National Trust, dd gift...

simonineaston

Clearly not low spend, but... if you are going to join the National Trust anyway, here's a couple of tips.
I went to Tyntesfield House y'day to meet friends for a picnic which was very nice. I decided to join the trust for a year, which gave me free admission to the house. Also 'cos I signed up to pay annually by direct debit, I got a free pair of small binoculars. I already have several pairs of good quality bino.s and would judge the quality of the free gift as "definitely not a toy, but not much better". For the record, they are dual-hinge, compact, rubber covered 8x21. They would be ideal for keeping in the car, so long as you are not too discerning about the quality - they fit into the category, "better than having none with you, but only just!".
The second tip is more of a caution, really - if you are visiting an NT property with joining in mind, delay paying for the parking 'till you've joined (and so will be able to put the badge you get in the handbook in your car) 'cos they won't refund it if you do cough up the fiver, like wot I did!