This year, the National Lottery Open Week returns with a host of great attractions opening their doors for as little as £1.

Castles, wildlife parks, museums and gardens are giving visitors a chance to save money from Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17 by slashing entry fees and offering exclusive discounts.

It’s part of the week-long National Lottery scheme, which aims to thank lottery players for helping raise more than £30m for good causes across the country as well as encouraging people to visit new places.

All you need to do is show your lottery ticket, scratchcard or Instant Win Game and you can enjoy low-cost days out.

You can find a list of Kent’s top attractions taking part in this year’s National Lottery Open Week below:

Dover Castle

Step back in time and explore this wartime fortress. There’s plenty to see, including the secret underground tunnels, medieval architecture and views of the English Channel from the Tower. You can also take advantage of a free guided tour of the church of St Mary in Castro, which dates back to 1000 AD and is located within the castle grounds.

Details: Free entry for one adult and two children on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. The free tour is available on Thursday, March 14 and Saturday, March 16. Pre-booking is not required for castle entry, but tours must be booked in advance here.

Fort Amherst, Chatham

Britain’s biggest Napoleonic fort is always free to enter but, with the National Lottery scheme, you can enjoy half-price tunnel tours. The tour will take you through the fort’s maze of historic tunnels with fascinating facts about how the site defended England in battle.

Details: 50% off tunnel tours for two adults and two children from Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17. Tours must be booked in advance here.

Franciscan Gardens, Canterbury

While the medieval gardens are currently closed until April while refurbishments take place, the gift shop will be open for a Middle Ages photoshoot. There will be characters dressed up in historic costumes, telling stories of what life was like at the gardens all those centuries ago, while you get your photo taken.

Details: One free photo per person from Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17. No pre-booking required.

Leeds Castle, Maidstone

You can bag a bargain at one of Kent’s biggest attractions with free entry for one day. Visitors can explore the stunning lake and gardens, spend time at the outdoor play areas and head inside the castle to admire the glamorous 1930s decor and 900 years of royal heritage.

Details: Free entry per lottery ticket or scratchcard holder on Saturday, March 16. No pre-booking required.

National Trust properties

Many of Kent’s beautiful National Trust properties will be opening their doors to visitors during the week. Step inside Winston Churchill’s family home at Chartwell, stroll through the Edwardian grounds at Emmetts Garden, explore 500 acres of woodland at Ightham Mote, meet the deer in the parkland at Knole, admire the award-winning gardens at Sissinghurst Castle and learn about the theatrical history of Smallhythe Place.

Details: Free entry for one adult and four children at all properties from Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17, except Smallhythe Place which will be open on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 13 to Sunday, March 17. Pre-booking is not required at any properties except Knole, which can be booked here.

Palace Cinema, Broadstairs

Take a tour of Thanet’s lost cinemas and look at the county through the silver screen. The tour stops at a range of theatres, from Art Deco cinemas to converted sheds, and includes an archive film showing stories of Broadstairs, Margate and Ramsgate’s cinematic history.

Details: Free tour for two adults and unlimited accompanying children on Saturday, March 16. No pre-booking required.

Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre, Sandwich

After extensive renovations last year, this Roman site is now accessible and has lots to offer new visitors. There are panels showing what this town would have looked like under the Roman Empire, a museum with fascinating artefacts, reconstructions to replicate a gateway and tower and a history-themed kids trail.

Details: Free entry for one adult and two children on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. No pre-booking required.

RSPB Dungeness

With the first swift and sand martins of the season arriving in mid-March, the National Lottery Open Week is the perfect time to visit this seaside nature reserve. You can walk along miles of shingle shores, fresh water pits, grassland and wildflower meadows and spot the wildlife living among it all as you go.

Details: Free entry for two adults and three children from Saturday, March 9 to Sunday, March 17. No pre-booking required.

Walmer Castle, Deal

Spring is a great time of year to visit Walmer Castle as the gardens are filled with daffodils, snowdrops and new shoots. The picturesque grounds have been turned into stunning gardens since 1802, with the Queen Mother’s Garden, the Boardwalk, woodland paths, nature trails and outdoor play areas. Along with free entry, there are also guided tours of the Grade II listed grounds taking place during the week.

Details: Free entry for one adult and two children on Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. The free tour is available on Wednesday, March 13 and Saturday, March 16. Pre-booking is not required for castle entry, but tours must be booked in advance here.

You can find a full list of attractions taking part in the scheme on the National Lottery Open Week website.