National Trust membership - the ideal sustainable gift this Christmas
What I loved about it:
The gift that keeps on giving! You can use it for any National Trust property or car park in the country so can easily make your money back. It also ensures that you get outdoors and make those amazing memories.
Location:
Suitable for:
Value for money (out of 10):
Website:
Why experiences are better than more material possessions…
Here at Girl About we have being talking about how to be more sustainable in our travel (download our travel guide below) but this also extends to how we can be more sustainable at home too. Making small changes over time have a big impact overall.
One thing that we have done as a family for a lot of years now is to buy experiences for presents. This means that we make those amazing memories with family and friends that last way longer than the material possessions. Who needs more ‘stuff’ anyway?!
One of my guaranteed presents each year since having my little boy is a National Trust membership. An annual pass costs £72 for a single, £120 for a couple or £126 for a family. For us though a single is sufficient as little ones enter for free up to 5.
The main reason for the annual pass is to get outdoors. Go for walks and explore the beautiful properties all around the country. Plus the bonus of these properties is that they usually have an epic playground! Total winner with a little person in tow.
They make for a great day out for all the family and usually have events on such as:
• Fountains Abbey by floodlight
• Art installations
• Holiday activities such as Spring and Christmas trails
They are also safe places to go on your own, brilliant paths for walking with prams / balance bikes / wheelchairs, have plenty of toilet facilities and usually a café. What’s not to love!
It’s a full day out which is why one time entry is quite expensive. With a annual pass however you soon make your money back by visiting a National Trust property a few times a year plus using a few car parks.
For example last year we visited
• Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire 4 times
• Belton House to break up a journey south
• St Michaels Mount on our visit to Cornwall plus car parks most days
• Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire car park twice
• Lake District 3 times so used it for car parks each day including Aira Force
• Sizergh Castle, Cumbria entry
• East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire
• Clumber Park, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
• Flatford Mill, Suffolk
So we have more than made our money back.
The previous year we also visited other properties on our days out and weekends away whilst also being ‘locked down’ for a good majority of it.
With properties all over the country and all having top notch facilities they are a pleasure to explore so an ideal place to stop off wherever you may be heading.
National Trust is a charity. They do amazing work in the great outdoors doing conservation work and you will find this in free places to visit also such as Malham, Grassington, Settle for us locally, as well many other beautiful spots in the Lake District and Cornwall. You know if you do a walk in these areas it will be something special as your money is being put back into the areas.
Being outdoors and in nature is brilliant. It is so therapeutic – removing you from the stress of day to day life, making you be more in the moment, calming feelings of anxiety and making you reset. Nature is hands down one of the best thing for your managing a good state of mind. For little ones it’s also important to get them used to being outdoors; playing in the fresh air (or whatever other weather the UK throws at us), building resilience, stamina and fitness plus all this makes them sleep better… the benefits are huge.
So why not give the gift of a National Trust membership this year and make some amazing memories that will last forever.
RECOMMENDATION
Handy links list
Read more of my blogs and articles
CLICK HERE
