Is a National Trust membership worth it?
What you need to know about joining the heritage organisation
I have been a member of the National Trust for many years and have happily visited numerous sites around the country, with my family.
As subscribers to this newsletter know, I am passionate about British travel and particularly enjoy visiting historical locations. We’re so lucky to live in a country which is saturated in stories. Everywhere you go, if you look closely, you’ll find fascinating tales. It’s not just about old buildings, it’s about the lives lived before us - you only have to scratch the surface to uncover untold treasures.
So, it’s probably understandable my favourite National Trust houses are those with quirky tales, from the hoarder Charles Wade, who filled his Cotswolds’ Snowshill Manor with so many collections he couldn’t fit himself in and lived in a cottage in the grounds, to Bateman’s in East Sussex, the former home of Rudyard Kipling, with his study containing maps of France he used to search for his son, John, lost in the First World War.
There’s no question visiting a National Trust property is a great day out. They usually have glorious gardens and grounds, many with adventure playgrounds for kids, plus cafes offering their famous scones. However, it’s not cheap. If you don’t have membership, visiting a property can set you back around £22 per adult (to Chartwell, for example), or £55 for a family of four. Membership packages are better value. They start at £91.20 for an adult, £159 for a family of four or £151.20 for two people.
Admission and membership prices, like everything, are creeping up. When I first joined, in 2017, a family membership was £114.60. Now it’s £159. Like everyone, I’m finding it hard to stretch finances across an increased cost of living, plus, with lots of other family commitments, we haven’t been going as regularly. So, this year, I started to consider whether it’s worth continuing with my membership.
Here are my thoughts:
You have to go at least once every three months: You need to visit at least four properties a year to break even – sometimes more, as prices to each venue vary.
Check if you can get a discount: Young people aged 18-25 can get membership for £45.60. Joint membership for two adults at the same address, is £151.20 a year, which also brings the cost down. There’s also a senior discount offered in a strangely-complicated manner. If you are over-60 and have been a member for three consecutive years, you can ask for 25 per cent off, but only if you call 0344 800 1895. Note to National Trust: Just make this more transparent.
Get an Explorer Pass: If you are visiting Britain, or going on a trip where you plan to see lots of National Trust properties, you can get an Explorer Pass for 4-14 days, from £40. To buy, visit here.
Conclusion
We are lucky to live near several National Trust properties, but even so, we’re not going nearly as often as we used to. I’d analyse whether you are really likely to visit four properties a year and if not, look at paying per go. I’m going to see how many times we visited this year, then assess before we renew.
Top tip
While I enjoy a coffee and cake in a National Trust café, the prices have also spiked and we recently had a fairly unremarkable lunch for four, consisting of boxed sandwiches, crisps and drinks, for £30. I’d recommend bringing your own picnic and saving your money for the scones.