Our members' handbook

The 2022 National Trust Handbook

Our members' handbook is where you'll find all the inspiration you need to plan a great day out or to discover more about the places we look after. Without your support, we wouldn't be able to care for them.

For many members, the handbook has always been an important source of inspiration and information. For 2022, we've reintroduced opening times and as always, you can find maps, descriptions and photographs, contact details and access information for each place.

Things to see and do, eat and shop aren't included due to the ongoing uncertainty around coronavirus, and we recommend checking the website of the place you want to visit before travelling for our most up-to-date visiting information. 

New for 2022, the handbook now has a dog-friendliness rating to help you plan your visit. Each place that allows dogs has one, two or three pawprints indicating which provide dog facilities, such as water bowls, off-lead areas and dog-friendly cafés.

What's in the handbook?

  • Who the National Trust is and what we do
  • Opening dates and times, although we recommend checking online before you travel as they can change
  • Descriptions and photographs of most of the places in our care
  • How to contact and visit places
  • Maps showing the places in each region
  • Basic access information
  • A dog-friendliness pawprint rating for each place 

What's on the website and app?

  • Opening dates and times, prices and all visiting details
  • More detailed access information
  • Things to see and do
  • Eating, drinking and shopping
  • Dogs – where they’re welcome and where there are restrictions
  • Holiday cottages, hotels, bothies and campsites
  • Our ‘Land Map’ – everything we look after 
  • How to get involved and volunteer with us

Where else can I find this information?

  • Start with our website for up-to-date visiting information
  • Download the app – just search ‘National Trust App’ in your app store
  • Or call us on 0344 800 1895

A short history of the handbook

Visitors looking at leaflet at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire

1977: The first handbook

As the amount of places in our care grew, members wanted to know more about them. National Trust members began to receive an early, black and white version of the handbook in 1977. It contained lots of practical and historical information about houses, gardens and other places opening up to be discovered.

Visitors in the Long Gallery at Osterley Park and House, London

1995: Celebrating 100 years

In 1995, it was the centenary of the National Trust. We celebrated by turning the handbook cover forest green. By this time, the handbook looked very similar to the current version, with a photographic, colour cover. Illustrations and maps were in black and white, as opposed to full colour in today's handbook.

Visitors at Polpeor Cove on Lizard Point, Cornwall

2015: Brave new world

By the mid-2000s, the handbook had become more vibrant with colour photographs and more countryside properties being included alongside the houses and gardens. Lots more people began visiting the newly-updated website by 2015, and logging into the app for up-to-date information.

Helpful links
Visitors in the garden at Powis Castle and Garden, Powys, Wales

Welsh version of the handbook 

We’ve translated the Wales section of the handbook so that members can use, experience and enjoy the Welsh language when learning about our work and visiting new places.

Download the Welsh version (PDF)
A family at Speke Hall, Liverpool

Get a replacement handbook 

If you've lost your handbook or just fancy having an extra one, you can buy a replacement handbook on our online shop.

View the members' handbook