Steph and I have been members of the National Trust for five years now. We even qualify for the Seniors discount from January! And we’ve been members of English Heritage for just a year.

But we will be renewing our membership of both organizations in 2016. Why? Because they both offer excellent value for money, and certainly give purpose to our trips out, whatever the weather. Be it a visit to a stately home, a ruined castle, a country park, or a beautiful garden, there are so many properties to visit and experience so many aspects of our cultural heritage.

Looking back on our 2015 visits we have certainly had our money’s worth, and annual membership has more than paid for all the entrance fees we would have had to pay in any case. And much more!

So here is a pictorial summary of our great visits this past year, beginning in early April and ending just last week when we visited Charlecote Park to see the Christmas decorations. And there are links to individual posts about each visit.

NATIONAL TRUST

Lyveden New Bield (9 April)

Brodie Castle (National Trust for Scotland – 29 May)

Culloden Battlefield (National Trust for Scotland – 29 May)

Inverewe Garden (National Trust for Scotland – 1 June)

Arduaine Garden (National Trust for Scotland – 7 June)

Rufford Old Hall (8 June)

Tredegar House (18 June)

Chirk Castle (1 July)

Hawford Dovecote (9 July)

Wichenden Dovecote (9 July)

Hardwick Hall (12 August)

Newark Park (28 August)

Croome Park (12 October)

Charlecote Park (16 December)

ENGLISH HERITAGE

Rushton Triangular Lodge (9 April)

Stokesay Castle (14 April)

Wroxeter Roman City (14 April)

Kenilworth Castle (21 April)

Goodrich Castle (21 May)

St Mary’s Church, Kempley (21 May)

Witley Court (9 July)

Hardwick Old Hall (12 August)

Wenlock Priory (18 August)

Ironbridge (18 August)