National Trust ticket release

[EloiseTheFirst]

Our local NT is opening this week and you have to book in advance. All of this week is already booked up. It says on the website that they release the slots on a Friday.

Any idea what time? Is it a matter of staying up until midnight on Thurs night? Or will it be later in the day?

If anyone knows, I'd be grateful.

Following, I’ve been wondering the same thing, our local place is fully booked as well x

I saw on another thread that they had booked at midnight.... I booked at 7am if that is any help.

Disgrace they are not giving priority to members.

They open them at 00:00 on the Friday morning - if you subscribe to the e-newsletter you should get an update re when they'll go live. I also booked at 7am but only as I was awake. There were still tickets for our local NT site at lunchtime on Friday.

charity law does not allow them (or any other similar charity) to give priority to members. So not a disgrace at all.

Not remotely a disgrace!

My parents booked tickets at 10am on Friday.

@EnlightenedOwl

Disgrace they are not giving priority to members.

The sites are always open to all with free admission to members and visitors pay entry. Why would these circumstances be any different?

Our local ones were all fully booked for the week by midday Friday.

Having membership doesn't guarantee priority entry normally - why should it be different now? (I'm a member, but everyone should have an opportunity to visit).

Well given haven't been able use membership since March you'd think they would give us some incentive...

It's different because members have already paid (quite a lot) for the entrance fee and entry is being denied them.

It's different because members have already paid (quite a lot) for the entrance fee and entry is being denied them.

Agree with this

Entry isn't being denied - we're being given the same opportunity as everyone else. If members were given priority there wouldn't be any opportunity for non members to go.

I'm a member too but I'm also a charity worker so understand completely.

The fair system would be to extend membership to account for missing time and that's due compensation. And then, just like always, NT is accessible to all.

I got my renewal oddly enough last week and no extra time added for missing time or anything else actually.

Considering cancellation thanks for nothing NT

They are offering 3 month free with membership renewal. Had an email 2 weeks ago with the options. I’ve been considering cancelling membership for a couple of years - some properties become a place I Avoid because they’re too busy and that was before all this.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/help-with-your-membership-payments-due-to-coronavirus

I'm really surprised to see so many of these NT bashing threads.

They are a charity, looking after wide swathes of the coast, countryside, amazing buildings.

They, like many other organisations have lost nearly all of their income. I'm sure they'll need to make people redundant, while trying their best to reopen under the new rules so that people can enjoy the place again.

I've just realised I sound like I work for them, which I don't... but have a bit of compassion! For organisations as well as people, particularly ones you've enjoyed in the past, which I imagine you have as a member.

They need your support as they do their best, like all of us to navigate back to normal.

I haven't been able to use it for 3 months like the rest of us but nothing open in our area yet and also no refund or anything offered. Not due to renew until April 2021 so wonder if the 3 months extra will still be on offer. Unlikely to use it as it sounds to hard to book to meet a friend there.

@capercaillie

They are offering 3 month free with membership renewal. Had an email 2 weeks ago with the options. I’ve been considering cancelling membership for a couple of years - some properties become a place I Avoid because they’re too busy and that was before all this.

I wasn't offered that just renewal at last year price.

I'm a member and did think that it would be nice if there was some priority booking (even if it was just an hour slot), but I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Having considered it, I'm also not applying for the payment break on offer as they need the money and I don't need the money; they need it more.

From the NT website:

Charity tax law means our properties must be available to everyone - not just members so we're unable to offer prioritised booking to anyone. Over 90% of those booking are members of the National Trust.

We were only offered renewal at last year's price too

And the National Trust is sitting on vast cash reserves so not buying the we have had no income for months line....