T

oday’s England is a cunning blend of old and new, something which is reflected in the huge array of freebie days out on offer.

Traditionalists will love visiting England’s many museums and art galleries , many of which offer free permanent displays to explore.

Similarly, England’s churches, cathedrals and stately homes have free days for visitors - check the  National Trust to find out more, or Roman sites such as Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum in Tyne and Wear.

But England also does modern free entertainment as well, with free concerts and cinema screenings popular during the summer months.

These usually take place around major festivals such as the Birmingham Artsfest, Brighton or Cheltenham Festivals , so check the websites of those for more info. In London, art centres such as the Barbican and the South Bank also regularly offer free shows. Seek, and you shall find.

If you’re after some furry family fun, take the kids to one of the numerous city farms or attend an open day at an animal sanctuary - such as  The Donkey Sanctuary in Devon where sick and neglected donkeys are cared for.

If you’ve ever fancied appearing on TV, then maybe your best chance is to sign up for programme audiences. There are plenty of places to sign up for email alerts . Similarly BBC Radio also gives away free audience tickets on a first-come first-served basis.

You may have noticed England is choc-full of enticing green spaces with lush grass, perfumed flowers and acres of room to wander in. In London, Greenwich Park has terrific views across the river to Canary Wharf, Regent's Park boasts fragrant rose gardens and Richmond Park guards ancient trees and roaming deer.

And you can’t go far without bumping into something really ancient. The Avebury stone circle in Wiltshire is thought to be over 4,000 years old and wandering freely among the stones is a magical experience.

The  Cerne Abbas giant a huge, naked figure etched in chalk on a hillside near Dorchester is also shrouded in mystery, and the  Uffington white chalk horse  is equally awesome in scale.

For more details on England’s free ancient monuments visit the National Trust .