From romantic, ruined abbeys to picture-perfect parkland, the British Isles play host to a myriad of marvels – many of which can be accessed with a monthly or yearly membership from the organisations which maintain them.
Having a UK Trust membership can be a cost-effective way to visit historic tourist attractions and enjoy days out in the great outdoors with your loved ones.
The prices and perks can vary for each, so we’ve compared the top five to help you choose one best suited to your budget and interests.
English Heritage
Consider yourself a history buff? With more than 400 monuments, buildings and other places of interest, you’ll be spoilt for choice with an English Heritage membership. Visit pre-historic sites, grand medieval castles and Roman forts including the likes of Stone Henge, Dover Castle and Hadrian’s Wall.
Membership prices:
Adult 65-plus (£4.75 a month)
Family (from £5.33 a month)
Lifetime (from £1,170)
Additional perks?
Free parking (in English Heritage-owned car parks), free entry for up to six children under 18 and free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of events.
Call 0370 333 1181 or visit english-heritage.org.uk
National Trust
Explore more than 780 miles of coastline, 250,000 hectares of land, 500 historic houses, castles, parks and gardens and nearly one million works of art in historic places and green spaces in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Membership prices:
Adult 26-plus (£6 a month)
Family (£6 a month)
Lifetime (from £1,620)
Additional perks?
Free parking at almost all its car parks, a copy of the National Trust Handbook, three issues of the National Trust Magazine and access to its online Members’ Area
Call 0344 800 1895 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk
Cadw
Welsh Historic Monuments is the organisation that has the responsibility for protecting, conserving and presenting ancient monuments and historic buildings in Wales.
Members can enjoy unlimited days out at historic gems including castles, majestic abbeys, burial chambers, Roman ruins and inspiring industrial sites.
Highlights include the mighty medieval Caerphilly Castle, the gothic Tintern Abbey and the former industrial site, Blaenavon Ironworks.
Membership prices:
Adult 65-plus (£39 a year)
Adult 21-64 (£51.30 a year)
Family (from £48.30 a year)
Lifetime (from £525 a year)
Additional perks?
Discounts off gift shops and entry to Historic Scotland and English Heritage sites, free entry to Manx National Heritage properties and discounted rates for paid events and member-only events.
Call 0800 074 3121 or visit cadw.gov.wales
Woodland Trust
By joining the Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, you’ll be helping protect more than 800 native woodlands and create new woods throughout the UK. That's more of the places of calm and beauty we turn to when we need them, and more of the critically important habitat that supports some of our most precious wildlife.
Membership prices:
Individual (£4 a month)
Lifetime (from £350)
Additional perks?
A welcome pack and membership card, a directory to more than 1,000 Woodland Trust woods, an identification guide to native trees and shrubs and four copies of Broadleaf magazine per year
Call 0330 333 3300 or visit woodlandtrust.org.uk
Historic Scotland
Step back in time with free entry to some of Scotland’s most important historic buildings. From brochs, castles and palaces to abbeys, towers and tombs there are more than 5000 years' worth of history to be witnessed in some of the UK’s most atmospheric settings.
Membership prices:
Adult 65-plus (£3.45 a month)
Adults aged 25-64 (£4.35 a month)
Additional perks?
Free entry to Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, membership pack containing cards and handbook, fee quarterly members' magazine, discount in Historic Scotland shops, exclusive quizzes and photo galleries, plus discount in Historic Scotland cafés.
Call 0131 668 8600 or visit historic-scotland.gov.uk
Visit the individual websites for the most up-to-date prices and offers, plus terms and conditions. Monthly payment may require Direct Debit to be set up to get the quoted price.