Overview
The purpose of the Days Out Guide API is to allow partners to display a feed of attractions and offers within their own systems, and claim offers / vouchers from the Days Out Guide system.
The API exposes all of the data used by daysoutguide.co.uk via a RESTful web API available in both JSON and XML formats. Permissions as to what data a given API user can access is defined when their API credentials are issued.
Features All data from daysoutguide.co.uk available Unlike the current “XML Feed” that only surfaces limited attraction data, the Days Out Guide API serves all of the attraction and offers data that exists within the system. The API is even used within the Days Out Guide site so it can be trusted as the source of truth for data.
Updated system for assigning IDs A new system for IDs has been introduced to ensure the IDs associated with data in the system (e.g. attractions, offers, train stations, etc) remain unique. Everything in the system has been assigned a unique Guid based ID. Train stations now respond to their National Rail CRS station codes as their unique IDs. An up-to-date list of CRS codes can be found via National Rail: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/48541.aspx
Powerful filtering of attraction results It is possible to filter the wide range of attractions on offer through Days Out Guide by a wide range of parameters, including by multiple categories, genres and regions. Integrate into a white labelled solution The ability to redeem vouchers / coupons via the API makes it simple to integrate Days Out Guide’s rich variety of offers into a white labelled solution presented through your own website.
In-built image cropping and resizing All images served by the API are able to be cropped and resized to fit the specific needs for your use case.
Performance and stability The Days Out Guide API was built with performance and stability in mind as a more suitable alternative to the current “XML Feed”. The API sits on separate high-availability infrastructure from the daysoutguide.co.uk website to ensure the service is always available and requests are responded to quickly.
Days Out Guide “XML Feed” NOTE: The new Days Out Guide API is intended to replace use of the “XML Feed” functionality that has historically been used to retrieve data about the attractions available in the Days Out Guide system. The “XML Feed” functionality is now considered deprecated and the Days Out Guide API should be used in its place. Essential fixes to ensure the “XML Feed” performs as expected will be applied, but new features and improvements will not be added going forward.