National Trust offers free entry to five historic locations around the UK

The National Trust is today throwing its weight behind the Daily Mail’s drive for a greener Britain by offering free entry to five historic locations around the country to plant trees.

In support of our Be A Tree Angel campaign, Europe’s largest conservation charity has invited Daily Mail readers to take part in tree plantings – saving up to £20 on entrance prices.

The trust looks after around 12million trees and nearly half of the woodland in its care is ‘ancient’ – from 1600 or earlier.

These trees create crucial habitats for wildlife as well as being a key part of our forest heritage.

But Britain has lost almost half of its ancient woodland since the 1930s. The trust is working to reverse the decline by planting new native woodland trees.

Go into orb-it in the forest 

If you go down to these woods today, you’re sure of a very big surprise.

The National Trust has put up these ‘spaceage’ orb tents among the trees at Low Wray beside Lake Windermere. 

Suspended 20ft above the ground, the £100-a-night tents hold the weight of three adults.

Pictured: Tom Rawstorne and his daughter Martha at the National Trust Low Wrap campsite

Mail writer Tom Rawstorne and nine-year-old daughter Martha tried one out. 

He said: ‘There’s something special – thrillingly elemental – about taking residence in a wood.

‘There’s a cacophony of night-time noises. When Martha asks what it might be, I say foxes, deer, or badgers. But rather than feel afraid, she seems energised to be up here safe and yet so close to nature.

‘We both fall asleep, warm and content, rocking gently in our lofty home.’

Luke Barley, of the charity, said: ‘Today our woodlands are at risk from climate change and an increasing number of pests and diseases. 

‘Some of our most revered native trees such as ash and oak are suffering. 

‘That’s why planting and caring for trees through the Be A Tree Angel campaign, and through our own work, is so vital.’ 

Trust colleague Carl Greenman said the move came as it worked to help families and children to re-connect with nature. 

He explained: ‘Trees have such a sense of wonder for children.

‘We know that if children connect with nature early they are more likely to care for it as they grow up so it’s great to develop a child’s interest in plants and trees.’

As well as playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change, the charity’s 25,000 hectares of woodland – the equivalent of 30,000 football pitches – have provided an adventure playground for the nation for decades. 

Tree camps, rope swings, Pooh sticks – aren’t those the memories from childhood we treasure the most?

But experts warn many children are missing out on these today.

Studies have found that only one in five children have a ‘connection to nature’ with time spent playing outside halving in a generation.

A 2017 survey by the trust found that today’s children spend an average of just an hour and 20 minutes outside each day – compared to two hours and 40 minutes for their parents and three and a half hours for their grandparents.

With its unique portfolio of properties and land across the country, the trust is playing a crucial part in helping children – and their parents – get back to nature.