When I moved from Australia to the UK in 2023, one of the first things I bought was my National Trust membership.
At 21, it might not have been the most obvious choice, but it ended up being one of the best investments I made that whole year. And it’s because for our generation, there aren’t any other so-called ‘third spaces’ like it.
One of the things I loved – and still love – about living in another place is being able to keep the tourist lens on, even when life starts to settle into the mundane again.
Despite having lived here for nearly three years now, when time permits, my weekends are still very much for exploring. That’s how it started, as a way to explore solo. I’d just begun a new job in a new country and weekends stretched out unplanned.
My membership was a great source of inspiration. I’d open the National Trust app and scroll through the location pins until I found somewhere that suited my mood, and off I’d go.
Within the hour, I could be immersed in history, nature or art and come away feeling I’d done more than just fill the days. Whether it’s a dramatic clifftop, a meandering woodland trail, or a stately historical site, there’s a great variety of places you get access to. I learnt so much, spent time in beautiful new places, and made so many memories, both solo and later with newfound friends.
That’s still true to this day; just last month, I took a friend to Lacock, went on a hike around Mam Tor, and stopped at Montacute House on my way down to the Jurassic Coast. The value for money argument proved itself quickly, too. By the time I’d parked at a few sites and scanned my card in lieu of entry fees, I’d already gotten the annual fee’s worth. Yes, there’s a bit of so-called ‘girl math’ at play here – I obviously spend on travel there and often get a coffee or sweet treat, and I’ve been known to bring back a second-hand book or new plant to pot if there’s a gift shop – but I’ve enjoyed so many days out that I don’t think twice about renewing.
Reciprocal memberships (like Stonehenge) have also come in handy. Beyond value for money and connection to the natural world, there’s something else drawing younger people like me to the National Trust. There’s a lot of talk about ‘third spaces’ at the moment. You could argue that the Trust is becoming one for my generation.
Parks, libraries and cafes have traditionally filled that role as places that sit between home and work, where people meet, interact, or simply exist together. I’ve found that a lot of the locations and landscapes offer similar benefits. Living spaces to be present in; a backdrop and shared setting for friendship and conversation. Time outdoors, away from screens, in places designed to nurture human connection, is increasingly rare. I've always found National Trust trips a good remedy for the lure of watching more telly or scrolling the weekend away on socials.
Of course, the Trust is still strongly associated with families and older couples. Not every event or site feels geared towards younger visitors, but I’ve found plenty to suit my interests, too. The tulip festival at Dyrham, which I never miss, is a welcome burst of colour in spring, and the open-air performances are beautifully done. I took a friend along to see Hamlet last year and we loved it.
And it’s not just us; last year, the National Trust saw a 39% growth in memberships for under 25s. For an organisation often caricatured as the preserve of retirees, that’s a striking shift, and it does beg the question: why are more of us joining?
What I’ve noticed among my own friends reflects the national picture. At first, I only knew one other twenty-something with a membership. Slowly, I met more, and after a few years of gentle persuasion (and raving about how much I use mine), I’ve even seen other friends give it a go. It spreads by word of mouth because it adds something affordable, flexible, and enriching to our lives.
Yes, I’m biased. I’ve renewed my membership every year and plan to keep doing so. But if the Trust is smart, it won’t ignore the rise in the young members. Many of us are looking for a connection with our surroundings and with each other, and the Trust – perhaps unexpectedly – is providing it.
Alexandra Johansen is Account Manager at Carnsight Communications
