People across the UK enjoy trips to National Trust sites and there is a membership scheme on offer that some people may not be aware of – but there's a catch, as the membership allows unlimited visits (in a short time span).

The heritage and nature conservation charity launched the Explorer Pass in July this year which allows entry to most places in their care.

It's available for their sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland "from historic houses and gardens to rural coastlines and woodlands".

Explaining how it works, the National Trust website says: "When you buy your Explorer Pass online, select which type works for you and enter the date you want to start exploring.

"You’re then free to visit as many places as you like for the following 4, 8 or 14 days."

After the pass was created, the National Trust reported they had seen a five per cent increase in visitor numbers to their pay for entry places in 2023/24 compared with the previous year.

Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said: “It’s really heartening that people still want to spend time in and support amazing cultural and natural places, whether that’s immersing themselves in art or wandering through our gardens and woodlands.

"We know the cost-of-living crisis is still biting and we’ll keep doing more to give everyone a great day out.

"We’ve designed a new Explorer Pass, and are offering free passes where we can, for people who can’t otherwise afford to visit the places in our care.”

How much does the National Trust Explorer Pass cost?

The National Trust Explorer Pass can be purchased on the website here, and here is a breakdown of the costs, depending on which one you buy:

A single pass (one adult)

  • Four days – £40
  • Eight days – £53
  • 14 days – £70

A joint pass (two adults)

  • Four days – £66
  • Eight days – £87
  • 14 days – £115

A family pass (with one adult)

  • Four days – £44
  • Eight days – £58
  • 14 days – £76

A family pass (with two adults)

  • Four days – £69
  • Eight days – £91
  • 14 days – £121

Which National Trust sites are not included in the Explorer Pass?

The list of National Trust sites which are not included in the Explorer Pass are:

  • Aberdeunant, Carmarthenshire
  • Ascott, Buckinghamshire
  • Ashdown House, Oxfordshire
  • The Beatles' Childhood Homes (20 Forthlin Rd & Mendips), Liverpool
  • Boarstall Duck Decoy, Buckinghamshire
  • Boarstall Tower, Buckinghamshire
  • Braithwaite Hall, North Yorkshire
  • Buscot Park, Oxfordshire
  • Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire
  • Cobham Wood & Mausoleum, Kent
  • Dorneywood Garden, Buckinghamshire
  • Eastbury Manor House, London
  • Force Crag Mine, Lake District
  • Grantham House, Lincolnshire
  • Gray's Printing Press, Northern Ireland
  • The Homewood, Surrey
  • Housesteads Fort, Northumberland
  • Long Crendon Courthouse, Buckinghamshire
  • Lundy, Devon
  • Moulton Hall, North Yorkshire
  • Nether Alderley Mill, Cheshire
  • Oakhurst Cottage, Surrey
  • Orford Ness, Suffolk
  • Owletts, Kent
  • Pitstone Windmill, Buckinghamshire
  • Priest's House, Somerset
  • Princes Risborough Manor House, Buckinghamshire
  • Priory Cottage, Oxfordshire
  • St John's Jerusalem, Kent
  • Shute Barton, Devon
  • Steam Yacht Gondola, Lake District
  • Stembridge Tower Mill, Somerset
  • Stonehenge, Wiltshire
  • Wakehurst Place, Sussex
  • West Green House, Hampshire
  • Westwood Manor, Wiltshire
  • White Mill, Dorset

Recommended reading:

Does the Explorer Pass provide free parking?

The Explorer Pass does include free parking on National Trust sites.

The website explains: "To use the pass for parking, please print the confirmation and visibly display the information shown under the dotted line in the dashboard of your vehicle.

"If you don't have access to a printer please write down and display the order reference number found in your confirmation email.

"Please don't display any personal data such as your customer name and address."