Joined The National Trust

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Decided to join up for a year with the NT this morning. Last summer I didn't get out that much for various reasons, and when we did we always found ourselves lacking in the money dept, so we couldn't just turn up at a place run by the NT and go in as we didn't have the entrance fee with us.

So I thought I'd join myself and the wife to the NT so that we can just go out and if we end up at a place that is run by the NT, we can get in without the need to pay on the door. I'd like to join English Heritage too, but I can only afford one subscription this year. So maybe next year we'll try the EH.

I will hopefully be able to get more photos this year of more interesting places - just waiting for my membership pack to arrive in the post now.

Anyone else got a subscription to the NT and do you make full use of the benefits?
 
I am a member of NTS .. the Scottish lot - card works for NT too. I dont use it all that much but it is very easy to get your money's worth as most properties are expensive. It certainly give you no excuse for sitting at home .... they have some good t-rooms too :) as well as being good places to take photos. Although I think many do not allow photography inside the buildings.
 
The NT regularly run offers. In fact with the cashback deals they can actually pay you to join.

So dont splash the full price unless you want to.
 
Where are the offers advertised? On their website?

Thanks,

David
 
I used to belong to the Scottish NT, I don't live in Scotland but it was cheaper than the English NT & they have a reciprocal agreement that you can get in free in each other's area.

I let it go after a few years mainly because we use our English Heritage membership more than the NT & I couldn't really afford ghe luxury of both.
 
I recently rejoined the NT. I find it great value for money, especially in the lake districts as most of the car parks are owned by the NT and you can use them for free.

I believe there are restrictions on what you can do with photos taken on NT land but I'm not sure what they are tbh.
 
I'm a member, don't really use it for photo ops but they can be nice places to visit, and very cheap with the discounts.
 
If the photos are for your own use it's fine but if you are a pro or want to make money out of the photos you have to have permission first and must sell the photos through the NT own pic library.
That is what i was told last time I checked.
 
I used to work for NT, Can I stress the impotance of joining NT and not NTS please!

NTS is cheaper, but you wont get the english litriture, things going on in your area etc. If everyone joined NTS, then NT wouldn't beable to provide soe of the most stunning places known to the UK.

I'm not paid to do this, This is completely off my own back and I do understand that NTS is a little bit cheaper, But please consider the point i made above.

Because I worked for the Membership Dept (supporting the staff with the system they use), I got a free pass last year, when that runs out in June (ish) I will be signing right back up with NT, They usually do 3MONTHS FREE for new members (12 months of memebrship for the price of 9!) and a free gift! (picnic rugs, family welcome packs and they even did Binoculars at one point)
 
I belong to NT, to be honest i don't use it all that much, but even the few times i have used it has easily made back the money, due to the prices on the gates. It's nice to be able to just go without having to worry about finances.
 
nigpd said:
i joined the NT a couple of weeks ago and got 12 months membership for the price of 9 (and a pair of cheap binoculars thrown in too) :thumbs:
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This is the deal I joined for too. I have noticed though that their prices seem to differ. I had one of those leaflets fall out of a magazine and the 3 months free option was dearer than the same offer I had in a direct marketing letter the same day - no need to ask which reference code I used when I joined.......
 
They change there pricing in March, I presume the mailing was the '08-'09 pricing Vs the '09-'10 pricing.
 
I should have joined last year when in cornwall, a single membership would have cover the cost of the car parks alone for our weeks stay.worth joining just for that alone, needless to say i'll be joining this year :thumbs:
 
We're members of the Scottish Nt as we live up here and 2 or 3 visits a year with the grand daughter to somewhere like Culzean Castle, which is a fabulous place for a day out, would cost more than a years membership.

We're also members of Historic Scotland and a couple of visits to their properties can soon recoup the membership fees.
 
We are members of The National Trust and make a point of going out to visit various places solely because they are owned by NT. As has been mentioned, we certainly get our monies worth and find it relaxing as well. The only complaint that I have is that photography is not allowed in any NT properties and in some they will not let you take a camera bag in with you at all.
 
I've been a member of the NT and EH for over 10 years now and both are excellent value for money. One thing to mention though, with regard to photography, you will get better value from EH. All of the EH properties allow photography inside (non-commercial) whereas many NT properties ban interior photography all-together, commercial and non-commercial. You can still get some great exterior shots, but that is abit of a downer.
 
Icee said:
If the photos are for your own use it's fine but if you are a pro or want to make money out of the photos you have to have permission first and must sell the photos through the NT own pic library.
That is what i was told last time I checked.
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I've never heard of this one! Maybe its true for their stately homes, but not their countryside properties, surely?
 
robjwest said:
I should have joined last year when in cornwall, a single membership would have cover the cost of the car parks alone for our weeks stay.worth joining just for that alone, needless to say i'll be joining this year :thumbs:
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Their car park charges are an absolute rip-off if you ask me.

Talk about allowing people free access to NT land, much of which was bought with public donations anyway! It's either cycle there, walk there or pay through the nose!

Personally, I never donate to the NT and would never consider joining. They must be one of the richest charities in the UK, and judging by what they get up to at some of their 'countryside' properties they've obviously got too much money! They seem to want to convert some of their wild land into country parks with nice level gravel paths, etc.

A few years ago they ran a big fund-raising campaign to "save Snowdon". From what, exactly? What threat was it facing other a change of ownership? Of course they raised far more than they needed and I wonder what they did with all the extra money?

End of rant.;)
 
Family membership. Love taking my two young girls out to places for the day (8 & 11), great photo opportunities and membership means you can just pop in to local places on a whim.
Great value IMO.
Love popping along to Westbury Court Gardens just to have a picnic in the summer :)
 
I got details earlier this year of photography days out organised a various NT properties.

Most were a full day under the guidance of a pro landscape photographer with lunch included.

Can't find any details on the NT website, I'll see if I can find the flyer when I get home.

David
 
My wife and I had NT membership bought as a Christmas gift, I'm really interested in that David!!
 
We're members of the NT. Well, it's offices are in Swindon :D

It's good for free parking at Avebury etc, and when you're in a strange place sometimes it's good to pop along to unusual places. Isle of wight has some great NT places to visit.

And NT Tearooms have the best cakes :D
 
the MIL brought us membership for xmas, she got an extra discount for using DD.
shame non of the houses open til March :(
 
I belong to the NT and think it's great visiting many of their properties.

You are helping to preserve the nations heritage. What's wrong with that?

When I joined also said which regions I wanted to belong to. When I get the quarterly magazine I get the regional newsletters I indicated I was interested in. These are great for giving details of special events going on, offers for members etc
 
I work for the NT as a countryside warden. If you can't afford to join but can spare some time, then try volunteering with your local Trust property. This could be a house, garden or countryside property and we always appreciate the assistance, in fact we couldn't function without volunteers. In return you'll be given a Volunteer card that gives free entrance to all NT properties and a 20% discount in the shops and restaurants.
 
I've been cosidering joining the NT for some time :) so thanks everyone You've just talked me into it :D
 
I received my confirmation this morning of joining - they sent me the DD mandate to keep on file.......just waiting now for the membership packs to arrive.

I'd love to be able to afford the life membership of the NT, EH and the Scottish NT (and any Welsh equivalent), that would be our weekends sorted from now until eternity.
 
Willid1 said:
I got details earlier this year of photography days out organised a various NT properties.

Most were a full day under the guidance of a pro landscape photographer with lunch included.

Can't find any details on the NT website, I'll see if I can find the flyer when I get home.

David
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Ok found the info from the Berks, Bucks, Hampshire, Oxfordshire IOW and London What's on Diary 2009, a sheet sent with our NT magazine. Copied as per the info on the sheet (except spelling mistakes :D)

Ashridge (near Tring).

Photography Trials at Ashridge

A series of photography workshops on the move with professional guidance for different levels of experience

All include light refreshments

Booking essential 01442 851227

Ashridge at Night - (intermediate) 19 Mar 5-10pm Adult £65
Beginners 2 May 9am-2pm Adult £40
Intermediate 3 May and 13 May 9am - 5 pm Adult £65
Advanced 14 Aug 9am - 5pm Adult £80

Mottisfont (nr Romsey)

Spring Photography Trail
16 Apr 8am - 4pm
A full day of photography tuition.
Iea coffe on arrival, includes a light lunch
Tickets £69.95 booking essential
01794 344020

The Vyne (nr Basingstoke)

Photography Trail
3 Mar 9.30am - 4.30pm
Outdoor workshop with professional photographer and guide.
Includes lunch
Tickets £69.95 booking esssential
0844 249 1895

Hope this helps someone out, as I said I could find no mention of any of these events on the website, so guess they are strictly members only.

HTH

David
 
Just clipped this off the NT site regarding photography inside properties. Might just convince me to join!

"Q. Where can I take photographs?

A. We welcome amateur photography out-of-doors at our properties. We regret that photography is not permitted indoors when houses are open to visitors. The use of mobile phones with built-in cameras is also not permitted indoors.

However, at most properties special arrangements can be made for interested amateurs (as well as volutary National Trust speakers, research students and academics) to take interior photographs by appointment outside normal opening hours.

Requests to arrange a mutually convenient appointment must be made in writing to the property concerned. Not all properties are able to offer this facility and those that do may make an admission charge (including Trust members).

All commercial photography and fliming requests must be channelled through the Broadcast and Media Liaison Officer. Telephone 01793 817400."
 
I received my welcome pack in the post this morning, it must cost nearly all my subscription to produce all the leaflets and books they sent out to me. That and the sticker for free car parking and then the free entry to the NT places - it sure seems to be a well worth investment. Just need to spend time planning my weekends now for spring and summer.

One downside though - it seems I live in an area where there are few NT places so a bit of travelling is going to be required......
 
OneTen said:
I work for the NT as a countryside warden. If you can't afford to join but can spare some time, then try volunteering with your local Trust property.
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I volunteered for a few weeks about 15 years ago, there were some nice people there but a few odd ones too.

2 lads of about 18-19 started giving me advice ( I was 32 at the time)as they were experienced :D apparently they'd travelled to some property and stayed overnight.
one pointed to the other and said he'd stayed in a dorm and had slept near a girl

It was the way he said it with a nod and a wink, near a girl:lol:

I daren't tell them what i'd done with girls
 
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