biscuit before the screening.
• At Showcase, every Monday, senior admission to any standard film starting before 12pm costs just £5.
• Everyman has their Silver Screen programme for over 55s, with tickets including a hot drink and a slice of cake, and there are also concession tickets for seniors at all their cinemas.

Museum discounts

Many museums in the UK offer discounts for over 60s, so it’s always worth double-checking with the museum you would like to visit. While some museums are free to enter, they can offer discounts on special events.

Some museum discounts for over 60s include:

• Imperial War Museums – Standard adult tickets cost £27.25, but with an over 65 discount, you can gain entry for £24.50.
• Tate Modern – Although the museum is free to enter, there are special exhibitions and displays that charge. Over 60s can enter these special exhibitions for a discounted £11–£22 compared to a standard ticket costing £15-£25.
• London Transport Museum: There are concessions on annual passes for over 60s.

Theatre discounts

Love going to the theatre? Many local and national theatres offer concessionary tickets for over 60s, providing great discounts for select performances and sometimes annual senior memberships. For example, at the National Theatre in London, everyone over 60 years old can save money on midweek matinees with £20 off £66 and £56 tickets for shows in the Lyttelton and Olivier theatres. At the Dorfman Theatre, higher priced tickets for shows are reduced to £36 for midweek matinees.

The Royal Shakespeare Company offers discounted tickets for those over 65 on selected performances. You can get a 20% discount on all seats for Monday and Tuesday evening performances and all midweek matinees. You can purchase a maximum of nine tickets per transaction using this discount.

There are other theatres that offer ticket discounts for over 60s, and here is a list of some of them:

• Birmingham Hippodrome: the theatre offers ticket discounts for people who are 65 and over, but the prices can vary depending on the performance you are going to see.
• Savoy Theatre: there are special offers available for over 60s for select shows, but you will need to check with the box office.
• Theatre Royal Glasgow: concessions are different depending on the show, but anyone over the age of 60 can get discounts on tickets.

Royal Botanical Kew Gardens

There are discounted rates available for one of the UK’s biggest attractions. The Royal Botanical Kew Gardens offers discounted tickets for over 65s on both advanced and standard tickets. So, if you are looking for a lovely day out or somewhere nice to bring the grandchildren, this is a great option.

Golf discounts

While 80% of golf clubs do not offer discounts for over 60s, there are a select few who do provide a reduced membership. You can discover if there is a golf club near you that offers a membership discount via Golf Support. There are locations from Glasgow and Liverpool to Bristol and London with discounts to take advantage of.

Football discounts

Football ticket prices can be expensive, especially in the Premier League, but many clubs across the UK do offer discounts for senior citizens. Below is a snapshot of clubs which offer discounts on football tickets for over 60s in the 2023/24 season.

• Arsenal: member ticket prices for the lower tier of the family enclosure are £30 for category A tickets, compared to £70 for adults.
• Newcastle United: senior citizens (aged 65 years and over on 1 September of the relevant season) receive up to 25% discount on standard price.
• Everton: in the 2022/23 season, season tickets for 65-year-olds and older were £330, whilst a full-priced adult season ticket ranges from £465 to £625.

Over 60 restaurant discounts

Eating out can be very expensive but there are lots of special discounts available to over 60s, with food chains offering special memberships and schemes to seniors. Here are some of the over 60 restaurant discounts in the UK:

• Greene King Pubs – Senior menus are offered at reduced prices
• Hungry Horse – Golden Years menus are available to over 60s, entitling diners to two courses for around £4.
• Tastecard – This offers 50% off food for two-for-one meals at more than 6,000 UK restaurants. Membership costs £1 for 60 days.
• Fish and chips senior meal deals – There are many fish and chip shops across the UK that offer seniors discounted meal deals. Other outlets offer a ‘Senior Fish and Chips’ portion for those with less of an appetite.

You can also check out voucher websites like VoucherCodes where you can find great discounts on some of the UK’s biggest restaurant chains. Even if there isn’t one aimed at over 60s specifically, you will be able to take advantage of the savings.

READ ALSO: Every premier league team ranked by accessibility

Over 60 health and fitness discounts

Free eye tests, prescriptions and dental work

Over 60s are entitled to a free annual eye test, and you should book your appointment as normal and then notify the staff that you are eligible for a free test on arrival.

In England, you might be entitled to free NHS dental care, but this is dependent on what benefits you receive and your circumstances.

Over 60s in Wales can make the most of free dental examinations. Residents in Wales should notify the receptionist as they might not know that you qualify for the free prescription.

Discount on glasses

Specsavers is one of the UK’s largest opticians, and they offer customers who are over 60 a special 20%discount off all glasses and contact lenses when you buy any single pair of glasses from its £69 range or above. This discount also includes extra options such as treatments to protect your lenses or sun protection.

This means you could save over £17. Other opticians also offer discounts for over 60s, so it is worth checking what you could be entitled to.

Discounts at Boots

The Boots Advantage Cards give over 60s large discounts on their range of products, including 8 points for every pound you spend on Boots' own-brand products.

Every point you earn is equivalent to a penny you can spend in-store, and once you’ve saved up a few points, it can save you a lot of money on different products.

Boots also offer over 60s savings on glasses or prescription sunglasses of 10%. Hearing-aid wearers can also get free hearing aids test and save 15% on all hearing aids.

Discounts on gym memberships

Looking to stay healthy but don’t want to fork out too much for a pricey membership? The good news is that there are discounts available for over 60s at various gyms across the country. Speak to one of your local gyms or visit their website to see what they offer.

For example, Total Fitness has an over-65 membership, providing people over 65 with maximum access to their gym for a reduced price. The discounted membership includes access to the swimming pools at Total Fitness, the fitness classes, and the heat treatment areas.

Everyone Active is another leading gym operator that offers a senior membership aimed at those over 66, providing access to all of their facilities and classes.

Better Health offers a senior discount membership. If you’re 66 and over you can access a range of gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes, all at a competitive price.

Freedom Leisure operates more than 100 leisure, and cultural venues across the UK. The senior membership is for customers over 65 years of age, and they offer three membership options:

• Senior Fitness Direct:  All-inclusive access to their pools, gyms & classes.
• Senior Swim Direct:  For use of their pools and water-based classes only.
• Senior Active:  This is a one annual payment with discount prices on activities.

The Ramblers Association

You can become a member of the Ramblers Association at a discounted rate if you receive only the state pension as your source of income. Membership entitles you to thousands of walking routes, unlimited access to guided group walks, savings on gear, and much more. This concessionary rate applies to people who are 60 years of age or above.

READ ALSO: How swimming can help improve your fitness

Over 60 discounts on shopping

Discounts at Iceland and Food Warehouse

Iceland became the first supermarket to offer special discounts for over 60s, providing 10% off their shopping every Tuesday for customers who are over 60. There is no minimum spend, and customers can also use the discount at The Food Warehouse branches. To get Iceland over 60 discounts, you just need to show proof of age, such as a driver’s licence or bus pass.

Discounts at B&Q

B&Q offer deals on products every Wednesday. All you have to do is join the B&Q Club, and you’ll get emailed vouchers, exclusive offers, receive 10% off key cuttings and van rental discounts.

Discounts on MOTs, tyres, servicing

With ATS Euromaster, over 60s can find great savings on various car-related items. When you join their Club 60, you can receive year-round discounts on the likes of MOTs, air con recharge, and wheel alignment, as well as 15% off servicing, brakes, steering and suspension, exhausts, batteries and more.

Discounts at Asda

Asda is one of the largest supermarkets in the UK, and it is offering soup and a bread roll for £1 to over 60s as well as unlimited tea and coffee in any of its 205 cafés. This initiative was initially going to just run over the winter months, but the supermarket chain has extended it for the foreseeable future.

Discounts at Waitrose

In partnership with Caffè Nero, Waitrose has a hot drink offer for members of its myWaitrose loyalty scheme, which is free to join. You will need to bring your own cup to avoid being charged for a reusable one, and make a purchase - but there's no minimum spend to get your free drink.

READ ALSO: How to manage your money in older age

Over 60 discounts for the home

Winter fuel payment

To help with energy payments, those born on or before 25 September 1956 can receive between £250 and £600 from the UK government – this is known as the ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. You can also receive a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’ of between £150 and £300 – this extra amount is only received between winter 2023 and 2024. You can see how much you will get here on the UK government website.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

If you receive the guaranteed element of Pension Credit, you can get a discount on your winter electricity bill. Known as the Warm Home Discount Scheme, it runs every year and can provide £150 off your bill between October and March. You might be able to receive a discount on your gas bill instead if your provider supplies both gas and electricity.

Free TV Licence

If you are over 75, and you, or your partner living at the same address, are receiving Pension Credit, you can get a free TV licence. Then you can watch all your favourite programmes on the likes of BBC and ITV without having to worry about paying for it. You can find out more information about free TV licences here.

Discounts on vet bills

We love our pets, but the vet bills can really add up, especially when money is tight. Ask your local vets to see if there are any discounts for over 60s. One way you can save money as a pet owner is with the Dog Trust, which offers 50% off their membership for over 60s, which includes unlimited access to 24-hour emergency advice, 3rd party public liability insurance, and a card that guarantees Dog Trust will take care of your dog should you pass away.

Handyperson services

Age UK offers handyperson services at more than 70 locations across the country in order to help older people who need extra help with small, practical jobs around the home. If you need a job doing, this is a great option to consider, as it will likely save you money and make sure the job is done safely.

Financial help for grandparents

If you are a grandparent who helps care for a grandchild, you could be entitled to tax credits in the amount of £250 per year. You are eligible if you spend time each week caring for a grandchild under the age of 12. You can find out more information here, as well as eligibility criteria.

READ ALSO: Interior design for wellbeing: making your house a haven

There are many discounts available for over 60s across all aspects of life, from travel and shopping to health and fitness. Hopefully, the discounts in this article help you save money.

This article was brought to you by Handicare, working with Age Co, who provide a range of home mobility products such as stairlifts, homelifts and bathing solutions. For more information about how they can help make your home more accessible please get in touch.

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