As you can probably tell if you’ve had a look at the reviews, I’m a huge fan of the National Trust and English Heritage and the value for money they offer families. We’re particularly lucky in Buckinghamshire, Befordshire, Oxfordshire & Hertfordshire that there are so many amazing National Trust and English Heritage properties right on our doorstop. In fact two of the top 10 English Heritage locations in the UK can easily be done as day trips from Bucks!
You might be surprised the variety of things you can do. These two charities offer access to houses, castles, gardens, woodlands, mills, beaches, mines, ancient monuments and even Roman villas!! Because they’re dotted all over the country membership to either of these two can save you a fortune on admission fees whilst you’re on holiday as well! Over the years I have put together lots of reviews of National Trust and English Heritage family days out, and you’ll find those below.
Most of these places are family friendly and have trails and events specifically designed to entertain the children. The majority of the houses and gardens will have some form of playground as well. I have been to over 110 NT and EH properties across the UK now and there are only two that I would say are not particularly family friendly.
The Reviews
Click the images below to read the full reviews. In each review you’ll find prices (correct at the time of publication / update), details about parking, food and toilets. There’s also loads of info about what to expect when you get there. Click a county name to skip to the reviews of National Trust & English Heritage properties in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, London / Essex, Warwickshire/Northamptonshire, Wiltshire / Gloucestershire, Cambridgeshire
Is it worth joining English Heritage or The National Trust?
The membership fee is absolutely worth the money. I’m sure you’ll agree that £146.60 per year (NT) or £120 (EH) is a small price to pay for endless days out all over the country. Both charities also have cheaper single adult versions of family membership. Given the entry costs of many of these places it only takes a couple of visits a year to make your money back and after that you’re quids in! During the nine years we have been members we have genuinely saved thousands in admission fees.
We also find them particularly handy during family holidays when we use our memberships to go on various free family days out. I literally never book a family holiday without checking where we can visit locally or en route!
To find out more about the benefits of joining English Heritage click here (affiliate link) or for the National Trust click here (affiliate link).
National Trust properties in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire has an abundance of National Trust properties, including two of the most popular ones in the UK. Cliveden and Waddesdon Manor are regularly in the top 5 spot nationally. Don’t discount the smaller properties though. You might not spend a full day there, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had!
National Trust & English Heritage properties in Hertfordshire
When it comes to National Trust and English Heritage properties in Hertfordshire it’s all about the great outdoors. The Ashridge is at the heart of it all, and absolutely stunning whatever time of year you visit. One of these is home to the Whomping Willow from Harry Potter. Another was one of the most important castles in the UK during Norman times!
National Trust & English Heritage properties in Oxfordshire (ish)
There are more National Trust and English Heritage properties in Oxfordshire than these reviews would have you believe. I just haven’t written them all up yet! They do tend to be smaller properties around here – all of the big ones are still in private hands! One property was a bank during WWII and another allegedly where St George slayed the dragon. Except he never actually visited England. Oops.
There are also a couple of other National Trust & English Heritage properties that are just outside of Oxfordshire but I’m including them here as they’re right on the border
National Trust & English Heritage properties in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire has one of the top English Heritage properties in the UK and our favourite post-Christmas National Trust spot! The landscape means there’s some incredible views around here. You can regularly see plans taking off and landing, and well as paragliders from one of these locations. And another one of these properties served as a hospital during WWI.
National Trust & English Heritage Properties in Warwickshire & Northamptonshire
Warwickshire is packed full of historic properties and the National Trust and English Heritage have got their fair share of them! There’s all kinds of well know stories ties up with these places! Shakespeare used to go poaching at one of these places and one of them was involved with the gunpowder plot!
National Trust & English Heritage properties in Gloucestershire / Wiltshire
You’ve all heard of Stonehenge, but did you know there’s another henge the has an entire village in it? Speaking of villages, Harry Potter’s village (and the original Hogwarts) is just one of the National Trust properties in Wiltshire.
National Trust Properties in Cambridgeshire
The National Trust properties we’ve been to in Cambridgeshire so far have vast estates, and some wonderful surprises. There’s stunning displays of snowdrops in late winter and even a farm!
National Trust properties in London / Essex
A former royal palace and home to the bat cave! I’ll let you guess which is which. There are lots of National Trust properties in London & Essex. I’ll be adding to this list of reviews as they’re written.
Everywhere else
We’ve been to so many National Trust and English Heritage properties since we had the kids that I couldn’t possibly write a review of all of them! Here are the ones that are a bit further afield but still worth checking out!
As well as the impressive house and stunning grounds, Belton House has the biggest National Trust playground in England. It’s amazing and worth a day out by itself! There’s even a miniature railway in there!
Other family day out ideas
You’ll find lots of other cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon & Herts on the website. There’s reviews of museums, playgrounds, soft plays, woodlands, historic properties & gardens, open farms and much more. You can search all of the reviews on the Free Time with the Kids map.
If you’ve found this post useful please consider supporting the future of blog by buying me a coffee. You can either click the blue coffee icon in the corner, or the blue button below. It’s quick, secure and very much appreciated!