More than 135 gardens and parks are now open through advance booking, as well as hundreds of coast and countryside places. A number of houses are also open in England and Northern Ireland. Read this article to find out what's open and what to expect from your visit.
A visit to Islandmagee is a trip back to less rushed and stressful times. A peninsula on the East Antrim coast steeped in history with cottages, rolling fields, quiet villages and spectacular coastline, it is a microcosm of the Northern Ireland countryside.
The name 'Islandmagee' hails from the Gaelic 'Oileán MhicAodha' meaning 'MacAodha's island', the clan whose home was once at Portmuck, one of three stretches of coastline and countryside on the peninsula owned and managed by the National Trust.
Portmuck itself is a beautiful harbour located on the northwest coastline and steeped in history, from the site of an ancient monastery and castle to smuggling, lime production and fishing. Now it is a centre of leisure for the community and beyond, with a picnic area and clifftop walks offering views across the Irish Sea.
Keep a eye out for Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Razorbills around the wonderful 'pig-shaped' Isle of Muck nearby.
Further to the northeast, you'll find Brown's Bay, with its sandy beach is an ideal starting point for walking to Skernaghan Point with its spectacular views of the famous Antrim coast.
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.