National Trust vs English Heritage: Family Membership Guide
English Heritage - Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
Love castles, historic houses, countryside walks and family days out? A National Trust or English Heritage membership could be a great investment for your family adventures.
We've had both memberships over the years and loved exploring the places they have to offer. From castle ruins to beautiful gardens and coastal walks, they've given us plenty of ready-made days out without having to plan something new every weekend.
So, which should you choose? Rather than picking a winner, I'd recommend looking at where you live, where you travel and which sites your family will enjoy most.
What are the National Trust and English Heritage?
The National Trust was founded in 1895 to protect historic places and natural landscapes for everyone to enjoy. Today, it cares for more than 500 places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including historic houses, gardens, woodlands, countryside and coastline.
English Heritage cares for more than 400 historic sites and monuments across England, from medieval castles and abbeys to Roman forts and famous landmarks. Its roots go back to the public body established in 1983, with the English Heritage Trust becoming a separate charity in 2015.
Both organisations help protect our heritage, and membership supports their conservation work.
English Heritage - Wrest Park, Bedfordshire
Membership costs: National Trust vs English Heritage
Here is a quick comparison of the main membership options. Prices checked in October 2026.
Prices checked October 2026. Monthly payments are generally spread over 12 months by Direct Debit. National Trust family membership covers eligible named children or grandchildren aged 17 and under. English Heritage family membership includes up to 6 children per adult member. Terms and eligibility apply.
View National Trust membership | View English Heritage membership
What's included?
National Trust: Unlimited entry to more than 500 places, free parking at most National Trust car parks, a members' handbook, three magazines a year and family events throughout the seasons.
English Heritage: Unlimited entry to more than 400 historic sites, free parking at most sites where available, a handbook, members' magazine and free or discounted entry to selected events.
How to choose the right membership for your family
My biggest piece of advice is to look at both maps before deciding. The membership you'll use most is usually the one with places you can realistically visit throughout the year.
1. Start with your local area
Look at the National Trust places directory and the English Heritage places directory.
Are there sites within a comfortable drive from home? Having somewhere nearby means you can head out for a few hours without needing to plan a full day trip.
This is one of the biggest benefits of membership. Sometimes you just want to get the children out of the house, go for a walk and enjoy a change of scenery. Having a familiar place nearby makes that easy.
2. Think about your staycations
Do you regularly visit Cornwall, Dorset, the Cotswolds or the Lake District? Perhaps you have a UK road trip or a seaside holiday planned.
Look at the sites around those destinations. A castle, garden or coastal walk can make a brilliant stop during your staycation, helping you fill your itinerary without paying for a separate attraction every day.
Consider which organisation has the places you most want to visit, and whether you would use them often enough to make the membership worthwhile.
3. Don't overlook parking
Free parking can be a major benefit, particularly if you enjoy countryside walks and coastal days out.
Some National Trust places are primarily landscapes, beaches or countryside rather than ticketed attractions. You may be able to explore the area freely, but parking without membership could still cost money.
Examples worth investigating include:
The Jurassic Coast in Dorset is another great area for family adventures, but parking is managed by different landowners across the coastline. National Trust membership does not automatically cover every car park.
Both organisations offer free parking at most of their own car parks or sites where available, so check the individual location before travelling.
English Heritage - Framlingham Castle, Suffolk
4. Think about school holidays and seasonal activities
Both organisations run family-friendly activities throughout the year, including Easter trails, Halloween activities and Christmas events.
These are brilliant for half term, particularly when the activity is included in your admission. Some trails, activity packs and special events may cost extra, so check what's included before visiting.
We love a free day out, and having a membership makes it easier to enjoy new activities at places we already know and love.
English Heritage - Wrest Park, Bedfordshire - Halloween Trail
National Trust Visitor's Passports - the kids love them!
National Trust Passports only £5
One of our favourite extras is the National Trust Visitor's Passport.
For just £5, children can collect stamps as they visit participating National Trust places. They love getting their passports stamped at the end of the day, and recording the date makes them lovely keepsakes to look back on.
There's also a challenge to collect 30 unique stamps, after which children can receive a personalised certificate.
It's a simple way to get them excited about visiting somewhere new, and I love that the passport becomes a little record of our family adventures.
Find out more about the National Trust Visitor's Passport.
Which is best for families with children?
Both memberships can be excellent value for families because you don't need to buy a separate full-price admission ticket for every child.
National Trust family membership covers one or two adults, depending on your chosen option, and all eligible named children or grandchildren aged 17 and under. Under-fives can visit for free without being added to the membership.
English Heritage family membership covers one adult and up to six children, or two adults and up to 12 children. The adult members must live at the same address.
This can make a real difference for larger families. However, if you're travelling with friends or another family, check the membership rules rather than assuming everyone will be covered.
Look out for membership offers
Both organisations run promotions and seasonal campaigns, so it's worth checking for discounts before joining.
Offers have eligibility requirements and expiry dates, so check the terms before purchasing.
Favourite places we've visited
We've had both memberships and genuinely enjoyed them. Some of our favourite visits have involved castles, which probably isn't surprising because we love exploring their ruins and imagining what life was like hundreds of years ago.
National Trust favourites
Scotney Castle (Kent) is a beautiful setting with romantic castle ruins and lovely gardens.
Bodiam Castle (East Sussex) is a classic medieval castle surrounded by a moat, making it a fantastic family visit.
Corfe Castle (Dorset) is another favourite, with dramatic ruins and wonderful views across the Dorset countryside.
Avebury (Wiltshire) is also well worth a visit for its remarkable prehistoric stone circle and surrounding landscape. It is a National Trust site, rather than an English Heritage property.
National Trust Corfe Castle & Swanage Steam Train
English Heritage favourites
Audley End House and Gardens (Essex) is our local English Heritage site, making it an easy choice when we fancy a day out without travelling too far.
Wrest Park (Bedfordshire) is a lovely option for exploring formal gardens and historic surroundings.
Old Sarum (Wiltshire) offers fascinating views into the history of an ancient hillfort and Norman settlement.
And, of course, there's Stonehenge (Wiltshire), one of the world's most famous prehistoric landmarks.
These are just a few of the places we've enjoyed, and there are plenty more to discover with either membership.
English Heritage Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
What about Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Wales: National Trust highlights include Bodnant Garden (Conwy), Chirk Castle (Wrexham) and Penrhyn Castle (Gwynedd). English Heritage doesn't manage a comparable collection in Wales, so look at Cadw for castles such as Caernarfon and Conwy.
Scotland: Scotland has its own separate organisations, including the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland. Explore Culzean Castle (Ayrshire) or Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh) for ideas.
Northern Ireland: National Trust highlights include the Giant's Causeway (County Antrim) and Mount Stewart (County Down). English Heritage doesn't manage sites in Northern Ireland, so explore the Historic Environment Division for other heritage attractions.
So, which membership would I choose?
For us, both have been brilliant. National Trust is particularly appealing for its mix of countryside, coastline, gardens and historic houses, while English Heritage is fantastic if your family loves castles, monuments and discovering the past.
The best choice comes down to location and preference. Look at the nearby sites, your planned staycations and the places you can see yourself returning to throughout the year.
Both are worthwhile causes, and either membership can make family days out easier to plan and more affordable.
Explore the memberships: National Trust | English Heritage
The ultimate slow Cotswolds route with kids, including villages, scenic stops and flexible travel ideas for a weekend or longer.