How to Save Money on a National Trust Membership

There is so much to love about the National Trust Membership. You can visit attractions and unique places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for free on fun days. When you add free parking, it’s well worth it.

What is a National Trust Membership?

The National Trust Membership is a membership that offers instant access to National Trust properties. As a member, you enjoy free entry to over 500 outdoor places plus free parking but with pre-booking.

In 1895 Canon Hardwicke, Octavia Hill and Sir Robert Hunter founded the National Trust. They were united by a belief that beauty, history and nature is for everyone. Over 125 years have passed, and today, the National Trust is Europe’s largest conservation charity. They care for and protect over 500 attractions and historic properties in the UK.

How Much is a National Trust Membership?

As a National Trust member, you’ll help protect historic places for future generations. The National Trust offers four types of membership:

• Joint
• Family
• Individual
• Life Membership

Joint

Joint membership is for two adults living at the same address. Per year, the membership fee is £120. You can choose to pay in monthly instalments of £10, but if you choose the monthly payments, you can not buy Joint membership as a gift.

Family Membership

Family membership is available for one adult and their children or grandchildren aged 17 or under. The membership fee is £78 a year or £6.50 a month. You also have family membership for two adults (18+) living at the same address and their children or grandchildren (17 or under). This type of membership is £126 a year or £10.50 a month.

For kids under 5 years old, it’s free.

Individual Membership

There are three plans under individual membership:

• Adult
• Young person
• Junior

The Adult plan is for 26+ years, and the membership fee is £72 a year or £6 a month. For young people between 18 to 25 years, you’ve got the young person membership – £36 a year.

Lastly, we’ve the junior plan for kids aged 0 to 17 years. The membership fee is £10 a year and under 5s go free. Besides free entry, you also have a junior welcome pack as a bonus.

Life Membership

Life membership has three plans…

• Individual
• Joint
• Family

Individual life membership is £1,730 for individual life and £1,295 for individual senior life aged 60 or over. This includes free admission for one accompanying guest. Joint life membership is for two people who are life partners and living at the same address.

• Joint life senior – £1,620
• Joint life – £2,160 where one is 60 or over.

Lastly, we’ve family life membership for two adults and all their children or grandchildren aged 18 or under. The adults must be lifetime partners and living at the same address.

Joint family life membership is £2,265. You can buy for yourself or as a gift.

How Do You Join the National Trust?

It’s easy to join the National Trust as a member. Head to the National Trust membership page and select a membership. Choices include joint, family, individual and life membership. Once you find a plan that suits your budget and needs, click “Buy for myself.”

The site will redirect you to another webpage where you need to select the number of adults and children (if any). Click ‘Continue’ then fill in the following details…

• First name
• Last name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Postcode
• Contact details

On the next page, enter the details of your child. That includes their name and date of birth. Click ‘Continue’ and choose how you’d like to pay. The National Trust offers Direct Debit, credit card or debit card as payment methods.

If you select Direct Debit, the National Trust will enclose your welcome pack showing each payment’s date and amount. If you set up an annual Direct Debit, National Trust will offer a joining gift of a pair of binoculars.

You can choose to decline the gift. If you’ve a promo code, enter in the space provided. Click ‘Continue’ and complete your membership registration.

Once you pay, you can use your online receipt as a temporary membership until your card arrives. As a National Trust member, you’ll enjoy…

• Free parking at all National Trust car parks
• Free entry to outdoor places
• National Trust handbook
• National Trust Magazine

The National Trust also offers access to its member’s area and behind the scenes features. Always book your visits in advance.

Does the National Trust Offer Discounts for Children?

As a charity, the National Trust does not offer discounts on memberships. But it provides free entry to kids under 5 years. Also, children receive a welcome pack and are usually invited to vote in the Annual General Meeting.

Does the National Trust Offer Discounts for Seniors?

Yes, the National Trust offers a senior concession of 25% for 60 or over. This is to say a big thank you to its loyal members. It’s also to ensure that members continue to enjoy visiting the over 500 attractions and historic properties.

Can I Earn Cashback on a National Trust Membership?

You can earn cashback with the following websites…

Quidco

You can earn up to 3% cashback on family membership, joint membership and individual membership purchases. To get the cashback, visit the Quidco website, sign up as a member and start earning. It’s free, and sign up takes less than 5 minutes.

Topcashback

Topcashback also offers up to 3.3% cashback on your purchase when you shop with National Trust. Sign up at Topcashback and shop with National Trust as usual to receive your cashback. You can earn up to £300 cashback a year.

MyMoneyPocket

Join over 75,000 members and get up to 2.4% National Trust cashback. Sign up at MyMoneyPocket with your email or Facebook.

Does the National Trust Offer Free Passes for Carers?

The National Trust historic properties and special places are open to everyone. They offer the Essential Companion card, making it simple for the elderly to bring one or two carers free of charge.

All you need to do is show the card when you arrive, and your carer won’t need to pay the entry fee. Even if you don’t have the card, you can still bring a carer along for free. But if you’re not a National Trust member, you’ll have to pay for your own entry.

Does the National Trust Offer Discounts for Groups?

The National Trust also offers the Link Pass. Designed for groups, it gives half-price entry to those affiliated with day centres, registered care homes and more.

The pass is valid at participating National Trust Places, excluding bank holidays and weekends. Carers with the group gain entry free of charge. It would be best if you pre-booked all visits.

On applying for the Link Pass, you must quote the NHS Trust number, charity, or national organisation’s name. A Link Pass is only renewed on request.

How to Get Free Access to National Trust Attractions by Volunteering

As a National Trust volunteer, you’ll make new friends, help a great cause and work in amazing historic properties. The National Trust has over one million collection items to protect and care for in over 200 historic places. As a volunteer, you can spend your time, skills, and energy preserving these collections and giving visitors a warm welcome.

Besides protecting historic places and gardens, volunteers clean the beaches by collecting rubbish. To start volunteering, visit the National Trust MyVolunteering webpage, and search for an opportunity. You can enter a National Trust site, city, county, town or postcode. If you find an opportunity you like, follow the instructions to submit your application successfully.

Do You Have to Pay for Parking at National Trust Attractions?

For National Trust members, parking is free but with pre-booking. If you pre-book, you’ll receive a temporary parking pass that you can display on your car dashboard. This will enable you to park for free. You’ll also need to use your National Trust membership card once it arrives.

Final Thoughts

The National Trust historic properties and special places have a lot to entertain families. You can explore unforgettable places and get closer to culture, history and wildlife. Whether it’s a day out as a family, with friends, grandparents or as a group, there are endless adventures to explore.

Some of the most popular places to visit are Giant’s Causeway, Cliveden House, Waddesdon Manor, Attingham Park and many more. We hope this guide helps you save money on your National Trust Membership.