National Trust: iPhone app review

Posted 12 March 2010 08:49am by Graham Charlton with 5 comments

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The National Trust has just released an iPhone app which pinpoints properties and places of interest near the user's location, something which could be a good way for the Trust to attract more casual visitors to its sites. 

I've been trying out the app...

The app is simple to use, and works best when you use the iPhone's GPS function to find the nearest National Trust sites to your current location. The information on the sites is detailed enough to help you decide whether to visit or not. Opening times and prices are shown, as well as facilities, cafes, disabled access etc: 

Further down the page, a detailed description of the site is provided, while contact phone numbers and email addresses are provided, as well as driving directions via Google Maps. 

Users can always simply browse the map and find a red dot near them that may be of interest. Selecting the dot will bring up a brief description, and you can click for more detail: 

You can also see a list of local sites within 40 miles of your location, as well as all sites by A to Z, though the ability to search by location or postcode rather than just GPS would be useful if you are planning a trip somewhere and want to check out any National Trust buildings or sites near your destination. 

Released just this week, the app has been well-received so far, with an average rating in the App Store of five stars, and some very positive reviews. 

Overall though, the app is well designed with an attractive and easy to use interface. It does a pretty good job of promoting the National Trust, as well as providing ideas for days out. It's a good app, and the kind of thing that museums and tourist boards could also use to attract more visitors.