How You Can Claim A FREE National Trust Family Pass
- The Penny Pincher Team
- 5 hours ago
- 8 min read
›››
How the Free National Trust Pass Deal Works and How to Get One
Free National Trust passes are back again, offering families and couples a chance to visit some of the UK’s most popular heritage sites without paying the usual entry fees.
This latest promotion is being run through selected newspapers and is designed as a winter and early spring offer, giving people a low-cost way to get outdoors, explore historic places, and beat the January blues.
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.
How to get a free National Trust pass from the newspaper
To claim the free National Trust family pass, you need to purchase a copy of the Daily Express during the promotional period. The voucher is printed directly inside the newspaper.
The promotion runs from Saturday, 10th January, until Sunday, 18th January 2026. If you buy the paper during these dates, you should find the printed pass included.
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
I’ll always share the free National Trust pass deals on my Instagram page, so give me a follow, keep an eye out, and turn on notifications, so you'll always be first to know about how to grab a free pass!
🔍 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?
Here's how to get your free National Trust Pass by purchasing a participating newspaper
To claim your National Trust free family pass, you need to purchase a Reach newspaper, where you'll find your printed pass, and this pass will get you access to selected National Trust sites for free.
Do I have to buy a paper to get a free National Trust Pass?
In recent National Trust newspaper promotions, the In Your Area app has usually released thousands of free passes within a day or so of the vouchers appearing in print. These passes don’t require you to buy a newspaper at all, you simply need to register on the app and claim one while they’re available. They tend to go quickly, so timing matters.
If and when those passes become available for this promotion, I’ll update this post with full details and links as soon as they go live. I’ll also share the information on our Instagram page, so make sure you’re following along there if you want to be one of the first to know.
When can the free National Trust pass be used?
The free National Trust family pass is valid for visits up to and including 6th March 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.
Can the free National Trust pass be used at all National Trust places?
This pass is only valid at participating National Trust places. Not all places can accept the free passes. See which sites aren't participating, get tips to avoid being charged for admission, view National Trust site opening times, and check any pre-booking requirements.
The Reach Group includes the following newspapers, and many of these will have the free National Trust family pass printed, but it can vary, so skim through the paper first to make sure your paper has the voucher; it normally mentions it on the front page of the paper:
The Sunday People
Daily Mirror & Sunday Mirror
Daily Express & Sunday Express
Daily Star & Daily Star Sunday
Daily Record & Sunday Mail (Scotland)
Western Mail & Wales on Sunday (Wales)
Also includes the Irish Daily Mirror and Irish Daily Star
Reach also publishes about 120 regional and local papers, so check to see if yours has the voucher printed.
Quick Tip for Grabbing a Free National Trust Pass Without Necessarily Paying Full Price/Premium Prices For The Newspaper
If you're after a free National Trust Family Day Pass via the newspaper offer, here's how to save even more:
Weekday papers are cheaper than weekend editions, so try to grab one Monday to Friday if possible.
Ask a friend or relative if they’ve finished with theirs. Most people read and bin them quickly.
Check recycling bins on bin day (seriously!), or keep an eye out in cafés or waiting rooms.
Post in local Facebook groups: plenty of people will happily pass on a copy they’ve finished with.
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, then 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, then again around early July and then 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 RHS Gardens for just £1, with 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 show your digital pass or get codes to redeem offers.
The discounts include:
Cinema tickets
Days out
Restaurants
UK holidays and short breaks
You can grab a month's 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 it's 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 these spectacular places than with a free National Trust family pass!
Do I Need To Pre-Book?
Some National Trust properties require advance booking for your visit date. Please check the property’s website before visiting to check whether this is the case and book tickets. At these properties, without a booking, they cannot guarantee entry. To book where required:
Visit the property’s website, and click ‘Book a Visit’.
Select a free member’s ticket, and when asked for your membership number, type REACHSPRING25
Complete the transaction, and you will receive a confirmation email. If you only select the free members tickets, you will not need to enter your debit/credit card details, and you will not be charged.
Bring along both your booking confirmation and the pass. Present these to the National Trust team member on arrival. Without both the booking confirmation and the free family pass, the venue cannot guarantee entry. Additionally, without the free family pass (either via email or cut-out), you will not receive free entry and will be charged the full admission price.
The free family pass is valid at National Trust properties throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, although there are some exclusions. Below are the properties that are NOT participating in the offer.
This National Trust family pass does not allow admission to places with reciprocal entry agreements, such as English Heritage (including Stonehenge) or National Trust Scotland.
Are all National Trust Venues Participating In The Offer?
Unfortunately, not all properties are able to participate in free admission promotions; these promotions, including the Guest Pass promotion, are only valid at participating properties. Please see below for the list of properties where your voucher may not be used.
Places in the East
Hatfield Forest
Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
Places in London and the South East
2 Willow Road
575 Wandsworth Road
Ascott
Ashridge Estate
Boarstall Tower
Buscot Park
Buscot Old Parsonage
Carlyle's House
Clandon Park
Cobham Mausoleum
Coleshill Heritage and Rural Skills Centre
Dorneywood Garden
Eastbury Manor House
The Homewood
King's Head
Leighton House Museum
Leith Hill Place
Oakhurst Cottage
Old Soar Manor
Pitstone Windmill
Princes Risborough Manor House
Priory Cottage
Stoneacre
St John’s Jerusalem
Waddesdon
Wakehurst Place
West Green House Garden
West Wycombe Park
Woolbeding Gardens
Places in the Midlands
Belton House
Birmingham Back to Backs
Cronkhill
Farnborough Hall
Grantham House
Middle Littleton Tithe Barn
Morville Hall
The Old Manor
Priest's House
Rosedene
Town Walls Tower
Places in the North
Alderley Edge
The Beatles Childhood Homes (20 Forthlin Rd & Mendips)
Braithwaite Hall
Cragside
Dunstanburgh Castle
Formby
Gawthorpe Hall
Hadrian’s Wall & Housesteads Fort
Hardman's House
Maister House
Moulton Hall
Mount Grace Priory
Nether Alderley Mill
Steam Yacht Gondola
Tatton Park
Wentworth Woodhouse
Places in Northern Ireland
Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge
Giant's Causeway
Murlough National Nature Reserve
Portstewart Strand
Places in the South West
Bath Assembly Rooms
Brownsea Island and Ferry
Great Chalfield Manor
Hailes Abbey
King John's Hunting Lodge
Lundy
Philipps House
St Michael's Mount
Treasurer's House
Westwood Manor
White Mill
Places in Wales
Aberdeunant
Cilgerran Castle
Cwmmau Farmhouse
Dolaucothi Goldmines
Segontium
Skenfrith Castle
Ty Mawr Wybnant
All the properties can be found on the National Trust website, which provides information on opening times, parking facilities, and confirms any restaurants and cafes available on site.
Other Exceptions
Exceptions include all car parks and properties managed by Historic Houses Hotels Ltd, English Heritage, CADW, London Partner properties and local authorities.
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 works to promote 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 available to visit, it is always worth remembering that they'll be busy during the peak time of early morning. Therefore, it is often better to wait until late morning or later in the 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.