The National Trust has reported a significant surge in young people joining its membership scheme, with its annual report revealing a 39 per cent year-on-year increase in sign-ups among 18- to 25-year-olds.
More than 40,000 people in this group joined between March 2024 and February 2025, marking a substantial rise for the conservation charity.
The trend shows no signs of abating, with initial insights for the current financial year indicating a further 16 per cent increase in young people’s membership numbers from March to the end of July 2025.
Membership for this age group costs £4 a month, or £48 annually.
New joiners opting for direct debit payments are also offered the benefit of bringing a friend for free on one of their visits.
The trust attributes this growth to its recent findings, which suggest that young people’s interest in history and heritage is as strong, if not stronger, than that of older adults.
It also pointed to the well-documented physical and mental health benefits of spending time in nature and green spaces.
Mya-Rose Craig, the 23-year-old British-Bangladeshi environmentalist and National Trust ambassador, said: “Nature has always been a huge part of my life, and I know how powerful it can be – whether it helps you feel grounded, inspired or simply gives you space to breathe.
“Seeing more young people choosing to connect with nature and heritage in this way gives me real hope for the future.
“It shows they care, and that they want to help protect these places for everyone.”
The surge in young members contrasts with the slight fall in overall membership numbers, from 5.38 million in 2023-24 to 5.35 million last financial year.
However, the number of paying visitors to its sites in England, Wales and Northern Ireland jumped by 5 per cent, with the trust saying ongoing cost pressures mean visitors are more likely to pay on the day.
The changing spending pattern for National Trust visitors last year continues from 2023-24, which saw membership numbers drop by 89,000, but non-members visiting its sites – those who paid on the door – rising by 12 per cent year-on-year.
Considering the surge in young people, the charity pointed to research it carried out with Public First consultancy firm, which found that people across the UK have a deep cultural and emotional connection to their historic landmarks.
The findings, released in May, also suggest that younger adults aged 18 to 44 were more likely to visit heritage, landscape and culture sites than older generations.
Research published around the same time by Historic Houses, which represents independently owned historic country houses, found that a majority of today’s young people are interested in visiting heritage sites.
But it also indicated that cost and getting there may be the biggest barriers to doing so, with 58 per cent citing high entry fees as their reason for not visiting.
Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said: “It’s heartening and humbling to see more young people choosing to become National Trust members, despite the financial pressures faced by so many.
“We want the National Trust to be here for future generations.
“We’re working hard to meet the needs of younger and newer audiences – whether it’s a place to recharge, connect with nature, explore heritage or take action on the climate and biodiversity crises.”
The National Trust established the Re-Generation Challenge Group as a youth network of staff and volunteers aged 16 to 30 to act as the voice of young people in the charity.
Corinne Whiteley and Lillie Mason, co-chairs of the Re-Generation Challenge Group, said: “Life and our future feel fragile – growing pressures from the cost of living crisis, climate anxiety and the influence of social media – but nature and heritage spaces bring a sense of calm, safety and connection.
“Conservation charities like the National Trust are uniquely placed to provide those spaces. Through greater collaboration with and representation of young people in our work, we are seeing our charitable purpose resonate more and more with our generation, which is fantastic to see.”
