How to get a free National Trust pass: 2026 deals

We all know days out can be expensive. While a trip to a National Trust site can provide a lot of family fun, standard admission (or a full membership) can be pricey. But did you know there’s a way to try out a membership for the day and visit a National Trust site without paying a penny?

Here at TopCashback, we’re firm believers that amazing days out and memorable experiences with your loved ones shouldn’t have to break the bank. That’s why we’re keeping you in the know whenever The National Trust are giving out free day passes, which are worth up to £50.

There are free National Trust pass promotions on offer throughout the year, via multiple different providers. This guide will tell you when one is running and how you can get your hands on one.

How do National Trust free pass promotions work?

The most frequent free National Trust pass offers come from the news publisher Reach plc. Reach plc own more than 120 brands, including national newspapers like The Mirror, Daily Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, as well as some regional papers like the Liverpool Echo and the Manchester Evening News.

Sometimes these papers will have free day passes for the National Trust available to download straight from their websites. Other times, you’ll need to buy a physical copy of the paper to get yours.

The day pass is said to be worth as much as £50, depending on where you visit. It usually entitles you and your family to free entry to a National Trust site of your choosing (with a few exceptions). They must be used within the specified time period, which is usually a couple of months after the vouchers are issued.

You don’t have to be visiting with children to take advantage of free National Trust family day pass promotions. A family pass can be used by the following groups:

👨🏼‍👩🏼‍👦🏼‍👦🏼 Two adults with up to three children

👩🏽‍👧🏽‍👧🏽 One adult with up to four children

🧍🏼 One solo adult

👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏾 Two adults together

The number of passes available per promotion varies. We’ve seen 5,000 passes given out before, but also as many as 14,000 up for grabs at any one time.

Get the latest free National Trust day pass deal

There isn’t currently a free National Trust pass promotion running. As soon as we hear about one, we’ll make sure to include all the information you need right here.

Past National Trust free pass deals

Here are a few of the most recent free pass deals, which we'll update as and when new promotions occur.

Where can you visit with a National Trust free day pass?

Your free day pass will grant you entry to one National Trust site in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of your choosing. Popular places you can visit (at the time of writing) include:

🏰 Dunstanburgh Castle (Northumberland)

🏰 Cragside (Northumberland)

⛪ Fountains Abbey (Yorkshire)

🏰 Chirk Castle and Garden (Wrexham)

⛪ Calke Abbey (Derby)

🏘️ Back to Backs (Birmingham)

🏰 Berrington Hall (Herefordshire)

🏰 Dunster Castle (Somerset)

🏰 Compton Castle (South Devon)

🛖 Coleton Fishacre house (South Devon)

🏰 Mount Stewart (Northern Ireland)

However, there are a few exceptions and restrictions to where you can visit. There are also some National Trust sites that aren’t eligible for free day pass entry. For the full list of sites you can visit with your free pass (and information about booking online), check on the National Trust website.

Some National Trust properties may also need you to book tickets for your visit in advance, although they will still be free!

You also won’t be able to use your free day pass to visit a site that is managed by a separate or affiliate organisation to the National Trust. This means free day passes aren’t valid for:

🏛️ English Heritage sites

🦌󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 National Trust for Scotland sites

🐉 Cadw sites

🏨 Historic Houses Hotels Ltd sites

🌺 RHS sites

How to save money on the day of your visit

Even with a free day pass, visiting a National Trust property or site can come with additional costs. Here are some tips to help you save money on the day.

🥪 Bring your own packed lunch so you don’t end up spending money on food and drink while you’re out.

🚗 Pick a site that offers cheap or free parking, as this can add between £5 and £10 to the cost of your day otherwise. You might want to bring change for parking if you’re heading somewhere remote, as limited phone signal can prevent the JustPark app from working. If you have a Blue Badge, you can get free parking at most National Trust car parks.

🌳 Combine your visit with nearby free activities to get more out of your day without overspending. For example, there are some beautiful, scenic trails in the countryside surrounding Bodiam Castle in Sussex. The castle is also just a 10-minute walk from Bodiam railway station, where you can watch steam trains coming and going for free. If you’re heading to the capital, we’ve got a guide packed with fun and free things to do while you’re in London.

🚆 Cut costs if you're travelling by train by taking a look at the tips in our cheap train tickets guide. We've got all you need to know about Railcards, split ticketing, and the best times to book to get the lowest price.

🎟️ See if anyone you know has a free pass you can use. National Trust memberships often come with a free day pass for the member to gift to someone they know. If there isn't a free day pass promotion running, this is a great way to visit a National Trust site without paying for entry.

National Trust free pass FAQs

Still got burning questions? Have a read of these frequently asked questions about National Trust free passes. If we haven’t answered your question here, just let us know in the comments, and we’ll do our best to get the information you need.

🍃 How often do National Trust free passes come out?

Promotions for free day passes are usually announced every few months, often in time for school holidays like May half-term and the summer break.

🌿Can adults without kids use a National Trust family pass?

Yes, you don’t have to bring any children along with you in order to use a free family pass. These passes can be used by families (either two adults with up to three children or one adult with up to four children), or by a solo adult, or a couple.

🍃 Are National Trust passes valid everywhere?

While these free passes can be used at lots of National Trust properties and other sites, they’re not valid everywhere. Some National Trust places aren’t included, and you can find more information about which sites you can and can’t visit on the National Trust website.

You also can’t use these day passes to get free entry to an English Heritage, National Trust for Scotland, Cadw, Historic Houses Hotels Ltd or RHS site.

🌿Can I bring a carer or companion?

Yes, if you have a disability, you can bring one or two carers or companions with you on your National Trust visit, and they'll get free entry. You'll need an Essential Companion pass for this, which can be arranged over the phone, by email, or by post.

Your two carers or companions can accompany you free of charge, whether you're a paying member or visiting with a free National Trust day pass like the ones mentioned in this guide (meaning all three of you can get free entry). If you don't have a free day pass or a membership, you'll need to pay for your own entry to the site.

🍃 Should I get a National Trust membership?

There are lots of things that make National Trust memberships great. You’ll get free entry to over 500 historic buildings, castles, forts, woodlands and beautiful gardens across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus free car parking at most sites.

However, they can be expensive. If you want help deciding whether a National Trust membership is worth it for you, why not check out our handy National Trust membership guide?

We’ve got a breakdown of how much memberships cost in 2026, where you can visit, and how many visits you’ll need to make to National Trust sites to break even on your spend.

If you decide to get a National Trust membership, you can get a portion of your spend back when you go through TopCashback. We’re also offering a £15 cashback bonus for new TopCashback members when you sign up for a free TopCashback account using the button below.

Heritage sites, budget delights

So now you’re clued up on how to get a free National Trust day pass worth up to £50. With a little planning, it's easy to enjoy days out at some of the UK's most popular heritage spots without overspending.

The National Trust have a wide range of historic houses, castles, gardens and coastlines to explore, so there really is something for everyone. Whether you’re after free family fun days, a weekend trip with your other half, or a solo excursion on your own, do it for less with a free day pass.

Make sure you check this page regularly for the latest information about new National Trust promotions. We'll keep track of all the information, dates and T&Cs, so you don't have to.