A little more Trust, Bill

BILL BrysON should be aware that the National trust does not rip you off if you become a member (Mail).

Adult membership is £60 a year or £99 for a couple. senior membership is even less. this allows you free access to 500 properties, most with free parking, plus free parking in some coastal areas.

It’s possible that the BBC had a hand in furnishing the house which might have given Bill that ‘film set’ impression.

All pricing information is available online, and there is a telephone number for Avebury where he could have found out the costs.

I still like Bill’s books, though he might have grown more english and grumpier over the years. I recommend he joins the Nt to enjoy seeing some of the most prestigious houses and estates all around england. He might even write a book about it.

I went around Greenway, Agatha Christie’s house, last week and very interesting it was too (and she has sold rather more books than Bill). My HUsBAND and I have been National trust members for many years and visit properties all over the country. We visited Avebury Manor on October 11 and had an enjoyable afternoon in the house and gardens.

the guides in every room were very friendly and encouraged us to do as we liked. In the billiard-room/library, one family was playing snooker and the gramophone was playing old 78s.

the kitchen looked as though the servants had just cleared the tables after a dinner party and were just about to wash up. Children were grinding coffee beans and playing with kitchen utensils.

In the sitting room, we were encouraged to try out the thirtiesstyle settee and chairs. One bedroom has a replica of a tudor four-poster bed, all made up, which we were able to lie on if we wished.

In a wardrobe were several items of clothes from different ages which could be tried on.

this was so different from most properties we have visited where there are notices everywhere saying ‘do not touch’. this is one of the