National Trust Reviews 

I visited with my sister, who has MS, and as a result has mobility issues.

We simply went for a coffee, as I had been there the previous week with a friend and quite enjoyed an outside table in the nice weather.

I decided to use the car park this time, as it was only 30 or 40m from it to the coffee shop, which my sister could manage using her stick. I knew I would have to pay to park - the last time it was £5, which was fine.

When we arrived at the entrance to the car park we were told by a member of Argory staff that as we were not members of the National Trust we would have to pay a membership fee of £10.50 each, on the spot, to be able to use the quite large car park, which had only 4 or 5 cars in it. I said that last time I had visited it was £5 to park and was told that this had now changed. No kidding!

So, to buy two coffees in the coffee shop would have cost us £30! Even Royal Hillsborough is cheaper – about £8 for two!!

My sister was quietly annoyed and upset, as she had had a National Trust family membership for many years, but because of her mobility issues can no longer justify the cost, especially as much of the grounds and walks at The Argory are gravel, bark/chippings or soil/mud, and not at all wheelchair/mobility-friendly, just like the staff. There’s a theme building here.

I was quite annoyed myself, especially as my sister's (disabled) Blue Badge was clearly visible in the car window when we were speaking to the staff member at the car park entrance; I told her, politely, that from now on when I'm on my own, I will park outside the property and walk in, like many other people. Her reply was basically that “it's people like me” who ruin it for members, who cover the costs. This was to me, who had volunteered many times at The Argory in the 40 or so years I had been visiting, although to be fair she wasn’t to know that, but her attitude stank and was simply unacceptable and unprofessional. I won’t be volunteering again.

I complained to the National Trust directly, who passed it on to The Argory, who they said “are best placed to look into this”. After a month I had heard nothing from The Argory, which to be honest came as no surprise.

The National Trust email had ended with “If you do need to get back in touch with us about this, please make sure to respond back to my email…”, so I did as The Argory’s non-response was absolutely pathetic.

This time it did illicit a response, of sorts, from The Argory – a wishy-washy, standard and insipid response from someone who it seemed really couldn’t give a damn about my complaint, or apparently about disabled people visiting. It was almost like she hadn’t even read the email, so pathetic was her response.

All I can say is that the entire experience was not only underwhelming and unimpressive, but incredibly sad from such a large organisation.

In particular, I found the attitude and total indifference of The Argory’s “Visitor Operations and Experience Manager” distasteful, disgusting and a total disgrace. She’s clearly in the wrong job.

If you or someone with you is in any way disabled, forget a visit to The Argory, as all you’ll get is contempt, and ripped-off.

Sutton Hoo site. 2/10/2026.
Oh dear!
After a night's sleep I'm not so upset. I was going to write that it was my most depressingly disappointing experience at any National Trust site. Maybe it still is.
I, like many, went to visit here to see the site of the royal ship burial, from which all those wonderful artifacts were excavated that we've seen in the British Museum and on the TV. If I have seen that, I do not know. The other mounds were unexpected, but welcome.
The signage was the worst I have seen in any National Trust site. I am 75, and I've been to lots.
For someone new to the site, the map given out is not much good. The map and routes are very small, and the route colours unclear. We were meant to follow the orange route. Which one was that?
So, we rely on signs. However, these are worse. Nothing tells the way to the boat burial. There are some signs to the royal burial site.
Going through some swing gates, we came to a fence, beyond which was a big mound. Mound C? No clues here for the ship burial except for the map sign. Couldn't tell whether to go left or right. On inspection, right was a dead end, and left seemed to go on for miles. We retreated through the swing gate. Pointers here had left and right to the royal burial ground. And one to the lookout tower. We tried the tower.
The tower is very high. My partner is disabled and I didn’t fancy the climb. We passed it by.
Going through another gate, we were now towards the back of the site. There was a map that suggested that we had walked past the ship burial. So we returned.
In front of the tower, on the ground there is no signage at all. Not even a map. If we were standing close to the ship burial, you might expect a large sign telling the story of the excavations. Nothing!
All there is are two metal objects, looking as if they might mark the front and back of a/the ship. If that's what they were, I do not know. If not, what on earth are they for?
Perhaps, up in the sky at the top of the tower, such a notice exists. But, for those of us stuck on terra firma, nada!
There were signs on the fencing warning people not to go through, unless they were on a tour. What tour? Perhaps we could have seen more there. There was a large group of people inside, perhaps seeing what we ordinary folk were not allowed to see.
I intended to go into the house on our return, but I was too annoyed by then.
Sad day
Some positive points. The offer and use of an electric wheelchair was very welcome and fun. My partner could never have got around without it.
The café is good. Largest baked potato in a while.
A suggestion. Someone, who doesn't know the site, needs to walk the routes trying to find the ship burial. That’s what we pay our £18 for. If we aren't going to see that site, we should be told. Many more signs with information are needed.
Also, signs to say which route you are on.

From start to finish I couldn't give enough praise for the experience I had for the events team planning and hosting our wedding.
Anna was a constant professional and no matter what concerns I had, she made me feel confident they had everything in hand.
The views are stunning and gave the feel of a whimsical forest celebration.
My family stayed in the cottage and that was also a wonderful experience.
I would advise anyone to have an event, especially a wedding at Stourhead and definitely if your vibe is fantasy.
Stourhead was always a special place for me and my now husband. Now we have the best memories and can't wait to continue the tradition of going back for our anniversary. Thank you Stourhead Events Team.

My first impression of NT is very disappointing, the level of customer care is appalling. I've spoken to 2 different people regarding the same issue (still isn't rectified) they were both so disinterested. First impressions count and I definitely won't be renewing, I'll go to English Heritage. Looking at the reviews on here you
really need to do better.

This has been resolved by NT, the person that I spoke to resolved my issues and apologized. I am happy to carry on with them. Thank you.

Absolutly diagusted that when I asked to cancel my membership because I can no longer afford they stated Inhad no choice but to pay the full year! What an absolute disgrace from a charity. When choosing to feed my family and pay a charitable membership I think I will feed my kids!

well where to start
national trust have recently taken over blisthill
victorian town in iron bridge telford and they
have taken away all the atomphere it use to have where there used to be people in period clothing walking around interacting with customers there is none of that now instead you have to ring or go on line to book a time to get there ???? and if you feel like it you get to walk around the place in a group while some on waffles on about it the only things that are open are the money makers they have removed the play area at the bottom of the hill that had a few fairground look alike rides for the younger people the boat shed is closed doors shut the little cottage at the bottom of the hill closed used to be able to go in and chat with the people who used the place like it used to be used in the victorian times even the little pig farm has gone also no more shire horses roaming around nothing of interest there anymore even the old time police man he has gone as well not a good place to vist anymore so my self and partner and rest of my family will not be going back it has lost all its charater now just nothing in the atmospher to keep us there
and i will say don't bother going to anyone who will listen not a happy nat trust member

Totally inept organisation.

Cancelled my membership, was told it was cancelled but I had to keep paying until I completed that year.

Not sure why but fine.

Then, I got an email thanking me for my renewal??!!

Responded with an explanation but, given I now had no confidence in them, cancelled my direct debit too.

Now, I'm getting emails about not being able to collect my membership.

Membership is a con when it comes to senior citizen. I've been a member for years on a month renewal. I'm now 69 years old. I've only just found out I've been paying full membership for years and it's up to me to reapply for senior citizen membership. It's clearly a CON. They refused to compensate me in any way. Even by for going paying for the rest of this year. I'll be asking sending for a freedom of information request asking how many members are over paying

Visited Polesden Lacey yesterday. As is usually the case, the staff were wonderful and could not have been more helpful. The sites are invariably interesting.
However, the food was absolutely dreadful. Most items unavailable. Had to resort to a choice between a veggie sandwich or a ham one. Chose the ham one. There is now a new competitor to the infamous BR fare of yore. The bread was the worst sort of white. The spread was not butter but something that must have been sprayable to get so little of it onto the bread. As for the ham, one slice cut so thin that it could hardly be tasted.
This is shameful food that graced the Britain of old but where most establishments have moved on and would not wish to be remotely associated with something so dire. The NT has to get off its high horse and do much, much better.
Lesson learned: bring your own picnic.

They responded to my previous review after I publicly outed them saying "We're sorry you had a disappointing visit. The team at Greys Court has sent a reply to you via email today."

They did, sort of. An email that didn't answer any of my questions really. They then said someone would contact me within ten working days, which they didn't.

Lying liars and the lies they tell.

Do not support the National Trust.

Hours of driving wasted.
£38 of ticket value to get a drink in their coffee shop for 20 minutes.
No accountability.

I am currently experiencing some difficult personal circumstances and contacted the National Trust for assistance with returning some unwanted items. Sarah responded very promptly and was able to offer a solution, which I very much appreciated.
I purchased and gifted the NT tote bag for my mother, who loves it after seeing me use mine every day.
Thank you, Sarah, for your kindness, understanding and excellent customer service. It was very much appreciated.

Visited Tarn How’s for a quick walk.
Parking charge for the 11/2 hours was £7:00.
Outrageous charge, no wonder people just park on the verges.

I can only agree with the previous negative reviews for the National Trust - they appear to be greedy, uncaring and solely profit driven, taking advantage of both customers and employees.

In their latest job posting, they advertise a fully qualified marketing officer position for just £22k per year. To justify this, they have said the position is 30 hours a week, yet it required regular unpaid weekend and evening work.

Their whole ethos is around caring for people of all backgrounds and yet several of their benefits are salary dependent, and flexible working is only a given ‘when possible’.

Rang to pay my direct debit of £9.41 for last payment of a year membership. They took at payment of £160.80. Rang to complain they confirmed it was their mistake. Over a week later still waiting for my refund. You can’t get through to the finance department, only customer services. Totally unacceptable customer service.

Sadly, 2 stars is about right.
Poorly run estates, little volunteer training in the art of customer service especially in cafes not to mention the overpaid ceo (£209.000/annum) with little or no direction in how to manage the property and estates in her care.
Websites saying they're open only to turn up and they are closed.
Just as well there are older volunteers in the main keeping things going.
Just.

Have been to a few of the different sites now and we have been enjoying them the halls and the garden , the only thing we are really disappointed with is the lack on rubbish bins take today for instance I carried around a dog poo bag for over a hour I actually went out it in one bin but was told I couldn’t put it in that one , no wonder you have dog walkers not bothering to pick up after their dogs. Please install more bins

Went to visit Dovedale stepping stones. Car park was £6 for all day but with no option to stay for less time. On top of that cost for car park, there was a £0.50 charge to use toilets. This applied for baby changing too. I would have thought that the expensive car park costs would have contributed to the costs of the toilets.

Just a massive rip off now the NT. I cancelled my very expensive monthly donationn. only to be told there is an annual commitment hidden deep in the T's and C's no doubt but certainly no warning when signing up, so NT not only try to rip you off with shop merchandise (the prices aren't for the average joe), they punish you for wanting to cancel too. Ill never re join and by the look of the state of your review level on here, I'm not the only one. please don't bother to respond and spare me the "I'm sorry you didn't realise it was annual subscription like you rudeley implied to others" Coming into force next year, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 is intended to minimise “subscription traps”, where consumers are misled into signing up through a “free trial” or reduced price offer. lets hope NT get dragged into this as its very scammy. I for one will be supporting them having to refund everyone.

Saw an advert for National trust Pokémon event. Our grandson who is 13 and Pokémon is his one big hobby, so thought it would make a good day out. Went to Fountain's Abbey, very disappointed. A few wooden cutouts and a leaflet to put stickers on, to fill it you had to go to other National trust places. It was advertised in the paper that there were trading cards and games etc. It should be advertised for under 10's. Very disappointed.

Re the appeal for money to help reinstate Dunwich common.perhaps if the heath land had been professionally maintained then it would not have been 1m high in places and then not such a fire risk.these heathland have to be properly managed and not just left to be overgrown.,they must be either burnt ,with controlled fire or cut.
It's no good hand wringing just do the job professionally