The UK is home to some beautiful sites; from stately homes and historic castles to natural phenomenons and areas of outstanding natural beauty. So why not buy someone the gift that keeps on giving?
Museums, galleries and trusts around the country offer memberships so you can enter any of their locations for free, making them the perfect Christmas present for someone who loves a day out.
We’ve selected a few of our favourite museum and gallery memberships to buy as a present this Christmas…
National Trust
!["National]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/19/2021/12/National-Trust-membership-420acf6.jpeg?quality=90&resize=620%2C345" "\"National")
The National Trust own over 500 locations around the country, ranging from stately homes and castles, to coastal areas and nature parks. A National trust membership allows free entry to all of their sites, free parking, a subscription to their magazine and access to the members section on their official website.
There are three different types of National Trust memberships to choose from. Their individual membership gives a single person access to all of their locations for one year. There are also memberships for multiple people. The joint membership is for two adults to become members for a year, or the family membership means you can enjoy days out all together!
Buy a National Trust membership
National Gallery
An art-lover will be over the moon to receive a membership to the National Gallery this Christmas. There’s no better way to support galleries and help them stay open to share art with the public. Of course, when you become a member of the National Gallery, there are a number of benefits to enjoy.
Memberships offer free entry to the gallery and all exhibitions, priority booking to events as well as special member events, previews and private views for members only, exclusive discounts and much more. To align with the times, members also get priority booking for the National Gallery’s online learning courses and can enjoy bespoke online events.
Buy a National Gallery membership
Landmark Trust
!["Best]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/19/2021/12/Landmark-trust-membership-14a3dd0.jpeg?quality=90&resize=600%2C400" "\"Landmark")
The Landmark Trust specialise in saving Britain’s historic buildings from ruin and dilapidation. After restoring these properties, they then offer them as holiday rentals, so not only can everyone have the opportunity to enjoy them, but the trust can maintain them for years to come.
There are two different ways to support the Landmark trust. You can either join as a friend or you can become a patron. If you join the Landmark trust as a friend, you will receive priority booking privileges, a free hand book and calendar, regular new and updates, and you will be invited to visits, receptions and working parties at their sits and locations.
Buy a Landmark Trust friend membership
Joining the Landmark Trust as a patron is a bit different from being a friend. As a patron you will form a close relationship with the trust and will get the chance to meet many of the people who work behind the scenes. You will be invited to exclusive events just for patrons and their guests, as well as early booking privilege with a period of exclusive booking for patrons.
You will also be invited to Patron lunches with the director, where you will be informed of upcoming plans and have the chance to share your thoughts and feedback on the trust’s work.
Join the Landmark Trust as a patron
Tate
The Tate are renowned for their brilliant exhibitions, all of which can be enjoyed for free when you become a Tate member. As well as free entry, members benefit from access to members rooms, exclusive content and events, free entry for children under 16, and 10% off their shop.
When you sign up to a membership on their website, they have a dedicated option for buying as a Christmas gift. You can choose from three membership options: member, member and guest, and member, guest & extra card. You can also choose to customise the membership to include access to private views, a Liverpool card, or a St Ives Card, so you can really tailor the membership to the recipient.
English Heritage
!["Kenilworth]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/19/2021/12/English-Heritage-Membership-8243f8b.jpeg?quality=90&resize=620%2C264" "\"English")
English Heritage are an organisation who save and take care of historic places all over the country. Not only do they preserve the properties, but they also use them as a way to educate visitors on their history and why each location is so significant.
When you become an English Heritage member, you can enjoy unlimited free access to over 400 of their historic sites, free entry for up to six children, free or reduced price entry to man of their events, and free parking at English Heritage owned car parks.
Choose between an individual, joint, family, or lifetime membership when you join. When you buy the membership, you even get the option to buy for yourself, or buy it as a gift, making it an easy present-buying process!
Buy an English Heritage membership
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy has existed since 1768, not only championing art and architecture through their galleries and exhibitions, but also providing free education. By becoming a member you are helping the RA survive whilst supporting young people and up and coming artists.
On their website, you can buy one of three memberships. Friend and young friend memberships include one cardholder plus a family member, and the joint membership includes two cardholders plus two family members, so whichever membership you give someone, they can choose to enjoy it alone or with someone else.
Buy a Royal Academy membership
Victoria & Albert museum
!["V&A]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/19/2021/12/VA-membership-2922db3.jpeg?quality=90&resize=620%2C401" "\"V&A")
London based V&A museum specialise in art, design and performance, hosting a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. A membership for the V&A is a great way to ensure you see all the exhibitions they have to offer.
With a V&A membership, you will be able to take advantage of free entry to all exhibitions, priority booking for museum events and members exclusive events, family access, discounts and the V&A shop and much more!