There are not too many vast leviathans that are as loved and cherished by the British public as the National Trust and this is reflected in the numbers. A staggering 20m non-members visited National Trust properties last year which is a 5% increase on the previous year. When you add visits by members as well, the total rises to a stratospheric 90m. National Trust Membership is also up and has now topped 4m, making it one of the largest membership organisations of the world.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of the National Trust staff and the tens of thousands of volunteers, which last year numbered an impressive 70,000.
The advantages of membership are not lost on us. Apart from the taking comfort in the conservation of our national heritage, countryside and coastline, there are also over 500 fascinating and beautiful National Trust places to visit – many of which are inevitably going to be within easy reach of wherever you live.
Last year the 10 most visited National Trust properties were:
Giant’s Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
1st Most Visited of the National Trust Properties
Located on the northeast coast of Ireland, the 40,000 or so hexagonal basalt stone columns were formed about 60 million years ago by a volcanic eruption. The tallest columns are about 12 m high and the tops form close fitting stepping stones that gradually lower into the sea. According to legend the causeway was built by the giant Finn MacCool to enable him to combat another giant. The Causeway is designated both a World Heritage Site and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, Giant's Causeway, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. © National Trust Images/Marie-Louise Halpenny
