What is the National Trust?

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From time to time, I mention the National Trust here on the blog, but what exactly is it?

The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty is an independent charity and membership organisation that looks after historic houses, gardens, castles, mills, cottages, pubs, villages, countryside and coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Founded in 1895, the charity works to protect places of historic interest and natural beauty for future generations. Its work is supported through memberships, admission fees, donations, legacies and income from shops, cafés and restaurants at many of its properties.

Today, the National Trust looks after hundreds of historic buildings, gardens, parks, nature reserves, areas of countryside and miles of coastline.

Many of its historic houses were once home to well-known figures and families, and visiting them gives you the chance to discover not only beautiful architecture but also collections of paintings, furniture, books, ceramics and personal belongings connected to their former owners.

Some National Trust properties are associated with famous names such as Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie, John Lennon and many others.

The organisation also protects significant areas within some of the UK’s best-known landscapes, including parts of the Lake District and Peak District, as well as a considerable stretch of coastline.

Scotland has its own independent organisation, the National Trust for Scotland. Membership arrangements and reciprocal benefits can change, so I recommend checking the official websites before visiting if you are planning to use a National Trust membership in Scotland.

Is National Trust membership worth it?

We became National Trust members years ago and, for us, it has been one of the best investments we have made from a cultural point of view.

Whenever we have a free weekend and are not sure what to do, we look for a National Trust property, choose somewhere new and make a day of it.

It has introduced us to places we probably would never have discovered otherwise. We have visited beautiful historic houses, walked through impressive gardens and countryside, enjoyed incredible landscapes and learned much more about British history along the way.

You do not need to be a member to visit National Trust properties. Many places can be visited by simply paying the individual admission fee.

However, if you live in the UK or plan to visit several National Trust properties during the year, membership can be worth considering. It also makes spontaneous day trips much easier, because you can simply choose somewhere to visit without thinking about buying individual admission every time.

The best option will depend on how often you expect to visit and which properties you are interested in.

How much does National Trust membership cost?

National Trust membership prices, categories and benefits can change, so rather than listing prices here that may quickly become outdated, I recommend checking the official National Trust website for the latest information.

There are usually different membership options available, including individual, joint and family memberships.

You can check the current membership options, prices and benefits directly on the National Trust website.

If you enjoy historic houses, gardens, countryside walks and discovering new places around the UK, having a National Trust membership can give you plenty of ideas for days out throughout the year.