The perfect present? (National Trust)

Member Name: anwar7

Product:	National Trust
Date:	02/11/08 (186 review reads)
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We have been members of the National trust for several years now and have enjoyed numerous days out visiting many of their properties. So let me tell you all about this wonderful charity and maybe you will be tempted to join too!

The National trust.
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The national trust is an independent charity that cares for over 300 historic houses and protects miles of our coastline and countryside. The national trust was set up in 1895 by 3 Victorian philanthropists, Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. The 3 were concerned about uncontrolled development and wanted to protect our historic houses, coastline and countryside. To-day the national trust (excluding the trust for Scotland) has over 31/2 million members.

As in the past the work of the trust is still to conserver and protect many of our special places. It has over 300 historic houses in its care and many miles of coastline. It is a worrying fact that 3 out of every 4 properties cared for by the trust opens to the public at a loss.

To-day the National trust also invests over £160 million a year in companies specialising in conservation and environmental issues.

How to join.
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If you are a new member then the easiest way to join is on line. Simply go to the trusts web site at www.nationaltrust.org.uk and follow the link. If you join via quidco you will get £20 cash back too! At the moment there is an offer for new members to get 12 months for the price of 9. There are several different types of membership available. Family membership costs £61.50 if you pay a one off payment by direct debit. If you chose to pat by debit or credit card then this price increases to £82.00. A family includes 2 adults and all children up to 18.

There is also single membership either with or without children. An individual membership costs £34.50 via direct debit or £46.00 by debit or credit card.

If you have a disability then you can apply for a cares card that will entitle your carer to accompany you for free. There are other prices available but rather than list them all here I suggest you take a look on the web site.

I should say that only new members can join on line, Existing members can renew their membership by phoning the trusts membership number on 0844-800-1895.

Once you have joined you will be sent a confirmation email. From this email you can print of your temporary membership card. A full membership pack should then arrive within 4 weeks. When we joined I seem to remember our pack arrived within days. At the moment you will receive a free pair of binoculars if you join.

What you get for your membership.
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Membership lasts for a year from the date you join. When you first join you will receive a pack containing your membership card or cards, a handbook listing all the trusts properties, a car sticker, a newsletter and a copy of the trusts magazine. During your membership you will receive 3 magazines giving all the latest National trust news and events.
The national trust has over 300 properties in its care and as a member all are free for you to visit. Most properties are open from around March until the beginning of November. However many of the ground and gardens remain open all year. In addition many historic houses have events during the year and these will be free for members.

As a family with young children we like to visit places that will be of interest to our children. Many of the houses have adventure playgrounds or mazes to explore. My children love to visit Wallington and Cragside in Northumberland as both have great adventure playgrounds in lovely settings. As National trust grounds are protected they can be a great place to spot wildlife and some have animal hides.

Most National trust properties have a shop and tearooms. The prices are high but the quality is good. I love the homemade cakes and jams found in most of the tearooms! Yesterday I enjoyed a large bowl of soup and wholemeal roll for £4.50.My children had a cake each priced at £2.50 a slice. Expensive but delicious!

I am very grateful that many miles of our beautiful coastline is protected by the National trust. If you have visited the Lake District in Cumbria then you may be aware that much of the area is looked after by the National Trust. As a member you can park free in all the trusts car parks by displaying your car sticker you received in your welcome pack.

Many of the properties managed by the National trust are accessible for those with disabilities. However there are many properties where disabled access is restricted In the properties I have visited there are always ramps provided to give full access to the ground but many historic houses have stairs to their upper floors and no lifts. In the animal hide at Wallington, Northumberland there is a wheelchair space . If you are concerned about access I suggest you phone the property you are visiting to check how accessible it is.

Many of the properties allow dogs on the lead. They are not allowed into any of the houses, as you would expect! The gardens and grounds are great places to walk your dog. I am pleased to see that there are always several bowls of water provided for dogs.

National trust membership gives you free access to all Scottish National trust properties too. If you live in Scotland then of course you need to join the National trust for Scotland which in turn gives you free access to all National trust properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland



As a family we all really enjoy our visits to National trust properties. They provide fun for our children and give us all a sense of pride in our heritage. Wherever you live you will always be within a 40 minutes of a National Trust site! Taking out an annual membership could be the perfect Christmas present for someone!

Summary: the national trust