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Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership. Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever.
Our members' 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.
The 2023 Handbook
For many members, the Handbook has always been an important source of inspiration and information. You can find opening times, maps, descriptions and photographs, contact details and access information for each of the places in our care. We recommend checking the website of the place you want to visit before travelling for our most up-to-date visiting information.
The Handbook also has a dog-friendliness rating to help you plan your visit. Each place that allows dogs has a score of either one, two or three pawprints, which indicate the level of facilities available for your dog, such as water bowls, off-lead areas and dog-friendly cafés.
The 2023 Handbook cover
Bluebell carpet in evening sun at Roundwood Quay, Trelissick, Cornwall
This is the winning photograph for your 2023 Handbook cover. It was taken by Hilary Daniel at Trelissick in Cornwall, and it features a carpet of bluebells in the woodland.
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
- Facilities (including accessibility facilities) at 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
1977: The first Handbook
As the number 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.
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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.
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.
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