National trust and heritage

Which one is that gilly? Sounds interesting.

I would look in your area to see how many (NT etc.)properties there are and weigh up how often you could/would visit them. It can be expensive if you don't use it often but very good value if you do.

DH and I became "friends of" a private estate which is very reasonable and we feel that we get excellent value for money as we visit often. We also get discounts in the tea room and gift shop etc.

There's a discount for over 65s membership but you have to apply for it.
Our membership had been paid by direct debit for a few years before we clued on.

We have both too but seem to use NT more. However, we discovered that some privately run estates give a 20% discount to EH members.... Holkham Hall here in Norfolk for example is part of a group including Blenheim, Chatsworth and others and we saved about £6 on the entry fee.

I was told that too about the parking Chewbacca

I too am with NT but my friend is with the Scottish NT and it is considerably cheaper. However, she said that she's been told that, from next year, although she'll still be able to use her card to access all English NT properties, she will have to pay for parking. Might be worth checking out before making your decision.

We are joining the Scottish NT at the end of the month (May). When our English membership expires.

The Scottish NT can be used in England as well as over seas

Joining the Scottish NT instead of the English NT will mean quite a substantial saving

DH and I took out joint life membership of both NT and English Heritage when I retired 6 years ago. I think we have had our money's worth over the years. We visit nearby properties 5 or 6 times a year and when we go up the motorway visiting family, we tend to take a detour to a NT property for a stop rather than stop at the motorway services. With our Heritage card, we can take an adult guest and several children with us so that's a bonus NT could learn from.

NT is very expensive if you are not members.
At February half-term we went with DD and 2x DGC to Wallington in Northumberland. There's a very nice play area for children and we intended to stay for for maybe a couple of hours and walk through the woods as well as go to the playpark.
We are members but DD is not. It would have cost £19 for her and DGD to go in. DGS aged 2 was free.
We drove instead to a nearby lake where the car park is 50p and the children had a lovely time and even saw a red squirrel.

We are members of both and get our money's worth. English Heritage is a better deal if you take children, as you can get them in free, whereas you have to pay extra for children with the NT, which I think is a bit mean.