There are all manner of discounts out there for older people in Essex – it’s just about knowing where to find them! Thankfully, we have compiled the best of them into one place, so people in Essex can find out about the money they can save on a range of things, from travel and leisure, to health shops and garden centres.
Over 60s Travel Discounts in Essex
1/3 Off All Rail Travel with National Rail
Nationwide train travel can also be reduced by using a Senior Railcard. This entitles those over 60 to a third off tickets bought either online or at a railway station. The Senior Railcard can beย bought online or at most stations across Essex, where a customer service window or machine is available. Railcards cost ยฃ30 per year, so it is a good idea to calculate whether the savings will make buying the railcard worth it.
It is important to travel with the railcard whenever a ticket has been bought with it, as ticket inspectors will issue fines for those with discounted tickets, but who are without their railcard.
1/3 Off All Coach Travel with National Express
Often favoured by the older generation, if coach travel is more their style, then National Express also have a Senior Coachcard scheme. As with the railcard, holders of a Coachcard are entitled to up to one third off of their ticket prices for the year. A Senior Coachcard is much less expensive than a Railcard at ยฃ12.50 per year (+ ยฃ2.50 postage).
Order a Senior Coachcard online at theย National Express Website.
Free Bus Travel with the Older Person's Bus Pass
The Older Person’s Bus Pass provides free travel on buses throughout Essex. It can also provide free travel with some of the Essex Community Transport Schemes for older people.
To register for the Older Person’s Bus Pass, your relative needs to fill out an application form with Essex County Council. The form can be filled out online on the Essex Highways website, can be collected from an Essex library, or requested by calling 0345 200 0388.
Blue Badge Scheme
If your elderly relative is still driving and has a disability, this badge placed on view in their car allows them to park in reserved spaces, closer to points of interest. This reduces the distance that people with mobility issues have to travel from their car. Sometimes car spaces are offered at a reduced price, or even free.
Blue Badges are sought after things, so there are strict eligibility requirements, including the written support of a healthcare professional. However, if you do feel your elderly relative is eligible for one, visit theย Essex County Councilย website for more information and apply on theย Government Website.ย Blue Badges cost ยฃ10.00.
Over 60s Leisure Discounts in Essex
25% Off Membership with the National Trust
The National Trust offers a 25% discount on their membership for people aged 60 and over, as long as they have held a National Trust membership for the previous three years. Having a membership will enable the holder to access most National Trust properties and estates for free. See our Best Essex Cultural Days Out guide for more information on specific properties. Ring the National Trust on 0344 800 1895ย to get this concession.
Reduced Membership Rate at English Heritage
English Heritage offer a discount on membership for senior citizens. Being a member gives you free access to some of Essex’s finest days out, including the fantastic Audley End Estate, one of our best Cultural Days out in Essex. The annual price for an individual senior’s membership is ยฃ63, and for a joint senior’s membership the annual price is ยฃ96.
- Telephone: 0370 333 1181
- Visit Website
Over 60s Health and Wellbeing Discounts in Essex
Leisure Centre Discounts across Essex
Many leisure centres offer a discount for older people, either for individual classes or monthly and annual memberships. Below, you can find links to the membership pages of leisure centres throughout Essex that offer discounts to older people. You may also be interested in Age Space’s Guide to Elderly Exercise in Essex, where you can find more affordable exercise options.
Discounts at Opticians in Essex
Opticians across the county offer reduced prices on selected ranges of glasses for the over 60s. The following companies all offer discounts and have stores spread throughout Essex, in every major town and many villages. Click the links below to find your nearest store.
Over 60s Home and Garden Discounts in Essex
10% Off at Poplar Nurseries Garden Home and Gift
Poplar Nurseries in Colchester offers a 10% discount to Senior Citizens on Wednesdays. The discount needs to be stated at the till before the purchase is made and some items are excluded from the offer, including furniture and already-reduced items.
- Address: Poplar Nurseries, Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey, Colchester CO6 1HR.
- Visit Website
10% Discount at Thurrock Garden Centre
Thurrock Garden Centre offers a discount for older people on Tuesdays. As part of this ‘Senior Savers’ discount, over 60s will receive 10% off all materials purchased.
- Telephone: 01708ย 851991
- Address: South Rd, South Ockendon RM15 6DU
- Visit Website
Over 60s Food and Entertainment in Essex
Odeon Silver Screenings
Odeon offer a Silver Screen scheme at their cinemas across Essex. As part of this scheme people aged 60+ can enjoy a trip to the cinema from just ยฃ3.50 with tea, coffee and biscuits served before the film. In Essex, there are ODEON branches inย Chelmsford,ย Colchesterย andย Southend.
Reduced Ticket Prices at Colchester Arts Centre
Colchester Arts Centre offer concessionary prices for any older person in receipt of a state pension. The Colchester Arts centre is a fantastic, independent arts venue, hosting all manner of events including concerts, plays and comedy. They have also gone to great lengths to be fully wheelchair-accessible.
- Telephone: 01206 500900
- Visit Website
Seniors Discount at Colchester Zoo
Senior and disabled citizens can enter Colchester Zoo at a discounted rate. One of our best Accessible Family Days Out in Essex, Colchester Zoo is a great day out, and the Zoo has made efforts to make itself accessible and seniors-friendly.
Hungry Horse 'Golden Years' Menu
Hungry Horse have a seniors discount, as well as a special ‘Golden Years’ menu of slightly smaller portions for the over 60s. From this menu you can order two courses for ยฃ4.70. There are pubs owned by Hungry Horse throughout Essex and your relative can search for their nearest branch from the Hungry Horse website.