Why join the National Trust?
If you were wondering whether to become a member of the National Trust then here’s a low down of the Yorkshire National Trust sites so you can decide whether it’s worth it for your family.
Membership gives you access to the properties, gardens and countryside that the National Trust manage. NT sites are not only in Yorkshire but the whole of the UK, with over 500 places on the list. The National Trust is a charity that protects and preserves these natural environments. National Trust sites are exemplary maintained and incredible beautiful so you know your money is being used well.
When it comes to Yorkshire National Trust sites then we are pretty lucky to have some really really good ones. Memberships means that you not only get free entry into National Trust properties throughout the country, but you also can get free parking in the car parks.
We have been members of the National Trust for the last few years. Making the most out of our membership with the amazing Yorkshire National Trust sites as well as those wherever we venture on holiday. It is certainly worth the money for us however I do have a few tips that will help you decide.
Top tips for National Trust membership
Do your research on locations
Find out what National Trust sites are near you and work out realistically how many times a year you will visit. If there aren’t many within an hour then it will probably be more beneficial to just pay each time you visit.
Who will be using it?
Are you an individual? A couple? A family? Who will be using this membership? Even though we are a family of 4 it actually works out cheaper for us to have an individual membership. Under 5s are free and my husband rarely joins us so we can just pay for his entry separate when he does come along.
What areas do you prefer to visit?
If you like to visit National Trust properties then entry can be up to £20pp. This would mean that a membership is probably worthwhile getting. A couples membership is cheaper than two individual ones so bear that in mind. If however you just prefer to go walking and therefore are just using the car parks mainly then you will only need an individual membership. If you have a child over 5 then it would actually save you a lot of money by just buying the Junior membership so that you can use this for car parks!
Try before you buy
Every quarter the Daily Mirror run an offer where you can claim a FREE family pass to a National Trust site. This allows 2 adults and up to 3 children in FREE to the majority of their sites (check the exemptions list). This is a great way to test out some of the sites to see if you like them and want to return time and time again.
**CLAIM YOUR FREE NATIONAL TRUST PASS HERE**
Our top 5 Yorkshire National Trust sites
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Ripon
Location: HG4 3DY
Hands down the best of the Yorkshire National Trust properties. Fountains Abbey is absolutely brilliant for all ages. I was blown away on my first visit and to be fair I’m always impressed still.
The grounds are huge with lots of options for walks. The main paths are pram friendly too which means it is easily accessible for the kids and good regardless of the weather.
Why visit Fountains Abbey?
Fountains Abbey itself is just amazing. There is so much to explore in the ruins. The kids can climb, play hide and seek, jump off, run round – it really is a child’s paradise. I’ve loved visiting here over the years (I think we have had our monies worth out of our membership on this place alone).
The grounds lead into the Studley Royal Water Gardens so you can walk around the lakes. There are sculptures to spot here, the serpentine tunnel to find and numerous view points to enjoy. The Deer Park and the Seven Bridges walk is another area that you can explore further which does lead out of the National Trust boundary. You can easily clock up 10,000 steps with just the walk down the Abbey and around the lakes.
Fountains Abbey is one of those places you need to visit in every season too. It changes so much with each that it is worth revisiting regularly. In late Winter to see the snowdrops, early Spring for the Daffodils, late Spring for the bluebells, Summer for picnics and ice cream, Autumnal days for puddle jumping plus a special evening event called Fountains by Floodlight and Christmas to hear the choir sing Christmas Carols. They also have themed events for the kids during each main school holiday which includes scavenger hunts, making crafts, garden games etc. Any time of year or weather though is great for walks and exploring the ruins.
Facilities wise they have it all. Toilet blocks are situated around the estate, a large cafe / resturant at the main entrance plus a smaller cafe at the Deer Park and a kiosk by the Abbey. There is in addition an epic adventure playground for the kids which includes swings, climbing frames, slides, a trim trail, zip line and a look out tower. Den building too.
A must must must visit!
Nostell Priory, Pontefract
Location: WF4 1QE
Nostell Priory is situated between Pontefract and Wakefield, West Yorkshire so a day out distance for us.
The site is National Trust but set up a little different to other ones we’ve been to. Here you book online for the car park pass which is £5 or free to members. You then get access to all the grounds except the gardens. This is an additional £7 or again free for members. The garden is not that big it is where the kids playground is. The playground is ace! Lots of new playground equipment for them to explore, a lot of wobbly things (intentionally), swings and more. Easily able to spend a few hours in here.
Why visit Nostell Priory?
At the time we visited there was also a Peter Rabbit trial on. Nostell like most Yorkshire National Trust sites holds seasonal events. Each holiday there is different trail aimed at primary school age kids. The trails come with a booklet where they can answer questions, do puzzles as well as follow the trail round the grounds to spot each character.
The grounds themselves are lovely and on our visit on a cold winters day it was still beautiful. There are loads of open spaces, woodland, two lakes, and lots of paths to follow which are all pram friendly. We did a full walk round most of the grounds, walking round past the lakes and up to the Obelisk before returning back through one wood to the car park. I imagine in summer this will be stunning and a great place to have a picnic and kick a ball around.
There is a central courtyard with a café selling hot and cold food, drinks and ice cream, toilet facilities and a gift shop. Definitely worth a visit.
Brimham Rocks, Nidderdale
Location: Car park, HG3 4DW
Brimham Rocks is a National Trust site and the best outdoor adventure place for kids of all ages!!
Brimham Rocks is one of those places you go to and accidentally spend all day as time just flies when you are having fun. So don’t forget your picnic. Good footwear and a tight leash on little ones is also required. If you are of a nervous disposition then this will either make you or break you! It’s a great place though for kids to understand risk, take chances, really explore and be fearless. It’s also a great place for parents to find their inner child and get climbing too.
There are lots of paths around the site, the main one being pram friendly. The rock formations are everywhere so just go explore and see what you find! There are some amazing ones; ones that are shaped liked animals, ones that are questionably balanced, and ones that offer incredible views down the valley. There is even a trig point tucked away.
Parking is free for National Trust members, otherwise £6, there is a small kiosk selling coffees and sandwiches, plenty of picnic benches and toilets.
East Riddlesden Hall, Keighley
Location: BD20 5EL
East Riddlesden Hall is one of the smaller Yorkshire National Trust properties but this doesn’t mean it is any less worth visiting.
The beautiful house with stunning gardens has a brilliant Discovery garden for the kids. Complete with mud kitchen, bug hotels, trim trail and lots of other natural play items to let them just be at one with nature. Seasonal trails are held through the garden along with crafts in the Discovery room.
The House is situated next to a duck pond and at the bottom of the hill the river winds its way round the meadow so you can enjoy a riverside stroll or a picnic in the meadow.
A fab little property that packs a lot in. There are toilet facilities, a tearoom and a gift shop.
Beningbrough Hall, York
Location: YO30 1DD
Beningbrough Hall on the outskirts of York is a great property to visit to entertain the whole family for half a day.
With a fab house to explore, beautiful formal gardens, a woodland walk, open space and a brilliant playground there is something for everyone. Seasonal trails are held here also which is a great way to explore the gardens and the woodlands. The woodland walk skirts the edge of the property so you can make this into a good walk.
There is a cafe on site plus toilet facilities.
Where else would I recommend?
There are a number of areas which are part of the National Trust such as Malham and the Yorkshire Coastline but these are free to enjoy anyway so are not swayed by a membership.
Hardcastle Crags in Hebden Bridge is a lovely woodland walk down to an old mill. You just pay for the car park here not entry per person.
Other Yorkshire National Trust sites
Other Yorkshire National Trust sites that we would like to visit are:
Mount Grace Priory, Northallerton
Nunnington Hall, York
Wentworth Castle Gardens, Barnsley
Other non Yorkshire National Trust sites worth a visit
Outside of Yorkshire we have had the delights of visiting many other National Trust properties. But there are so so many more we want to explore. I must admit the location of some of our weekends away have been swayed by a National Trust property or two!
Cragside, Rothbury, Northumberland – to read more about Cragside check out my Northumberland blog
Gibside, Newcastle
Sizergh Castle, Lake District – to find out about the Wild Trail check out my Ullswater weekend blog
Aria Force, on Ullswater near Keswick, Lake District
St Michaels Mount, Cornwall
Plas Newydd House and Gardens, Anglesey
Belton House, Grantham
Where is your favourite National Trust site and why? Let us know so you can influence our next adventures!
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