I’ve never been much of a gambler, but that might change this March. Hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues are opening their doors for free and doling out discounts and special offers – all for the price of a lottery ticket or scratchcard – as National Lottery Open Week returns (Saturday, March 15 to Sunday, March 23, 2025).
Each week, £30 million is raised for ‘Good Causes’ by people playing The National Lottery. A lot of this money ends up going towards supporting Lottery-funded venues like historical houses, castles, museums, sports venues, art galleries, theatres, and wildlife hotspots. National Lottery Open Week is their way of saying thank you!
How do I take advantage of National Lottery Open Week?
It’s really quite easy. Just show a National Lottery ticket, Instant Win Game, or scratchcard (physical or digital) during National Lottery Open Week at any participating National Lottery-supported project, and you will be able to take up its special offer.
The special offer could include anything from free entry to behind-the-scenes tours or a complimentary gift. And who doesn’t love free stuff?
What venues are taking part in London?
Last year, over 500 venues across the UK took part, with a similar number taking part this year. We’ve highlighted just a handful of our favourite offers from the National Lottery Open Week in the capital:
- Charles Dickens Museum – Free entry – 19 – 21 March 2025
- HMS Belfast – 2 for 1 entry – 15-23 March 2025
- Brunel Museum – Free entry – 15, 16, 22 and 23 March 2025
- World Rugby Museum – 2 for 1 entry – 15-16 & 18-23 March 2025
- RAF Museum London – 2 for 1 on 4D Theatre and Flight Simulator – 15-23 March 2025
- Tower of London – 50% off tickets – 15-23 March 2025
- Kensington Palace – 50% off tickets – 15-16 and 19-23 March
- Alexandra Palace – Free entry for BBC Studio tours – 18 March 2025
- Florence Nightingale Museum – Free entry – 15-16 & 18-23 March 2025
- Royal Geographical Society – Free guided tour – 17 March 2025
- Chelsea Physic Garden – £5 entry – 17-21 & 23 March 2025
- Horniman Butterfly House – Free entry – 15-23 March 2025
- Cutty Sark and the Royal Observatory Greenwich – 2 for 1 entry – 15-23 March 2025
- Walthamstow Wetlands Nature Reserve – Guided walk and 20% off in café – 23 March 2025
- Shakespeare’s Globe – 2 for 1 on tours – 15-23 March 2025
To see all participating National Lottery-funded venues in London and across the UK, head here.