CAMpRA and the National Trust

I believe you are correct N1805. The trial in the Lake District is still ongoing and I think someone on Fun got caught out by a resurrected post on a FB page. Hopefully we will see favourable results in the not too distant future.

peedee

This is what I found posted on Fun - posted in July 2021.  Therefore not yet a done deal. Copied & pasted here.

"Keep writing to the National Trust to tell them what you would like to see.
Apparently they are still considering the next stages, having done some trials over the summer, so our input and feedback now will be really helpful.
Email enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk

**Now is the time for contacting the National Trust ** The current state of play is as follows:

“The NT listened to CAMpRA and the 7,000+ people that contacted them, by launching a 3 site trial for overnight parking. Our understanding is that the trial was deemed a success, there is now an internal NT review of the trial, the outcome of which will decide whether or not to roll out a stopover scheme across as many NT sites as possible.
The National Trust Management have NOT yet decided, so if you want it contact the NT and tell them.”

We're like you but in the past have thought about a night there, an evening meal at the Spread Eagle and a wander round the gardens out of hours etc. There used to be a basic charge and a reduction for members. It's now totally over the top and the NT know they're onto a winner with so much passing trade.

Although it makes sense to provide a few more stopping places or whatever, ( I've always thought they were missing a trick) judging by what they are doing now with the CLs there's little chance of a cheap night!

The NT also run a lot of campsites now, I can see these expanding and that's were many will be "stopping off."

£38 a night for a CL, they have to be joking. If this is the way the NT is going with  no concessions to members I will be reconsidering my membership.

peedee

Just tried it DD and it made no difference. Last time I visited I stayed at the C&MC site at Wincanton (now closed) for a few days to also visit the Fleet Air Arm museum.

peedee

Nat Trust membership to us is well worth it as we frequently use their car parks as a start point for walks.

I agree, but without doubt there are people who can afford the price of £75,000 motorhomes and who will afford those prices to be on the spot with hard standing at Stourhead.

For those who can drive in, and for those who can pitch on grass there are 20 other campsites within ten miles of Stourhead listed on UKCampsite.co,uk - ten with hook ups and toilets and ten without. 

We've used Kingston Lacy a few times....and a few years ago thought it was expensive then for a basic CL...

Fees now £20 a night for a pitch and all occupants...no mention of entry to grounds/house or if CL is CC or NT members only.

according to a review, price going up to £30 Jan 1st!

Kingston Lacy CL

edit...just actually clicked the booking link....£40 a night!!! 

edit...Googling NT reveals a list of 'their' campsites but these are NT CLs...I can't find a definitive list that includes (say) Kingston Lacy and Stourhead.