Skip to content

Education Group Access Pass

Costumed interpreter as the school mistress and visitors in the recreated Victorian classroom at Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
Schoolchildren in the recreated Victorian classroom at Sudbury Hall and the National Trust Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire | © National Trust Images/John Millar

The Education Group Access Pass (formerly known as Education Group Membership) is specially designed to encourage access to National Trust places for groups whose students or members are in full-time or early years education. It includes free admission and parking at most of the places in our care.

Benefits of the Education Group Access Pass

Education Group Access Pass holders receive free entry to National Trust places during published opening times. Where a place offers extra educational activities, additional charges may apply.

You will also receive:

  • the National Trust Handbook, full of information about the places we look after
  • the National Trust Magazine three times a year, packed with inspiration, interviews and news
  • free planning and preparation visits for group leaders – these preliminary visits should be booked in advance.

Applying for an Education Group Access Pass

Please contact our Supporter Services Centre, who will be happy to help you.

Telephone: 0344 800 1895 (local rates apply)
Email us: enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk

Eligibility

From 1 March 2024, the categories for Education Group Access Pass holders won't be determined by the number of students enrolled at the place of education. Instead, they'll be separated by group type: home-educating, not-for-profit or for-profit.

All groups must have their students or members in full-time or early years education.

Private schools are eligible for the not-for-profit tier if established as a not-for-profit organisation. For academies made up of multiple schools or institutions, we recommend that each school should hold its own access pass.

We're pleased to extend this pass to home-educating families so that home-educated children have access to the same discounted entry as traditional schools. To distinguish between this category and our standard family membership, home-educating families using their Education Group Access Pass can visit in normal school hours during school term time only.

Commercial companies that offer outdoor activities to children or young people at the places in our care aren’t eligible to hold the Education Group Access Pass as this is designed for the groups themselves.

The National Trust reserves the right to make the final decision on whether a group is eligible for an Education Group Access Pass and which tier is appropriate.

Costs and payment

Subscriptions cover one year from the date of joining.

Education Group Access Pass categoryRate (inclusive of VAT)
Home educating family£63.00
Not-for-profit education group£63.00
For-profit education group£189.00

Payment for Education Group Access Passes must currently be made through the Supporter Services Centre via an approved debit or credit card, cheque, BACS or bank transfer. We can't issue invoices for access passes at the moment, and you won't be able to apply for them at the places in our care.

For each subscription paid, you'll receive one access pass for your school or organisation. If your school or organisation regularly runs multiple trips to different National Trust places at the same time, each visiting group would require their own Education Group Access Pass. You can buy any subsequent passes for your group at the same price as the first pass, and each pass would have its own start and end date.

Education Group Access Passes don't automatically renew and currently can't be renewed before the group's existing pass expires. When the pass expires (one year after purchase) you can contact the Supporter Services Centre to re-apply.

How to book a visit with an Education Group Access Pass

All school group visits should be booked at least seven days in advance to make sure that the place has capacity to welcome the group and meet their needs. Some places may need more than seven days' notice, so please contact them at the earliest opportunity. Staff have the right to refuse admission to groups that haven't booked in advance.

The group should make direct contact with the place they're planning to visit. You can find contact information online and in the National Trust Handbook.

Group leaders can make a free, preparatory visit to a place for planning purposes. You must book these visits in advance, and any accompanying adults or children are subject to normal admission rates.

Additional educational services and activities

Many places have additional charges for offers beyond entry, such as access to self-led resources or facilitated sessions. This is different to paying for the Education Group Access Pass.

At the moment, payment for educational services and activities can be taken via a till at the place on the date of the visit via cash, card or cheque (depending on the capability at the specific place). Please check with the place at the time of booking.

If necessary, if the group has a registered account with the National Trust, an invoice may be raised by the place for any additional activities or educational services if the group leader isn't able to pay on the day.

Pre-visit information for group organisers and teachers

If needed, National Trust places will send pre-booked groups:

  • property specific risk assessments which relate to their visit
  • a link to our Safeguarding Statement
  • details of the terms and conditions of their Education Group Access Pass (if applicable), including group supervision ratios.

Group organisers are also responsible for:

  • securing the right permissions from parents or guardians etc.
  • making sure their group follows health and safety procedures during the visit
  • providing evidence that they have public liability insurance with a minimum £5m indemnity limit in place for when they visit. There's a minimum of £10m for highest risk activities such as coasteering or air ballooning.

Groups can provide evidence by sharing a letter from their insurance provider or broker stating that sufficient cover is in place. Please share this with the place you're visiting, preferably at the time of booking a visit. The letter doesn't have to be addressed specifically to the National Trust and can be a ‘To whom it may concern’ letter. This doesn’t apply to home-educating families when parents are visiting solely with their own children.

Verbal confirmation of insurance won't be accepted as evidence of cover.

Terms, conditions and FAQs

Visitors walking among daffodils at Dora's Field, Ambleside, Cumbria

Where will you visit next?

Discover lots of gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

You might also be interested in

A family with two young children walk up a grassy slope covered with daffodils in the garden at Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire

Family-friendly places to visit 

There are lots of things to do when you visit one of our family-friendly places. Find inspiration for days out and discover a range of activities for everyone.

A selection of National Trust Handbooks from various years
Article
Article

Our members' handbook 

Your Handbook is a great source of inspiration for when you're planning your next day out. See what's included in the 2024 edition.

Visitors enjoying Easter activities at Sutton House and Breaker's Yard, London
Article
Article

Junior membership 

We have a £12 junior membership to inspire the next generation of nature and heritage lovers. Learn more about the benefits and how to join.

A group of people being shown around a garden. The tour guide is pointing left and people are looking that way.
Article
Article

Group visits frequently asked questions 

Visiting us with a group? Then our answers to your frequently asked questions might help with any question you may have.

Spring 2024 magazine front cover
Article
Article

Our members’ magazine 

Become a member and you’ll receive our beautiful magazine three times a year. It’s our way of saying thank you, and is full of stories from behind the scenes.

Visitors using the car park ticket machine at Stourhead in Wiltshire
Article
Article

Car parking frequently asked questions 

Discover the answers to the most common questions about National Trust parking, from how and why to scan your card to what to do if you’re a non-member or about to join.