NOW CLOSED Did you visit a National Trust place on their free weekend? Add your review, or tell NT what you think about their places in general to be in with a chance of winning £100 of NT vouchers

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

The National Trust have asked us to tell you about their free weekend, happening this weekend at selected properties (21st and 22nd Apr) and find out what you think about visiting National Trust houses and gardens in general. Here's what they say about the free weekend: "Our free weekend gives you the opportunity to explore over 200 houses, castles and gardens for free, as well as all the countryside spaces we care for. What better excuse to visit your local place?"

Download your voucher here to take part in the free weekend.

Whether or not you can go to the free weekend, The National Trust would like to know what you think about family days out - here are a few questions to start you off but please add any other comments you have. Everyone who adds their comments will be entered into a prize draw to win £100 of National Trust vouchers.

What sorts of places do you like to go for family days out? Are you 'outdoorsy' as a family or do you prefer indoor activities? What's the best place you've visited as part of a day out in recent years? Did you discover any new family day out destinations over the Easter hols?

Have you ever visited any National Trust houses or gardens with your family? If so, which ones? What do you/your DC like about the one(s) you've visited? Is there a certain time of year that you think it's best to go?

If you haven't ever visited any National Trust houses or gardens with your family, why is that? Is there anything that you think would make you more likely to go?

If you're planning to go along to a National Trust house or garden as part of the free weekend on 21st and 22nd April, you can also be entered into the prize draw if you add your feedback on the free weekend to this thread (once you've been of course!). Let us know which National Trust place house or garden your family visited, and your general opinions on the day - highlights, any lowlights(!) etc.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

We've been to Beningborough hall today with dds aged 3 and 18 months. We chose Beningborough as even though we've been there a couple of times we haven't actually been in the Hall. We also love the area and have spent a LOT of weekends pre dcs camping at Linton on Ouse.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in both the gardens - playing amongst the trees and on the lawns, and the hall - trying to decide which bed might have belonged to Harry Potter.

We were NT members pre DCs. But found that we didn't get our moneys worth when they came along. We debated today whether to join, but decided to give it another year before we think we'll really optimise membership.

Marking my place for the prize draw.

I took DS to Ham House today taking advantage of the voucher offer. We would never have visited otherwise because of the cost. Pretty disappointed as most rooms were nearly completely roped off, the children's activities consisted of felt tip pens and paper on a table, and it was a faff to get there via public transport. I have enjoyed visiting NT properties before although the price is usually prohibitive. We often go walking on NT land (free).

What sorts of places do you like to go for family days out? Adventure parks, museums, countryside for walk/picnic, seaside

Are you 'outdoorsy' as a family or do you prefer indoor activities? Both?

I would visit NT properties more if they were cheaper. It's just too expensive for us. We went today and loved it. Youngest DC was patient in the house and did the quiz. There were scrapbook showing more of the history to the family that lived there which meant it wasn't just a 'dry' experience of ornaments etc

I once decided to treat the DC to a lunch - very expensive and not child friendly (menu etc) so that always means taking a picnic which is ok except if it's raining.

I love the houses that link to a family/servants living there and give you a feel for what it was like. I like the gardens but mostly the less formal gardens... ones which link to local countyside are good.

Before today I last went to a NT property (Llanhydrock) exactly a year ago and it was really expensive to get in. Food and drink also expensive and DC were bored so I had to rush around the house missing most of it. It put me off totally.

The volunteers today were brilliant. In every room, they offered information to my DD - not in a harassing way, but just right for her.

Shop is also too expensive for me. If you sold cheaper gadgets you'd find the kids would buy smaller items.

I've tried joining the national trust but found it so hard to take ds1 (severely autistic) to anything I stopped the membership. It's a shame because ds1 loves looking around houses and behaves well enough most of the time for the NT to be ideal. I had real problems getting a carer's card (which I need because dh works so in the holidays I need to bring one of my carers to help me out with ds1, but i employ mote than one person). It's supposedly easy to do but I was passed from pillar to post so gave up. Also sometimes issues with waiting in busy spots.

We have NT membership, have done for a few years.
It's worth it because we live near a couple of really nice places (Nostell Priory being one that we go to at least a couple of times a month. It has fab grounds; a lovely adventure playground and, if DS has passed out after tearing about the lakeside, there's a big old house to look around) and our parents live near a beach with NT free parking.
We also go to Wales a lot and there's a fair bit to see there.
Over the Easter Hols we discovered a non-NT place (Newby Hall in York) and immediately signed up for an annual pass as it was such a great day out.
I agree that the food at NT places is always over priced and, in the case of Nostell, not really toddler appropriate. But a picnic is always nice in good weather :)
I like having NT membership as it forces us to go and see places to get our money's worth! It's normally paid for itself within 4 months.

Agree that it's expensive. I would like to visit, for example wembury beach more often but parking is so expensive with no concessions for blue badge holders, even those in receipt of higher rate mobility. If I go there with ds1 I never know whether he'll stay more than 10 minuntes so I really don't want to pay ££££'s parking. so we go to bigbury where we can park for free if ds1 is with us.

We went to Killerton house and gardens today as we had my parents visiting and DH wanted to do something different and take advantage of the free weekend. Our days out tend to be to parks and beaches locally and we have zoo membership so go there a lot. I was slightly dubious that the dds (age almost 2 and 3.4) would find it very interesting, but they loved it! There was loads for them to do in the house including dressing up, a piano to play (very carefully) and a mouse hunt which dd1 entered into with great enthusiasm. They also enjoyed exploring the gardens, seeing the animals and both enjoyed their food in the cafe. Food was slightly expensive, but delicious (and we had a voucher for 20% off and Grandad was paying anyway ).

I would definitely consider going to a NT property for a day out again, although I think it would be too expensive for us to go too often, but would maybe visit a couple of times a year.

I took the 3 boys to ickworth house today as DH had to go into work. We had a great time and were pleasantly suprised that it wasnt heaving.

we're an outdoorsy family and already have english heritage membership. WE've also brought national trust membership for family presents- but never been to a property ourselves. There arent that many around in this part of the world.

The gardens were amazing and we had a great time exploring. the trip around the rotunda was great too- a lovely lady gave the children a card with things to find in each room- they loved that! and a very helpful older gentleman guide had a great chat with DS1 about some of the sculptures. There was also a bagatelle type game tucked away that kept them amused when it was raining.

Only thing i would mention was that there was lots about how the children should go out and climb trees ( things to go before 11 3/4?) but nowhere was suitable to do it... and the playground was a bit uninspiring. otherwise we had a great time

I posted earlier on this thread but thought I would post again as we ended up going to Avebury today. We are members so no advantage to free weekend for us and actually it was pretty busy. Unfortunately it started to rain shortly after we arrived. We had to get a timed ticket for the manor house and we had an hour to kill before our time. We had a look found the museums and we like the barn especially because of all the interactive displays. We have been to the manor house before but I really like the way this house has been done up, to reflect different periods in different rooms, and that you can touch and sit on the furniture. After the house, we went on a trail with a quiz sheet where you had to find different birds, and then we made a wooden bird box with one of the wardens for £5! I really enjoyed that. We then used the 20% off voucher in the restaurant on coffee and cakes. It was a really good day out despite the rain.

We are an outdoorsy family and like outdoorsy days out. DS is 3 and DD is 6 months, so we are not a adventurous as we once were, but I am really enjoying discovering a new world at "small scale". We usually go out for walks or bike rides (often Forestry Enterprise trail centres like Sherwood Pines but also NT Clumber Park). We are Friends of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and I must be there about once a week (it is 5 mins away) with one or both children and also visit the National Coal Mining Museum a lot (lots of indoor and outdoor stuff, activities in holidays and it's free) quite often. We went to Magna in Rotherham last week too for the first time and enjoyed it.

We've used lots of NT car parks with the DC - mostly to explore the country side around Mam Tor (locallish), Llyn Ogwen (holiday) and Marsden Moor (local), but very few NT houses. I took DS to Lyte's Cary in Somerset and Stourhead in Wiltshire when he was tiny - a few months old - but that is mainly because I was going along with my mother who is local to them and an NT member. My parents is/were NT members, so I have always been intrigued by the idea of taking the DC. I suppose we have never thought to visit NT houses or gardens because I've not been sure that my very energetic 3 yo son would be interested or well behaved enough around the antiquities. I guess to, that with the unpredictable moods, likes and disikes of small chidren, you want to stick to what you know Until now ...

I'd printed off the NT "Free Weekend" voucher, so today we put on our waterproofs, braved the rain and decided to at least go and have lunch at our nearest (and only really local) NT property, Nostell Priory about 25 mins drive away. To be honest, I have always thought NT cafes to be rather pricey, but we had the 20% off food voucher too. My heart sank as I realised that the house was a 500m car walk from the car park, something I don't remember from visiting pre-DC. However, grumpy son cheered up enormously when a "golf buggy train" turned up and took us up the the house and visitor centre. He loved that and the NT volunteers were great at helping us on and off with child, baby and pushchair etc.

The cafe was absolutely packed. Aaaah. Hmm. Then we noticed - on the other side of the courtyard - "A bite to eat" - a much smaller cafe selling sandwiches and hot drinks - with no queue and a free table. Excellent. Bought sandwiches, crisps and drinks and ate up. Then, as all trips out with children, to the loos, which were all clean and fine. Nice baby changing facilities too. Then, finally to the house! It was pouring with rain still, so it seemed like a good idea to check this out first and cross our fingers and wish for dry weather by the time we go to the playground. We had thought to bring a sling for the baby with us, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we could have borrowed one too. Good thinking NT!

Anyway, my three year old son loved the house. He was fascinated. Athough he was exited and giddy, he was brilliantly well behaved and asked lots of questions - some of me and DH, and some of the guides, who were only too pleased to talk to him (rather than directing their answers at me). He loved the four poster beds, doll's house and billiard table. Baby daughter was also suitably amused I think. We must have been in the house for about 45 min.

After our trip round the house, he headed for the playground, which was amazing. Brilliant woodland setting, lots of unusual and interesting things to play on. Just fab. Ice cream stall too - but not doing much trade in the (now slightly less heavy) rain. Loads of space to run around. The rain did stop and we were in the playground for well over and hour. I was beginning to get a bit cold and peckish, so I suggested we went to the cafe for a cup of tea and slice of cake. Now, my son loves cake more than life itself, but did he want to go to the cafe - no. He asked to go back to the house!!!! DH took the baby to the cafe to feed her but DS was happy with a manky old box of raisins from my pocket so he could go back to the house. We went round the house twice more. DS was "guiding" me - "now then Mummy, here is the bedroom with two big bathrooms then the, what's that Harold thing called Mummy, (that's a harpsichord Love), here is the library (no Sweetie, I don't think they have the Smartest Giant in Town) and the BILLIARD TABLE!!!!......" Then finally, exhausted Mummy got the cafe for a sit down and a scone.

We arrived at about noon, and just before 5 pm we carried a weary 3 yo back to the car. He fell asleep on the way home. Every night at bedtime, we talk about what we did that day. His favourite thing today was "the big house". We practised saying the name and he is very proud that he can say it "I know it now Mummy". So best thing - the big house. Not the fantastic playground, not playing with his best friend this morning, not cake in the cafe. No. The big house. I am constantly surprised by my son, and today was one of those days. We'll be back - maybe on a summer's day when we can walk round the lake. Maybe with Granny so DS can guide her round the house, but it is definitely somewhere I can see us visiting again.

What sorts of places do you like to go for family days out?
Anywhere where you can get away from the crowds - have NT membership and use it a lot. For £70 a year, saves us a lot of money as usually visit about a dozen sites per year - using some as stop-overs on long journeys, using local sites for brief changes-of-scene at the weekend, and having days out on UK holidays. Many of the sites now have proper adventure playground/ picnic / toilet facilties, and many more now offer activities for school-aged children during the holidays, which is much appreciated.

Are you 'outdoorsy' as a family or do you prefer indoor activities? Weather permitting, outdoorsy.

What's the best place you've visited as part of a day out in recent years? Did you discover any new family day out destinations over the Easter hols?
Went to Crealy Park in Devon - first visit to an amusement park. Kids loved it, but very busy and had to queue for 20mns to get on any rides. At £60 for a family of four, not expensive by national standards, but would have been as happy/happier on a beach with a picnic and bucket and spade.

Have you ever visited any National Trust houses or gardens with your family? If so, which ones? What do you/your DC like about the one(s) you've visited? Is there a certain time of year that you think it's best to go? Like going to NT places out of weekends and school hols best, when you have them to yourselves. Love Castle Drogo (interesting artefacts around the house, great views), Isaac Newton's house (great science exhibitions for kids aged 6+), Anglesey Abbey (one of the NT's finest gardens), Stourhead (absolutely beautiful and vast landscaped gardens - fab for hide and seek, walks, picnics etc).

One bug-bear - if you renew membership on direct debit, it costs you £20 more annually than if you cancel and join afresh - this is nonsense. Also, you should be given the option to opt out of all the bumff sent to members - we never have time to read the magazines / marketing letters, and think it a shameful waste of paper and postage to be sent them in a cardboard folder and plastic envelope. Would rather receive marketing electronically (for environmental reasons) or not at all. This should be an option for new members.

Other than those 2 whinges, really think the NT has improved for family members in the last 5 years.

I was really excited to hear about the free offer this weekend but when I sat down to decide where to go I found that all the places I was interested in were 1.5 to 2 hours away by public transport. Decided they were too far too go when a storm may roll in at any moment like it has all week. And that's the crux of it, I'd love to join the NT but as a non-driver I just couldn't get my money's worth if it would mean a 4 hour round trip each time.

My family and I like stately homes with gardens - gives some options if the weather is changeable and a nice balance of culture, photography and nice walks. Places like Chatsworth - not sure if that's NT? Also like historic sites like Fountains Abbey . I'm also interested in NT's cultural properties such as Beatles Childhood Home - having said that, that one requires booking which is a bit more advanced planning than my family tends to go for!

We tend to visit on holidays like Good Friday. Cost is probably the main disincentive when factoring in tickets for everyone, refreshments, transportation and gift shop.

Still, I have kept my shortlist of 'nearby' NT properties and may go one weekend when the weather is less variable!

We visited The Vyne near Basingstoke today with the free voucher, and had a great day out . It was pretty rammed - due to the free offer by all accounts, and we had to dodge the downpours, but despite the the kids were clamouring for more.

I asked 5yo DD what was the best bit, she claimed at first it was "getting my trousers wet and muddy running back to the car park in the rain" , however on reflection it was "finding the mice" - which were actually 15 toy 'rats' hidden about the house and which made traipsing around a stately home with little people almost a pleasure . The staff in the house were also universally warm and welcoming and very willing to talk to small kids which made the visit much more relaxing.

We also enjoyed the police and fire engine displays out the front and the kids were fascinated by the working blacksmith. They also loved rolling down the grass bank out front - one of the 50 things the NT think kids should be doing.

We didn't get time to visit much of the grounds, but a return visit is on the cards

Thank you National Trust

We went to Packwood House today and did their marvellous welly walk, which my sons love. It is a great setting for a picnic, the yew trees are fantastic for hide and seek and it is one of my favourite places. We have NT membership and use it a lot, but my area has an abundance of NT properties so it is well worth the price of membership. I have at least 3 within a 10 minute drive!

We went to packwood too!! Had a great day and managed I dodge the rain!

Dragging reluctant teenagers round stately homes is painful. When they were smaller it was a lot easier, activities are organised for younger kids - Easter egg hunts, trails, art & crafts etc. There is not much to engage a teenager, it is all a bit 'dry'. Our involvement with the NT tends to be limited to using the car parks to go for interesting walks. I also find entrance fees expensive, especially as activities to draw you in are often extra.

We went to Ightham moat. It was great - we printed off hte voucher and brought it, and they accepted it without any trouble. Ightham moat itself was brilliant - the gardens were lovely - just hte right size for DS2 - who kept saying "more bridge, more bridge" (thankfully there were lots of bridges). The staff were lovely and helpful - one even left her post to get the "I spy" clipboard for DS1 and another stoped us to tell us all about the otter DS2 could touch (wooden, carved btw) - we actually managed to look round the house (First time since DS1 started walking) and while it was at very high speed and DS2 protested at top volume occasionally - non of the staff gave us cats bum mouths at all - but were all very friendly and pleasant. We loved it. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Can I just say, if there are National Trust people reading this, that charging people for parking on top of the very expensive entrance fees I feel is just awful. It's all very well for those who can afford annual membership fees, but the hard sell and the car parking charges are just there to try and force people into joining up because they end up spending a year's membership in just one day. That is frankly appauling. No wonder the NT appeals more to well off families and retired couples. If you want these things to appeal to all then how about scrapping car park charges - especially when there are FREE parking places often just yards away from the main NT car park as in Lacock. Also free parking would stop everyone from parking in dangerous places, double parking and blocking driveways because there would be no need for people to drive round looking for free parking spaces.

Also at Lacock there is a donation box labelled "to help pay for the upkeep of the village" yet nothing states that actually, the money goes to the NT itself and NOT necessarily to pay for the upkeep of the village. I presume that is the same with ALL the NT places. Donations are not separated but go into one big fund and that should be made very very clear.

I appreciate all that the NT do, but feel that they do ask for more and more money from people, which in turn makes their historical homes and places unaccessible for those of us on low incomes. I also disagree with some of the NT tactics which can often be a bit, how shall I put it, bullish?

We visited Wimpole Hall & Home Farm (near Cambridge) over the free-entry weekend. I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anybody. The farm (especially the baby pigs/ducks) was a huge hit with my son (just turned one), and there were so many animals to see. I also like that they have a board which tells you what time different animals are getting fed/handled so you can chose what to see (or avoid the crowds - depending on who you are!). There are also two play areas with pedal-on tractors or a tractor-shaped climbing/slide thing.

Being England in April, it did then totally downpour. But ... that gave us a chance to have lunch in their restaurant (they have two so they don't get overcrowded). Plenty of highchairs, paper cups offered instead of glass, microwave for heating babyfood if you needed it. And, most impressively, all the meat in their meals came from Wimpole farm itself. You can't get more local than that!

Since it was still raining (even the NT can't fix the weather!), we then went to see the Hall itself. I was a bit worried about my son toddling about trying to touch their lovely antiques or the baby carrier being two bulky to get round the tight corners in the attic rooms, but the staff were so helpful. They let us leave the carrier in reception (raffle ticket reclaim system) and lent us a hip-seat to contain the toddler on the way round. They also have kid's tour sheets for slightly older kids to hunt out interesting items.

We followed this by a stroll through the gardens and a second trip to see the baby pigs at the farm before heading home.

We would definitely consider going again (but probably when the grandparents are paying!).

I am upset to find out that I have just missed out on the free weekend. I love the local NT properties (Exeter/Devon) I we visited a few when DS1 was small, but then 2 more DS came along and now as a family of 5 we just can't afford to visit :(

Just to add to my previous post, some picnic tables under cover (even if just under a shelter) would make it easier for families with younger children to visit. Getting small children into a very busy cafe on a wet day (even without a buggy and before you consider the cost of a lunch) is a nightmare .

We visited Bodiam Castle in East Sussex.

The castle is the perfect Medieval Castle and really appealed to my 3 yo DS's notions of what a castle should look like. We dodged an amazing hail storm and explored the castle during a dry spell. My DS liked the introductory film the most but we also had fun climbing up to the top of the ramparts. A word of warning though: climbing back down the steep spiral staircases was a bit daunting for my 3 yo but we managed it safely. I would also advise taking a backpack for carrying babies and toddlers in rather than a pushchair as they can't be taken into the castle itself.

The volunteers and staff were very amiable. We had sandwiches in the cafe during the hailstorm which were fine but nothing exceptional.

There is also a steam railway 5 mins walk from the castle. It's not NT but could be combined with a trip to the castle for a bigger day out.

All in all a very happy day out that the whole family enjoyed.

Unfortunately we didn't make use of the voucher this year, due to work committments, but think the voucher weekend is a great idea! We love NT properties. Have been family members in the past, but have probably exhausted our local properties, so just tend to visit when holidaying in this country. Think my favourites have to be Hilltop, Kingston Lacy and Arlington Court.