The National Trust Swindon reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

What's the point of membership if you can't get a slot?

We have been NT members for several years because we have two NT houses within walking distance (Baddesley Clinton and Packwood) and several more nearby. We can only visit at the weekend. Booking is always full. We can no longer 'pop in' to visit the gardens (never the house with young kids). Our membership renewed in June but if this carries on I will be cancelling our membership next year as what's the point? The National Trust are treating its members as cash cows.

Kelly · 19 September 2020

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Recently visited Plas Newydd House and…

Recently visited Plas Newydd House and Garden. as always enjoyed the house, garden and views. However, felt discriminated from a part of NT staff who didn't even wanted to answer to my question. I do understand that i might have some foreign accent.. but... that was really unexpected and rude. As someone said there is always first time for everything...

Siscanu · 17 June 2024

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Cancelled my membership and should not…

Cancelled my membership and should not have ever had one. Worse experience, being a memeber taken my little one for a walk in Osterley Park, was advised I have had to pre-book parking space. Which was never the case in the past or was there any communication to advise otherwise on side from National Park reps. My three year old son was upset as we have had to leave.Also National Trust not compensating or extending memberships due to 3 months lock-down as any other reputable establishments has done for their memebers.

Customer · 11 September 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Customer service shocking

Membership benefits are falsely described

Laura · 23 March 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Trying to renew your membership on line…

Trying to renew your membership on line with a part payment of a gift card not possible. Try over the phone not possible. Try a new membership over the phone not possible. Try on line not possible. It just seems they do not want you to use any form of gift card for any form of membership. Just spend at the shop. A real sad reflection when they are always requiring members.

Barry · 5 October 2023

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

We recently visited the White Cliffs of…

We recently visited the White Cliffs of Dover and the secret war tunnels. We had a fantastic guide. Richard was very knowledgeable and made the experience fun.

Jaqueline · 16 July 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Time to listen and respond to members views.

We have written to the trust on a number of occasions but only had a generic response. I agree with all the comments raised on this site and with the ideas of Tony Berry published in the Guardian today. (22/08/2020) Our nearest trust property is at Stainborough and has over 20 hectares of grounds. Why is necessary to book? For those who live in the area you can access the grounds via a right of way. We were there last week and saw 3 people walking in the grounds. The magazine is very poor and reflects a level of deference to the those who want to maintain the past? Please put some of the artworks and paintings into storage as many were paid for by owners who made their money from slavery. I totally agree with Tony Berry that the space created in NT houses can be used for more educational and cultural events. This is 2020 not 1960 so let us repurpose the trust to represent all the people and give them a voice. Finally i don't think reintroducing the "NT tie" (Guardian 22/08/20) will solve the Trust financial problems and just reflects and outdated view by some members of the NT of its purpose. We will consider cancelling out membership if the trust does not take steps to improve the membership experience. Godfrey Craik

Godfrey · 22 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Great national asset, only let down by its management.

I am sad that this has to be said about the National Trust, but I too cancelled my membership after many years. Here is why. We have (or had) a joint Membership and visited the estates several times a week, and enjoyed it very much. Then came the reaction to a coronavirus, which closed everything down. Unlike most membership institutions, they could have froze the membership or extended, but no. Then their over conservative approach to opening some estates which measure (local to me) 1000 acres. No cafes no shop despite most of U.K. getting back to work. A booking system which is pitiful and always sold out. I hear they are prioritising non-members over members. Presumably to bring in more cash. We cancelled our membership, and the gift membership we bought our daughter is useless. The management team should be removed and replaced with a team who are capable of running national assets for its members and the population. Wake up, and open up. Otherwise the slide into the doldrums is upon you. PS would you like me to run it for you.

Consumer · 16 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Im was sickens to see you allow hunting on NT land hunting…

Im was sickens to see you allow hunting on NT land and you can’t deny this . This poor stag was being hunted on NT land and was chased to exhaustion .Then some vile person thought this was funny and then shot the poor stag . I hope when your promoting NT the pictures of this poor stag are on your board

Seauna · 6 May 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Poor experience for members

Unfortunately I agree with the majority of the posts. We managed to book a ticket to enter the castle on St Michael’s Mount. The ticket was for 11.00am on their first day of opening. However, the day before we noticed that the website stated that no public ferry boats would be running and that the only access was via the causeway and to check the tide times. The causeway closed at 12.00 making the ticket useless. There has been no acknowledgement of members being unable to use their membership and should in my opinion extend people membership in recognition of their support like English Heritage has done. We may now not renew our membership which is sad.

West · 7 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

They are charging me full price for my…

They are charging me full price for my family renewal even though they have been closed for months, also I as a member cannot visit any site still, as they are giving priority to non members!! What is the point of membership? Where is the privilege? .. I am self employed and have received no government funding what so ever while not being allowed to earn a living! I feel like I have beed kicked in the teeth while being on my knees! ..What a Nerve this establishment has!...Where is the refund you owe me? Or the discount you promised?...Member number336783357

Steve · 6 August 2020

★★★★★ 4/5

Trustpilot

Great day out but need to review booking system

I thought I would right a review to say that as a whole I, my partner and our dog love attending national trust properties. The midland national trust branch have worked really hard to open much of the properties where we live and it’s been a great relief for us and key workers. I do agree with other reviews that the booking system isn’t the most friendliest and we struggle to get weekend slots. When we do the sites seem VERY empty and I worry that NT are not making sure people who book attend. A polite email to non attendees would be acceptable and solve other people’s frustrations. We are really lucky in The midlands but I notice that a lot near Cambridge and other parts of the county are hardly open and I see no reason why not. I’m sure there are a lot of people in agreement that the NT is a great thing but we can’t help including financially if you won’t let us in. Finally be more dog friendly, Anglesey Abby was awful for this :)

Miss · 3 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

A real shame that the NT have made so…

A real shame that the NT have made so many members feel this way. The sites still aren’t all open, there’s been no extension on my membership considering mine runs out today. I’ve lost most of this years opportunity to go anywhere.I went to book for myself and other non members and it’s clear to see they are charging an extortionate amount even when the buildings aren’t all open. Particularly Blickling Hall, where I like to just walk around the lake but not for £30!!!!Strange times but I feel put off by their actions and I’m feeling that I won’t be renewing my membership. There are lots of glorious coastal walks and country walks where I live. Where I’m not penalised.

I · 31 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

The management at national trust have…

The management at national trust have done more damage to our heritage than covid 19 ever did. For a number of years our children have bought us annual membership in our retirement which is now useless. Its Impossible to book,no priority for members . With thousands of acres of parkland I cannot belive it's full of people 2 meters appart?. Their must be room for more people than the booking system allows,effectively baring members. We have a dog now so we are barred from the houses,gardens,and cafes. Fraued is the act of payment for goods not received

Peter · 25 July 2020

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Life Time members but concerns

We are Life Time members of the National Trust and of course love the fact that there is such a Trust covering so many places. However there clearly is something wrong too often with how working in practice. The NT App is certainly one problem Some great pics but not that user friendly particularly when it comes to booking visits. Also really need more gardens to be fully dog friendly Obviously having them on short leads is essential in some places but banning them completely from some gardens is just frustrating and sends out a really negative message to people who love the countryside and animals. Some places allow cafe areas run by others but seem to be very controlling and even repressive in way they manage these. One such place was told it couldn't put up a sign telling people there was a cafe because it would attract more people!!! Which is outrageous controlling behaviour probably unethical too. I want to be a proud NT Life Member but sometimes feel ashamed. Let me be clear The NT has a huge range of wonderful places and many of the staff are excellent So really disappointing when come across some that are not friendly or helpful. Sorry to be critical and just hope they read reviews and are open to ways to improve

ConceredMember · 24 July 2020

★★★★★ 3/5

Trustpilot

Keep the toilets cleaner - we want to stay healthy!

I appreciate that keeping toilets clean is difficult but the toilets at Calke Abbey and Shugborough Hall were not clean and were not cleaned enough when I visited them recently. Toilets had been reduced in number, but if this was to keep toilet cleaning to a good standard it was sadly lacking. Clean toilets helps keep us all healthy and therefore toilet cleaning needs to be done regularly ( or even more regularly than at present) inside and outside the bowl and the floor - not a nice job I know but keeping Covid at bay is a priority!

Mrs · 22 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Incompetent National Trust

We have been members of the NT for 30 years and feel our loyalty has been completely betrayed. There is no reason the grounds need to continue to be restricted to the public, the vast acreage easily accommodates hundreds of people with plenty of space between everyone to socially distance. Trying to book a ticket is a ridiculously complex procedure, far too many steps, and when when you finally arrive at the point of choosing a time slot, there is NEVER any availability. I tried calling to complain but there is only a recorded message that informed me that the offices were no longer manned. Is this an excuse or are the NT staff all sitting at home doing nothing? I plan to request a refund for this year on the annual subscriptions I have bought for myself and my children but having read through these reviews I’m not confident that I will be successful. There seems to be no recognition by the NT of that the extreme measures they have taken to prevent people visiting their properties and grounds has impacted on their revenue. No doubt the next step they will be taking will be to ask members for donations to recover their losses!!Given the critical role the National Trust plays in preserving British Heritage it is extremely worrying that this organisation is run with such incompetence. I am considering raising this issue with my MP.

Albert · 18 July 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Always enjoyable

I have been a member of the National Trust for over 10 years and have always thoroughly enjoyed being a member. Great days out for the family, incredible gardens and houses. I strongly recommend it to anyone, particularly those who love to be outdoors! They also send out a National Trust magazine 3 times a year as part of the membership, this is always a great read.

Ryan · 19 January 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

MEMBERSHIP ISSUES

This was going to be a 1 star negative review but it turned into a 5 star positive review as I am very satisfied with the way the team has handled my complaint regarding my membership renewal. They were polite, helpful and went above and beyond to provide me with a satisfactory resolution.

Cristina · 3 October 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Treating members terribly. I will be cancelling my membership.

They now have a booking system that it is impossible to get a slot a week in advance on the morning of the day they open the slots. Why should it be open to non members when members are paying for a service they can not get? Open to members on day 1 then non members after that.I suggest the CEO re-considers their attitude to its fee paying loyal members. Loyalty should be 2 ways! Cancelling my membership if they do not resolve.Just been to Wicken Fen (fully booked for all days) and the carpark was 25% full on entry and exit. Overflow carpark not used. Staff were friendly and we'll informed of NT policy. But to be honest we passed about 30 people in a 2.5 hour walk. All at over 2m. NT your policy is bonkers. There is 100 times more risk at Tesco's than a walk at one of your open air parks/reserves. Open up fully or loose members like me. Trust the public, who do not forget are your customers! Trust us or lose us.Edit: I have emailed national trust directly and finally got a response. They confirmed that they are not changing their policy anytime soon. They also do not hold much faith in trustpilot review system, they think people only leave negative reviews here so they think the scoring system is unbalanced.Having conversed with them directly I have now cancelled my membership as I cannot see how I can use my membership anytime this year.

Bob · 3 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Take your own picnic

I've recently been to two NT properties. Today was Lytes Cary Manor in Somerset. We started at the cafe where we paid £4.50 for a cardboard sandwich and the coffee was so awful I watered the ground with it.Come on National Trust - this is just not Good enough! For anyone interested my advice would be to take your own picnic!

Anne · 3 May 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Still waiting for order for one item…

Still waiting for order for one item placed on 08/12/20. This was meant to be a Christmas present. I had to go and by something else last minute. Spoke to customer service who assured me dispatched but yodel shows as still waiting to receive the parcel. Customer service were meant to ring me back next day but needless to say they didn’t. Ignored my e mail too. I know Covid is making things difficult but this is unacceptable.

Walker · 11 January 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

CEO stepping down after admitting she…

CEO stepping down after admitting she got it wrong going woke.

George · 27 January 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Failure of management disappoints members

Like a lot of people who have commented I have been an NT member for many, many years and had a high opinion of the organisation. However the management of the NT parks and gardens over this Coronavirus pandemic has been disgraceful and will result in a lot of membership cancellations. Having paid for membership in good faith, being unable to visit any of the large parks has been bad enough, but now the parks are supposed to be open, it is difficult to book a spot due to the terrible booking system. Anyway, I managed to get a place last Friday at Hinton Ampner (it was a wet day) to find that the car park was half empty. Hinton Ampner is one of the NT properties which has a very large park so social distancing is not a problem if managed well, so why was the park closed at all? Why couldn't it have been opened a few weeks earlier? Why was there any need to book at all? In fact having a booking system leads to peaks with entry as people turn up all at the same time for their slots. Some NGS gardens locally have been open and the booking website has been far better.Another thing is that my local NT site West Green House is now charging £4.00 for the car park for NT members and non members. I realise that this property is a bit of a special case, but charging for the car park and entrance fee means that cars will park in the public areas outside the property which are along a narrow country lane. How thoughtless is that?

Caroline · 18 June 2020