6 Best Experience Gift Days UK 2018
Experience days have become big business over the last few years, and with a wide variety on offer as an ‘experience in a box’ we thought we would take a look through a few of them and see which may offer the best value. This post is of course subjective based on what you particularly like doing, so none of the following may appeal, however we think that all of these offer some of the best experience gift days and would all offer a different experience from the norm.
1. Driving Days
At a Glance
- Brand: Buyagift
- Offer: Over 460 Driving Experience Days
Our Outline
It used to be that ‘experiences in a box’ would offer a particular experience, however you now have the ability to choose from a wide range of different offers. The driving days experience from buyagift gives users the chance to pick from 460 driving days on different courses throughout the UK and with different cars available to choose from.
Features
This package gives the user a choice of a vast range of different track experiences with many locations and types of cars included. Examples include Ferrari driving experience, single seater taster, tank battle paintballing, drifting classes as well as junior driver experiences. No matter what cars you like, there is sure to be an experience that will suit making this one of the best experience gift days.
Quality and Price
As with all of these types of packages, the amount of laps you get is limited, although does differ depending upon the package. An example of this is that for the triple car taster day, you get to drive each car for 3 miles. This means that the price for this type of gift is relatively expensive. The quality of the cars in all cases is amazing, and no matter what experience you choose, this is certainly not an area in which you will be disappointed.
- Wide range of experiences and cars to choose from
- Available in different locations throughout the UK
- No experience required in many cases
- Options for juniors available
- Price is relatively expensive for the amount of laps / miles / time you get
As with all experience days, your enjoyment will be based on how much you like doing something that it is unlikely you will get to do that often. Even though the amount of time you get to drive each car is limited, the thrill of driving them is still very real. The price, whilst relatively expensive is still not exorbitant, and this makes this good value for money as a gift and one of the best experience gift days.
2. Charming Escape
At a Glance
- Brand: Buyagift
- Offer: Wide range of venues
Our Outline
Unlike the driving experience, this one is a little more sedate and lasts a little longer, offering the chance to escape to a night of accommodation at a range of places within the UK. With a mixture of traditional and quirky, these can make for unique experiences.
Features
The package includes a voucher which gives the user an ability to book for one night at a selection of places across the UK. There maybe some restrictions on dates that you can book at some locations however. The places on offer vary from stays in camping cabins, to club hotels to traditional bed and breakfasts. Each accommodation has its own charm. The voucher lasts for 24 months, although an extension to this can be applied for if necessary.
Quality and Price
The price of £69.99 means that this is relatively cheap for an experience gift, although it has to be weighed up against the cost of just booking the accommodation through their own site. Some would cost a lot more than £69.99 whilst others would not necessarily cost as much. It would therefore be down to the user to ensure that they were receiving good value for money. The quality of the hotels and accommodation offered is high, and there is sure to be something for everyone.
- Wide range of accommodation and location to choose from
- Cheap for some of the accommodation
- 24 months to use
- Quirky choices available
- Exclusion dates may apply on the accommodation
We think that the breakaway offers excellent value for money if you choose the accommodation carefully. If you are buying it as a gift, it might also be worth noting the accommodation available in the area where you think the person may want to visit. This could easily be combined however with a visit to the theatre or a dinner to make a great getaway and one of the best experience gift days.
3. Afternoon Tea for Two
At a Glance
- Brand: Buyagift
- Offer: Wide range of venues
Our Outline
One of the cheapest and best experience gift days options within this post, the afternoon tea for two offers a sedate and laid back experience that you can spend a couple of hours (or more) enjoying. This experience could even be combined with the previous as there are many locations offered as part of the deal.
Features
The package includes afternoon tea for two people at a venue of your choice. The exact menu options will differ depending upon the venue you choose, however an afternoon tea will usually include a good selection of sandwiches, scones, cake and tea or coffee all in a picturesque setting where you can watch the world go by. As with the other experiences there is a good range of venues available, and some offer alternative menus to the usual.
Quality and Price
At only £34.99, this is an inexpensive option as a gift and would make a nice present for two people. Whether this is combined with a vacation away, or just an afternoon of relaxation, it is sure to be one that is enjoyed. The quality of the food will of course be dependent upon venue, however from previous experiences, afternoon tea is normally of a very high quality with plenty to fill you up.
- Wide range of venues to choose from
- High quality food and differing menu options
- Cheap at only £34.99 for two people
- Could be combined with other experiences
- Menu options may not be suited to everyone’s diet
There is little more relaxing than an afternoon tea. The high quality and range of cakes and sandwiches on offer mean that this will be an enjoyable experience for whomever you buy it. At £34.99, it is also very reasonably priced and therefore we find this to be excellent value for money and one of the best experience gift days.
4. Action Adventures
At a Glance
- Brand: Buyagift
- Offer: Wide range of venues and action sports
Our Outline
Our fourth entry into this post is another for the adventurous. This experience offers you the chance to take part in a wide range of adventurous activities, with some being more so than others.
Features
The wide range of choices available, mean that this will be an experience gift box that will suit a wide range of people. Options include indoor skydiving, high speed boats rides, clay pigeon shooting a helicopter flight or even a bungee jump experience. Some options may however require an additional payment. This experience also includes a few options to drive cars, although not as wide ranging as the driving experience. .
Quality and Price
At £49.99 you get a wide range of options. As with the one night getaway experience however, some activities offer better value for money than others, and it would be worth checking what they would cost to book normally, before committing through the experience box. The quality of the activities is excellent and offer some of the best experience gift days, and the wide range and amount, mean that even if you are buying for someone that is not that adventurous, they are likely to find something that they will enjoy.
- Wide range of activities to choose from
- Wide range of venues and locations to choose from
- Good value for many of the activities
- Could be combined with other experiences
- Not all options will offer good value for money
Overall at £49.99 this experience box offers very good value for money, although you do need to be wise in the activity that you choose if you want one of the best experience gift days. The box is also good for giving you ideas about the types of activities that you might like to try, but hadn’t thought of before. The range of quality also mean that there is something for everyone to choose.
5. Day at the Races
At a Glance
- Brand: Activity Superstore
- Offer: 16 Race Courses Nationwide
Our Outline
The Day at the Races is our first entry from Activity Superstore, another well known brand in the gift experience market. Whilst horse racing may not be everyone’s first choice for a day out, this provides an easy way for those that have never been to see what it is like.
Features
There are 16 courses available to choose to visit with this package, which include a range of flat, jump and all weather tracks. A premium is payable to attend Doncaster though. The package includes entry into the track, a complimentary drink, a race day programme and free parking. The racing on the day is dependent upon the venue and date that you choose.
Quality and Price
This experience will make a great gift for some people, however before you rush out and buy for someone, it is worth checking whether they enjoy horse racing or not. The quality of all of the courses is excellent and for those that do enjoy horse racing, this experience will make a great gift. At £39.99, it is again one that will be better value for some courses that for others, and it is worth checking on entry prices into grounds before purchasing this experience.
- Wide range of courses to choose from
- Complimentary drink, parking and race day programme
- Relatively cheap
- Makes a good introduction to horse racing
- Not all people will enjoy horse racing so you may want to consult before you purchase
At £39.99 we rate this as very good value for money. We think the package offers a good chance for those that have never been to the races to go and see what it is like. The variety of courses available also mean that you shouldn’t have to go to far to enjoy the day out.
6. Theatre and Cocktails for 2
At a Glance
- Brand: OMGHotels
- Offer: Pre theatre Cocktails and Tickets for 2
Our Outline
This is one of the classic experiences and one of the best experience gift days. Tickets for a show with drinks beforehand and is a perfect experience for a couple. Easily combined as part of a vacation or night away, this can make a perfect gift.
Features
This package includes a cocktail each at Planet Hollywood followed by two tickets to see one of the top shows in London. The shows include Wicked, Bat out of Hell, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and a wide variety of others. This experience offers a full evening out in London with the vouchers being valid for up to 12 months.
Quality and Price
The quality of the shows are excellent and whilst some shows will suit you better than others they all offer exceptional quality and some of the best experience gift days. It is worth noting however with this experience, that tickets for theatre shows can often be heavily reduced, and it may therefore be possible to get better seats at lower prices than are available through this experience package. At £99, this is not an expensive package for tickets for two with cocktails, but tickets for shows can be as cheap as £15 each and this needs to be considered before purchasing this.
- Wide range of theatre shows to choose from
- Wide range of cocktails to choose from
- Voucher valid for up to 12 months
- Makes a great evening out
- It might be possible to purchase better seats at cheaper prices
At £99 we rate this as good value for money. A trip out to the theatre in the West End makes for an excellent night out, and the wide range of shows are excellent. There are however seats available cheaply at many productions and well as a wide variety of places where you can enjoy a drink before hand with a great view.
Our favourite experience this post, and our recommendation is the afternoon tea for two. Whilst this is a more sedate experience that most, we think it provides a great opportunity to enjoy the company of a friend or partner, whilst savouring great food in a beautiful setting. At only £34.99, it is excellent value for money and the best experience gift days
