National Trust/English Heritage

[middleager]

I've never been a member of either, but wondering if I should join so that my family has outdoor places to visit during lockdown. My teen is on his third period of self isolation, which is bringing him down, and when this is done we want to get out.

Can anybody explain which organisation and type of membership is 'best' (can I use Clubcard vouchers?) how they are operating at the moment etc? Are toilets open? Take out cafes?

Have a google and see how many of each place are within your "day out" travelling distance. Our local area is great for English heritage but fairly naff for national trust.
The lakes however is almost over run with national trust places.
If both are similar then have a look and see if there is reduced entry at national trust sites for English heritage members and vice versa.

Which is best depends on where you are in the country and what you like to do (I think in some places you get free beach parking, so if you are near those beaches that would be really good) but you can often get a cheap membership via your employer, especially if you're a public sector worker.

There's a scheme where, for about a fiver a month, you get one of them for free. Ours is advertised via our employee benefits page on the intranet. Might be something like Civil Service leisure club.

Thanks - I'm in Birmingham and with current restrictions would want to stay in the region (mainly thinking of the toilet and travel situation!)

That's a great suggestion which I'm embarrassed to say, I hadn't done!

Also worth looking on the EH and NT webpages. Some of the EH sites are free entry for everyone, but those are really just ruined castles so a pile of stones, story board and nice countryside.

@BarbaraofSeville

Which is best depends on where you are in the country and what you like to do (I think in some places you get free beach parking, so if you are near those beaches that would be really good) but you can often get a cheap membership via your employer, especially if you're a public sector worker.

There's a scheme where, for about a fiver a month, you get one of them for free. Ours is advertised via our employee benefits page on the intranet. Might be something like Civil Service leisure club.

Thanks - I'll take a look as both DH and I have company schemes.

Motorway service stations still open if on the way, likewise supermarkets.

Good to know Barbara thanks

Look at historic houses membership too.

@DipSwimSwoosh

Look at historic houses membership too.

Thanks - off to look now

I have been a member of nt in the past. However they allow hunts on their land. SAying they are drag hunts but the huts are shown over and over to not be drag hunts, so I will not be supporting them.

You don’t have to be a member to visit, you can still “pay as you go”.

You also have to book a time in advance, so you can’t just spontaneously decide to go. I wanted to go to my national trust place this weekend but all slots are booked up - pretty annoying when I’ve paid for membership that I’ve hardly been able to use!

Also many NT places shut over the winter so check opening times for ones local to you.

At the moment you have to pre-book time slots for NT properties like gardens. Most of their countryside sites are freely open though. Don't know if there would be toilets. Gardens have toilets open, and some have takeaway refreshment facilities.

The website is helpful at setting out what is currently in place for each location.

Also if you’re going to go for membership you can usually find a deal to get a % off the cost.

Aka ok to note if you gave kids - all NT property play areas are still closed.

“Also to note” I meant

I'm near Birmingham too and we have both memberships.

To be honest, I'd choose NT over EH. There's loads of NT places within reach of the Midlands, not so many EH. Kenilworth and Witley Court are really the only ones we visit regularly (both glorious tho).

NT - loads!! Croome, Calke Abbey, Baddesley Clinton, Packwood house, Dudmaston, Wightwick, Attingham, Charlecote...all within an hour of Brum.

And of course Clent Hills which you don't need to be a member to visit (but would have to pay for parking).

Most of the houses are shut atm and you have to book to even visit the grounds but our membership has paid for itself. Also visit Cornwall a lot.

I want to see the Back to Back houses in Birmingham, but I expect they'll be closed or heavily restricted at the moment.

Sorry, got waylaid!!

Toilets, shop & cafes were open last time we visited an NT place & very well organised COVID-wise. The houses are generally shut over the winter anyway (apart from some Christmas events). Sounds like I work for them!! (I don't )

I'm not so sure about this lockdown though.

@TottyonTyne

Aka ok to note if you gave kids - all NT property play areas are still closed.

With regards playgrounds check locally. The one nearest to us is remaining open because playgrounds are not included in the second lockdown rules

We've had NT for a few years and it's been great. Nice walk, good house, and cream tea. Winner 😅

Houses were open, albeit on a lesser scale but closed again now. They usually close over winter but parkland, gardens and cafes all open over winter.

Play areas are mixed - some open and some not.

We've found it great value. Good selection around Birmingham, Stafford, Derby, Wolverhampton

Thanks - all very helpful.
My children are teens now so we don't need the playgrounds (sadly)

The Midlands suggestions are useful. We also visit Cornwall but noticed Tintagel is EH.

I can get a joint EH membership with my Tesco vouchers, but sounds like NT have more by me. Some friends also used NT go visit a nice beach in Formby I think (beaches within easy reach of Birmingham can be tricky)

Decisions!

NT membership is worth the money if you only use it for beach parking in Cornwall!

Yes, you're not well placed for beaches in Birmingham!

The Formby beach or somewhere up that way also has a red squirrel reserve that's NT, so it would probably be worth going if you'd get to see them.

@TottyonTyne

Aka ok to note if you gave kids - all NT property play areas are still closed.

Not all are. They are open here. Toilets and takeaway cafes open.

House and shop closed.

Garden / parkland open but need to book gardens. Parkland is usually open and free for all.