Roqqett Blog

What does the National Trust do?

They are the biggest conservation charity in Europe, and protect and care almost a million projects within the UK. Which include coastlines, countrysides, stately homes and historical landmarks. 

A National Trust membership allows you access and additional benefits to visit a variety of houses, gardens and coastlines. 

You can currently purchase four types of National trust membership, with varying tiers. 

1. Joint Membership: (Two adults at the same address) / £120 per year or £10 per month 

2. Family Membership:

• 2 Adults: Family Membership (At the same address, with under 17’s going for free) £126 per year, that’s £10.50 per month.
• 1 Adult:  Family Membership (At the same address, with under 17’s going for free) £78 per year, that’s £6.50 per month.

3. Individual Membership 

• Adult, (26+ years): £72 per year (£6 per month)
• Young person (18-25 years) £36 per year (£3 per month)
• Junior (0-17) £10 per year (Does not include Car Parking, handbook and National trust Magazines) 

4. Life Membership

• Individual (with plus one) - £1,730 Standard, £1,295 Senior (60+)
• Joint (two people at the same address) £2,160 Standard, £1,620 Senior (60+)
• Family (Two adults At the same address, with under 17’s going for free) Standard £2,265 

HOT TIP #1  Under 5’s go free, so no need for a membership or an admission fee!

HOT TIP #2 If your membership card has a + sign on it, you are eligible to bring a guest free of charge! 

HOT TIP #3 If you are visiting or living in Cornwall or the Dorset Coastline you’ll find most beaches and walks have National trust parking. You could make your membership cost back on just parking! 

HOT TIP #4 Make sure you check that your dog is able to come with you to a National Trust site, as more often than not National Trust locations are not dog friendly. 

What is included in National Trust Membership?

• Free entry to over 500 National Trust establishments 
• Free parking at most National Trust car parks 
• National Trust Handbook, full of information about our places
• National Trust Magazine three times a year, packed with inspiration, interviews and news
• Access to our online Members’ Area, full of first-look previews and behind-the-scenes features

The Top National trust visits, visit all five and break even on your membership. 

• Kingston Lacy (Dorset) Rural Venician Palace 
• Mount Steward (County Down) Neo-classical House 
• Chartwell (Kent) Home of Winston Churchill 
• Cragside (Northumberland) Britains first smart home
• Snowshill Manor (Gloucestershire) 22,000 piece collection of unusual objects 

Find other national trust locations near you, by clicking on this link. This map includes countryside walks, beaches and areas which are in the care of the National trust. 

But is a National Trust membership worth it?

• Free Parking Most find the free parking element the main benefit of being a member, as you are able to do a variety of walks and visit places at no additional cost! 
• Depends where you live, or visit! From the image below, some areas have a bigger variety of National trust places to visit, type in your postcode, by clicking on this link to find out if it’s worth it for you. 

• Are you an outdoor enthusiast, and love walking on days out? 
• How often would you like to visit an NT? As most locations vary in price, on average you would expect to break even on your membership, if you visited a large house five times a year. 
• If you don’t make five excursions, some people consider it a charity contribution to keeping Britain well looked after. 

Overall, it depends on how willing and able you are to visit National Trust properties. But you should also consider if the free parking will benefit other activities you enjoy doing, besides National Trust sites!