National Trust increases prices by more than twice the rate of inflation

National Trust, which has 5.7 million members, increased its rates by 9.4pc across the board last year – National Trust Images/John Millar

The National Trust has increased the cost of its annual membership by an inflation-busting 8.5pc.

The charity, which manages more than 500 historic sites and has come under fire for its “woke agenda”, drew in one million fewer visitors than its target last year.

Today’s price increases have taken the cost of an adult annual pass from £84 to £91.20 – making it £22.20 more expensive than an English Heritage membership.

A joint annual pass for two adults with the National Trust now sets couples back £151.20, compared with £139.20 previously, while a family pass costs £159 compared with £146.20.

The rises come after the charity, which has 5.7 million members, increased its rates by 9.4pc across the board last year.

Neil Record, former director of grassroots-led pressure group Restore Trust, said: “The rise is certainly higher than current inflation, and following the rise last year it does begin to start pricing out the sort of people we want to visit, which is everybody. So that is an issue.”

The ticket price increases are double the rate of inflation, which most recently stood at 4pc for January.

A National Trust spokesman said: “When setting our membership prices, we take great care to balance being able to look after the nation’s historic places, green spaces and collections to the high standards they deserve, with providing high quality days out for visitors.

“While we are acutely aware of pressures on people’s finances at this time, we believe that the new prices still represent fantastic value for money; a family membership with the National Trust costs the same as buying one takeaway coffee a week.

“Without our members, we would not be able to fund our critical conservation work or keep the more than 500 places we look after open for people to enjoy.”

Membership comes with the additional bonuses of free parking at most of its 800 car parks, a handbook and a magazine three times a year.

The Trust, which is the biggest membership charity in the country, said it was “pleased” after keeping its membership uptake steady at 5.7 million last year.

It did, however, fall one million short on its target of bringing in 25.1 million visitors through its ticketed gates. The figures are also below pre-pandemic levels.

Senior rates have increased from £63 to £68.40, but to be eligible you’ll need to be aged over 60 and have been a member for the past three consecutive years, as a minimum.

A new member aged 60 would not be eligible for the senior rate, and will need to pay the standard adult fee costing 25pc more.

In recent years, the 128-year-old charity has faced growing anger over a series of decisions which left members feeling alienated.

Bosses have been accused of “dumbing down” by removing important items from display, focusing on political activism, and turning historic homes into “theme parks” designed for children.

There was also a significant backlash after it emerged Christian ­holidays had been excluded from the trust’s “inclusivity and wellbeing” ­calendar.

Last year, Lee Anderson, then a deputy Tory chairman, lashed out at the charity for publishing its own “manifesto” calling for “concerted action” on climate commitments, insisting: “Brits expect the National Trust to protect our heritage, not lecture them on net zero”.

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