How to get a free National Trust pass

The cost of family activities can spiral but thankfully you can enjoy a free day out this September to a National Trust property with Heritage Open Days.

The entry, worth up to £55, enables up to two adults and three children, or one adult and four children, to visit a National Trust property in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Heritage Open Days are running four different festivals around the UK in September 2025: Heritage Open Days (England), Open Doors/ Drysau Agored (Wales), Doors Open Days (Scotland) and European Heritage Open Days (Northern Ireland). It celebrates local history and culture and includes free entry to select National Trust and National Trust by Scotland properties, as well as a host of other sites.

There are 202 National Trust events running during open week in England alone.

You can visit Coleton Fishacre House and Garden – rated the Best garden in England by Which? members, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in Yorkshire – rated the best historic attraction in the UK, also by Which? members – or Corfe Castle, a 1,000-year-old dramatic ruin in Dorset, among others. Find out how to get free entry below.

How do I get a free National Trust pass?

You may not need a ticket for all participating National Trust and National Trust by Scotland locations during Open Week; you just turn up to some. But others require you to book your free ticket in advance, as spaces are likely to go quickly. 

Simply go to the National Trust site you wish to visit, check if it's participating and pre-book your slot. You can already pre-book tickets at lots of sites that are valid for set dates in September – so be quick before they sell out.

At some locations, free guided tours, informative talks, and one-off activities or workshops may be running. But not all National Trust properties will be taking part and some are only taking part on select days of the festival. 

National Trust is yet to update its website with a full list of participating sites, but this should be updated by 1 September. The best place to locate National Trust sites that are taking part in England is to head to the Heritage Open Days site events listing page, locate the filters on the right-hand side and under ‘organisation’ check the National Trust box. These filters don’t exist for the respective Northern Ireland (European Heritage Open Days), Scotland (Doors Open Days) and Wales (Cadw) sites, so you’ll have to scroll or use a search engine to search for your favourite local site to check if it’s offering free entry.  

It's not just National Trust properties that are offering free entry this September. Find out more in Heritage Open Days 2025: How to get free entry to hundreds of UK tourist attractions in September.

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Where can I visit using the free National Trust pass on Open Days?

There are hundreds of properties to choose from in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The list below includes examples and is not exhaustive.

England

• Bodiam Castle 
• Chartwell
• Wentworth Castle

Northern Ireland

• Castle Ward
• Mount Stewart

Scotland

• Holmwood House
• Leith Hall

Wales

• Penrhyn Castle
• Powis Castle

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

When can I use my free National Trust entry?

Free entry as part of these Heritage Open Days 2025 is running on the following days:

• England: 12 to 21 September 2025
• Wales: the whole month of September 2025
• Scotland: every weekend throughout September 2025
• Northern Ireland: 13 and 14 September 2025

But not every National Trust or National Trust for Scotland location is taking part on all days, you need to check.

Do I need to book my visit in advance?

You may need to at some properties, especially as the free entry will likely be popular. Find out more at National Trust (England), Cadw (Wales), Doors Open Day (Scotland), and European Heritage Open Days (Northern Ireland). 

Can adults without kids use a National Trust pass?

Yes. Couples and individuals can attend the free events on specified days or pre-order them online (if applicable).

Is parking free with the National Trust during the open days?

No. Parking costs aren't included (although not all properties charge for parking).

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

Yes. Free passes by Reach plc newspapers occur frequently (most recently in August 2025).

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What is a National Trust family day pass?

Under the usual National Trust free pass offer, outside of Heritage Open Days, you can get a free family day pass that permits up to two adults and three kids, or one adult and four kids to enter a National Trust property. It would usually set you back between £25 and £55. 

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

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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