English Heritage is hiking its prices by nearly three-times the rate of the National Trust’s increase.

The charity is increasing its adult joint annual membership card from £126 to £144, a jump of 14%. A joint lifetime membership has gone from £2,250 to £2,570 and an individual senior pass went from £66 to £69.

A spokesman for the charity said: "Striking the right balance between affordability and our responsibility to care for our 400 plus historic monuments appropriately is vital.

"Every year we review our prices and we are very careful to minimise price increases as much as possible. This year is no different.

"Our membership and day tickets offer value for money, unforgettable days out and the opportunity to contribute to caring for this country’s most important historic sites."

This comes as English Heritage plans to close 19 sites during the winter and reduce hours for another 17, as well as cutting 200 jobs. 

Unions say staff are "understandably worried about their future" and the "future of the historic sites they work so hard to keep open to the public".

Its main rival, the National Trust, heightened fees by up to 5.7% last month. This week’s rises mean the charity has increased its prices by around 25% in the space of three years.

Rather than a blanket percentage rise across all membership types, fees have risen by between 4.8% and 5.7%.

Annual costs for an adult pass have almost hit triple figures for the first time to £96.20. Had prices risen in line with inflation, the pass would today set members back around 85.

The price rises come as the National Trust grapples with falling membership numbers. It lost 89,000 members in 2023 to 2024.