Washout weather and the recession have hit the National Trust's finances, discouraging visits to its historic houses and gardens and slashing income with less being spent in its cafes and shops. The charity's 2008-09 report, Time Well Spent, due to be published tomorrow, reveals that net profits from commercial activities fell £4m (down 19%) as it struggled with the economic downturn. The report says: "A cold, wet, spring [2008] depressed visitor numbers at the start of the season and appalling weather in August also discouraged visits." In better news, it revealed that membership was at an all-time high.