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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

National Trust Membership - worth it?

11 replies

lottieandmia · 17/04/2013 22:42

We have lots of NT places near us so I am thinking this might be a way to keep the children entertained some of the time during the summer holidays. Are they worth the money?

OP posts:

Hassled · 17/04/2013 22:47

Probably yes, for a year or so. Just don't do what we've done which is exhaust all the local NT places (I mean go so often that you're bored of all of them) and then fail to cancel your membership for some years.

baldarab · 17/04/2013 22:47

We joined precisely because we used to live near a lot of NT places (we used to be in Marlow), and got a lot of value out of them. I think that's the key - being nearby. Now that we are in Twickenham, we dropped the NT as there's less of interest, and picked up Kew Gardens instead. Obvious to say, but only worth the money if you use them. We did, and loved it. (Family of 4, aged 4 to 11).

givemeaclue · 18/04/2013 09:18

Yes we use ours loads. It is free entry this weekend to all properties, look online for voucher

Original poster

lottieandmia · 18/04/2013 10:11

Thanks for replies - it seems like a good deal to me. My dcs are 11, 9 and 4.

OP posts:

ohforfoxsake · 18/04/2013 10:12

Absolutely! Check Quido for cashback (it's usually quite hefty) and look for the 12 months for the price of 9 offer.

noramum · 23/04/2013 19:45

We have ours for 13 years now, added DD and now have a family one. We use it a lot, we often go to the same places as lots in our area have parks and gardens for picnic.

They do lots of holiday activities as well.

Also useful when we do longer trips or weekend breaks to have a break in the drive. Good for getting some air and running around plus their cafes are good value.

Original poster

lottieandmia · 23/04/2013 19:49

Thanks for replies - I decided to join - got the 12 months for the price of 9 :)

OP posts:

LillianGish · 23/04/2013 19:50

You don't have to go very often to get your money back then it's a great free day out. Don't forget to keep the cards with you - can also be a good place to stop for lunch on long car journeys.

CocktailQueen · 23/04/2013 20:29

Yes, definitely! You only have to visit a few NT places per year as a family to recoup your membership costs, and they have great gardens to run around in, and also nice cafes and playgrounds etc. My kids prefer those to the actual NT houses

NeverKnowinglyUnderstood · 23/04/2013 20:33

we have a family membership.. and love it.
we have the book in the car and instead of stopping at service stations on longer journeys we make a small detour by the nearest NT place.

we have a NT house 3/4 of a mile from the house and it is brilliant. we go several times a month.
all the ones we have been to have had brilliant children's area's.

serin · 23/04/2013 23:45

We used to be members when the kids were younger but there is nothing so uncool as trailing around stately homes with your parents in your teenage years

They run lots of seasonal events and activities as well.

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