Free things aren’t free

Front cover of Wanderlust Magazine

Picked up a copy of the October issue of Wanderlust magazine today. They say their readers are among the best-travelled people in the world.

In among the articles about Brazil, Botswana and Japan, I spotted a small item about the UK – called “7 Things to Do for Free”, rather meanly referring to “stingy staycationers”. This little piece took its ideas from the new Britain for Free Guide (out now, £12.99) published by Frommer’s – a favourite for international visitors.

It struck me that – with the possible exception of spotting dolphins in the Moray Firth – every single thing listed involved public-sector funding, from the downloadable podcasts for walks in Ashdown Forest and Bath, to the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Torfaen or the classic movies booth in Derby. So, I wonder how many of them are now under threat?