Shall I become a member of the National Trust?

[countdowntoxmas]

Seem to be some good properties around where I live. Have a 4 year old and 5 year old? Do they get in free? Wondering whether to take out family membership or single membership as it would mainly be my taking the children to the properties.

Are there any special offers for membership?

Under 5s go free, so your 5 year old would need membership. It's only an extra £5 ish a year for DC anyway. Suppose it's worth checking non member prices for properties you're likely to go to and work out from there whether it's worth paying for a couple or single parent.

There is always a 12 months for price of 9 on direct debit membership first year, just go on Trust website. I've been a member for 6 months now and it paid for itself within 3 trips.

Join via the Quidco cashback website and get 30% cashback off the membership in the first year as well as the 12 months for 9.

We joined two years ago when the DCs were 3 and 5, there is one about 15 mins from us with gardens which we all love, go about 4 x each year plus 2 or 3 visits to others in the area and it more than pays for itself (I think just the 4 visits to the best one would cost more as separate visits). We took the family membership even though DD would have got in free back then as we mostly all go together at weekends.

We rarely go inside the houses, maybe on the first visit, generally we just walk round the gardens and go to the teashops, this is usually a cheaper entry fee, so factor that in to your calculations.

I had English Heritage last year - got that with Tesco vouchers. This year I think I am going to go for National Trust. I think you get a free pair of binoculars too at the moment.

we love it - DSs love running around the gardens of places, there's always some where to go if you're on holiday in UK, you can nip off to a nearby one after school for a picnic and play. Really pleased with ours

They do nature trails and treasure hunts and things for kids on bank holiday weekends, which my two love, although you do have to pay a pound or two extra to do them.

Definitely, it is well worth th money. Some of them are working hard to attract families. One near us has a play area, story telling, great nappy changing facilities and are very welcoming.