National Trust Membership Savings

Northtim

Was a member for a few years but no longer, would like to see a major change in policy fom NT.

They seem to take old homes and castles that in their day would have been lively, sometimes very lively places, and enforce a library type atmosphere where people talk in whispers and children are frowned at. All very well to preserve the buildings but the life and soul seems to be removed. As a family including 4 well behaved children I got totally fed up with having to creep amount and talk in lowered voices.

Sorry - off topic & rant over. But if anyone from NT is reading please bring the buildings back to life whilst looking after them. My experience was of an increasing elderly attendance at NT properties and I have spoken to many other families who felt unwelcome.

garyjones1962

Garetha wrote:

Could we join one of the following (e.g. Manx is £22 one adult, £35 for two) and enjoy the roving facilities? It seems too good to be true! (so it probably won't work!)
Does anyone know?

It doesn't work! You have to live in those places.

hobwell

Not too sure if this has been posted before but if you become a member of the National Trust between 1st January 2007 and 31st December 2007 you can get Sky HD for £199 +installation compared to Sky's offer for £299 for the box.

National Trust Partner Offers - Sky

bluesru5

I understand where Northtim is coming from about the atmosphere in some of the houses, however, we have visited Styal Country Park several times and here the kids get to be kids only how it was around 100 years ago. they get to dress up in period clothes and to be apprentices in the old mill and have a certificate made to say they've done it. There's also plenty of room around about for them to have a run round (eg. the meadow next to the mill) so they're not all stuffy "hands off" places, though you can understand why some of the houses might be can't you?

markbloke

Northtim wrote:

Was a member for a few years but no longer, would like to see a major change in policy fom NT. [snip]

I've also experienced a dose of what you've mentioned in the rest of your post. I guess the problem is that they're manned by volunteers, and a few of them see their work as protecting British heritage from the great unwashed like me.
I've had some annoying comments from old biddys - "You've already been in here!" (I'd had the audacity to go the wrong way), been warmly greeted with a pointed finger and "How old is SHE?" (suspicious that I was trying to sneak in my daughter for free).
Most recently was a lovely chap in a car-park at the Stackpole Estate in South Wales. NT had screwed up my membership subs the year before and overcharged me. I complained, they cancelled the membership and re-instated it later at the right price. I ended up with two sets of cards and by chance the one I carried that day was from the first lot, which (horror!) had run out the week before. I explained this to carpark man and he seemed very doubtful indeed. I pointed out that the carpark permit was still valid and he said "Yes, but you might have cancelled your membership and kept the sticker!". Eventually he relented and said he'd "let me off this time".

I will renew my membership again, because all in all it's a source of relatively cheap days out at some fascinating properties. I've learned to laugh at the very few rude volunteers and enjoy the enthusiasm of the far greater number of very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful ones. Christmas in particular was fabulous at Speke Hall, everyone there put of a great show and children were central to the festivities.
I guess if we don't like the way it is, we can always volunteer ourselves. Oh yes, I'll be watching you.....

mark1024

markbloke wrote:

I've learned to laugh at the very few rude volunteers and enjoy the enthusiasm of the far greater number of very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful ones.
I guess if we don't like the way it is, we can always volunteer ourselves. Oh yes, I'll be watching you.....

Absolutely agree with your points. We have been to many, many NT properties and usually manage to see the funny side of the whole thing while being shepherded through the 'treasures upstairs'
From a moneysaving perspective the NT membership offers great value if you visit even a handful. My tip is not to bother renewing /joining until end of March as most of the houses are closed until spring. (Doesn't apply to many parks & woods open all year round) Also don't forget packed lunches - the cafes are horrendously expensive, although the food can be good. I have a kettle for the car which saves a fortune.

theloft

goodscams wrote:

Just to mention the scottish NT are offering 12 months for 9 too. family £45 and you can park in any english NT car park! Bargain

Where did you see this offer then ?? Looked on NTS website - nothing about 3 months free !.

theloft

Here is a special offer link for the NT (England). With this one you get the free 3 months PLUS a free coolbag !!

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-support/w-jointoday.htm

Mice_Elf

...and don't forget that if you use your Tesco clubcard vouchers, they are worth 4 times as much, so £10 clubcard vouchers equals £40 money off.

National Trust membership is in their Deals magazine at the moment.

pudding

Tesco have only got day entrance available for scotland on clubcards at the moment and not any annual memberships..