National Trust membership tops 4m

The Trust, which looks after more than 300 historic houses, more than 600,000 acres of land and 700 miles of coastline, has seen numbers rise from only 100 in 1895 when it was founded – with an annual subscription of 10 shillings.

By the outbreak of the First World War membership stood at 670. It reached one million in 1981, two million in 1990 and three million in 2002.

Membership of the organisation provided £120m in the last financial year to support “vital” conservation work in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Trust said.

In total some 90 million visits are made to National Trust houses, gardens, coast and countryside each year.

Dame Fiona Reynolds, director general of the National Trust, said: “Whether it’s a love for their local place, a passion for anything from surfing to fine art, or simply the joy of spending family time together – there’s clearly a growing hunger for what we have to offer.”

She added: “In England you are never more than 40 minutes away from somewhere looked after by the National Trust.”

The National Trust is leading the campaign against proposals to reform the planning system which the organisation fears will lead to damaging development.