The National Trust is a well-known membership organization that provides access to historic properties, gardens, and natural landscapes across the UK. However, their membership fees and limited locations may not be the best fit for everyone’s needs and budget. If you’re looking for alternative ways to explore historic sites and enjoy outdoor access, here are some top options to consider.
1. English Heritage
English Heritage is a charity that manages over 400 historic sites, buildings, and monuments in England. With an English Heritage membership, you can enjoy:
- Free, unlimited access to all English Heritage properties
- Discounts on events, holiday cottages, and online shop purchases
- Free or reduced admission to hundreds of historic sites in Scotland, Wales, and Isle of Man
- Exclusive members’ magazine and online content
English Heritage offers a wider range of historic properties compared to National Trust, including iconic sites like Stonehenge, Dover Castle, and Hadrian’s Wall. If you’re primarily interested in exploring England’s rich history and architecture, an English Heritage membership could be a great alternative.
2. Historic Houses
Historic Houses is an association of over 1,600 independently owned historic houses, castles, and gardens across the UK. While not a membership organization itself, Historic Houses offers a “Friends” scheme that provides benefits at many of its properties.
As a Historic Houses Friend, you can enjoy:
- Free or discounted admission to hundreds of historic houses and gardens
- Special events and tours at selected properties
- Subscription to the Historic House magazine and e-newsletters
- Discounts on holiday rentals, hotels, and restaurants associated with member properties
Historic Houses offers a unique opportunity to discover lesser-known historic sites and support the independent owners who maintain them. If you enjoy visiting a variety of historic homes and gardens, a Historic Houses Friend subscription could be a worthwhile alternative to National Trust.
3. Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)
For those more interested in gardens and horticulture than historic buildings, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is a top alternative to consider. An RHS membership provides access to some of the UK’s most beautiful and innovative gardens, along with a range of benefits for gardening enthusiasts.
RHS members enjoy:
- Free, unlimited access to all RHS gardens and partner gardens
- Free gardening advice from RHS experts
- Subscription to The Garden magazine and member-exclusive content
- Discounts on RHS flower shows, courses, and online shop purchases
With world-renowned gardens like Wisley, Rosemoor, and Hyde Hall, RHS membership is a must for anyone passionate about plants and garden design. As an alternative to National Trust, RHS offers a more focused experience for those primarily interested in horticultural sites and knowledge.
4. Woodland Trust
If you’re more interested in exploring natural landscapes and outdoor spaces, the Woodland Trust could be an excellent alternative to National Trust. As the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, the Woodland Trust focuses on protecting and restoring native woodlands and trees.
Woodland Trust members enjoy:
- Free parking and access to over 1,000 woodland sites across the UK
- Regular member magazine and email updates
- Discounts on Woodland Trust shop purchases and events
- Opportunities to volunteer and support woodland conservation efforts
With woods and forests in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, Woodland Trust membership is a great way to discover natural beauty and support vital conservation work. As an alternative to National Trust, Woodland Trust offers a more nature-focused experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
5. Cadw (Wales)
For those based in or visiting Wales, Cadw is the Welsh government’s historic environment service and manages over 100 historic sites across the country. A Cadw membership offers:
- Free, unlimited access to all Cadw sites, including castles, abbeys, and prehistoric monuments
- Discounts on events, guidebooks, and online shop purchases
- Subscription to Heritage in Wales magazine and email newsletters
- Exclusive member events and early booking for selected activities
As an alternative to National Trust in Wales, Cadw provides a more focused way to explore the country’s unique history and culture. With iconic sites like Conwy Castle, Tintern Abbey, and Caernarfon Castle, a Cadw membership is a must for history buffs visiting Wales.
Cancel Your National Trust Subscription with Unsubby
While the alternatives above offer great options for historic sites and outdoor access, some people may still choose to join National Trust for its unique properties and benefits. However, if you find that your National Trust membership no longer meets your needs or budget, canceling can be a hassle.
That’s where Unsubby comes in. Unsubby is a subscription cancellation service that makes it easy to cancel National Trust and other memberships quickly and painlessly.
To cancel National Trust with Unsubby, simply:
- Sign up for an Unsubby account
- Select National Trust from the list of supported subscriptions
- Provide a few details about your National Trust membership
- Let Unsubby handle the cancellation process for you
Unsubby will contact National Trust on your behalf and make sure your membership is canceled without any hassle or frustration. You’ll receive a confirmation once the cancellation is complete.
Using Unsubby is the simplest way to cancel National Trust and other subscriptions you no longer need, saving you time and headaches. If you’re ready to end your National Trust membership, Unsubby is here to help.
Conclusion
While National Trust is a popular choice for exploring historic sites and outdoor spaces in the UK, it’s not the only option available. English Heritage, Historic Houses, Royal Horticultural Society, Woodland Trust, and Cadw all offer unique alternatives depending on your interests and location.
Whether you prefer grand historic properties, beautiful gardens, natural woodlands, or Welsh heritage sites, there’s a membership organization that caters to your needs. And if you do decide to cancel your National Trust membership, remember that Unsubby offers a hassle-free cancellation service to make the process quick and easy.
Ultimately, the best membership for you will depend on your personal preferences, budget, and travel plans. Consider exploring the alternatives to National Trust to find the perfect fit for your historic site and outdoor access needs.
