I read about staying in Landmark Trust properties while visiting England. It sounds delightful, but probably out of my price range. To discover prices it is necessary to purchase the Landmark Trust Handbook for $25. Before I do that, I thought someone here has probably had the experience and could offer good advice. <BR> <BR>Also, does anyone have a copy of an up-to-date Landmark Trust Handbook? If so, would you please indicate the price range? I'd be there out of peak season. Thanks very much. <BR> <BR>Libbie

Sorry I don't have the Landmark Trust book. However The National Trust also rents historic properties, from about $350.00 up to $1000.00 or so. Their handbook ony costs $9.00, or if you are a member of the Royal Oak society( The American orm of the Nat'l. Trust) it's only $6.00. For anyone traveling in UK planning on visiting Nat'l. Trust properties, The Royal Oak is a great time and money saver. 1 year membership entitles you to free entry to ALL their properties, magazine, lectures, tours and it's tax deductible. A family membership is only $75.00, if 2 people visit 3 properties it has paid for itself. I have been a meber for years and can't tell you how much we enjoy it. You are always given the wwarmest welcome at the hosues when the guides see you RO card.

I have up-to-dated landmark trust hand book, the prices very a lot from 1 week to another,and by areas too,they range from 188 pounds per week to 2158 pounds per week. If you could post the area you are interested, the number of people, and date, I could check up for you.

Where can I get information on the royal oak?

Hi Carla, <BR>Their address is 285 west Broadway, suite 400 New York NY 10013-2299 or their website is www.royal-oak.org. This is an investment I am glad to make every year.I have had countless hours of pleasure from membership.

Jody, thanks for your note. I had mixed up the Landmark Trust with the Royal Oak -- and thought I was asking about National Trust/Royal Oak when I was not! (Does that make sense?) <BR> <BR>And to Judy, who asked where we were interested in staying -- we hope to spend a couple of months touring Great Britain, so lots of places are possibilities. Your answer about £188 is what I really wanted to know -- that is, whether there was anything available that I might afford! <BR> <BR>Now that I think I might have this straight, I'll try again to order a handbook/listing. Thanks to you both, <BR> <BR>Libbie

Libbie..I am totally jealous!! couple of months in UK!!!!HEAVEN!!. If you want, email your address and I'll send you all my latest things from Royal Oak.We are not going to anywhere other than London this year, with stops in Paris, Belgium, etc., no countryside visits. Went to London in March to join Countrysde March but then it was cncelled!!

Libbie, the Landmark Trust properties are fabulous - all very individual, decorated to a high standard, yet in keeping with the style and age of the properties. They only purchase properties of historical or architectural significance and run the company as a charity - your rent covers the upkeep of existing buildings and the purchase and renovation of disused properties. I rented 3 cottages in a 14th century Inn for my 30th birthday, took 20 friends and had a medieval banquet in the huge hall that connected the properties. <BR> <BR>The choice is bewildering and you will refer to the handbook time and time again so it's definately worth it. What's more, you get the money back when you make your first booking. <BR> <BR>Try and stay in at least one landmark trust when you visit, it will be a unique experience.

Lnadmark Trust Properties are not just in the UK...they have a Keats related apartment in Italy near Spanish Steps for about $300 Cdn a night and they own Rudyard Kipling's family home in New England and rent it out by the week. We are big fans of the book and are making reservations to stay in one in Scotland next year.

Thanks to all who answered my questions. I will get a copy of the guide and look for a place for us. We are trying to put together a ten-months-long tour of Europe, but we can only do it by keeping the cost as low as possible. But we will be in Britain off-season, so maybe we'll find a great place for little cost. Hope so! <BR> <BR>Libbie <BR>P.S. Kate, if that's what you did for your 30th, I hope I get invited to your 50th birthday party!

Thought I'd report back the great luck I had with National Trust properties. I got the catalog and have booked four weeks total in four different properties. It was easy, the off-season prices are great, and we ended up extending our planned time in England by a month. This really looks like the way to go for a long, slow, cheap tour like ours. Incidentally, I originally mixed up Landmark Trust and National Trust. Landmark Trust could offer me nothing at less than £300 a week even in the dead of winter. National Trust has much better deals. <BR> <BR>Libbie

Libbie.. I'm so glad you are all set for this wonderful trip you have planned . Believe me, I envy you! Have the most wonderful time and please post a report when you get back.

Hi Libbie, <BR> <BR>Our family (sometimes between 3 and 5 depending on who's available and covering 3 generations) stays in a Landmark as often as we can. We've done Devon, Bedford, Yorkshire, and will be staying in Oxfordshire this year. Had to cancel Obriss Farm in Surrey/Kent because of Foot and Mouth. We absolutely love them. Always neat as a pin and super clean. Because they're historical, you'll find idiosyncrasies which, if you look at it right, can just add to the charm. The Hilton they ain't. We also like Hilton's but this is a real English experience. Go to the local pub (the logbooks of past guests are full of advice), shop in the village or the local supermarket and totally unwind after a day of sightseeing. Remember, no TV, no phones, no microwaves, but there's more to enjoyment than gadgets. If you absolutely positively need a phone, rent a cell phone in the UK. American Express and the car rental companies all have short term deals. Get the guidebook. It's worth $25 if all you do is look at the pictures. Landmark isn't cheap, particularly in high season but out of season they can be quite reasonable. Other problem is the best ones are booked long in advance. Good luck. <BR> <BR>

Just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed all the posts on this thread. We've booked a large house in Scotland for this fall - sleeps 16 - very reasonable, through the Landmark Trust and can't wait to see how it turns out. It's my husband's surprise 50th birthday party - he knows we're going, just doesn't know all fo his family will be meeting us there... I love the Landmark Trust handbook so much I'm already planning another trip for next year to stay in one of their fabulous properties, which, as a previous poster noted, includes some other properties outside the UK.