Cheapies › National Trust and English Heritage: saving money
National Trust and English Heritage: saving money
Membership of heritage charities can be good value if you visit often. For occasional visits, check whether a free alternative suits you better.
How the main schemes work
The National Trust (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and English Heritage (England) are charities. Both offer annual membership that gives free entry to their paid properties for the year. Historic Environment Scotland and Cadw (Wales) run similar schemes. Prices and offers change, so check each organisation's website for current fees, family options and any joint or reciprocal deals.
Working out if it pays off
- Look up the standard day-visit price of the places you would visit.
- Add up your likely visits across a year, including friends and family if you want to take them (children are often included in family membership).
- Compare with the membership price. If you break even after a few visits, membership is worth considering.
- Remember car parking. National Trust members get free parking at many of its car parks, though not all; check the terms.
Free ways to enjoy their sites
- Open countryside and coast: the National Trust looks after huge stretches of coast and countryside, many of which have free pedestrian access. Parking may be charged.
- Free-to-enter English Heritage sites: a number of English Heritage monuments, such as some ruins and stone circles, are free and open at any reasonable time. Check the English Heritage website.
- Heritage Open Days: a yearly September festival in England where many buildings usually closed or charging let visitors in free. Check the Heritage Open Days website for the current year.
Free entry days
Some organisations offer occasional free entry days or discounts, for example to local residents or at special events. We do not list specific dates because they change, and we have not confirmed any for this year. Look on each organisation's own website.
Other ways to get in cheaper
- Reciprocal schemes: some memberships give access to partner organisations. Read the terms.
- Rail and bus offers: some schemes give discounted entry if you show a train ticket or arrive by public transport. See cheap rail travel.
- Concessions: students, over-60s, disabled visitors and carers may have discounted entry or free carer places.
- Gift membership might make a good present; check cancellation terms.
Free alternatives
If a stately home is not necessary, remember the free options: museums, parks and walks, and many cathedrals and churches, which are free to enter though they may ask for donations. Local history societies and councils often run free open days.
Read the small print
Memberships often renew automatically. Set a reminder, check the terms and cancel if you do not use it. Be wary of membership sold by third parties.
Questions to ask before joining
Do you live near enough to visit several times? Will you use the car parks? Are you likely to take children or visitors? Is there a joint or concession category that applies to you? Would you rather spend the same money on a railcard? Think about a trial: visit one site as a non-member, then decide if it was good enough to repeat.
Frequently asked questions
Is the National Trust free?
Membership costs money, and many properties charge entry to non-members. Some outdoor sites are free to walk around, though parking may charge.
What are Heritage Open Days?
A national annual festival in England in September when many heritage buildings open free of charge. Check the official website for the current programme.
Are English Heritage sites free on certain days?
We have not confirmed any national free days. Some sites are always free. Check English Heritage's website.