Our Story
There’s something uniquely freeing about whiling away a sunny afternoon, or
wrapping up warm on a crisp autumn morning and exploring pastures new with your
partner. After suffering from mild depression in winter, I was looking for ways to
improve my mood as the gloomy days brightened, and the sun slowly started
emerging through the clouds. My wife suggested going to a National Trust site, as
friends of ours are members, and often spoke very highly of the value of their
membership. After doing some research, not only did the sites, gardens, buildings,
and activities look incredible, we also found something very interesting… In a 2025
study by York University, regular countryside walks, and other nature-based activities
were proven to be similarly effective as anti-depressants or cognitive behaviour
therapy (CBT). Anxiety levels also dropped markedly across large numbers of
participants. In another 2024 study of 410,000 UK residents, exposure to green
areas also reduced anxiety and depression. So for the monthly cost of two cups of
coffee or glasses of wine, purchasing a joint National Trust membership seemed like
a great idea!
We joined in February this year, and have visited over 10 sites in the last 12 weeks.
Considering a day pass to a National Trust Site is between £15 and £30, the monthly
cost of just £14 for a couple (aged 26+ and living at the same address), has already
paid for itself several times over.
Whether it be admiring the incredible gardens and beautiful and often exotic flowers
that the trust so carefully tend to, or exploring the stunning stately homes and
ancient castles that the UK proudly boasts, any two days visiting National Trust
destinations are rarely quite the same.
The appeal of free parking was a huge draw for us, but one thing we’ve truly enjoyed
is learning so much history of the places that we’ve visited. The stories of the sites
are laid out like a journey through time, with incredible attention to maintaining the
heritage of sites that have existed for up to 2000 years (not to mention of course, the
standing stones we visited in Avebury, which could be over 4000 years old).
Our most romantic National Trust destinations for couples
So far our favourite places for a romantic day out have been:
Stourhead (Postcode - BA12)
a sprawling estate that extends across the source
of the River Stour in Wiltshire, extending into Somerset. Some of the key features
include an ancient grotto, dating back to the 18 th century where architecture was
commonly based on the Italian Renaissance (one of my wife’s favourite periods for art and literature). The estate also houses a Roman-style Pantheon, roughly
translating to “a temple sacred to all the gods”, which overlooks a beautiful lake.
Chedworth Roman Villa (Postcode – GL54) - With its beautiful mosaics,
sophisticated bath-house complex, underfloor hypocaust heating system, and even a
charming water shrine, we spent a whole afternoon learning about Roman life and
the incredible feats of engineering they achieved. We sat in the gardens and enjoyed
a picnic in the sunshine, before venturing into the Cotswolds for a delightful meal at a
country pub and an evening under the stars at a lovely local campsite.
Clevedon Court (Postcode – BS21)
Originally built in the 13 th century, then
restored by Abraham Elton, a wealthy Bristol merchant in the 1700’s, this court is for
those who like learning about local history and exploring mementoes of the past,
which have been carefully preserved over the centuries. The town of Clevedon is
nearby, which has a lovely Victorian pier, and a small strip of quaint shops and
restaurants along its pretty coastline.
Tyntesfield House (Postcode – BS48)
This huge, majestic mansion has a curious
past. I’ve travelled around Peru in the past, and was curious to find out about the
trade in Peruvian riches such as rubber, gold and…. prepare yourself…. A substance
called Guano, obtained from seabird droppings which became highly sought after in
the western world in the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Tyntesfield House was built by a
merchant who became one of Britain’s wealthiest men, mainly from his exports of
guano from Peru. While this story might seem far from romantic, the site itself is
absolutely stunning and makes for a memorable trip, be it in rain, snow, or sun. The
interior is reminiscent of a palace, and the exterior and grounds could easily be used
as a filming location for Bridgerton or The Crown. I highly recommend a visit if you
are ever in the area!
Some other notable sites to visit for couples are:
Stowe House and Gardens, Buckinghamshire – Stowe houses monuments,
lakes, and long woodland walks.
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, North Yorkshire - A ruined abbey with elegant
water gardens.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Kent - Famous for its romantic, literary connections
and beautiful garden rooms.
What other annual membership options are available?
The National Trust offers three tiers of annual membership: Individual, Joint or
Family.
With prices rising (individual adult membership now at £100.80 for the first time
crossing the £100 threshold), choosing between Individual, Joint, or Family options
depend on your lifestyle and how often you’re likely to visit. Remember that for a joint
membership both members need to be resident at the same address (National Trust
do check this), and both members will be named on the sole membership card.
If you have a family of four, remember that a family of four can easily spend £60–£90
for one visit. With membership, you get unlimited free entry, free parking at most
sites, and additional perks (see National Trust website for perks which might appeal
to your particular interests). The family activities are usually free, with some seasonal
activities such as easter egg hunts and events around Christmas often requiring a
small additional fee (usually only a few pounds per child).
It’s also important to remember that buying a membership not only allows you, or
yourself and your partner, or family to experience incredible days out, but also
contributes to maintaining some of the most historic and beautiful sites that this
country has to offer.
Key universal benefits (all membership types):
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Free entry to over 500 National Trust sites
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Free parking at most National Trust car parks
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Free or discounted entry to some partner sites
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Quarterly National Trust Magazine delivered to your door
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Access to members' preview events, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers
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10% off in many National Trust cafés and shops (varies by location)
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Guest pass opportunity
Individual Membership
Best for: Solo visitors, couples where only one person is interested, or people who visit alone or with non-member friends/family.
2026 Pricing:
Adult (26+): £100.80 per year (£8.40/month)
Young Person (18–25): £50.40 per year (£4.20/month)
Junior (5–17): £12 per year (under 5’s free on an accompanying adult's membership)
Benefits:
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Simplest and most flexible option
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Ideal if your partner or family aren't always keen on heritage days out
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Young person rate offers excellent value for students or early-career adults
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Easy to gift
Joint Membership
2026 Pricing: £168 per year for two adults (26+) at the same address (£14/month).
Benefits:
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Significant saving versus two individual memberships (£201.60) - you save about £33.60
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Best for couples, housemates, or two adults who visit together regularly and live at the same address
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Both adults get full benefits (entry and parking)
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Simple for date days, weekend walks, or shared hobbies
Family Membership
2026 Pricing:
Two adults and up to ten children or grandchildren (17 and under): £176.40 per year (or £14.70 per month)
One adult and up to ten children or grandchildren: £109.20 per year (or £9.10 per month)
Under 5s go free (even without membership, but they benefit from the adult's access)
Benefits:
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Incredible value - unlimited visits for the whole family
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Children get their own junior membership card (great for encouraging independence as they get older)
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Perfect for school holidays, birthday treats, picnics, and educational days out
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Only £8–£17 more than joint for two-adult households, yet covers all children
Senior concession note: Long-term members (3+ years) aged 60+ can get 25% off - bringing individual senior costing down to around £75.60.
Final Thoughts
While we’ve only visited so far in the spring and early summer months, we are now looking forward to the soft orange, red and yellow tones of autumn, where the maple trees adorn the pathways and gardens of the beautiful countryside, which we now have the pleasure of exploring together. Winter no longer seems like a time where doors and windows are closed, the heating is cranked up…and the days become short and the nights become long. The crisp mornings and bright midday sun are now something we look forward to, as taking precious moments photographing dew-glittered cobwebs and misty rainbows that scatter through the frozen droplets in the ivy that covers ancient buildings can only elevate the mood of even the most seasonally affected.
For us, joining the National Trust has not only been something with which we’ve found a connection with nature and history, but also ourselves, and most importantly, each other.
