Don't cost anything except perhaps fuel

MILK A COW

This idea came from a friend who knew about my bucket listing and knew a farmer who'd be willing for me to have a go so I jumped at the chance when it was offered. You could always contact a local farmer to see if they'd mind you coming along too.

PULL A PINT BEHIND A BAR

It just takes the confidence to ask the waiting staff if it's possible! It took me a couple of attempts to get a decent pint but that's all part of the process. And you might be able to do this today.

SIT IN A POLICE CAR

This was my first completed bucket list tick and I was surprised how accommodating the officers were once I explained about my bucket list....but it really highlighted that people will often help if they can. I even had the siren/lights on!

VISIT ALL UK COUNTIES

So far, I've visited all the counties in England and Wales. I've just a few left in Scotland with Northern Ireland to do. I particularly loved Somerset and Cumbria with the Lake Distrct. How much have you discovered your own country?

JOIN THE POLICE AT WORK

This was AMAZING! Genuinely one of the best nights of my life. Some police forces (like Sussex) let you apply to join them for a shift as an observer. I was with the response team and, during the 12 hour night shift, it was blue lights all the way...

HAVE A MOTORBIKE LESSON

A local motorbike lesson business offers free trials so this was worth a go. It's always looking out for free trials, one-offs, etc. for a multitude of activities to get that bucket list tick. Oh...and I really wasn't any good whatsoever but it was fun to try! 

DRIVE AN HGV

Of course, you need a licence to drive an HGV on the road but a friend whose husband owned one arranged for me to drive it within the private yard. My car felt rather small afterwards! Think about family and friends whose work, etc. might offer you something a bit different.

DRIVE A TRACTOR

A friend of a friend of a friend owned a farm and let me come along. Going in 6th gear and driving it alone was one of the most empowering experiences as I got over the initial fear....but it illustrated how friends can join you on your journey, whether it's thinking of bucket list ideas or helping to put them into action. 

VISIT 10 FILMING LOCATIONS

Mine were in Surrey and London but perhaps think of the films where visiting the locations would mean the most to you. I'm a bit of a chick-flick fan so I went for Bridget Jones's Diary, Sliding Doors, Four Weddings and a Funeral, etc.  A good place to find out about where filming took place is Wiki. 

DO SOME VOLUNTEERING

I committed to volunteering for 6 months as it'd give me a clear point at which I could leave but I ended up staying for 2 years. There's such a wide range of opportunities that help us give to others.... but you can always start with a one-off like being a marshal at a sports event or offering to take an elderly person's dog for a walk.

BE ON THE RADIO

Not only did I host a radio show over 10 years ago but I was on the radio in January 2024 talking about bucket listing! It's always my hope to inspire others so being able to share this passion with others was an absolute privilege. Do you have a hobby or a job you'd like to talk about? Local radio is a great place as they're often looking out for interesting stories and you just need to tell them that you're here ready to share.

BE AN EXTRA ON TV/FILM

Even if I spent the whole day filming yet the editing process meant my scene being cut, it'd nonetheless be incredible to watch the film or programme just knowing that I was there...and perhaps I have might have seen a famous actor or 2!

VISIT JOHN O'GROATS

Located in Scotland, this is the most northerly point of mainland UK. It even had a Christmas shop when I went which was apparently open all year round. This was part of a sol road trip around the UK.

VISIT LAND'S END

John O'Groats to Land's End in Cornwall (UK's most southerly point) is an iconic route for charity fundraising and personal challenges. Doing this as separate trips suits me and I'll be heading here in 2024. 

VISIT THE LAKE DISTRICT

Oh, it's beautiful and I can't believe it took so long for me discover it. Lakes, mountains, quaint towns and villages... Like walking? How about put 'climb a mountain' on your list and aim to scale Scafell Pike, the Lake District's tallest mountain?

VISIT ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT

This is the sister of France's Mont St. Michel but located in Cornwall. Depending on the time of day, you can walk across but the tide may otherwise make a boat the only option. I plan to head down here this summer. 

DO A CHRISTMAS-RELATED JOB

This might sound like a bizarre idea but I'd love to work at the sorting office during the Christmas build-up with all the extra mail. But whether you want to become Santa's helper at a shopping centre or volunteer somewhere on Christmas Day, there're lots of things to choose from..and perhaps make a difference.

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

Of course, you can pay for lessons and some people benefit from mixing with others, having the tutor check how they're doing and give some pracitcal tips.,,but the DuoLingo app is really fun and free. I completed 100 days of learning Japanese. You may not want to do 100 days of learning but how about learning 100 new words of a language that you might get to use one day?

SELL SOMETHING YOU'VE MADE

Whilst there could be a cost involved, you may already have what you need. Perhaps you're an avid gardener able to sell surplus fruit and veg from outside your property. Perhaps you've scraps of material that you can make into scrunchies. Perhaps you could sell cakes, greeting cards, photos....the list is endless.

GET INVOLVED WITH FOOD WASTE

I personally love the Olio app where you can list and get food for free! It's also a great way to get to know people in your local community and get that sense that every item given away is one fewer item in landfill. I've recently become a 'food waste hero' which involves doing weekly collections from a supermarket and distributing within the community. 

TAKE PART IN A FLASH MOB

I took part in one that involved over 200 people breaking out into song on London Southbank. After a morning rehearsal and having times to be at the 3 locations over the course of the afternoon, the buzz from knowing what we were about to do was incredible! I haven't heard of flash mobs in more recent times. If you can't find one, perhaps organise one yourself!

COMPLETE A PRE-DETERMINED LIST

Whether it's watching IMDB's top 100 films or reading the top 10 classic novels, this can really broaden your horizons and watch/read/etc. things you wouldn't have done otherwise.

COMPLETE COUCH TO 5K

If you've a pair of comfy trainers, you need to do nothing more than perhaps download an app to guide you through the process. Some give you the choice of celebrities to enourage you along the way. Before you know it, you'll be pounding the pavements with ease!

NAVIGATE THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT IN SWINDON 

I think most experienced drivers would find this a bit daunting. It's located in Swindon, Wiltshire and comprises 5 mini roundabouts set out in a circle. I gave this a go a few years ago and it was chaos though it was rush hour! It was hard to know at times which roundabout I was technically going around...

KNOCK DOWN A WALL

This is a long term wish! I don't know what it is that appeals to me but the important thing is that bucket lists are really personal and so you don't need to justify whether you've included this or that. 

USE A PNEUMATIC DRILL

I've wanted to do this for ages and I think I know who to ask! I mean, the worst they're going to say is "no". Just 5-10 seconds would be enough for me to get that adrenalin kick!

SEE THE COCA COLA CHRISTMAS TRUCK 

It's often been the first sign on TV of Christmas coming...and I finally got to see one of the trunks. Check out the tour dates online once they become available. 

GIVE BLOOD

I really should have done this by now as it takes no time at all....though it's easy to let these things slip. Certainly one for this year. A Google search will tell you when you can next donate.

RESEARCH THE HISTORY OF YOUR TOWN/CITY

Local history can be full of surprises and little golden nuggets of information which you can find out online or perhaps at a local museum. My nearest town is famous for its hospital burns unit and its Guinea Pig Club that started in the Second World War, for where Good King Wenceslas was composed, for the Bluebell Railway and for being a concentrated hub of religions, cults and sects! 

BE AN ELECTION COUNT ASSISTANT

This was so much fun and in fact you'll likely get paid! I was a count assistant for several elections including a general election, local elections and the EU Referendum. This involved counting late into the early hours but you could otherwise work at the polling station during the day/evening. Just contact your local council to see if they're recruiting. I might sign up again.

VISIT GOD'S OWN JUNKYARD, LONDON

Whilst the outdoor of the building is pretty much non-descript, you walk into this eclectic mix of neon signs, movie props, etc. which is just fascinating...and entry is free! You can buy something that would make a real statement piece in your home or have a drink there... but it's also a great place to pass the time as it's full of gems. 

VISIT 10 NEW CITIES

This is one of the first challenges I set myself when I was new to bucket listing as I'd barely explored my own country. Wells in Somerset is England's smallest city, very pretty and the location for various films including Hot Fuzz. You can also visit 10 new towns (loved Cirencester) or villages (loved Castlecombe - dubbed England's prettiest village) that you've never visited before.