Trusts and Heritage - Conservation Heroes.
An amazing number of castles, stately homes, vast areas of parkland and gardens, ancient remains and historical sites litter the landscape of the British Isles. In fact, visitors are surrounded by the islands history, whether recent or back in the mists of time, everywhere they turn. The upside is an easily accessible and diverse cultural heritage waiting to be discovered but the downside can be the cost of entrance fees.
The care, protection and development of Britain's historical heritage lies in the hands of two major organisations, The National Trust and English Heritage, described below. If you reside in Britain, membership will provide you and your family with a huge range of opportunities for days out year round. If visiting from abroad, even for as little as two weeks, membership can be an advantage if aiming to explore Britain’s heritage and you can join well in advance of your visit no matter where you live. With the membership book in hand, you can plan your trip with more certainty to include the sites and locations with the greatest appeal. Family membership, just a few pounds more than a joint membership, significantly reduces the cost when you have children.
The aim of these organisations is not just to preserve sites and buildings as sterile reminders of the past but to bring them alive, sometimes with re-enactments and costumed characters. I remember visiting the 17th century East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley (Keithley), West Yorkshire. Here they use costumed interpreters during July and August to act the parts of Housekeeper, Lady of the Manor etc., to recreate the life and style of the period.. It’s amazing to discover the origins of some of our everyday sayings through these enactments. We were a little late in joining the group being greeted by the Lady of the Manor. 'You have arrived at last' she said turning to us, 'you have missed the main meal but if you go to the kitchen you should find some cold shoulder.' So we certainly got the 'cold shoulder.'
Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, near Manchester Airport, is a fine example of a mill estate where the owner built a small village with houses for the workers, churches, school and an Apprentice House for the pauper children. The mill still produces cotton to sell in the mill shop. There are many more such places to visit and even some historical properties available for holiday lets - great for those in search of a ghost or two perhaps! I’ll not say more, as you must go and find out for yourselves by trawling through the relevant websites. Whatever your interest, there are so many places to visit representing just about every aspect of Britain's heritage. Just link into the organisations to find out more.
The National Trust is a totally charitable organisation with 3.5 million members and 43,00 volunteer workers. The trust covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland and members enjoy free entry and parking at more than 300 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills. It certainly doesn’t stop there. The trust looks after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages - for ever, for everyone. Their web site gives a comprehensive cover to all the places members are entitled to visit and their membership book likewise.
An added bonus is free parking at National Trust countryside and coastal locations. National Trust membership also includes free admission to properties cared for by the National Trust for Scotland eg. Inverewe Gardens and Culzean Castle.
A number of other countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Barbados and Bermuda have a reciprocal visiting agreement with the National Trust and grant free entry or a concessionary rate for members with a valid membership card. The Royal Oak Foundation in the USA, to which 40,000 Americans belong, is the National Trust’s US membership affiliate offering free entrance to trust properties in England and Scotland. Check out:- www.royal-oak.org or click ‘Join from the USA’ on the National Trust website.
Properties apart, the Trust offers a comprehensive range of services with wide appeal, including holidays and holiday cottages.
The National Trust for Scotland.
This is an independent charity run to conserve the architectural, scenic and historic treasures of Scotland. It is run on similar lines to the National Trust above and membership allows free access to National trust properties in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and others worldwide.
Unlike the Trusts above, English Heritage is partly funded by the Government, and partly by revenue from the historic properties under its care, as well as acting as its leading advisor on the historic environment. The organisation exists ‘to protect and promote England’s spectacular historic environment and ensure its past is researched and understood’.
If your interest is mainly centred around historic buildings and ancient sites then this may be the membership for you. These include stone circles, Stonehenge being perhaps the most famous, Roman forts, especially those guarding Hadrian’s Wall, castles, abbeys and priories and historic mills etc. The blue plaques on buildings associated with famous personalities from the past are attributable to English Heritage. Besides visits to places of interest, members can enjoy other related activities such as lectures, short breaks and even world cruises.
Membership entitles free access to sites as often as wished and children under 19, up to six in a family group, go free. There is a half price charge for entrance to historic properties in Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man during the first year of membership after which it becomes free. The benefits also extend to free or reduced price entry to many other historic sites and many special events.
Find out more from their website.
Membership of any of these organisations comes with a comprehensive handbook. The book gives a potted history of the places and properties under its umbrella, how to get there, opening times and special events etc. A members magazine is part of the package and may run to three or four copies yearly.
Whether you already live in Britain or are just visiting from abroad, membership of one or more of these organisations will provide hours of delight for the whole the family and you’ll save a fortune in individual entrance fees.
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