English Heritage membership gets you free entry to the dozens of historic sites and properties across England managed by the English Heritage organisation. But if you travel more widely within the UK it also gets you free or discounted entry to historic sites in Scotland managed by Historic Scotland and those in Wales managed by Cadw.
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Joining English Heritage, as I have done, gives you free entry to the historic sites they manage, ranging from prehistoric monuments such as Stonehenge, through Roman villas and cities such as Wroxeter, to medieval castles and ruined monasteries.
But what is less well known is that English Heritage membership also gets you free or discounted entry to similar sites in Scotland and Wales managed by English Heritage’s sister organisations Historic Scotland and, in Wales, Cadw.English Heritage members gain entry to Historic Scotland and Cadw sites for half the normal entry fee in their first year of membership and for free in second and subsequent years. The reciprocal also applies i.e. Cadw or Historic Scotland members get into English Heritage properties and sites for half price during their first year of
membership or for free in later years.I made use of this during my trip up to Scotland over Christmas and New Year when my partner and I visited the ruins of Arbroath Abbey, which during medieval times was one of the largest monasteries in Scotland. It is also famous as the place where the Declaration of Arbroath (Scotland’s declaration of independence) was drafted in the 14th century. Being English Heritage members in our first year, my partner and I got in for half the normal price of £5.50 each, a small but worthwhile saving.
So if you have English Heritage membership and are thinking of visiting Scotland or Wales, do check out the historic properties managed by Historic Scotland and Cadw in advance (they are not listed in the English Heritage members’ handbook after all, so are easy to forget about). You might just find yourself a good day out at a reduced rate!
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Note: this is a reposting of an article previously posted before the February 2013 server crash