National Trust membership - question

[VenusStarr]

I've been gifted some money to buy membership for the National Trust for me and dh. I heard somewhere that membership is slightly cheaper if you buy when visiting a property rather than just buying online. Is that true?

Thanks!

No.

No, that's not the case. However, the property you join at will benefit directly from the membership whereas if you join online it will go into a central pot, so if you have a local or favourite site you want to support then join at that property.

Sorry, hit ‘post’ too soon.
Sometimes they have special offers on membership, e.g. existing member buying for new member at a discount for the first year.

When we joined because we pay by monthly DD, we got an extra month or two for free. That was a few years ago so may have changed.

OK, lovely thank you both ☺️ @FadedRed @Serendopety

Thank you @Okki

Check out the Scottish National trust. Apparently it's cheaper and you still get into the UK properties.

I think if you've paid to get in to a NT site and then join up for annual membership at the same place they will deduct your entry fee from the membership price.

You get a free pair of binoculars if you sign up online.

@tattychicken this used to be the case but HMRC put a stop to this because of the rules surrounding Gift Aid, so refunds on the initial entry fee are no longer allowed (but if you join on entry you obviously get to visit that property for free straight away).

Oh thank you everyone! Very helpful ☺️

No it's not. We did get some free hot drinks and a mince pie when we signed up for the very first time at our local property though! It's cheaper to pay online and use a cashback site or find a code from somewhere. I've even called up before to urgently renew an expired membership (I needed a temporary card emailed to me) and they told me to hang up, have a quick google and find a discount code to give them.

Seconding @scubaprincess. DH has bought his parents Scottish National Trust membership for years as it's cheaper and can be used in England too.

NT volunteer here. The ethics of the 'join in Scotland, visit in England' are a little questionable given that the NT is a CHARITY. More fool them for not closing this loophole.

Example: individual membership Looks to be £5 a month for Scotland, £6 for England. or x 12 for annual.

if you join at a property it does help them meet their membership targets, for what that's worth!

We joined at a property then saw loads of offers for free stuff when you join online. We are slightly put out at the moment that many properties are closed October-December too....