Just joined The National Trust

[Moon bunny]

We (the Mrs and I) were members for a while. We used it loads when we had our holidays, but when we moved up here, having little (house wise) nearby and a change in financial priorities (bigger mortgage) meant we let it go. We saw some fab places though. Well worth the money if you use it enough, though I know of a few ex-employees around these parts that are far from positive in their opinion of the NT.

I worked at the place at the south end of Windermere, for a few months earlier this year, to gain experience of public on boats. Lovely job, spoiled by "up themselves" management.
Come to think of it everyone I know who has worked or volunteered with NT says something similar. I believe management came to blows with a gardener at one place not 100 miles from Kendal.

 

[screenman]

Can any members on here tell me how to use the free parking at the pay carpark sites (rather than houses where I assume it's free because you pay to go in) as I haven't got anything, bar a printed temporary card

Just go into reception and ask for a car park sticker, we always ask for one for each car.

 

[swansonj]

I worked at the place at the south end of Windermere, for a few months earlier this year, to gain experience of public on boats. Lovely job, spoiled by "up themselves" management.
Come to think of it everyone I know who has worked or volunteered with NT says something similar. I believe management came to blows with a gardener at one place not 100 miles from Kendal.

I stopped there for tea and cake earlier this year. When I'm driving somewhere on work and therefore on expenses, I always try to stop at NT places if I can, so that my employer's money ends up somewhere worthwhile.

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

Just go into reception and ask for a car park sticker, we always ask for one for each car.

Do you travel in a fleet?

 

[screenman]

Do you travel in a fleet?

It has been known, we do not use the same car all the time and found it more convenient to have a sticker in each one.

 

[simon the viking]

Just go into reception and ask for a car park sticker, we always ask for one for each car.

Cheers

 

[pplpilot]

Been members for years, we find itvery useful with the children, pleasent surroundings for picnics. we live 5 minute walk from Packwood house and Baddesley Clinton. I spend a fair amount of time on the road and rather than use service stations etc i will always look for a local NT , having the point of interest file for all the NT properties in the sat nav is useful.

 

[Lilliburlero]

We've got Calke abbey

I`v not been around the house for a few years (5 or 6), but cycled there a few months ago and just pottered around the grounds.

 

[hopless500]

Just go into reception and ask for a car park sticker, we always ask for one for each car.

Last time we went (a couple of months ago) we went in my car without a sticker. Just showed the car park man (when he started to get officious) our membership cards, and it was fine.

 

[summerdays]

We've been members of the NTS for years (about 24 to be precise.... Only wish we had taken out life time membership!). It means any time you are on holiday you can usually have a day out or two at their properties and if you want to leave quickly you don't feel you have wasted your money, or you don't mind going back another day. We usually have lunch or cake when we are there so the teens don't object as they will get food!

If you get the option for a behind the scenes tour then take them as they are usually very interesting and better than the normal tours.

And I reckon that our ticket almost pays for itself in car parking at the coast each year. But we had changed the car this year so we now have a Welsh National Trust sticker in the car.

 

[simon the viking]

I`v not been around the house for a few years (5 or 6), but cycled there a few months ago and just pottered around the grounds.
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Embarrassingly I live 15 minutes away and never been..... obviously I'll rectifying that very soon

 

[DaveReading]

Son and DIL usually buy us annual membership as a Christmas present. Most of the NT properties round our way (Cliveden, Basildon Park, The Vyne, Greys Court, etc) are much more child-friendly that they used to be, so we often take our toddler grandsons for a day out.

If I was more organised, I'd remember to take my card with me on rides, as they all do nice cakes.

 

[Ganymede]

Mr G and I joined on our honeymoon in 1983 at Knightshayes Court. We have a direct debit and some years we hardly go to anything but others we go a lot. We have just spent today at Knole and Ightham Mote near Sevenoaks (it's my birthday today... I like an outing...) and 2 weeks ago we revisited Sissinghurst for the nth time (we are about 5 miles away).

Kent and Sussex have some great properties so it's good for us, but we've also used the card on hols all over the country. I remember using Shugborough Hall as a tea/lunch stop on my way up North once - much nicer than a service station!

 

[KneesUp]

We live in a National Trust blackspot - but have still almost joined on several occasions. With English Heritage you get in to CADW monuments free (Welsh Heritage - all the castles, basically) and the Scottish one (Scottish Heritage?) - family tickets to Edinburgh Castle cost roughly the same as a years membership. I believe the NT has a similar reciprocal arrangements?

 

[summerdays]

Son and DIL usually buy us annual membership as a Christmas present. Most of the NT properties round our way (Cliveden, Basildon Park, The Vyne, Greys Court, etc) are much more child-friendly that they used to be, so we often take our toddler grandsons for a day out.

If I was more organised, I'd remember to take my card with me on rides, as they all do nice cakes.

I spent lots if my childhood going to Cliveden as my parents had membership, so we'd just go there for a run around the grounds.