National trust - anyone else out there members?

[copper123]

Apparently the national trust now has over six million members up from two million in the year 2000, I gave in a joined early on this year and have been having a free day out nearly every weekend and have enjoyed every minute of it .

Running out of places nearby to go too though now, LOL

One of my faves is the little known biddulph Grange gardens

Partner is looking a bit fed up when i mention another stately house miles away though.

[Paulus]

Likewise, joined 1st July and effectively got 13 months' membership, it's been great - there are some tremendous places around me (Surrey/Sussex/Kent)

[Peter]

Apparently the national trust now has over six million members up from two million in the year 2000, I gave in a joined early on this year and have been having a free day out nearly every weekend and have enjoyed every minute of it .

Running out of places nearby to go too though now, LOL

One of my faves is the little known biddulph Grange gardens

Partner is looking a bit fed up when i mention another stately house miles away though.

I would but usually the weekends are fully booked.We would only use it whilst on holiday.

[davidrj]

been a member for donkey's years, Biddulph is one of my, favorites, other good gardens are Bodnant and Inverew (Scottish NT), plus .Styal Mill which is just a mile down the road from me

[Peckris]

Not so keen on them TBH. I'd much rather go to a ruined castle or some out-of-the-way beauty spot than traipse around a stately home. Seen one giant room stuffed floor to ceiling with 2nd rate Gainsboroughs, roped off from plebby fingers, seen 'em all!

[just.me]

I have been an on/off member for many years now. I too enjoy the old ruins and usually alternate between the National Trust and Historic Scotland. Historic Scotland is more ruins and stone circles rather than gardens and furnished stately homes, but they also have Edinburgh and Sterling castle both of which I enjoy visiting. I was over in Ireland for the holidays and so chose the National trust this year as the membership includes the Irish attractions.

[copper123]

just been on a short trip (well long one actually visited Avebury stonehenge and corfe castle all were excellect so the national trust is not just about stately homes (though it mostly is LOL )

[Peckris]

just been on a short trip (well long one actually visited Avebury stonehenge and corfe castle all were excellect so the national trust is not just about stately homes (though it mostly is LOL )

Didn't realise those were NatTrust - thought they were English Heritage?

[copper123]

Stonehenge is national heritage yes but it works in partnership with the national trust as they own surrounding land so you get in free , Corfe and Avebury manor are both NT

[Peckris]

Stonehenge is national heritage yes but it works in partnership with the national trust as they own surrounding land so you get in free , Corfe and Avebury manor are both NT

I remember exploring Corfe as a kid in the late 60s, but I can't remember if you had to pay to get in, or if so, who owned it. It's not perhaps the most fascinating ruin but it's in an exquisite setting and the village itself is as worth seeing as the Castle.

I thought Avebury stone circle was on common land, but managed by EH? Maybe things have changed...

Edited September 13, 2014 by Peckris

[copper123]

It is on common land yes so is free to enter but the national trust run the two ajoining museums and charge £4 for each one so unless you want to remain in the dark about the circles history you really need to visit at least one.

Corfe castle is in a very pretty area i agree the village is superb, the national trust have also run a couple of nearby beaches across from millionaires row "sandbanks " they charge a hefty fee for parking there as well.

[Rob]

The National Trust is a robbing bunch of b*****ds. In the eighties I wanted to take out family life membership, but they said I had to pay to get in and could only pay for life membership once we had finished. So not happy with something of the order of a grand in cash, they still wanted the extra tenner. I paid the £10 entrance fee because it was a long way to go for a wasted journey, but refused on principle to pay over and above what was effectively a voluntary contribution. Since then I have only visited NT properties once or twice, and that was only because I had someone visiting who wanted to go there. I would have thought they would be grateful for a sum that large, but no, it wasn't enough. Someone needs to tell them that a little goodwill can go a long way.

It also makes you wonder what would have happened if I had said I didn't want to go in, just buy life membership - would it have been permitted or not?. Those were the days when Mr or Mrs Jobsworth dictated everything (and probably still do).

Good job they don't have a monopoly of places to visit.

[Peckris]

Good job they don't have a monopoly of places to visit.

But they do have an appalling load of old tat in their shops

[copper123]

Yep the shops are full of total rubbish - mostly from china at extortionate prices.

Some strange people must buy it though or else it would never be for sale there .

where there's a hole someone will want to fill it.

the food is about 3x the price in supermarkets as well, it don't taste any better just cause it's local

[Peckris]

Yep the shops are full of total rubbish - mostly from china at extortionate prices.

Some strange people must buy it though or else it would never be for sale there .

where there's a hole someone will want to fill it.

the food is about 3x the price in supermarkets as well, it don't taste any better just cause it's local

I'm having 12 curries with rice, plus 8 mini apple crumbles delivered by Tesco this afternoon. Cost? £25 (Yeah ok, they were all on offer, but I'm an 'offer vulture' anyway )

[copper123]

I had a blackberry crumble the other day apples pinched from a trust property and blackberries found free in a hedge

why does food taste better when its free?