National Trust vs English Heritage vs CADW. Which Membership Pays for Itself in 2026

Three membership schemes. Over 700 historic sites between them. One question. Which heritage membership actually pays for itself fastest in 2026?

We crunched the numbers on entry fees, membership costs, and usage patterns to find out.

The Contenders at a Glance

| Membership | Adult Annual | Joint Annual | Senior Annual | Sites Covered |

|------------|-------------|--------------|---------------|---------------|

| **English Heritage** | £60 | £99 | £48 (single), £78 (joint) | 400+ |

| **National Trust** | £139.20 | £151.20 | £72 (after 3 years) | 500+ |

| **CADW** | £48 | £74 | £32 (single), £53 (joint) | 130+ |

English Heritage. The Family Winner

At £60 for an individual or £99 joint, English Heritage undercuts National Trust significantly. The real value killer? Kids go free. Up to six children under 18 per accompanying adult at no extra cost.

**The Maths:** A family of four visiting Stonehenge (£23.10 per adult, £13.90 per child) and Dover Castle (£21.90 per adult, £13.10 per child) in a single year spends £144.20. Joint membership pays for itself in two visits.

**Break-even for families:** 2-3 visits per year

**Break-even for couples:** 4-5 visits per year

National Trust. The Premium Option

National Trust commands the highest price at £139.20 individual or £151.20 joint. The premium buys you access to 500+ sites including coastlines, gardens, and entire estates rather than just historic buildings.

Parking is free for members at most National Trust car parks, a hidden value that adds up if you visit frequently.

**The catch:** Senior discounts only apply after three consecutive years of membership. Until then, seniors pay full adult rates.

**Break-even:** 6-7 visits per year (assuming £20-25 average entry fee)

CADW. The Cross-Border Hack

Wales's heritage organisation offers the cheapest entry point at £48 individual or £74 joint. But the real genius is the reciprocity deal.

CADW members get:

- Unlimited access to 130 Welsh sites

- **50% off** English Heritage and Historic Scotland sites

- **Free entry** to English Heritage and Historic Scotland if you renew with CADW the following year

- Free entry to Manx National Heritage properties

**The Maths:** A £48 CADW membership plus half-price entry to English Heritage sites can work out cheaper than full English Heritage membership if you only visit 2-3 English sites annually.

**Best for:** Wales-based visitors who occasionally cross into England or Scotland.

The Verdict

- **Families with children:** English Heritage wins hands down. Kids go free, prices are lower, and break-even happens faster.

- **Coastal walkers and garden enthusiasts:** National Trust justifies its premium with broader site variety and free parking.

- **Wales residents or cross-border travellers:** CADW offers exceptional value through its reciprocity arrangements.

- **Seniors over 65:** English Heritage offers immediate senior discounts. National Trust makes you wait three years.

Pro Tip. The Alternating Strategy

Some savvy members alternate year on year. Join English Heritage one year, CADW the next. Your English Heritage membership gets you half-price CADW entry, and vice versa. You effectively cover both portfolios at reduced rates over a two-year cycle.

**Sources:**

- [English Heritage. Membership](https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/)

- [National Trust. Membership](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/join-us)

- [CADW. Membership](https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/admissions/cadw-membership)

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*Tags: #uk_travel, #budget_travel, #heritage, #english_heritage, #national_trust, #cadw*

*Author: Alex*

*Date: 2026-02-19*