Embedded Files
Free Tickets and Entertainment
Free Tickets and Entertainment
This is an incredible UK charity that provides free tickets to major musical, sporting, theatrical, and cultural events. US Visiting Forces are eligible! You simply need to register online using your NATO ID, and you can book tickets for a variety of events on a first-come, first-served basis.
Northwood Chapel Tickets
Northwood Chapel Tickets
The Northwood Chapel offers free passes to both St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. Just pop into the chapel office to reserve them. Pro-tip: Be sure to plan ahead and book early for St. Paul's, as those passes book up very quickly!
Defence Discount Service
Defence Discount Service
The Defence Discount Service (DDS) is the official Ministry of Defence discount service. You can sign up online to receive a physical card (the Defence Privilege Card) that unlocks hundreds of high street and online discounts.
Example Perk: You can get 20% off your food bill at Greene King Pubs!
Free Tickets to Windsor Castle & Buckingham Palace
By using your DDS card or your military ID, you can get free standard admission (for yourself and up to 4 guests) to Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, and other Royal Collection Trust sites.
How to book: Recommend calling to reserve your tickets in advance. Call the Ticket Sales Office at: +44 (0)303 123 7300 or +44 (0)303 123 7304.
Transit Savings
Transit Savings
If you plan on taking the train, the HM Forces Railcard is a must-have. It costs about £21–£25 per person, is valid for a full year, and saves you 1/3 on most rail fares across the UK. You can use this for yourself and your dependents, and it pays for itself extremely quickly.
You can purchase your railcard right at Northwood HQ.
🔥 Hot Take: Go to Happy Snaps in town to purchase the physical passport-sized photos you will need to submit with your railcard application!
The Oyster Card Hack (Save 33% on the Tube!) Once you have your HM Forces Railcard, take it to a London Underground station attendant and ask them to link it to your registered Oyster Card. This automatically gives you 33% off all off-peak Pay-As-You-Go tube fares! (Remember: Weekends and Bank Holidays are always considered off-peak!)
Everyday Discounts and Dining
Everyday Discounts and Dining
Too Good To Go App A fantastic smartphone app for scoring heavily discounted food. Restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and grocery stores list their surplus, unsold food at the end of the day as "Surprise Bags" for roughly a third of the normal retail price. It is an amazing way to eat cheap and explore local food spots!
General Advice: Don't Be Afraid to Ask! Many places throughout the UK offer military discounts or concessions. As a Visiting Force, you are often eligible for these just like UK forces are. Always politely ask, "Do you offer a military discount?" before you pay—the worst they can say is no!
For over 700 years, every single night at precisely 9:52 PM, the Chief Yeoman Warder (flanked by an armed military escort) locks the massive gates of the Tower of London. It is the oldest continuous military ceremony in the world, having only been delayed once—when a bomb knocked the warders off their feet during the Blitz in WWII. Visitors are escorted into the dark, empty Tower to watch the iconic "Halt, who comes there?" exchange, followed by the presentation of arms and the playing of the Last Post.
🌟 The Military Connection: Every Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) at the Tower is a retired Warrant Officer or senior non-commissioned officer from the UK Armed Forces with at least 22 years of service. It is a fantastic experience for U.S. servicemembers to witness this ancient shared military heritage!
🎟️ The Perk: The U.S. element has a connection and they try to conduct a visit once a quarter!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse