Comprehensive Guide to Free Items and Services Across the UK: In-Store and Online

In-Store Freebies

• Free samples at Costco UK - Available daily throughout warehouses nationwide; simply wander through and visit sample stations. No membership required for samples, though you'll need one to make purchases. Find your nearest warehouse at costco.co.uk/warehouse-locations. Weekends typically offer more samples than weekdays, with peak times between 11am-3pm.

• Complimentary makeovers at Boots - Book a free 15-minute "Quick Fix" or 30-minute makeover at No7 counters; booking recommended via boots.com/no7/no7-services. Available at larger Boots stores with No7 beauty counters. For best availability, book 1-2 weeks in advance, especially for weekend appointments.

• Free skincare consultations at Space NK - Receive personalised skincare advice from trained consultants; no appointment necessary at most branches. Find your nearest boutique at spacenk.com/gb/stores. Consultations typically last 15-20 minutes and include product recommendations tailored to your skin concerns.

• Coffee and tea tastings at Whittard of Chelsea - Many branches offer complimentary tea and coffee tastings; check whittard.co.uk/stores for locations. Tastings are particularly generous on quieter weekday afternoons, with staff often happy to let you sample multiple varieties.

• Perfume samples at John Lewis & Partners - Visit fragrance counters and request samples of specific scents; they'll provide small vials or spray cards. Find stores at johnlewis.com/our-shops. Most accommodating if you express genuine interest in purchasing eventually; limit requests to 2-3 samples per visit.

• Free health checks at Lloyds Pharmacy - Blood pressure, BMI, and type 2 diabetes risk assessments available at most branches; book at lloydspharmacy.com/pages/health-services. Services vary by location, with larger branches offering more comprehensive checks. Some stores also offer free cholesterol checks during promotional periods.

• Blood pressure checks at Tesco Pharmacy - Use their free self-service blood pressure machines; available during pharmacy hours at larger stores. Find your nearest Tesco Pharmacy at tesco.com/store-locator. No appointment needed; simply request access from the pharmacy counter staff.

• Free Wi-Fi at Waterstones - Connect to "Waterstones" network; no password or purchase required. Find branches at waterstones.com/bookshops. Connection speeds vary by location, but most offer reliable service suitable for browsing and email.

• Birthday treats at Greggs - Download the Greggs app and join Greggs Rewards for a free sweet treat on your birthday; greggs.co.uk/rewards. Must register at least 31 days before your birthday to qualify. The reward is typically valid for one month from your birthday date.

• DIY workshops at B&Q - Free "You Can Do It" classes at select stores; check diy.com/customer-support/you-can-do-it for schedule. Workshops cover topics like tiling, painting, and basic plumbing. Materials are provided, and sessions typically last 1-2 hours. Pre-registration essential as spaces fill quickly.

• Tech support at Apple Store - Book a free session with a "Genius" at apple.com/uk/retail/geniusbar; available to all Apple product owners. Sessions last approximately 15 minutes and cover troubleshooting, basic tutorials, and advice. Book 3-5 days in advance for best availability.

• Free eye tests at Vision Express - NHS-funded eye tests for eligible groups (under 16, over 60, receiving certain benefits, diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma); book at visionexpress.com/eye-test. Tests take approximately 30 minutes and include digital retinal photography at most locations.

• Children's crafts at Hobbycraft - "Kids Craft Club" sessions on weekends at most stores; check hobbycraft.co.uk/store-events for schedule. Activities typically last 15-30 minutes and are suitable for children aged 4-11. Materials provided free of charge; no booking required but arrive early as spaces are limited.

• Story time at Waterstones - Regular children's story sessions at most branches; check local store's events page at waterstones.com/events. Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes and often include activities related to the featured book. Best suited for children aged 3-8.

• Free alterations at Marks & Spencer - Basic alterations on full-price formal wear and suits; bring receipt and allow 7-10 days. Service available at larger stores with fitting rooms; check marksandspencer.com/stores for locations. Includes trouser hemming and sleeve adjustments.

• Tyre pressure checks at Kwik Fit - Drive up to any centre for free air checks and inflation; no appointment needed. Find centres at kwik-fit.com/locate-a-centre. Service includes checking all tyres and adjusting to manufacturer-recommended pressures. Staff will also visually inspect tyres for damage or wear.

• Design consultations at IKEA - Book a free planning session with an IKEA designer; schedule at ikea.com/gb/en/planners. Sessions last 45-60 minutes and cover kitchen, bedroom, or living room design. Bring room measurements and photos for most productive consultation.

• Kids eat free at Beefeater - One free breakfast for children under 16 with each adult breakfast purchased; available daily until 10:30am. Find restaurants at beefeater.co.uk/en-gb/locations. No voucher needed; simply request when ordering.

• Free gift wrapping at Selfridges - Available during Christmas season (November-December) with Selfridges purchases over £30; visit customer service desk. Available at all Selfridges stores: selfridges.com/GB/en/features/info/stores.

• Medication disposal at Superdrug Pharmacy - Safe medication disposal service available at all pharmacy branches; check with your local branch at superdrug.com/store-finder. Service accepts all prescription medications and most over-the-counter medicines; excludes sharps and controlled substances.

Online Freebies

• Free delivery at ASOS - Spend £35+ for free standard delivery or join ASOS Premier (£9.95/year) for unlimited next-day delivery; asos.com. Premier membership also includes exclusive offers and early sale access.

• Netflix free trial - New subscribers occasionally get 30-day free trials; requires credit card that will be charged after trial; netflix.com/gb. Set a calendar reminder to cancel before the trial ends if you don't wish to continue.

• Disney+ free trial - Available through select O2 mobile plans for up to 6 months; check o2.co.uk/extras/disney-plus. Existing O2 customers can add Disney+ as an extra and receive £2 off their monthly bill.

• Microsoft Office online - Free web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote; create Microsoft account at office.com. Includes 5GB of OneDrive storage and the ability to collaborate in real-time with others.

• Free e-books and audiobooks through Libby - Download app, connect your UK library card, and borrow digital content; libbyapp.com. Most UK public libraries participate; check your local library's website for specific instructions on accessing their digital collection.

• Free courses on OpenLearn by The Open University - Over 1,000 free courses across all subjects; no registration required for most content; open.edu/openlearn. Courses range from 1-50 hours of study time, with certificates of completion available for many.

• 15GB free Google Drive storage - Create Google account at drive.google.com; automatic access to 15GB free cloud storage shared across Google services. Perfect for backing up important documents and photos.

• Free Avast Antivirus - Download basic version at avast.com/en-gb/free-antivirus-download; no payment info required. Includes real-time protection against viruses, malware, and phishing attempts.

• Spotify Free - Create account at spotify.com/uk/signup; ad-supported version with limited features but full music access. Includes access to all playlists and most podcasts, with occasional advertisements between tracks.

• GIMP photo editing - Professional-grade free alternative to Photoshop; download at gimp.org. Fully-featured image manipulation program with support for layers, filters, and extensive plugin ecosystem.

• Free articles on The Guardian - Unlike many UK newspapers, The Guardian offers free access but encourages contributions; theguardian.com/uk. Consider setting up a small monthly donation if you read regularly to support their journalism.

• Free mobile games on App Store/Google Play - Search "free" and sort by popularity; in-app purchases optional. UK-developed free games include Monument Valley 2 (periodically free) and Threes Free.

• YouTube fitness classes from Joe Wicks - "The Body Coach TV" channel offers hundreds of free workouts; youtube.com/thebodycoachtv. Includes PE sessions, HIIT workouts, and low-impact options suitable for all fitness levels.

• Money Dashboard financial tools - Free UK-focused budgeting software; create account at moneydashboard.com. Connects securely to your UK bank accounts and credit cards to categorise spending and help with budgeting.

• CV templates on Reed.co.uk - Access free CV templates and career advice at reed.co.uk/career-advice/cv-templates. Includes templates for different career stages and industries, plus downloadable examples.

• Duolingo language learning - Create free account at duolingo.com; basic language courses with optional premium features. Particularly strong for European languages, with daily reminders to maintain your learning streak.

• Virtual museum tours at British Museum - Explore collections online at britishmuseum.org/collection. Features over 4.5 million objects with high-resolution images and detailed descriptions.

• Free webinars on Eventbrite UK - Search "free webinar" at eventbrite.co.uk and filter by date. Topics range from professional development to hobbies and wellness.

• Canva basic - Create graphics with free account at canva.com; includes thousands of templates and basic features. Particularly useful for social media graphics, presentations, and basic design projects.

• Free tax guidance from HMRC - Access self-assessment help and tools at gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns. Includes calculators, video tutorials, and webchat support during tax season.

With Loyalty Programs/Sign-ups

• Boots Advantage Card - Free to join; earn 4 points for every £1 spent (worth 1p per point); sign up in-store or at boots.com/advantage-card. Special events offer bonus points several times per year; watch for "£10 worth of points when you spend £50" promotions.

• Superdrug Health & Beautycard - Free signup; earn 1 point per £1 spent (worth 1p per point) and member-only pricing; join at superdrug.com/beautycard. Members receive exclusive discounts every Thursday, plus birthday treats and personalised offers.

• Nando's Card - Free to join; collect chillies for free food rewards; register at nandos.co.uk/eat/loyalty. Three chillies earns a quarter chicken or starter; collect more for larger rewards. Chillies expire after one year.

• Greggs Rewards - Free pastry for signing up and birthday treat; download Greggs app or join at greggs.co.uk/rewards. Collect stamps with each purchase; 9 stamps earns a free regular hot drink, sandwich, or bake.

• Odeon Limitless - Paid membership (£14.99-£19.99/month) but includes unlimited films; join at odeon.co.uk/limitless. Price varies by region, with London cinemas at the higher rate. Includes 10% off food and drink and occasional preview screenings.

• Tesco Clubcard - Collect 1 point per £1 spent (worth up to 3x value in Clubcard Deals); sign up at tesco.com/clubcard. Points can be converted to vouchers for restaurants, attractions, and travel partners at enhanced values. Clubcard Prices offer immediate discounts on thousands of products.

• Nectar Card - Used at Sainsbury's, Argos, eBay and more; collect points worth 0.5p each; join at nectar.com. Link your card to the Nectar app for personalised bonus point offers and special promotions.

• Pets at Home VIP Club - Free treats on pet's birthday and personalised offers; join at vip.petsathome.com. Earn 1 point per £1 spent, plus free pet workshops and weight checks. Register multiple pets for multiple birthday treats.

• Currys Perks - Free delivery, exclusive offers and prize draws; sign up at currys.co.uk/perks. Members receive early access to sales events and personalised discounts based on previous purchases.

• H&M Membership - Free to join; 10% off first purchase, free delivery on orders over £20; join at www2.hm.com/en_gb/member. Collect points with every purchase and receive exclusive member offers. Digital receipt storage helps with returns.

• Waitrose myWaitrose - Free to join; free coffee when you make a purchase and bring your own cup; register at waitrose.com/mywaitrose. Members also receive personalised offers and free copies of Waitrose Food magazine.

• Caffe Nero App - Collect digital stamps; every 9th drink free; download from caffenero.com/uk/coffee-app. App users occasionally receive surprise offers like "double stamps" days or free drink vouchers.

Regional Freebies Across the UK

London

• Free museums and galleries - World-class institutions including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, and Victoria & Albert Museum offer free entry to permanent collections. See visitlondon.com/things-to-do/budget-london/free-museums-in-london.

• Sky Garden - London's highest public garden offers free entry; booking required at skygarden.london/booking. Reservations open three weeks in advance and are released each Monday.

• Free guided walks with London Walks - "Free Samplers" available periodically; check walks.com for schedule. These introductory walks typically last 1-2 hours and cover central London landmarks.

Scotland

• Free distillery tours - The Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh offers free entry on your birthday with ID; scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk.

• Historic Scotland Explorer Pass free days - Several free open days throughout the year at properties like Edinburgh Castle; check historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place for dates.

• Free entry to National Museums Scotland - All national museums offer free admission, including the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh; nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland.

Wales

• Free entry to National Museum Cardiff - Comprehensive collections spanning art, natural history, and archaeology; museum.wales/cardiff.

• Free guided walks in Snowdonia - Seasonal ranger-led walks; check snowdonia.gov.wales/visit/walking for schedule.

• Free entry to St Fagans National Museum of History - Open-air museum of Welsh life; museum.wales/stfagans.

Northern Ireland

• Free entry to Ulster Museum - Art, history, and natural sciences collections in Belfast; nmni.com/our-museums/ulster-museum.

• Free tours of Belfast City Hall - Public tours available Monday to Saturday; book at belfastcity.gov.uk/cityhall.

• Free entry to the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre - While the visitor centre charges admission, access to the actual Causeway stones is free via the public right of way; park in nearby Bushmills and walk approximately 2 miles.

Seasonal and Special Occasion Freebies

• Free museum entry for Heritage Open Days - England's largest festival of history and culture offers free access to thousands of properties each September; check heritageopendays.org.uk for participating sites.

• Free tax help through TaxAid - For those on low incomes needing tax advice; book at taxaid.org.uk. Most helpful during the January self-assessment deadline period.

• Free meals for Armed Forces on Armed Forces Day - Various restaurants like Toby Carvery and Table Table offer free meals; valid military ID required; check restaurant websites in late June.

• Free Slush Puppie on Slush Puppie Day - Participating outlets offer free drinks (typically in July); check slushpuppie.co.uk for details.

• Free Ben & Jerry's ice cream - Annual "Free Cone Day" (typically in April); check benjerry.co.uk for exact date and participating scoop shops.

• Free Krispy Kreme doughnut - Sign up to "Friends of Krispy Kreme" for a free Original Glazed doughnut; krispykreme.co.uk/friends-of-krispy-kreme.

• Doors Open Days in Scotland - Free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland each September; doorsopendays.org.uk.

• Free fishing during National Fishing Month - Fish without a licence on specific days; check gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency for "Take a Friend Fishing" weekends, typically in summer.

• Free entry to Kew Gardens on special dates - Occasional community open days; check kew.org/kew-gardens/visit-kew-gardens/tickets for upcoming free days.

How to Maximise Your Freebies in the UK

1. Create a dedicated email account for signing up for promotions to avoid cluttering your main inbox. Services like Gmail or Outlook offer free accounts.

2. Follow brands on social media where they often announce limited-time freebies. Twitter is particularly useful for time-sensitive offers.

3. Join store loyalty programmes even if you shop there infrequently; birthday rewards alone are often worth it. Most can be managed through smartphone apps for convenience.

4. Check LatestFreeStuff.co.uk daily for updated freebies and samples available in the UK. Their newsletter highlights the best new offers each morning.

5. Use cashback apps like TopCashback (topcashback.co.uk) and Quidco (quidco.com) to get money back on purchases and sometimes completely free items through 100% cashback offers.

6. Sign up for freebie alerts from MoneySavingExpert.com to get notifications about new offers. Their weekly email includes a "Freebies" section with verified offers.

7. Check HotUKDeals.com regularly for freebies in their "Freebies" section. User ratings help identify the best genuine offers.

8. Join Facebook groups like "Free Stuff, Samples & Coupons UK" for member-shared freebie alerts. These communities often spot offers before they appear on major websites.

9. Download the O2 Priority app (even non-O2 customers can sometimes access it with an O2 SIM) for weekly freebies like coffees and snacks. New offers typically appear on Tuesdays.

10. Register with product testing sites like Tesco Home Panels (tescopanels.com) and BzzAgent (bzzagent.com) to receive free products in exchange for reviews. Complete your profile fully to increase chances of selection.

11. Set Google Alerts for terms like "free samples UK" to receive notifications when new offers appear online.

12. Check manufacturer websites directly rather than just retailers; many offer free samples to encourage product trials.

13. Visit your local library for free access to newspapers, magazines, books, and often DVD rentals. Many UK libraries also offer free online courses through platforms like Universal Class.

14. Attend store opening events which often feature generous goodie bags and samples. Follow shopping centres on social media for announcements.

15. Use the Too Good To Go app (toogoodtogo.co.uk) to rescue food that would otherwise be wasted; while not completely free, "Magic Bags" offer food worth £10-15 for around £3-4.