National trust v English heritage

fiftyeighter_2

My DD is buying me a membership of one of these for Christmas. However I'm not sure which would be the best. One is £41 compared to £60 so the cheaper one would be better but I don't want to regret my choice and I don't mind paying the difference. Please has anyone any views on these. I would really appreciate the advise.

GreenQueen

To decide which is best, you need to think about where you will use it. Are there more NT or EH properties/sites near you? Are you likely to use it on holiday, and which one is likely to get most use then? Are there any specific properties that you want to go to?

GQ

fiftyeighter_2

I love all gardens and houses. Yes I can see what you meen about living nearby. I will have another look. The NT seems to have a lot more though, but that's no good if I can never get to them is it? Thankyou.

marvin

For what it is worth I ran both a couple of years ago and really struggled to get enough use out of the English Heritage one only just getting over the membership price in entries.

Whereas the NT one we got ticket entries more than 3 x the cost of the cost of the membership.

There may be more value to EH in the area you live it also depends on what interests you, EH tends to be ruins or empty buildings where NT tends to be, in my wife's view more interesting.

We have NT membership this year cost us £70 odd pounds and 3 months in we have entries to the value of about £250.

fuddle

We have a NT membership and have done so for a couple of years now. We use it a lot as we explore our new county and surrounding counties. We can access free parking at some coastal areas which helps too. The NT experience is a joyful one, always learning or seeing something new.

NT for us is brilliant but we do have sites local so that's a main reason why it is well used.

We bought our MIL a membership last year - she's used it once because where she lives isn't too close to anywhere. School boy on our part but if you'll use the NT I very much doubt you'll be disappointed.

fiftyeighter_2

Thankyou Marvin. I have to admit I was going down the line of NT only for the fact there seems to be a lot more places to visit.
Money and distance however is always a problem but with my DD buying it for me as a gift it's giving me a good start.
I've found the last couple of years I've been very boring and getting in a rut some I'm determined to do things, go places while I still can. Lol. I went to the local WI last night and the ladies were all very nice but again it will be £37 to join. I only have my pension now so have to be careful. ( as I'm sure we all do) don't get me wrong I'm not in debt and I mange to put money by for Xmas, emergencies etc but I have to be frugal. Though I feel we don't really go without.
Oh dear I didn't meen to go into my life story, sorry about that. Thankful for the replies.

MallyGirl

We have had NT for years - it used to provide lots of free parking in the Lake District but most of that has gone now sadly. We spent a week in the summer walking Hadrian's Wall and EH paid for itself there but I can't see us using it again before it expires

Goldiegirl

I belong to both, and enjoy both.


But if I had to choose one, I'd pick NT, especially for houses and gardens.


EH is good, but more of their properties are castles and ruins ( at least in my area)


Also, it might be worth considering the Historic Houses Association


http://www.hha.org.uk/


I'm not a member of the HHA, but I might think about it if I 'run out' of properties to visit!

Sezzagirl

Look on each organisation's website and look at the maps of their properties and see which has most near you.


Then look at the properties near you and see if the membership would give you good value. ie how many properties are their within your area and how often would you want to visit each one. Be aware that if a property has a special event, you might still have to pay something for the entry


There are very few NT properties near us. The only one near enough for regular visits is a forest and, as the only charge is £5 for parking, the annual membership does not work out economical.


EH has more sites nearby but a lot of those are tended ruins, open spaces of minor properties. For example, one site is the gates of an old manor house. Nothing left of the house or grounds, just the gates.


I think the idea of membership is a lovely one but you will have to consider carefully how much value it will give you

Thrift

I have membership of both and would agree I generally get more visits to NT properties as they are nearer. EH it great value if you are near Dover as the castle with all its attractions can take several days to explore in full so several lots of entry fees if not a member. EH membership also allows you half price entry to properties in Wales and Scotland, too, in your first year and free entry if you renew for subsequent years. The organsiations in Wales and Scotland have a similar arrngement.

You mentioned the WI and again I am a member and have gained a great deal from that, not just in terms of some great speakers, visits and courses but also friendship, too.

fiftyeighter_2

Thanks to everyone . I notice you are in Essex too Sezzagirl so maybe I should take a long hard look before I decide.
Thanks for the link Goldiegirl. Had a quick look but will have a proper look later when I get a chance.