THROUGHOUT the month of September, the National Trust is allowing access to its properties across the country for free.
Paired with Heritage Open Days, the event means that families can save up to £55 when they visit a National Trust property in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
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The National Trust and Heritage Open Days event means free access across the country to hundreds of historical sites from huge manor houses to castle ruins.
In England, this is Heritage Open Days which is running the event between September 12-21.
In Wales, it’s called Open Doors/Drysau Agored which will be throughout the whole of September.
In Scotland, it’s Doors Open Days which will run on every weekend throughout September.
And in Northern Ireland it’s called European Heritage Open Days which will be on one weekend, September 13-14.
Most are free to walk into, others will require pre-booked tickets but they’ll still be free – so check online in case you need to book in advance.
In England, you can visit sites like Bodiam Castle, a 14th century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex.
More recently, it’s been used for filming films like Monty Python and the Holy Grail and The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Another is Wentworth Castle in South Yorkshire, which has 60 acres of gardens and woodland around a grand stately home, as well as a kids’ play area.
Other National Trust properties in England taking part include Ashridge House, Lulworth Castle and Park and Tattershall Castle.
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National Trust properties in Scotland include Holmwood House, Leith Hall and Broughty Castle Museum.
Another is Callendar House, which is a mansion set within the grounds of Callendar Park in Falkirk.
The house dates back to the 14th century, and visitors can explore the restored 1825 kitchen, explore the gallery and have afternoon tea.
In Wales you can get a free pass to Penrhyn Castle, a neo-Norman castle that sits between Snowdonia and the Menai Strait.
Or there is Powis Castle which was built by Welsh princes and has been remodelled over centuries to become a family home belonging to the Herbert family.
It has a Grade I listed garden with Italianate Terraces and an Edwardian Formal flower garden with apple trees.
And as with any enjoyable National Trust visit, there’s an on-site cafe where you can have a bite to eat.
The Courtyard Cafe serves light lunches, snacks, cakes and ice cream.
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In Northern Ireland, some of the highlights include behind-the-scenes tours of landmarks like Guild Hall, Museum Stores and the Charles Sheils Houses in Carrickfergus.
There are living history experiences at Portaferry Castle, the small tower house in Portaferry.
Other participating places include Castle Ward and Mount Stewart.
The entry, worth up to £55, enables up to two adults and three children, or one adult and four children.
For any film fans, here are some National Trust sites across England that have been used in hit movies and TV shows.
And check out the National Trust’s top family-friendly attractions with fairytale castles and ‘book jungles’.
Here are 20 sites across England that you can visit for free throughout September
Across England, here are some of the National Trust venues you can enter for free with Heritage Open Days…
Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire
Basildon Park, Berkshire
Bodiam Castle, East Sussex
BFI National Film & Television Archive, Hertfordshire
Chartwell House, Kent
Cragside, Northumberland
Dorich House Museum, London
East Anglia Transport Museum, Suffolk
Felbrigg Hall Walled Garden, Norfolk
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
Killerton House, Exeter
Lewes Castle & Museum, East Sussex
Lyme Park, Cheshire
Montacute House, Somerset
Petworth House and Park, West Sussex
Portland House, Dorset
Quarry Bank, Cheshire
Sizergh, Cumbria
Stourhead, Wiltshire
The Vyne, Hampshire
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