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More than 50,000 people aged between 18 and 25 signed up as three historic properties emerged as young members' favourites

Young Britons are flocking to the National Trust in record numbers as membership among 18 to 25-year-olds surged by more than a quarter in just one year.

Some 50,600 young people signed up to the conservation charity between March 2025 and February 2026, according to its latest annual report.

The figure represents a 26 per cent increase on the previous 12 months, when a then-record 40,200 young people took out memberships.

National Trust chairman Rene Olivieri welcomed the soaring interest among younger generations.

He said: "The surge in young people joining a conservation charity is good news for nature and good news for heritage."

"I'm thrilled that so many young people want to be part of this cause," he added.

Membership for those aged between 18 and 25 costs £4.20 per month or £50.40 for a year - half the price of a standard adult membership.

The charity has also revealed the historic properties proving particularly popular with its younger members.

Stourhead in Wiltshire was the most visited National Trust site among the age group during the last financial year.

Calke Abbey in Derbyshire took second place, followed by Attingham Park near Shrewsbury.

Calke Abbey has enjoyed another boost in visitors this year following the March release of The Immortal Man, the Peaky Blinders film shot at the historic estate.

The figures were released ahead of the Heritage Open Days festival, which begins on Friday and runs until September 20.

The annual event allows members of the public to visit historic locations, explore normally hidden spaces and take part in exclusive tours for free.

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A number of National Trust properties will waive their usual admission charges during the festival.

Mr Olivieri said the growing enthusiasm among young members came as younger generations faced challenges accessing Britain's natural and cultural heritage.

He said: "Young people in the UK are inheriting a declining natural world and many are facing diminishing cultural opportunities due to decisions made by generations before them."

"We owe it to them to put that right and make nature and culture part of every young person's life, whether that's at the places we care for or outside them."

Mr Olivieri added: "Heritage Open Days is a good place to start, and I'd encourage everyone, of every age, to get out this weekend and embrace their local buildings, parks, pools, libraries, high streets and museums."

Claudia Hayes, a 25-year-old collections and house officer at the National Trust who runs the History with Claudia social media accounts, said the figures demonstrated that young people's growing interest in heritage was not temporary.

She said: "It's fantastic that we've seen another big increase in young members.

"It proves that this isn't a fleeting interest, it's a growing trend, and it confirms what I hear from young people on social media every day: that they're excited by history and heritage and they want to get involved."

"Because if we can engage young people now and get them to form positive associations with heritage and nature, then they will be more likely to care for these things in future," Ms Hayes added.