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How to get a free National Trust pass

The ticket, worth up to £50, will give you access to a historic house, incredible castle or stunning garden until the end of August
Lauren BellSenior researcher & writer
Naomi LeachDeputy Editor, Which? Travel
National Trust Holiday Cottages Which?

The cost of family activities during the summer holidays can spiral but thankfully you can enjoy a free day out if you pick up a National Trust pass.

The pass, worth up to £50, enables up to two adults and three children, or one adult and four children, to visit a National Trust property in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

You can use it to visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in Yorkshire – rated the best historic attraction in the UK by Which? readers – or Corfe Castle, a 1,000-year-old dramatic ruin in Dorset, among others.

Simply head to the Mirror, the Express, Daily Star,  OK! or another Reach PLC online title (see full list below) to sign up for a free voucher, or pick up a physical copy of The Daily Mirror or The Daily Express any day until Sunday 13 July, where inside you'll find a voucher to take to a participating National Trust property of your choice.

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What is a National Trust family day pass?

With a family day pass, up to two adults and three kids, or one adult and four kids, can enter a National Trust property. It would usually set you back between £25 and £50. But with the current offer, you can get one for nothing (or the price of a newspaper if you pick up in person). 

Just be aware that children must be 17 or under, and you never have to pay for under-fives. 

Can adults without kids use a National Trust family pass?

Yes. Couples and individuals can use the pass.

How do I get a free National Trust pass?

Reach PLC is dishing out the free passes, so get one online via the Mirror, The Daily Star, the Express, In Your Area or OK!. You'll also find them on regional newspaper websites listed below:

One pass is allowed per household. 

If they’re sold out online, pick up a copy of the Daily Mirror, Daily Star or the Express from now until Sunday 13 July. Inside you'll find a voucher to take to a participating National Trust property of your choice.

Where can I visit using the free National Trust pass?

Bodiam Castle, Kent

There are hundreds of properties to choose from in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They include Chartwell in Kent - the former home of Sir Winston Churchill. There's medieval Bodiam Castle in Sussex, with its original moat, towers and portcullis, and Wentworth Castle in Barnsley, South Yorkshire which has glorious gardens, woodlands and parklands to explore.

However, you can’t use the free pass at all National Trust properties. Find out which National Trust sites are included in the deal. It’s important to check before you travel to the property. 

National Trust for Scotland and its sites aren’t included in the offer.

Here are nine more ways to save on a UK day out

When do I need to use my free pass by?

You can visit a National Trust site using your free pass until Sunday 31 August inclusive, excluding Saturday 23 August - Monday 25 August inclusive. 

Do I need to book my visit in advance?

You may need to at some properties. Check the National Trust website to find out where booking is essential.

Is parking free with the National Trust pass?

No. The pass doesn’t cover parking costs (although not all properties charge for parking).

Does National Trust offer free passes at other times of the year?

Yes. This promotion by Reach plc newspapers occurs frequently (most recently in May 2025).

In 2024, the National Trust also offered free passes in September and December. 

National Trust participates in Heritage Open Days, 'England’s largest festival of history and culture' which runs for 10 days every September and offers free entry to heritage events and activities across England. This year, Heritage Open Days will take place from 12 to 25 September 2025. 

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Are there any other ways to enjoy a free family day out in the UK?

Yes. In our recent historic attractions survey, we discovered that 17 well-rated attractions (by Which? members) were free to visit.

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