Okay, so it's not a free day out but after you pay your annual membership fee, it does feel like a free day out.
During my childhood, we'd often pop into a National Trust property for a look round as my parent, despite not being the wealthiest of parents, had a family membership. Fast forward 7 or so years when I was training to be a teacher in North Yorkshire, my friend and I decided to get a membership as we could get a Young Person's membership for 13 to 25 year olds which was considerably less than a regular individual pass. As we lived very close to one of the largest National Trust properties, if we only visited four times in that year, we would save money. We certainly got our money's worth in those four years as we would often go down there for a wander on a Sunday afternoon or if we were feeling like a trip out, go to another property further a field.
As I graduated and had recently met my now husband, I kept my membership going. My husband thought it was a complete waste of money but soon realised that I was going to all these places and he was having to pay for himself to enter! When we got married, he became the additional member with me and we have enjoyed visiting different places both locally and when on holiday.
*** SUBSCRIPTION PRICES *** So down to the nitty gritty of it
all, the prices. Don't be put off by the information below as I have some hidden secrets to get this price reduced but the normal annual membership fees for 2006 are:
Individual Member £40.40 (additional member living at same address £27.50) Family Group £73 (two adults and children or grandchildren under 18) Family One Adult £55 (includes children under 18) Child £18.50 (under 13 but under 5's are free) Young Person £18.50 (13 to 25)
Other memberships are Educational Group Memberships and Life Memberships.
*** SECRETS TO CHEAPER MEMBERSHIP FEES *** Firstly if you know someone who is already a member, ask them to recommend you. You can then get your 1st year reduced by 25%. The current web membership offers a similar deal that if you set up a direct debit, you'll get 12 months for the price of 9 and a free cool bag.
Another is to look for the vans out and about in the car parks of shopping centres and service stations, they normally offer a minimum of 10% off.
I stick to being part of the 'National Trust' but if you are Scottish by birth or fancy just saving money, joining the Scottish National Trust (www.nts.org.uk) you can still gain free access to all the 'National Trust' properties in England and Wales. You can currently save £3.50 on an Individual Member subscription and £13 for a family. The thing you do miss out with this though is that you do not get the 'National Trust' members handbook which has all the property details in although this can be purchased in the shops for £8.99 (not worth it for the individual one unless you research everything on the Internet).
*** WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MEMBERSHIP *** Firstly you get free parking and free entry to most of the 'National Trust' properties throughout the UK including Northern Ireland and those within the 'Scottish National Trust'. This doesn't include special events and places where special access is required such as '20 Forthlin Road' or 'Mendips'in Liverpool - for this you need to go by special minibus from Speke Hall.
Membership Handbook (see below), three magazines, regional newsletters keeping you informed of local events and if you join as a family, you'll also receive a children's newsletter too.
*** HANDBOOK *** This is like your Bible to the National Trust Properties. It has lots of useful general information and some maps of different parts of the UK. We've often just looked at these in relation to where we were and then chosen somewhere to visit. If you have an old copy, it can give you insight to the properties but you need to double check the opening hours.
The majority of the book is split up into regions of the UK (excluding Scotland). You then look up (in alphabetical order within the regions) the place you're going to visit. You can see an overview of symbols as to the facilities available and read a few paragraphs about the property. The opening timetable for the whole year is clearly colour coded so you can see when it is open and then you have more details about each of the facilities available such as the entrance fee (if you don't have a membership card), parking, facilities for disabled, etc. The end of the details also lists properties nearby.
*** THINGS TO REMEMBER *** No card, no entry! You must have your card with you, they won't accept other forms of identification.
Check opening information before you leave. Most of the properties close of the from November to March but they all have different opening times and days. We recently took a picnic to one of our local properties. We were not planning to go in the property but stay in the grounds. We had a lovely time but as the main house was closed that day, the toilets near the picnic area were closed too so you had quite a walk to the loos and the two aspects that really make a visit to National Trust properties for me, the restaurant and shop, were closed.
Footwear: check you've got suitable footwear if you plan to go into the properties themselves. For example some won't allow you to go in high heels and will ask you to put some dodgy plastic slippers on. Their rule is that if your heel covers less area than a postage stamp, you're not allowed in with them.
No mobiles or cameras are allowed to be used in the properties.
With the membership card, you don't always have to visit the properties. Now we have a toddler, we often just go and use the grounds.
*** RCLURE'S PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS *** I am not going into great detail here as the review is on the membership but some of the places I've visited and thoroughly enjoyed include: Fountains Abbey, Quarry Bank Mill, Speke Hall, Dunham Massey, Erddig, Powis Castle, Nunnington Hall, Giant's Causeway, Ormsby Hall.
*** SHOPS *** You may have visions of lavender scented hanger pillows and scented draw liners and, yes, they probably do these but they also have some other great things. I often visit the shops for unusual presents, not just for older people but for kids and friends too. We've bought our son some lovely binoculars that cost just £4 and a wonderful CD of all the old 'Children's Hour' music my parents grew up with. I've also bought some wonderfully priced postcards and stationary.
*** FINAL WORD *** Have I convinced you to consider it? If so, you can get more information from www.nationaltrust.org.uk or by phoning 0870 458 4000.
Pictures of National Trust Annual Membership
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My parents have been members for years and if you visit quite a few it really is a bargain.
Serenfach 14.03.2006 14:58
Very good review - hadn't considered this in the past but now you've got me thinking - they have so many interesting places to visit.
snowbunni 08.03.2006 12:12
Very good review... I'm a slightly sneaky NT member, myself. I pay to belong to NT Australia (costs about half as much as in the UK) but the card entitles me to visit all the NT properties here. x
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Advantages: The National Trust is committed to saving as much of our heritage "FOREVER, FOR EVERYONE". Disadvantages: Looking after lots of national treasures is expensive.
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