National Trust Discounts?

DuncR
DuncR Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited December 2020 in Tips for making Caravanning & Touring Cheaper #1

Hi All

After paying a hefty parking fee at an NT carpark today, thought it's about time we joined. There's a few properties & bits of land locally that we'd certainly make use of if we didn't have to fork out each time.

I can see there's a small discount for CAMC members but I tried using the code on the NT Membership page and it wouldn't work. It seems that it only works on gift cards.

Am I right or have I missed something? It seems a pretty convoluted way to join up by buying a card and then spending it on Membership (and the Membership page only shows visa/debit card or Direct Debit so not even sure how we'd use the gift card!)

Is there any better way of getting a better membership rate from NT? Or are they very much a take it or leave it sort of outfit?

Thanks - Dunc

Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2020 #2

    The national trust member offer is just a gift card on which you receive a discount. It does say it can be put towards membership, so I assume there will be some way of doing this, even if it is only at a NT property. In more normal times the NT often gave 15 months for the price of 12, however given the losses sustained during Covid, I suspect they may be a thing of the past. I can't find any mention on the NT website.

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,828 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2020 #3

    Sorry, can't help with National Trust, but if you would like to join English Heritage instead you can pay  with Tesco vouchers, and multiply the face value on the voucher by three. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited December 2020 #4

    I think the national trust for Scotland  for one is about £10 a year cheaper?  which is valid in England/Wales wink

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2020 #5

    National Trust tend to offer just the one price, although like others, they used to do a 15 months pay for twelve month deal for new Members. Beware their single entry fee prices at properties as well, they will automatically charge you the Gift Aid price, unless you state no.

    On the plus side, they were excellent at giving Members a three month extension this year due to C19. Over 60’s need to ask for the senior price as well, otherwise it isn’t automatically applied.

    It can be a bit of a wasteful organisation generally, and it has already announced staff redundancies due to Covid, but if you Tour a lot, and enjoy history and open spaces, it’s usually worth the Membership.

    Cadw (Welsh version of EH) is the one to join. Cheaper than EH and Historic Scotland, and you get an automatic discount in their shops. Gets you into EH and HS half price first year, after that they are all free.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #6

    I was just going to mention about the Scottish National Trust, but JVB66 has already mentioned it above.

    The other thing that might be worth mentioning is that if you just use the National Trust for car parking, parking is free if you have a Disabled Badge...

    David

  • ask66
    ask66 Forum Participant Posts: 43
    edited February 2021 #7

    I think the general idea of joining the Scottish National Trust is that you mainly intend to visit Scottish NT properties but with the added bonus of free admission when you occasionally visit English NT properties - they are completely separate organisations.  With the English NT, over 60s get a senior discount (25% I think) once they have been members for 5 years.  It's great to know that your membership is helping to conserve wonderful houses, gardens and countryside for the future!

  • MikeyA
    MikeyA Forum Participant Posts: 1,072
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    edited March 2021 #8

    If you are over 60 then the difference for the first 5 years would be £30.

    TBH we were members of the NTS but, due to the moral dilemma of enjoying mainly English properties and contributing nothing, we have now changed our allegiance.

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited March 2021 #9

    We are life members of the NT,since 1998 ,which we have found seems to open a few more doors at events?surprised

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,666 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #10

    We stopped our NT membership about 9 years ago when we had our dog.  Although dogs are generally allowed in the grounds of NT properties, they are generally not allowed in the properties themselves.  She won't stay in the car for even a short period of time (separation anxiety etc), so we decided not to bother.  Since my knee operations, I now have a disabled badge which gets me into the property grounds and NT car parks (e.g. the one at Godrevy and the Lizard in Cornwall) free of charge.!

    David

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #11

    We belong to the Scottish NT, we signed up years ago when we lived there and now get reduced senior membership (I think senior membership applies to long term English NT members too?) All the memberships can be used throughout the UK, NI, CH Isles etc plus affiliated associations abroad.

    Being a member is very useful not just for properties but for all the coastal car parks run by the NT. We've had dogs all the way along so some properties are still off limits but most offer some walking areas in the grounds or at certain times of the year. We take it in turns to go inside properties.

    One of my favourites is Greenway on the Dart in Devon, Agatha Christie's former holiday home. Lovely grounds for dog walking and deckchairs and benches outside the house to enjoy the river views. Excellent cream teas in the courtyard cafe! We go there by the ferry boat.

    Over the years we've had a lot of enjoyment from joining and we have the bonus of four NT properties very near to where we live so can visit frequently. 

    Here's a LINK to some of the NT camp sites.

     

     

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #12

    In answer to your question you'll save 8% by first buying a gift card to the value of the membership you require, buy the discounted card  then use it for your membership purchase.

    I bought a discounted card as a present for someone...fans of NT cafes they spent it on cream teas! smile

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #13

    Regarding free parking on two NT car parks you have to scan your membership card in to get a ticket. However SNT cards can't be (or couldn't be at that time) scanned and we were told just to display the card in the car.

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
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    edited March 2021 #14

    I’m a volunteer at a National Trust property local to me.  Although a charity, like commercial tourist attractions, they have taken a significant hit from lack of income through gate ticket and membership sales, and have been undergoing a massive restructuring (including staff redundancies) to be able to sustain their commitment to conservation and maintenance of properties and countryside in the future.

    I can’t comment on the use of discounted gift cards to purchase membership, however the Visitor Reception staff at each property would be able to process membership on the day.  Someone has mentioned reduced rates for over 60s, however this isn’t something that the NT offers.  It only takes 3-4 visits to a property as a couple to recoup the annual membership fee and, of course, car parking is free.  At those properties with ticket machines it is essential to scan your membership card, and this enables the property to receive extra money from the central pot.

    In addition to the individual and joint memberships, the Trust also has a range of family memberships to suit single parents, couples with children and grandparents with children, which may be useful.

  • obbernockle
    obbernockle Forum Participant Posts: 616
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    edited March 2021 #15

    Oh dear! Wrong! We have been members for many years and have enjoyed the 25% reduction as our age and continuous membership entitles us to this. We pay £7.50 per month by Direct Debit (normally £10).

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #16

    "Someone has mentioned reduced rates for over 60s, however this isn’t something that the NT offers."

    Actually they do offer reduced annual membership subscriptions on age grounds. I forget the details of the actual age and length of membership required to obtain the discount but I've got it.

    Edit: Cross posted with Obbernockle.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #17

    In addition to the individual and joint memberships, the Trust also has a range of family memberships to suit single parents, couples with children and grandparents with children, which may be useful.

    It is why we kept our family membership after the kids left home many moons ago. We might actually benefit from it when our granddaughter turns five in a couple of years.😀

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited March 2021 #18

    IF ,if joining the N.T ,,,,is there a detailed book/magazine info' etc that sets out the particular details of each site ?? For example ,vehicle sizes,lengths ,height barriers,length of stay ??  ??.undecided.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #19

    Not that I am aware off. Unless I know the site, as with Clumber or Hardwick, which are local to us. I would ring up the number provided on line or in the book to check on access / parking. Some sites only have room for a few MH’s.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383 ✭
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    edited March 2021 #20

    Here is the detail >Link< Note, Senior membership is not automatic you have to apply for it. Its a charity dedicated to preseving our history and open spaces. We would be losers without it. I pay full subsciptions and will continue to do so way into my senior years.

    peedee

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #21

    Cheers, PD. I have no recollection at all of applying and was sure it just happened automatically.🤷🏻‍♂️

  • obbernockle
    obbernockle Forum Participant Posts: 616
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    edited March 2021 #22

    Yes there is an annual handbook containing details of each NT property and also the window sticker to help with entry to car parks.

    It normally contains more information than in this year's book because the Pandemic has affected opening times etc. We have kept last year's book for reference. Entrance this year is by booking on the NT website  and limited numbers of slots are released on the Friday of each preceding week. (to prevent block bookings). We haven't found any difficulty in getting bookings.

    We used the website booking system several times last year to visit parks and gardens and thoroughly enjoyed each one. Because they are limiting the numbers of visitors this year, the parks and gardens are particularly quiet, 

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
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    edited March 2021 #23

    My comment isn’t totally incorrect.  You must have already been a member continuously for  several years (can’t remember how many) before you can change to the age related reduced membership rate.  You can’t get it as a new member.

    Also, there aren’t any concessions on normal admission fees for non members.

  • bandgirl
    bandgirl Forum Participant Posts: 440
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    edited March 2021 #24

    The reduced rate for over 60s isn’t available for new members.  You must have a certain number of years continuous membership to qualify, as you rightly say.  I think it may be 5 years, but not sure.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,031 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #25

    Tinny is right. You get reduced rate for over 60, but only if you have had 5 years continuous membership, and you have to ask for it. It isn’t automatically applied.

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited March 2021 #26

    Err !! That's not the info' i require undecided I want to know more before (IF) i join .No point joining if i can't access or stay a while !!    !!  surprised.

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