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

Membership renewal season is here, and both National Trust and English Heritage have adjusted their pricing for 2026. If you are weighing up which heritage card deserves your money, the decision comes down to simple maths filtered through how you actually travel.

The Pricing Breakdown

National Trust membership costs £72 per year for individuals, or £6 per month via Direct Debit. Existing members aged 60 or over with three consecutive years of membership qualify for a senior rate of £72, which represents a 25% discount off the standard price.

English Heritage lists individual membership at £72 annually (£6 monthly), though discount codes offering 25% off are frequently available, bringing the effective cost closer to £48-54 for savvy buyers.

At the joint membership level, National Trust offers £120.60 for senior couples, while English Heritage does not advertise a specific joint rate, instead directing couples toward individual memberships.

The Break-Even Equation

Stonehenge, English Heritage's flagship property, charges £28 for adult entry. Three visits in a year recoups the full £72 membership cost. Two visits gets you most of the way there, and the ability to bring up to six children under 18 per adult member on every visit adds material value for families.

National Trust properties vary more in entry price, typically ranging from £12 to £20 for houses and gardens, with parking charges (£3-5) at many countryside locations. Members get both entry and parking free. Four to six visits across a year covers the membership cost, assuming you use the parking benefit regularly.

What You Actually Get

English Heritage covers 400+ sites concentrated heavily on medieval castles, prehistoric monuments, and ruins. The portfolio includes Stonehenge, Dover Castle, and Hadrian's Wall. Sites tend to be smaller, historically focused, and often exposed to weather. The offering suits history enthusiasts and families who prefer self-contained visits of two to three hours.

National Trust manages 500+ properties spanning stately homes, gardens, coastline, and countryside. The range is broader, from Palladian mansions with tea rooms to rugged coastal paths. Sites often support longer visits and repeat trips across seasons. The Trust also owns significantly more parking locations in popular tourist areas.

Hidden Perks Worth Knowing

National Trust's guest pass scheme gives new Direct Debit members a pass to share with a friend or family member, essentially doubling the value of your first visit. English Heritage counters with a more generous children policy, six kids per adult versus the Trust's more variable approach.

Both organisations offer free handbooks and magazines. The Trust's magazine publishes quarterly, while English Heritage delivers members' updates digitally with occasional print issues.

The CADW Wildcard

For couples willing to look west, CADW (the Welsh historic environment service) offers a joint membership at £57 for two adults at the same address. This covers 132 Welsh sites including Conwy Castle and Caernarfon, plus half-price entry to English Heritage and Historic Scotland attractions. Renewing CADW membership upgrades that to free entry at English Heritage sites.

Children under 18 enter free with CADW adult members, and the package includes unlimited entry to Manx National Heritage properties on the Isle of Man. For families based in the Midlands or North West, or anyone planning a Welsh holiday, this is often the smartest financial play.

The Verdict

Choose English Heritage if you live in the South, plan to visit Stonehenge more than once, or prefer concentrated historical sites. The Stonehenge entry price alone makes this an easy calculation for Wiltshire and Dorset residents.

Choose National Trust if you want variety, use rural parking regularly, or prefer full-day outings with tea room facilities. The broader portfolio suits travellers who want gardens, coastline, and houses in one membership.

Consider CADW if you live within reach of Wales, travel as a couple, and want cross-border flexibility at the lowest joint price point.

All three memberships support direct debit, include cancellation rights, and put money toward conservation of sites that would otherwise face deterioration or closure. The maths is personal, but the heritage benefits everyone.

Sources

[National Trust Membership](https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/membership)

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

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

[Stonehenge Ticket Prices](https://stonehengevisit.co.uk/tickets)

[The Telegraph: National Trust price increases](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/national-trust-increases-prices-twice-rate-offlation/)