Historic Houses V National Trust

We belong to the National Trust and the RHS. We use both a lot and fund them good value for money. Just recently we visited an English Heritage property. It cost just over £40 for both but on the day there was an offer where for £84 we could both join for a year and get the entrance fee back that we had paid. It was a no brainer so we joined on the spot as we’d only have to go once more to cover the £84. We will, of course, use it more than that.

We find these good value especially when we are on holiday as there’s always somewhere to visit, a boon in bad weather.

NotSpaghetti

Also consider English Heritage - though this is obviously English.

English Heritage has mainly outside sites and ruins. They have far fewer properties with intact houses to visit.

“National Trust houses are beginning to look like M&S, all NT branding everywhere, same stuff in all the shops. All staff trained to say so much and no more and the story of each house being redced to one story only. They work hard to dumb down the houses. NT properties now ahve to conform to the corporate image.”

Yes the larger properties do tend to be like that, however the smaller properties are more diverse, they are usually quieter and if there is a good guide visits can be very interesting.

Also consider English Heritage - though this is obviously English.

National Trust houses are beginning to look like M&S, all NT branding everywhere, same stuff in all the shops. All staff trained to say so much and no more and the story of each house being redced to one story only. They work hard to dumb down the houses. NT properties now ahve to conform to the corporate image.

I am a maverick, i am interested in things that have nothing to do with the politically correct story the NT want to tell - I am curious about samplers, needlework and furniture. Once upon a time NT room stewards knew about these things, they don't now.

HHA houses are still run by the families who own them, they are idiosyncratic, superb, good, occasionally awful, but those showing you round are enthusiasts and immensely knowledgable. Their shops are immensely varied and, as Cabbie21 says, it is often the owner or a member of the family who show you round.

We belong to both the NT and HHA and whenever we travel anywhere both books go with us, but we always prefer to go to the HHA properties over the NT.

We were members of HH for a few years and made a point of visiting their properties when on holiday. The visits are much more personal than NT places as the owners actually live there. Sometimes the tours are conducted by the owner.
Well worth the cost.
We left when Covid happened and did not rejoin as there are no properties in our area.

We belong to both and have enjoyed lots of lovely days out but I guess it depends where you live and which properties you can access. HHA provide some interesting talks online too if you like history.

Historic houses is very good value as is NT, if we have a day out we usually visit 2 places we use them both a lot.

It’s well worth joining Historic Houses if you are holidaying in Scotland, or it was a few years ago. Chatsworth and Blenheim Palace were once in Historic Houses but then dropped out. Check out their website to see which historic houses are part of the scheme.

There are several houses that belong to the scheme near me that have beautiful gardens and grounds and only one National Trust property which is a ruin set in limited grounds. So that is one factor.

On the plus side I like that Historic Houses are actually homes that the owners love snd live in. I’ve especially enjoyed the small group tours where you get to meet and talk to the owners about the history of the house and family and their interests.

On the minus side you do have to plan because the houses are not always open all the time. They are people’s homes and they open to fit in with their lives.

Also a friend objects to supporting people to keep their special houses, so I guess there is a political dimension there that may be important to some. But then there seems to be a definite political dimension to the National Trust nowadays, so I guess it depends on your viewpoint.

I enjoy my membership.