Your members' handbook

A selection of National Trust Handbooks from various years — A selection of National Trust Handbooks | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

The National Trust members' handbook is where you'll find all the inspiration you need to plan a great day out or to discover more about the places we look after. Without your support, we wouldn't be able to care for them.

The 2024 handbook

For many members, the handbook has always been an important source of inspiration and information. You can find opening times, maps, descriptions and photographs, contact details and access information for each of the places in our care. We recommend checking the website of the place you want to visit before travelling for our most up-to-date visiting information.

The handbook also has a dog-friendliness rating to help you plan your visit. Each place that allows dogs has a score of either one, two or three pawprints, which indicate the level of facilities available for your dog, such as water bowls, off-lead areas and dog-friendly cafés.

Your handbook preferences

Many of you have told us you'd like to choose whether to receive a printed handbook. You can now select this option in My Account, as well as make other changes to your membership online. Should you choose not to receive the handbook, you can still find lots of visiting inspiration and information on our website.

Go to My Account

The 2024 handbook cover

Aerial view of the restored orchard at Brockhampton, Herefordshire | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

The orchard at Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire

This year the photograph for the 2024 handbook cover was taken by James Dobson at Brockhampton Estate and is an aerial view of the recently restored orchard.

Learn about the project

What's in the handbook?

In the handbook you will discover:

who the National Trust is and what we do
opening dates and times, although we recommend checking online before you travel as they can change
descriptions and photographs of most of the places in our care
how to contact and visit places
maps showing the places in each region
basic access information
a dog-friendliness pawprint rating for each place
facilities (including accessibility facilities) at each place.

What's on the website?

On the website, you can also find:

opening dates and times, prices and all visiting details
more detailed access information
things to see and do
eating, drinking and shopping
information on where dogs are welcome and where there are restrictions
holiday cottages, hotels, bothies and campsites
our ‘Land Map’ – showing everything we look after
how to get involved and volunteer with us.

Welsh version of the handbook

We’ve translated the Wales section of the handbook so that our Welsh members can learn about our work and the places in our care in the Welsh language.

Download the Welsh handbook

Get a replacement handbook

If you've lost your handbook or just fancy having an extra one, you can buy a replacement handbook on our online shop.

Buy the handbook online

A short history of the handbook

Visitors accessing Stowe by mobility buggy — Take in Stowe's landscape by mobility buggy, Buckinghamshire | © National Trust Images/John Millar

1977: The first handbook

As the number of places in our care grew, members wanted to know more about them. National Trust members began to receive an early, black and white version of the handbook in 1977. It contained lots of practical and historical information about houses, gardens and other places opening up to be discovered.

A family exploring inside Osterley Park and House, London | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

1995: Celebrating 100 years

In 1995, it was the centenary of the National Trust. We celebrated by turning the handbook cover forest green. By this time, the handbook looked very similar to the current version, with a photographic cover in colour. Illustrations and maps were in black and white, as opposed to full colour in today's handbook.