The National Trust is facing backlash from parents for charging 80p for "babyccinos"—small cups of foamed milk—at its various heritage sites . This pricing strategy stands in direct opposition to major high street coffee chains that typically provide these drinks to toddlers at no extra cost.
Membership hikes from £63 to over £100
The controversy over milk pricing arrives at a sensitive time for the National Trust, as the organization has significantly increased its membership costs. As reported by The Mail on Sunday, adult memberships have climbed from £63 a decade ago to more than £100 today, while family memberships have surged from £111 to £176.
For many famliies visiting historic sites like Chartwell in Kent or Emmetts Gardens, these rising entry and membership costs are already a significant consideration. According to the report, the addition of small, seemingly trivial charges for toddler drinks can create a cumulative sense of being overcharged during a day out, especially when adult entry at some sites can reach £16.50 per person.
The 80p espresso cup in Lacock, Wiltshire
At the National Trust cafe in Lacock, Wiltshire—a location famous for its roles in Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice—visitors were served less than 100ml of foamed milk in an espresso cup for 80p. When questioned about the charge, a barista at the Lacock site explained that the fee was applied because they had to charge for the cold milk used to make the drink.
This specific charge has drawn sharp criticism from parents who feel the cost is disproportionate to the product. One mother visiting Emmetts Gardens expressed disbelief at being charged for what was essentially a small amount of frothed milk, highlighting a disconnect between the charity's mission and its cafe pricing.
How Costa and Starbucks compare on toddler drinks
The National Trust’s pricing model differs sharply from the standard practices of major high street coffee retailers. In nearby Chippenham, Wiltshire, brands such as Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero, and Starbucks all provided babyccinos free of charge to customers purchasing an adult beverage.
The scale of the offering also varies significantly between the charity and the commercial sector. While the National Trust serves a tiny portion in an espresso cup, Costa Coffee provides a drink nearly double that size at approximately 200ml .. Starbucks offers even more flexibility, providing both 100ml and 200ml options at no cost to the customer.
Will the National Trust's pricing review change the 80p fee?
A spokesperson for the National Trust stated that the organization is currently reviewing its babyccino pricing as part of a "normal review cycle" following visitor feedback. The charity maintains that its food and beverage prices are benchmarked against similar attractions and high street operators to ensure they cover costs and support the organization's long-term future.
However, several questions remain unanswered by the charity's response. It is unclear if the "review" will result in the National Trust matching the free-of-charge model used by Costa and Starbucks, or if the 80p fee will remain a permanent fixture. Furthermore, the organization has not clarified how it justifies its pricing being "in line with industry standards" when major competitors explicitly offer the product for free .
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