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Hertfordshire County Council

Herts Card for those who receive free school meals

Who can get the Herts Card

Families with an approved free school meals application can get the Herts Card. 

Families of children and young people with SEND can also get a Herts Card via our Local Offer. 

 

How to get the Herts Card

After your free school meals application has been approved, we'll send you an email with a link to get your Herts Card during that school term.

 

How to access and use your card:

  1. Click the link in your 'Herts Card' email to view it.
  2. Download your card and save it to your phone.
  3. Show your digital card to claim the discount per child/family. No additional ID needed.

 

About your Herts Card

  • Your card will be in the name of the parent who applied for free school meals.
  • We cannot change the name on the card. If you want to update the parent’s name you'll need to reapply for free school meals, but this might affect your eligibility.
  • The card cannot be issued in a child's name.
  • If more than one child is included in the same application, they will share one card. Separate applications may result in separate cards.

 

Where you can use the Herts Card

New businesses and activities are being added regularly so please check the list. 

Broxbourne

Card holders get admissions to games discounted to the 'concessions' rate.

2 for the price of 1 entry during school holidays


Dacorum

Call the salon for discounts on child haircuts. 01908 978099

Address:
Queensway
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 5HA

offer parents 25% off non-funded camps which would mean children who are entitled to free school meals can access our activity camps during the school holidays and the charge for those parents would only be £15 per day for 9am - 4pm. We currently operate out of two venues- Galley Hill Primary School and Two Waters Primary School during the smaller half terms.

East Herts

20 percent sibling discount or 20 percent off a second class

10% off regular classes, merchandise and holiday camps

Hertsmere

• School holiday camps (Not including HAPpy Camps) - 3 days for the price of 2 days.
• Breakfast Clubs (Term time) - 25% discount for regular attendees and no holding deposit required. For ad hoc attendees - 10% discount per session.
• After School Clubs (Term time) - 25% discount for regular attendees and no holding deposit required.

first session free plus free membership and 15% discount for all children.

North Herts

Join Community Wellbeing North Herts for this 60 minute interactive, hands-on cooking session for children up to 10 years old with their adult (generally best aimed at children 2 years and up).

With Angie from Creative Chefs, you will discover a variety of seasonal vegetables and fruit, and maybe the occasional treat in a fun, stimulating environment.

You only need to book a space for each participating child. An adult must be in attendance and remain with their child for the duration of the event.

 

Date: Monday 15 February 2027
Time: 2–3pm
Venue: Fortescue Hall, Letchworth, SG6 3TP
£2.50 per ticket for holders of a Herts Card


Date: Tuesday 16 February 2027
Time: 2-3pm
Venue: St Martin’s Parish Centre, Knebworth, SG3 6ER
£2.50 per ticket for holders of a Herts Card


Date: Wednesday 17 February 2027
Time: 10–11am
Venue: Royston Town Hall (Heritage Hall), Melbourne Street, SG8 7DA
£2.50 per ticket for holders of a Herts Card


Date: Wednesday 17 February 2027
Time: 2–3pm
Venue: Christchurch, Bedford Road, Hitchin, SG5 1HF
£2.50 per ticket for holders of a Herts Card


Date: Friday 19 February 2027
Time: 10–11am
Venue: Baldock Community Hub (Youth Wing), Baldock, SG7 6DH
£2.50 per ticket for holders of a Herts Card

 

How to book
Please send an email to communitywellbeing@north-herts.gov.uk with a picture of your Herts Card and let us know which session you would like to attend and for how many children. 

St Albans

Will be part of Concessions ticket category; card holders get discounted admission to all of our first team matches played at Clarence Park as well as our Women's first team matches, Under 23s and also FA Youth Cup games which are also played at Clarence Park.

2 for 1 on any of our half term/holiday workshops.

Herts Card holders can access Verulamium Museum for £1 per person during school holidays (starting Easter 2025). This offer extends to include £1 entry per person for up to 5 members of their household.


Stevenage

Discounted rate to some of our community-based sessions, in particular our Toddler Offer for families in receipt of free school meals. Sessions available at both Bedwell and The Oval community centre.

Have funds that are ring fenced for people on reduced income.

Show  your card, if we have available funds then we will apply a discount.

We currently have funds for training and purchase of cycles.


Three Rivers

5 days of holiday camp at the price of 4 days. I.e. full one week of half term, a family only have to pay for 4 days (£152) instead of £175/week. Or during summer holidays i.e. 5 weeks of childcare at the price of 4 weeks (one full week of care absolutely free) 

offer free places on tennis lessons, art clubs and lego clubs.

Watford

Family Day - Thursday 29 October - 10:00-13:00

Join us at The Serge Hill Project for our Autumn Family Day.

Our Family Days offer children, young people and their carers the chance to enjoy The Apple House, our Community Garden and The Plant Library—home to 2,500 plant species and abundant in wildlife.

Activities are designed for all and include seasonal, sensory explorations of The Plant Library, learning about the ecology and plant species that we grow here at The Serge Hill Project, creative workshops, and play-led activities.

Use HERTSCARD26 for 10% off any ticket type.

Autumn Family Day (29 October 2026) | The Serge Hill Project

Transport support is available. Please enquire with rachel@sergehillproject.co.uk

A local not-for-profit organisation based in Bedmond, Abbots Langley, WD5 0RZ.

The Serge Hill Project is a not-for-profit organisation based in Bedmond (WD5 0RZ) that aims to promote wellbeing, nature connection and community through gardening and other forms of creativity. The project also delivers public, educational, and therapeutic programmes for local people and schools.

Through half terms and school holidays, The serge hill project hosts Family Days for children, young people and their carers the chance to enjoy The Apple House, our Community Garden and The Plant Library—home to 2,000 plant species and abundant in wildlife.

Activities are designed for all and include sensory explorations of The Plant Library, learning about the ecology and plant species that we host here at The Serge Hill Project, creative workshops, and play-led activities.

Our site has step free access, toilet facilities and quiet spaces. Cold refreshments and snacks are available. Children under the age of 2 come free.

For pricing information and to register your interest in attending a Family Day please get in touch with rachel@sergehillproject.co.uk

To book on to an event: https://www.sergehillproject.co.uk/whats-on?category=garden-visits

Welwyn-Hatfield

1 x free lesson and fees can be paid in 2 instalments (each half term)

We would like to offer Herts Card holders 15% off our creative activities, with the discount extending to the eligible child and up to three accompanying family members.

Families can enjoy a range of immersive, hands-on experiences, including:

  • Canvas Splatter Painting
  • Neon UV Splatter Room
  • Slime Making
  • Drip Bear Painting
  • T-Shirt Painting
  • Other selected creative workshops

Our aim is to make creative experiences more accessible and affordable, allowing children and families to enjoy quality time together, express their creativity and make lasting memories.

How to Redeem
Families can book through our website at www.thepaintpatch.com using the proposed discount code HERTS20 and present their valid Herts Card upon arrival.

The offer would apply to standard-priced activities at our Hatfield location and would not be used in conjunction with other promotions or discounts.

 

Contact details
Website: www.thepaintpatch.com
Email: bookings@thepaintpatch.com

Hertfordshire wide

Parents eligible for the Herts card will be charged £30 per camp day for when the HAF programme is not on so they can still use our services at a hugely discounted rate.

25% off Holiday Clubs during February, May & October at selected Premier Education venues.

Contact aemmerson@premier-education.com to book or to receive further information. 

Outside of Hertfordshire

Holders of the Herts Card get admission at £12 per person, instead of the usual standard rate. 

 

Business wanting to sign up?

We are always looking for businesses and organisations in Hertfordshire to support the Herts Card scheme and help children and families facing financial hardship.

It's up to you what you offer. Whether it's for the number of children noted on the Herts Card or extended to the whole family, we'd be grateful for anything you can contribute.

Contact us at hertscard@hertfordshire.gov.uk and tell us about what you're able to offer.

 

Any questions?

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