The National Trust Reveals Cottage Bookings Double due to Bonus Bank Holiday

SWINDON, England, March 3, 2011 - The National Trust has announced that holidaymakers are capitalising on
the extra bank holiday this year and booking a National Trust holiday cottage
for a bonus spring break.

The Trust's holiday cottages (www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/)
team have taken more than double the number of early bookings compared for
the same weekend of last year.

But with around 400 cottages to choose from, there are still places
available for the extra holiday weekend when the timing will be perfect for
the arrival of longer, warmer days to really make the most of time away.

Guests who book a National Trust cottage for four nights from April 29 to
May 2 can enjoy a long weekend away - using only public holidays.

The income generated from booking a National Trust holiday cottage goes
towards helping support the Trust's conservation work at hundreds of places
across the U.K.

The National Trust holiday weekend cottages (
www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/) are located all over England, Wales
and Northern Ireland and offer the opportunity for a number of different
types of holiday. Some examples of locations include Surrey cottages
(www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/south_east/surrey_and_sussex),
Yorkshire cottage (
www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/north_of_england/yorkshire), Garden
Cottage in the Plesden Lacey estate in Surrey, Old House in the hamlet of
Lansallos in Cornwall and Wicket Nook Cottage on the edge of Calke Abbey in
Derbyshire.

There are lots of events over May Bank holiday weekend at National Trust
places across the country. With crafts fairs and guided wildlife walks on
offer, these activities could make a good addition to a family holiday.

Activities on offer include an International Dawn Chorus Day walk at
Penrhyn Castle in Gwynedd, Blickling Hall's Bluebell weekend including guided
walks and Pond Life day at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire where children can go
pond-dipping and then wander into the deep park.

About the National Trust:

The National Trust is Europe's largest conservation charity with 3.7
million members and more than 56,000 volunteers. Each year it welcomes tens
of millions of visitors to its historic properties, coastline and open
countryside.

The National Trust's commercial activities raise much needed income to
support the charity's conservation work, with income generating activities
including shops (both at properties and on the high street), restaurants and
cafeterias, plant centres, holiday cottages, a brand licensing programme,
corporate partnerships, wedding and function hire, publishing activities and
a film location business.

    For further press information or for images please contact:

    Jane Travis
    National Trust press office
    Kemble Drive
    Swindon
    SN2 2NA
    +44(0)7796-191280

www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk

Jane Travis, National Trust press office, Kemble Drive, Swindon, SN2 2NA, +44(0)7796-191280