How You Can Claim A FREE National Trust Family Pass
- 5 hours ago
- 7 min read
How to get a free National Trust pass to use this Summer
Updated 10th July
Free Digital National Trust Passes Update
Reach has no more free digital passes available, so you'll need to use the free pass in newspapers to grab free entry into National Trust properties this summer. ⬇️
The Newspaper Offer
From Saturday 4th July, selected newspapers, including the Daily Mirror, Daily Express & the Daily Star (but not in regional papers this time), will include a voucher offering free entry to participating National Trust properties.
The offer usually covers two adults and up to three children, or one adult and up to four children, making it one of the best-value family days out available over the summer holidays.
If you'd rather not buy a newspaper, it can be worth holding off for a couple of days, because in previous years, Reach has released a free digital version of the voucher online, giving families another chance to claim the offer at no cost.
If you'd rather not risk missing out, the cheapest newspapers are weekday editions and not weekend versions
The Daily Star costs £1.50 on weekdays, rising to £2.20 on Saturdays and £2.50 on Sundays.
The Daily Express costs £2.10 on weekdays, £3.20 on Saturdays and £3.60 on Sundays.
The Daily Mirror also costs £2.10 on weekdays, increasing to £3.30 on Saturdays and £3.60 on Sundays.
The promotion is running from Saturday 4th July until Sunday 12th July.
Once you've got your voucher, simply present it at a participating National Trust property to claim your free entry.
The pass is valid until Friday 28th August, giving you plenty of time this summer holiday to enjoy a family day out.
If you're planning more than one visit, it's worth picking up an extra voucher while they're still available, as a family ticket can normally cost as much as £50!
How the Free National Trust Pass Deal Works and How to Get One
Free National Trust passes offer families and couples a chance to visit some of the UK’s most popular heritage sites without paying the usual entry fees.
The free pass provides one day of free entry to participating National Trust properties across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It covers either two adults and up to three children, one adult and up to four children, or two adults visiting together. Children under five already receive free entry at National Trust sites.
Once you have the voucher, you can use it at participating National Trust properties without paying an entry fee, as long as you follow any booking requirements for the site you plan to visit
🔍 What's The Deal? 🔍 How Do I Claim My *Free Ticket? 🔍 Do I Need To Pre-Book? 🔍 Are All National Trust Venues Participating? 🔍 What Is The National Trust?
When can the free National Trust pass be used?
The free National Trust family pass is valid for visits up to and including 28th August 2026.
Some dates may be excluded at certain properties, particularly during busier periods, so it’s important to check the individual property page before you travel.
I've missed the free National Trust Pass deal
If you're reading this after all the passes have gone or the promotion has ended, you can sign up for our newsletter here. When the next offer for free passes goes live, you'll receive an email from us with instructions on how to claim one. You can also follow us on Instagram, where we'll always post these free passes to our story to let you know they're available.
We expect the next free National Trust passes to be available in October. The free passes are normally promoted in early spring, around early July, and in late September/early October.
Are there other similar deals available elsewhere?
RHS Access For All Scheme
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) offers visitors who receive certain benefits the opportunity to visit its Gardens for just £1 through its Access For All Scheme.
National Lottery Open Week
The National Lottery Open Week promotion takes place every year in March, offering free entry or discounted tickets to a wide range of UK attractions, including select National Trust sites.
Kids Pass
A Kids Pass membership unlocks discounts on everything from theme parks to cinema trips, helping families enjoy more for less.
You use it through their app or website. You can either show your digital pass or redeem offer codes.
The discounts include:
Cinema tickets
Days out
Restaurants
UK holidays and short breaks
You can grab a month's Kids Pass trial for just £1, which, if you time it well, could cover you for a big chunk of the kids' holidays!
The Free National Trust Deal In More Detail
This National Trust family pass offers a one-time entry for two adults and up to three children, one adult and up to four children, or two adults on their own. Adults are those aged 18 or over; children are those aged 5–17 inclusive; under 5's receive free admission at National Trust properties, so all you need for a lovely day out with the family. There are over 500 places to visit. You might choose to visit beautiful gardens and check out the summer bloom on offer, perhaps a picnic under ancient trees on a summer day, or perhaps head off on coastal walks with miles of unspoilt coastline or visit wild moorland or nature reserves, maybe visit stately homes and explore great works of art, and their glorious gardens. Perhaps the kids would like to visit ancient castles; there are so many incredible properties to choose from, and what better way to explore them than with a free National Trust family pass!
Do I Need To Pre-Book?
Pre-booking: you need to book ahead at some National Trust places before visiting. At these places, the property won't guarantee you can enter without a prior booking.
1. Check nationaltrust.org.uk/using-your-pass, then the place you wish to visit to check if a booking is required. If booking is required, click ‘Book a Visit’ on the place’s webpage. 2. Select ‘Affiliate organisation member or passholder’ tickets for the relevant number of visitors covered by the pass. 3. Complete the transaction, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you only select the free tickets, you will not need to enter your debit/credit card details, and you will not be charged. 4. Present both your booking confirmation and the pass to the National Trust team member on arrival. Where booking is required, free entry cannot be guaranteed without both a booking confirmation and the pass.
Are all National Trust Venues Participating In The Offer?
Not all National Trust properties are participating in the offer, and the promotional passes are valid only for use at participating properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
All the properties you can visit with your free pass are listed on the National Trust website, which also provides information on opening times, parking facilities, and confirms which restaurants and cafes are available on site.
What Is The National Trust?
The National Trust is a UK-based charity and conservation organisation founded in 1895. Its mission is to protect and conserve historic buildings, gardens, parks, and other important cultural and natural heritage sites for future generations to enjoy.
The National Trust owns and manages over 500 heritage properties and over 247,000 hectares of land across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, including houses, gardens, castles, parks, and coastlines.
The organisation also promotes appreciation and understanding of the UK's heritage and offers a wide range of educational and recreational activities for the public to enjoy.
The National Trust is funded by membership fees, donations, and government grants, and it is one of the largest membership-based charities in the UK.
With all the spectacular sites to visit, it is always worth remembering that they'll be busy during the early-morning peak. Therefore, it is often better to wait until late morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds if you don't intend to visit all day.
The venues will also be busy at weekends, during half-term, and on bank holidays.
Looking for inspiration about which National Trust place to visit? If so, take a look at these other blogs, which talk about National Trust visits and other family trips they've taken, which will give some inspiration, hints and tips:
Additionally, the National Lottery Open Week promotion takes place every year in March, offering free entry or discounted tickets to a wide range of UK attractions, including select National Trust sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free National Trust pass this summer? From Saturday 4th July 2026, buy a participating Reach newspaper such as the Daily Mirror, Daily Express, or Daily Star, and find the voucher inside. Present it at a participating National Trust property for free entry. Newspapers start at £1.50.
How much is the free National Trust pass worth? A family day out at a National Trust property can normally cost up to £50. The pass gives you entry for the price of a newspaper, so the savings are significant for families.
Who does the pass cover? Two adults and up to three children, one adult and up to four children, or two adults together. Children aged 5 to 17 count on the pass, while under 5s already enter free.
When can I use the free National Trust pass? The pass is valid for visits up to and including Friday 28th August 2026. Some properties may exclude certain busy dates, so check the individual property page before travelling.
Do I need to book in advance? Some properties require pre-booking, and some don't. Check nationaltrust.org.uk/using-your-pass and your chosen property's page. If booking is needed, select "Affiliate organisation member or passholder" tickets and bring both your confirmation and voucher.
Can I use the pass at any National Trust property? No. Only properties in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that participate accept it. National Trust for Scotland and English Heritage sites are excluded. Check the full list on the National Trust website first.
Is there a free digital voucher? In previous years, Reach has released a free digital version of the voucher a couple of days into the promotion. It may appear again, but it isn't guaranteed, so waiting carries some risk of missing out.
Does the pass cover parking? Parking isn't usually included in the free pass. Some properties charge for parking, and some don't, so check the property page in advance and budget for it if needed.