National Trust Reviews 

Cafe prices/product availability
Breakfast tea, I asked for skimmed milk. Not available, but oat, almond and soya available to cater for allergies. I buy and use skimmed milk at home, so would like to have it when out and about. How come my local ‘caff’ can supply it. Extra tea bag? Yes, I will have to charge £2.70 as another cup of tea! What? So I went without. Why would I pay for something I know I would be disappointed with. Would the National Trust crumble if it provided what a member of more than 40 years asked for?
Longshaw,

**Disappointing Visit – Excessive Wait Times**

Visited the café at Coleton Fishacre today and had a very frustrating experience. Despite the beautiful surroundings, the service was unacceptably slow—we waited in line for **over an hour** just to get served.

For a National Trust property, I expected better organization, especially during peak times. The queue barely moved, staff seemed overwhelmed, and there was no clear communication about delays. By the time we got our order, much of the enjoyment had been lost.

The food and drinks were average and the pit of tea for two was what you’d get for a person anywhere else, not worth such a long wait. Really hope management addresses these issues—either by increasing staffing or streamlining the ordering process. Until then, I’d think twice before stopping here for refreshments.

We visited Montacute House on 3rd August meeting up with relatives. We had visited many times before but they had not.
We found the car parking easy and admissions entrance flowing very smoothly.
We were greeted with a lovely house guide called Lesley. What a delight?
This lady was very knowledgeable, personable and a pleasure to talk to.
We later stopped for a very good lunch and she spotted us as she was passing on her lunch break and came over to our table to speak with us. How nice.
Thank you Lesley, hope to see you on our next visit.

There was an overly zealous NT employee directing the cars in the car park on the Sunday morning. We were advised where we had to park (even though over 50% of the car park was empty). We then also were told we had to move our car closer to the one next to us to ensure there were plenty of room for other guests. The same thing happened to the next vehicle. Then the next vehicle that came in drove past him and parked closer to the site entrance (in a proper space). This NT employee came rushing up to the driver like the gestapo telling him he had nearly run him over and telling him off for driving past. I don't think these other visitors stayed, I believe they just drove away. I am not sure if the attitude of the employee is laughable, ridiculous or just stupidity but he needs to get some customer service skills - or reassign him elsewhere.

The Kymin is a hill in Wales owned by the National Trust. There is a house on top that used to be open to the public but has now been converted into a holiday let. When I was there this summer nobody was using it. Nearby there is a monument that is badly overgrown. There are trees coming out of the roof! Please NT get someone to do some basic maintenance on this site. It would cost nothing in comparison with most of your other projects.

I needed to park my car for 2 hours for a quick visit to the Giant's Causeway, Northern Island. Nation Trust, or is it national disgrace, charged me £36 to do this. If this isn't a total ripoff I don't know what is!

They will of course ramble on about their prestigious visitor centre but I don't need to waste time viewing their propaganda thanks....

Please stop parking here, park at Bushmills railway centre and take the small train or the 5 minute walk at a cost of £10.

6-8-2025 - Update after the response from National Trust?

I'm not sure if you are suggesting I am quoting the wrong price? I am NOT and will post a photo of your prices last month. In any case, I had to pay £36 to park my car which is a total disgrace. Also, why bring up the subject of other car parks? It's almost as though you are not too keen to discuss your rip off car park at the Giant's Causeway, I am NOT surprised, I too would be highly embarrassed if I was charging this for car parking.....

Further to your reply to my previous comments, I absolutely support your care of wildlife, however on the camp site at Tenerife Farm. Predannack, on the front camping field the grass has been left to grow without cutting because of the wildlife. There are two large unused fields adjacent to this field where wildlife would be more than happy. The main field was previously regularly cut to allow children to fly a kite, play ball etc which they now cannot do because the wildlife live there, seriously? This is becoming more a nature reserve than a campsite and campers are expected to pay extremely high fees for the pleasure of supporting your rules. If you give campers and their families what they need they will support you, if not, there is lots of local competition.

Nice places to visit if your willing to spend a lot, Iv been a National trust member over14 years .its shame about very over priced food and drinks, a small sausage roll- £10.50 , It’s clearly a rip off, shows what they think about there customers. It’s managed by people who clearly do t care. After people pay parking then admission fees, the food should be cheaper, how much moor can the Trust squeeze for there members,

I visited the magical home of Beatrix Potter, Hilltop; in The Lakes.
The Cottage is just as I remember it and walking through the rooms, that was once the home of Beatrix Potter, felt special but also, intrusive. I know she left her home to The National Trust but I'm always aware, that people once lived in these houses; containing so much history.

The only disappointment was the many items for sale, made in China.
I appreciate that the Trust is a charity and items have to be sourced cost effectively.
However, there are so many skilled Artisans in Cumbria and elsewhere, who could contribute to the gifts in the shops. I didn't purchase anything when I saw where they were made; purely on personal principal.
A terracotta plant pot, with the UK Makers name on, on closer inspection, was also made in China.
I had a wonderful day, nevertheless!

I cherish the National Trust and its work. But I was saddened to see that it is obviously unable to control antisocial behaviour on its land, eg along the banks of Windermere where I very recently stayed in an NT cottage. There are people literally camping overnight, some in large groups, and starting cooking fires and parking on the banks and nearby hillside beside signs saying no camping and no fires. Or having family barbecues beside these signs. Or driving and parking along footpaths where cars are, according to the signs, prohibited. Some of these people are intimidating, others merely brazen, clearly fearing no comeback. At least, if you are unable to stop the traffic that facilitates these encampments (though why not) you should surely display telephone numbers where this behaviour can be reported, and introduce some clarity on whether it is technically illegal, or just unwelcome, damaging and antisocial. This would assist anyone wanting to help preserve the Lake District and your work there.

Powis castle on my way back from the pembrokeshire coast walk. it was stunning place, loads of things to see and admire. Though there have been complaints around about the organization, i will still be its member for the foreseeable future.

I suggest change the name to national scam trust. Thier membership is too complicated and really unclear and almost impossible to cancel your membership.

They didn't cancel a membership for a disabled person as they said it has already been through.
Didn't have direct debit anyway as it was paid for the whole year in advance but somehow they can make this into direct debit and charge you a month before your actual membership ends for the year and once they were contacted thier excuse is you've already received your cards (which no one requested) and tour can't cancel tour membership.

On their terms and conditions they stated if you have setted a direct debit (which we were not) you need to cancel 3 months ahead of renewals (which it is opt out not out in) but they renewed for the whole year not the three months.

Apparently they registered as charity with the government and that's the reason they can't refund any payments. It looks like a sort of charity to scam people to me. What charity you cannot cancel your subscription before the contract is actually ended and don't really give you a choice of canceling online if you can register online.

I'm sure they will respond to this review with another sort of excuses and mention somewhere in thier terms and conditions etc it has been stated but you never been told how it works when you signed in.

Please be aware thier membership/ subscription is some sort of scam and it hard to get out of it.

I visited Ormesby Hall in Middlesbrough. It was a lovely experience with helpful staff & volunteers, a very nice cafe and gorgeous grounds. The miniature railway layouts in the beautiful house were an added treat.

Visited Nymans today unfortunately no signage in car park to entrance when we found the reception area the staff member was not particularly helpful. There were no maps available and no information given regarding the distance of walk to the house .Once in the house there were no direction signs and we were lucky not to miss the upstairs area. This has been the worst visit I've made to a national trust property since being a member over many years.What a contrast to our visit to Standen yesterday very helpful pleasant staff good information given.

Castle Drogo and gardens - amazing!!! House is stunning and the long borders were inspirational.

Spoilt by the meagre offering of salads- the tuna pasta salad was disgraceful. Hardly any greens paultry amount of poor quality tuna and small pasta shape. The meal was 500 calories with loads of e numbers. All just a little bit lazy

This is a review for wasdale head national trust campsite: beautiful location and great for hiking!
The staff are rude and keep changing the prices! And have different views what a green discount means. I booked a tipi, and was told when I arrived that the cost will change (‘that is going to change, you will be charged more’ from what I was previously agreed when I provisionally booked it). It was the staff’s tone and rude manner. They not efficient and charge you a different price from what you agreed before. If you travel by public transport and don’t have a car so therefore can’t drive as you are being ‘green’ you are expected to pay a ridiculous amount to pitch a tent on their campsite. they claim their green discount means you have to walk all the way from your starting destination! If you are using public transport that is ‘green also, as you do not own a vehicle!. Stay here if you want to be in this beautiful part of the Lake District but the staff all disorganised and have zero customer service skills, inefficient and they all say different things about costs, travel, what the term ‘green discount’ means etc! I was given a green discount for a tipi then only to be told when I arrived at the campsite that is going to change. they emailed me with the cost with the green discount long before I arrived, so be be told I have to pay more is not good customer service. There was one staff manner who seemed to know what they were doing and had good customer service skills and was efficient, courteous and polite, all the things you would expect from an organisation.

Wonderful volunteers but a distant management who are accountable to a small cohort and an autocratic control
Whereby the chair can use all
Votes not used by members to overrule any attempts to open up the trustee body that would be more representative of the Trists heritage and primary responsibilities

The National Trust calls itself a 'conservation charity' but it appears to have lost its way.
We live near a 15th century, grade 1 listed tithe barn owned by the National Trust and three years ago we informed the N.T. that some roof tiles had slipped from the barn and needed to be replaced. Some one did come and look at it, but since then, in spite of various reminders from us and neighbours, no repairs have been made and the roof is now worse than it was.
My last three emails, including one to the director general, Hilary Mcgrady have been acknowledged but not replied to. My wife has also emailed photos of the roof, but again no answer.
During this time I have received three emails from the N.T. telling me how 'excited' they are to be taking part in a local parade, nothing to do with conservation, and inviting me to join and they will supply T shirts, flags and banners free of charge.
Is this really what the National Trust should be spending time and money on?

We visited the Giant’s Causeway and really benefited from the guided tour. Keith was amazing- both funny and informative. We were there with our two teenage children. When our kids are laughing as well as their parents, it’s got to be good!

We were the first party into Clouds Hill, the rural retreat of T. E. Lawrence, on Thursday 5th June. The weather was awful; the volunteers were friendly and welcoming. Our primary guide, Trevor, was exceptional. What a shame I didn't have such an enthustiastic and knowledgeable history teacher at school. Top marks all round.