Advantages: So many wonderful places to visit
Disadvantages: There isnt really anything, maybe if it rains it isnt as good sometimes.

...We currently own a family membership for the national trust. We used to have an english heritage membership but we switched to the national trust when i was about 6 and we are still with it now. So with the membership you get free access to most national trust places. They are listed in the handbook you are given and on the internet. The handbook is great, it shows you exactly what places they are to visit and where they are on the map. It also syas the facilities that each place has and what events that it holds. When the place is open and even when the best time to go visit it is, this is because of theplants that grow at specific times and when they bloom. You get a membership card which you use to gain your free access. My parents have one each. You also get three editions of the national trust magazine a year. They have good... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very good fun, make new friends, very cheap holiday
Disadvantages: Be prepared to get muddy

...On browsing Ciao I was very surprised to find no other reviews on the National Trust working holiday experience. I did one last year and loved it! Admittedly, I didn't even do one for fun - although I had lots - but it was an easy way to complete my Duke of Edinburgh Award. Now, I would strongly consider going again, this time for fun. The holidays can be found on an easy to navigate website, or you can request a brochure. The booking staff were extremely efficient with me - I needed a working holiday at short notice, (ie a couple of days beforehand), and the next day all the relevant information was on my doormat. I was met off the train and although I had booked last notice it was all taken care of. It cost me about £50 for a week, food, accommodation, and equipment included. Very cheap! You also get a free year's membership... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Always somewhere new to visit
Disadvantages: None I can think of

...When I inherited a small amount of money from an uncle some years ago I decided that rather than the money ‘disappear’ into our bank account I would ‘invest’ it in something tangible that would bring pleasure to the whole family. After some careful thought I hit on the idea of buying a life membership of the National Trust. My husband and I had for some years bought an annual family membership and had always wanted to upgrade to lifetime membership. This surprise inheritance meant that we could do just that. What is the National Trust? At the end of the 19th century three people got together and decided to set up the Trust. They were worried by the rapid industrialisation and mass developments which were allowed to go ahead unchecked in Victorian Britain. In 1895 the Trust was founded by Miss Octavia Hill, Canon Hardwicke... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Value for money, inspirational for weekend days out.
Disadvantages: Many properties close up during winter months

...I first opted for some kind of annual National Trust Membership years ago when visiting a Scottish property - Culzean Castle. When visiting a National Trust property you are offered the opportunity to sign up to an annual membership, and will get any entry fees refunded for the day. Members of the National Trust for Scotland do qualify for free admittance to the National Trust properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the annual fee is marginally less, and if you join the National Trust for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can in fact visit the Scottish properties such as Culzean Castle in Ayrshire that I often visited, along with the sites of those historic battles, Bannockburn and Culloden. However, having let my membership expire a few years ago, a recent trip to a NT property closest to me inspired me... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Does great job conserving, provides good visitor experience, membership can save money
Disadvantages: Costs without membership can be high

...Hmmm...seems a bit of a departure for me this - I'm usually reviewing music, TV or films, so reviewing a conservation organisation is a bit of a diversion. Heck, its not like the Beatles going to India I suppose. Anyhow, the main reason I'm reviewing the National Trust (referred to from now on as NT) is because I used to work for them. "Bias!", "Scandal!", I hear the more dramatical of you cry. Perhaps so, but we'll see... NT was formed at the end of the 1800's to conserve properties in England of natural beauty, such as gardens, stately homes, abbeys and so on. It is similar to English Heritage in that it conserves some of our nation's history, but different in that it is a charity and is not government backed, unlike the Heritage. Therefore NT gets its money mainly from donations and memberships. Is NT membership worthwhile? Let... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: easy to find information
Disadvantages: so many other sites do the same thing

...For those who don't know, the National Childbirth Trust is Britain's largest parenting charity. It offers information and support to parents and parents to be. The website is a mine of useful information for everybody, whether pregnant or already a parent. There is information on pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. And if you can't find what you are looking for, you can email the site for further information. Feeling lonely with your baby or looking for antenatal classes? Then check out the branch information which has details of local classes - a great source of further local information and support. Want to buy good quality second hand baby clothes and equipment? Then look at the list of Nearly New Sales happening around the country, a source of great bargains. Want to treat yourself to something new? Then click the link... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful