National Trust Membership; FREE Parking Queries
March 2nd, 2024National Trust Membership; Free Parking Perk
Whilst we are always on the for Cheap National Trust Deals it’s often the free perks that come with membership that gives those extra savings on day out. Not many people realise that National Trust membership comes with FREE parking at most NT car parks – simply use your membership card to access free parking at pay & display car park. We’ve put together a guide to help readers navigate this option, (more details below).
TO MAKE A PURCHASE GO TO National Trust Membership.
National Trust Membership; How To Scan For Parking
A number of National Trust settings that offer pay & display parking now need you to scan your membership card to secure free parking. This allows the NT to monitor and explore how membership is being used to help them support the conservation needs at each setting. To operate simply take your membership card to the pay & display parking metre, (many of their machines are solar powered so press any button to wake the machine up). Press the yellow button and hold the QR code of your membership card flat against the scanning window on the left. You will then be issued with a ticket that you should place in your car windscreen.
If the car parking machine isn’t working or is out of order and no one is around to help you, leave a note on your windscreen with your arrival time and membership number.
National Trust Parking; Car Badge Sticker
Although the car badge sticker is still issued with membership, it is no longer an indicator of free parking. Nowadays you will need to scan your membership card to pick up free parking. Worth noting that if you do not have your membership card in hand to scan you will need to pay for parking in line with non-member rates. You may receive a compliance notice if you do not pay for a parking ticket and haven’t used your membership to scan for parking.
Check out our Guide To National Trust Membership packed with perks, savings and tips!
Avebury Manor, (photo; Phil Loach)
National Trust Parking; Paying by App
The Daily Mail recently reported that, by April 2023, 4% of National Trust car parks are ‘app only’ causing frustration and difficulties for many NT members. Without the ability to pay by cash or card, visitors are now required to pay by app that can prove impossible for those without a smart phone or if there are any connection issues. Some settings, such as Frensham Little Pond, are offering an alternative method of payment by allowing visitors to pay cash via the cafe so worth checking if any such arrangements are in place if you find yourself in this predicament. However this alternative method is not always satisfactory as opening hours at the cafe can be restricted, particularly out of season.
National Trust Parking; Free To All Members?
All National Trust memberships, (with the exception of junior membership), include free parking at most NT car parks. Most Life Members should have received a scannable membership card by now that works at their pay and display car parks. If you have not received your card, then worth emailing membership at enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk to place a request.
The good news even new members can start accessing free parking straight away as you’ll be issued with a temporary card just 15 minutes after joining online.
National Trust Parking; Need To Book?
Restriction have now been relaxed at many NT settings but worth checking online before you visit to check the visiting arrangements in place for each setting.
Find out more about FREE Reciprocal Arrangements for National Trust Members for even greater savings!
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I have lost my card and wish to visit Dunster castle on Monday 8th of April,
Hi Anne, you’ll need to reach out to National Trust directly with your query regarding parking. We at Topdogdays are independent of National Trust, we simply let you know where the deals and offers can be found, Liz
Have mislaid my membership card members number ********3 will be visiting Standen house tomorrow still have 2023 card can i use this please?
Hi Margaret, you are best contacting National Trust directly and asking them to email you a temporary card whilst you await a new card to be sent through to you, Liz
I am a member of the Scottish National Trust and my card will not scan in the car parks in England. I cannot leave a card on the dashboard as it is needed for entry.
Hi Hilary, Unfortunately these reciprocal arrangements for the National Trust don’t reach to free parking, Liz
Hi
I will try to add to my question as it went before i could even begin to say what i wanted to say!
I have National trust membership, My membership has a QR code and i am a disabled blue badge holder. I am trying to find out what exactly is the cost for parking at lands end as i am getting conflicting information .
Kind Regards
Jayne
Hi Jayne, my understanding is that whilst the coastline around Land’s End is owned by the National Trust, the Land’s End Landmark Attraction is owned by Heritage Great Britain PLC. I can see that there is accessible parking and the parking attendants will direct you to the designated blue badge parking area. It looks as if there is a discounted charge for Blue Badge parking of around £5 for the day. We recently visited the Land’s End attraction and made use of the free parking for those charging an electric car. You do of course have to pay to charge your car and it is only for a limited time & not all day but was long enough for us to have a look around. We at Topdogdays are independent of all visitor attractions, (we simply let you know where the deals can be found), so you might wish to double check exact prices for parking directly with the attraction, all the best, Liz
Thank you Lizwalsh for the info , very much appreciated . We look forward to our holoiday 8th sept xx
Thanks Jayne, have a good trip, Liz
I wish to know about parking at Lands end .
My membership card has a barcode but does not have a QR code so I have had to pay for parking as there was no QR code to scan. Why is this please?
Hi Lynne, I’m wondering if you have life membership with National Trust as these membership cards didn’t originally have a QR code? In any case, the best thing would be to contact National Trust directly – we at Topdogdays simply let you know where the National Trust deals can be found – as they will be able to resolve your membership card issue. You can email them directly over at enquries@nationaltrust.org.uk.
I think its disappointing that the national trust are changing per person’s if they dont all have membership, and my husband I are considering not renewing it next year as we go on holiday with 2 non members who do not drive and pay per visit to enter and as both are over 80 membership would not benefit them ,I feel that you are exploiting the retired and the younger generation.
Hi Eve, thank you for sharing your thoughts regarding non-members and the National Trust. I too can appreciate single entry access to a particular National Trust setting can be rather expensive. You might be interested in the Gardeners’ World Magazine 2 for 1 discount,currently available in store, that includes a number of National Trust settings within this promotion and might work out value for money without investing in membership. You can find out more information over at Gardeners’ World Magazine 2 for 1 Discount Card.
I unfortunately cannot see what garden magazine 2 for1 has got to do with national trust charging our 2 extra passengers for being in our car and having to pay up to £7.00 each for them to be in our car as well as entrance fees to the stately house, and we will find our own solution to it .
I am an NT member, so generally my parking is free.
Some NT car parks out in the middle of nowhere do not have a machine, but will have a notice on how to pay on an App.
I have in my car an undated NT sticker, this doesn’t prove I am a current member though, but is this enough?
I have been told that I should leave my membership card on the dashboard, this I could do but not happy with that.
What are the rules, cannot find an answer on their website.
Thanks
Peter
Hi Peter, I know there is some debate going on about National Trust parking and the move towards using parking apps. As you’ve rightly pointed out, sometimes it can be hard to pick up connection plus not all National Trust members have a smart phone and this clearly causes accessibility issues. Unfortunately we at Topdogdays are not involved in the administration of the National Trust, (we simply let you know where the deals can be found) so you are probably best contacting the National Trust directly to seek clarification over at enguiries@nationaltrust.org.uk
It’s interesting that you suggest emailing the NT about parking issues!
I month ago (about a different matter) I phoned them only to be told I could hold on for 4 hours, yes 4 hours! A recording advises emailing which I did, an automatic reply tells me I should get a reply within 2 weeks, 4 weeks later I’m still waiting for that reply.
The NT are failing miserably at the moment!
Oh dear, that’s disappointing to hear. Whilst we can promise you at quicker response at Topdogdays, unfortunately we can’t provide you with the clarification you need regarding your parking query. If we have any update, we’ll sure to update our information accordingly, all the best, Liz
My Membership renewal pack has arrived but I cannot find a windscreen car park sticker amongst it. Is NT. no longer issuing a car park sticker.
Hi David, the National Trust no longer use the car parking sticker as an indicator of free parking. They do still issue the stickers within their welcome pack for new members but have removed the date so they can be used for several years. The National Trust are aware that members often like to display them in their cars so you can request a further sticker should you wish directly from them, (we at Topdogdays are independent of the National Trust), all the best, Liz
We visited High Sawrey near Hawkshead on Sunday and tried to get a parking ticket using my phone. The machine made noises but would not issue a ticket. We noticed that the inside of the scanner looked very dirty. Fortunately another member was leaving as we arrived and stated it had took at least a dozen attempts , he gave us his ticket once we showed him our current membership. Do you know if using a photo on your phone causes a problem, although the other member had a paper version; which also proved difficult.
Hi Terry, sorry to hear you were having difficulties with the National Trust parking. Many of their parking machines are solar powered so require you to press any button to wake them up but it sounds like it wasn’t just you having problems with it. We at Topdogdays are independent of the National Trust so you may wish to contact the National Trust directly with your feedback. You can email them directly at enquiries@nationaltrust, Liz
Hi
Have not asked anyone yet,but curious to know if the money from there car parking metres goes back into the national trust …
Paul
Hi Paul, I suspect any money made from non-members regarding the car parking charges does indeed feed back into National Trust. Best to point that we at Topdogdays are independent of the National Trust – we simply let you know where the deals and discounts can be found, Liz
Visited Leith Hill and no machine. Sign said to register at tower but no one to ask but very long queue for refreshments.
Hi Martyn, sorry to hear of your disappointing experience of the parking at the National Trust site at Leith Hill. I can see that Leith Hill Place is currently closed for due to major refurbishment work, (the Tower will re-open on 1st April 2023), and I wonder if this may explain the difficulties you experienced? I can see from their website that there are 4 car parks at Leith Hill that are free for NT members. Non-NT members you can paybyphone although it is advisable to download the Paybyphone app before visiting. We at Topdogdays are independent of The National Trust, (we simply let you know where you can find deals and discounts for top visitor attractions such as NT membership offers) so you might be best placed contacting National Trust directly with your query, Liz
I trust there will be plenty of parking meters handy, don’t relish the thought of a trudge back to the car to display the ticket!
Hi Colin, I generally find there a plenty of parking meters around National Trust car parks so should hopefully be fine for you, all the best, Liz
Can I please have a second Badge Sticker. My address is Mrs P Jones, xxxxxxxx. My Membership Number is xxxxxxx. Thank You. Pamela Jones.
Hi Pamela, a second car sticker can be requested from National Trust directly. You can contact them by phone: 0344 800 1895, email; enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or via My National Trust. Please note that the car parking sticker is no longer an indicator of free parking and a membership card will need to be scanned for free parking, hope that helps, Liz
can I request a sticker as I think some of your carparks do not have machines
Hi Peter, our understanding is that the car sticker no longer provides complimentary car parking but you can request a further car sticker directly from the National Trust from their Supporter Services Centre or via My National Trust. We at Topdogdays are independent of the National Trust and simply provide information on deals and discounts on top visitor attractions and cheap membership options, hope that helps, Liz
Hi
If I’m using my motorcycle to visit how would I be able to display a car park ticket?
Thanks
Hi Tim, thanks for your query regarding parking at National Trust sites with a motorcycle but might be worth contacting the National Trust directly with this one, (Topdogdays simply lets you know where the deals and discounts can be found for visitor attractions around the UK), sorry I can’t offer more help, Liz.
Received 2022 Handbook but no car parking car sticker included Do you no longer send these out?
Hi Roger, thanks for your query regarding the National Trust windscreen sticker for members. Although we at Topdogdays are independent of the National Trust, our understanding is that the windscreen sticker is no longer an indicator of free parking and as such a membership card will need to be scanned for the free parking perk. Whilst the National Trust have removed the date on recent stickers so that they can be used for several years, you can still request a car sticker if you contact National Trust’s Supporter Services Centre or via My National Trust. Hope that answers your query, Liz
Just received my new handbook 2022, usually there is a windscreen sticker inside the front cover, however I did not have one in this booklet, is that an error or have you stopped issuing them, please let me know and if I still need the windscreen sticker could you please send me one,. Many thanks,. Trevor
Hi Trevor, thanks for your query regarding windscreen sticker for National Trust members. We at Topdogdays are independent of the National Trust, (we simple let you know where the membership deals can be found), but our understanding is that the windscreen sticker is no longer an indicator of free parking and as such a membership card will need to be scanned for free parking. The National Trust have removed the date on the stickers so that they can be used for several years although a further car sticker can be requested from National Trust’s Supporter Services Centre or via My National Trust. Hope that helps, Liz