Grandad bought National Trust memberships for the whole family – they’re now worth £25k
Amy’s grandfather has bought memberships for his three daughters and seven granddaughters over the years, worth £25,520 in total today - Andrew Crowley
In 1976, my grandfather spent £75 on a lifetime membership to the National Trust.
After studying at university, Grandad moved out of London to settle down and raise his young family, determined to make the most of everything the area had to offer. So he bought himself a lifetime’s access to the Trust’s historic houses and gardens across the UK.
It isn’t the kind of investment that you’d expect to pay off financially. But adjusted for inflation, that original £75 would be about £510 in today’s money, less than a quarter of the current lifetime membership cost of £2,320. And it works out at roughly 0.004p a day over 50 years.
Not a bad return, if you ask me.
“I’m 90 next birthday. I know that’s unusual, some of the people who bought a life membership may not have reached my old age,” he says. “But for me, it’s been very useful. I’ve used it a lot.” We estimate he has used it hundreds of times, often just to go for tea in local houses with my granny. His favourite property is Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk.
Having reaped the benefit of his own lifetime membership so much, he then started buying them for the rest of the family – his three daughters and seven granddaughters – all teenagers or younger. We’re not sure exactly how much he spent altogether, but those 11 National Trust lifetime memberships are now worth £25,520.
Amy’s grandfather with his six grandchildren ( Amy pictured second on the right), each of whom he has gifted lifetime National Trust memberships
“I wasn’t earning a living just for myself,” he told me. “I wanted to provide for my family, and especially things we could do together.”
It was an amazing gift. As a child, I grew up exploring National Trust houses and gardens. My cousins – all armed with their own lifetime memberships – and I were let loose in 17th-century gardens and across sprawling estates. We played large-scale games of manhunt and make-believe, always finishing the afternoon with hot chocolate and cakes in the much-loved cafés.
During Easter and school holidays, the trust hosts events. We loved egg hunts across our nearby estates, outdoor games, and films – most memorably for me, the Wallace and Gromit National Trust special.
My parents often used the National Trust as a stop-off on long journeys, giving us a chance for lunch and to burn off some energy. When travelling around the UK, they make for a great free day out as part of a holiday.
There’s something almost radical about a gift that never expires – and that comes with free parking.
Back then, each membership included a guest, meaning he technically gave 22 people unlimited access to the trust’s estates. Of course, prices have since changed. Lifetime memberships have always been pricey: in 1907 they cost £20, which is roughly £2,098 in today’s money. The National Trust has raised prices by about 25pc in the last three years and, crucially, it no longer includes a free guest.
It’s not cheap, and it’s also 18pc more expensive than English Heritage’s lifetime pass at £1,960, which includes free entry for up to six children. On paper, English Heritage is the better deal.
Still, the National Trust wins on sheer scale; there’s simply more of it. More houses, more gardens, more coastlines, woodland walks and more excuses to spend an afternoon somewhere pretty.
Members now have access to more than 500 properties, up from 93 in 1945 – so my grandad is getting more for his money now than when he joined.
And even at today’s prices – typically £14 to £20 for a single adult entry – you’d break even after roughly 116 visits. If you’re in it for the long haul, that’s easily achievable over a few years.
Amy’s grandfather is 90 on his next birthday and has used his own membership hundreds of times, particularly to visit his favourite property, Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk
For those aged over 60, the lifetime membership becomes far more appealing. The cost drops to £1,730, around 34pc less than the standard rate. If you’re in your 50s, it makes little sense to buy a full-price lifetime membership now; you’re better off sticking with annual membership and switching once you hit 60.
If you’re younger than that, the question is whether you’ll use it for long enough to justify the investment.
The couples’ pass is also surprisingly good value at £2,890, £1,445 each, around 60pc less than buying two separate lifetime memberships – with an even cheaper rate for couples over 60. It covers any two adults aged 18 or older living at the same address.
And should things ever turn sour, there’s no issue: each person can still visit independently, as long as they have the card. The only question is who gets custody of it.
Amy grew up exploring National Trust houses and gardens with her cousins – all armed with their own lifetime memberships - Andrew Crowley
There is also a family lifetime membership for two adults and all their children or grandchildren, up to the age of 18, for £3,025.
Grandad insists the National Trust is inflation-proof. “It won’t lose its value,” he says. The truth is, he’s right. Those memberships have given three generations of my family a lifetime of days out.
It’s only now, in my 20s, that I’ve realised how valuable that little silver card really is – especially as my friends are often keen to come along.
So, is it worth it? For my grandad, absolutely. For my parents, definitely, and for my cousins and me, without question.
A National Trust spokesman said: “Given today’s members can now visit more than 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we believe our membership prices continue to represent excellent value for supporters.”
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