The National Trust Swindon reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Disgusted..

Disgusted... e mailed to cancel my subscription as for almost a year we have been trying to attend only for everywhere to be booked constantly. Apologies I’m at work on a Friday morning when dates are released... if you could let my boss know that would be grand and maybe I can have Fridays off. Anyway, apparently I can’t cancel a monthly subscription as I’m tied in for a year, so they’ll continue to rinse me for a service I can’t use for another 9 months. To say I’m unhappy is an understatement and I will certainly be telling everyone to be wary!

Jenny · 8 January 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

I worked for the National Trust .

I worked for the National Trust .I was made redundant along with my colleagues and over a thousand other staff .They were a fabulous company to work for and shall miss it dearly along with my colleagues.But I feel letdown with the whole company of the trust , they could of furloughed us all longer but choose not to for any of those let go .Just feel they could of done more for those made redundant offer of furlough would of helped all of us .But chose only to make use of furlough if you not made redundant!I shall not now or in the future join the National Trust as members because if they can pay all those big wages out to themselves above but cannot help the very people that helped them get to be this big then they don't deserve my money to make those higher richer when they could of helped those lower than themselves barely over minimum wage and had our wage increase taken off us at the beginning of covid 19. If you cannot treat your loyal staff right I don't think they deserve my support or my family and friends either .

Carol · 8 January 2021

★★★★★ 5/5

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We visited Sheffield Park Gardens on…

We visited Sheffield Park Gardens on Tuesday, 20/05/2025, and hadn’t booked a mobility scooter, due to us not knowing you should book.

Paula · 23 May 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

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Visit to Christmas Light Show at Belton…

Visit to Christmas Light Show at Belton House.The actual show was enjoyable but as my partner was using a self propelled electric wheelchair the journey from the disabled parking area to the entrance was too long and included an impossible crossing of cobbles in the courtyard. Apparently there has been many complaints about this but the NT has ignored the issues. The staff were very helpful but this is not the first time that we have complained about lack of thought for disabled visitors. Probably will not renew our membership for the up coming year. Also could not obtain a refund for a ticket purchased by a family member who could not attend due to the change in COvid tiers.

J · 30 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Managed by overpaid arrogant liars

At a time when their revenues were badly affected by Covid-19, the National Trust 'leadership' managed to alienate as many members as possible with their pet project on colonialism and slavery. This was riddled with lies, inaccuracies and omissions that they refuse to even discuss. They have also failed to say how much this report, its associated 'colonial countryside' project or the subsequent steering group will cost. But it's almost certainly going to be a significant figure. Many senior National Trust managers are paid well over £100,000 a year, with the Director General on a grossly excessive £190,000. She is the only one taking a pay cut (a 20% reduction 'for a few months'). All other senior managers are receiving their full pay while making 1300 staff redundant (out of a total of 16000). There are also concerns about the way children have been treated in the 'colonial countryside' project. Here are some of the written comments made by children as young as ten:"tarnished red with blood""dirty as a blood pool""Liquid dripped off my blade""tarnished with blood""Blood dripped mercilessly ""Crimson blood oozed ""Blood. British blood""covered in blood"No responsible organisation would appear to glorify violence to children - especially at a time when knife crime is a serious concern.In essence, that National Trust has been mismanaged to such an extent that nothing less than a complete replacement of the senior management team is required.

Rob · 30 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

NT on a bum steer

The last time we visited a property, (Nunnington Hall, September) there was mercifully no mention of "slavery" although the family were ticked off by means of a display relating to their hunting activities.On to more topical matters - I suppose the leftists in the BLM fan club who agree with the Trusts direction will be delighted when the "far right" (which I'm not actually) are driven out of membership. They can then have these places all to themselves and bask in a virtue signalling glow.As for so-called "minorities" not being welcome at Trust properties, I see no evidence that there is anything to support this in my many years of visiting. These kind of lies are peddled by much of the media, including the BBC, with its "racist countryside" claptrap. Many organisations (the Ramblers being another example) ) have engaged in hand wringing about their "membership profile". I will concede I've no easy explanation for why the Trust's membership profile is what it is, but if they think that by pandering to extremist groups and trashing our culture, they'll tap into a new vein of membership, I think that by and large, they're in for a disappointment.

Bidens · 24 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Still waiting for Refund after 5 weeks

Ordered a few items beginning of Nov. Arrived badly packaged and one item- a wool and silk scarf was faulty. Sent back on 6th and still not received a refund after sending two emails and phoning them a week ago where they promised to return my money. Still waiting 17/12/20. Dreadful service, full of promises on email and phone. I’ve cancelled my membership too as decided they are no longer an organisation to support due to their ridiculous political views, and now wasting money to undo the decisions made in the first place. I will not buy anything from their shops or their online shop again. Would like to give them no stars

Mandy · 17 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

NT do not meet their service delivery standards

Ordered on 28/11/2020 2 small items intended as part of a Christmas box being sent to my son in USA. Although their normal delivery is given as 3 to 5 days, I know we all have to be patient given the current circumstances and I was prepared for an extended delivery date of 10 working days. However, although I have been informed by NT that my items have been shipped, tracking with Royal Mail has indicated for the last 6 days that they haven’t yet received it. I’m puzzled why it would sit for 6 days between NT and Royal Mail, so something seems wrong. Last posting date to USA is fast approaching but enquiry with NT merely gets a generic apology, but no meaningful update about my actual order. If NT explained where it is, I’d have been prepared to wait to the very last minute to send off the USA parcel. But the lack of information means I have no confidence it will even leave NT in the next few days. What is the point in notifying shipping if the item doesn’t go anywhere?I feel I’ve been forced into cancelling the order due to the lack of available information. Not confident about the refund process given the lack of customer service thus far. I won’t order online from NT again. Be warned if you need something in time for Christmas. Order #000124043

Dawn · 11 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Ditch the virtue signalling

Disgusted at the National Trust's recent shift to the 'woke' agenda. You are a charity that receives money to caretake our heritage, NOT impose your political views on intelligent, paying members of the public, who are capable of free thought. You might want to look into the TRUE agenda behind the Marxist BLM movement, before thinking it's a good idea to throw your political cap into the arena. Get back to doing what you're paid to do, which is to look after our heritage, NOT slag it off and hold it up to ridicule. We are also disgusted by your recent begging mission on tv - maybe if your lefty CEO was to slash his £190k per year wages, you might have more money to spend on looking after the properties. We have cancelled our family membership, and will not be visiting any NT properties again until you ditch the virtue signalling, and get rid of the stupid restrictions you currently have everywhere.

FRED · 6 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Ditch the virtue signalling

Disgusted at the National Trust's recent shift to the 'woke' agenda. You are a charity that receives money to caretake our heritage, NOT impose your political views on intelligent, paying members of the public, who are capable of free thought. You might want to look into the TRUE agenda behind the Marxist BLM movement, before thinking it's a good idea to throw your political cap into the arena. Get back to doing what you're paid to do, which is to look after our heritage, NOT slag it off and hold it up to ridicule. We are also disgusted by your recent begging mission on tv - maybe if your lefty CEO was to slash his £190k per year wages, you might have more money to spend on looking after the properties. We have cancelled our family membership, and will not be visiting any NT properties again until you ditch the virtue signalling, and get rid of the stupid restrictions you currently have everywhere.

FG · 6 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

The NT's decision to move into religion…

The NT's decision to move into religion is a bad one. No-one wants to pay to be lectured by a preacher telling us how bad the former slave traders/ owner were, as they wander around a stately home, yet that is what they are moving into. But as they are, why not go the whole hog and demolish all of these foul monuments to the ill gotten gains of our ancestral evil white people - ie flatten their entire built estate and salve their entire white guilt ?

Brian · 6 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Visited Blickling Hall in Norfolk…

Visited Blickling Hall in Norfolk today. The NT website said cafe open. When we arrived there was a limited selection, no facilities to eat in and all outside seating removed. We are Tier 2 and we can go to tea shops elsewhere, and pubs, and eat inside but not mix households. I am finding the NT is not being responsive to members' needs. Making us sit outside in drizzle and cold 6 degrees is not on. Reviewing whether we wish to continue to be members of NT which is handling this very badly. Oh, and that's not an empty threat!

Don · 2 December 2020

★★★★★ 3/5

Trustpilot

Hanbury Hall Worcestershire visit.

Visited Hanbury Hall Worcestershire yesterday. Had a lovely walk as usual. Very disappointed though that the seating area for eating and coffees outside was closed. Yet the kiosk was selling food and teas/coffees. V few places to sit. This was not the case last month. Also the toilet by the car park ( some distance from the main block at the Courtyard) was now shut.I see no reason for these changes. I suspect it is to do with minimising the amount of cleaning needed. But it makes me less likely to visit and less likely to renew my National Trust membership.

H · 2 December 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

I have cancelled my membership

I have been a member of the national trust for 2 years. I have now cancelled my membership. The organisation has lost its way. Instead of being a custodian of our history it has fallen victim to the woke agenda.In addition it’s handling of the pandemic has been awful. Outdoor gardens and parks were closed despite the government encouraging us to take more outdoor exercise and the WHO confirming that there have been NO CONFIRMED CASES OF OUTDOOR COVID 19 TRANSMISSION!Also dreadful to find a site is open according to their website, drive an hour only to find it is closed.

Anthony · 27 November 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Not cancelling

There are many reviews here objecting to the National Trust's response to the Black Lives Matter movement. This isn't one of them.The Trust has no duty to educate visitors about the history of the properties it maintains but it has always done so. The only reason any member would object to the recent report is that they object to supporting BLM with their subscriptions - no-one should object to that, by definition. The countryside and our heritage should not be a whites-only area, which to a large extent it is at the moment. The National Trust is for the nation and by effectively excluding minority communities we stir up trouble.

David · 25 November 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Arrogance towards its members

After many years we have just cancelled our family membership. Many weeks ago I wrote a polite letter (not an email) to the Chairman expressing concern over the direction in which the Trust was moving and have received not even the courtesy of a simple acknowledgement. I fear this is just one indication of the arrogance that the current management and Board appear to show towards long-standing members. Maybe this is deliberate policy. But the Trust is in danger of also losing a new generation. Like, I suspect, many we shall no longer take our grandchildren to Trust properties. Very sad.

Llaf · 19 November 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Unnecessarily difficult to cancel

Took out a gift membership for my parents last year (yep, great timing) so want to cancel it before it renews again in January. Having originally signed up for the memberships online, is it possible to cancel them online? Nope. Is there any information on the NT website about how to cancel a membership? Nope. So I am now in an email chain with them to validate that I am who I say I am in order to cancel.I may be being cynical but it feels as though the process is set up to confuse older, more vulnerable customers into giving up and staying with them. Will not be signing my parents up again even when things return to normal.

Matt · 18 November 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Support the National Trust and enjoy your local garden, even if it's tempting to leave!

Went to a local National Trust property- Mottisfont which has been thankfully left open over this lockdown! Every one was friendly and there were a fair number of people just enjoying the freedom to walk around the garden and trails: whether sitting, reflecting or walking - we all need that sort of space! I have and aways hope to support the National Trust, despite the organisation going off piste from time to time. It helps to look at the big picture of its history and foundations, it's present predicaments and the changes it can make, for it's hopeful future. Taking support away could damage the work it is trying to achieve right now and in the future. I've invested in the National Trust now, but mostly because I believe it has a future! So please, be patient, voice your concerns,let them be addressed and stick with them-believing in the best!

Jacqui · 14 November 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Have cancelled our membership and will be spending my money with English Heritage...

Have they lost the plot..can they really afford to loose memberships at the rate they appear to by allowing Tim Parker to foist his left wing political/woke opinions culminating in an 115 page report on how we must view history in relation to their properties ( how much did that cost to produce???).. I don't need the National Trust telling me what to think.The job of the National Trust is to look after its buildings - nothing else. It’s not the job of the National Trust to lecture it’s members and volunteers with their woke views of British history. Have cancelled our membership and will be spending my money with English Heritage...To quote Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.." big mistake, Huge" #prowngoal

Liz · 10 November 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Cancelling membership

My partner and I echo many of the comments on this site. We wrote to NT saying we were cancelling our joint membership as we expected that our subscriptions would be spent on maintaining land and buildings for the enjoyment of current and future generations not in producing expensive 115 page reports. Several people I know have been made redundant by NT and these were people earning minimum wage. These are people clearing paths and maintaining land and buildings. We don't care whether the report was woke-ist or Trump-ist. We do not want our money spent on political reports to suit somebody's agenda. We understand our history good and bad.We emailed NT to tell them we were cancelling our monthly DD and they wrote back to say "I’m afraid though, we can't cancel your membership mid-term. That's partly because of the way we use the income from Direct Debits and partly because of HMRC rules. When you join with a monthly Direct Debit you make an arrangement to split your payments across a 12 month period to pay for the full year, and we can then set our budgets knowing that our charitable income is secure for the year. It helps us plan our conservation work and maintain the special places we care for." Well stuff them. Lets see what they do.

Colin · 10 November 2020

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

National Trust Holidays Customer Service

Just a quick note: rented a beautiful house for the next 4 days over bank holiday in Dorset for my wife and I to get away - an hour before we arrived we get the call that one of our son's schoolmates has Covid so, last minute, we obviously have to return to isolate with our boy. NT Holidays called within the hour and without us even asking, refunded everything saying that 'these are difficult times'. Good stuff!

James · 28 April 2021

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

They won't let you cancel your membership!

I finally decided to cancel my National Trust membership after more than 25 years because of their offensive new political attitude and "woke" virtue signalling. I prefer my money spent on the work they are supposed to do. Easier said than done though. Nowhere on the website to let you cancel; no guidance on how you can do it. After an hour of going around in circles on the website, I emailed their enquiries email address and gave my membership number, my full name and a clear request to cancel my direct debit. The response? An email from "Adam" asking me to provide my full name and membership number (err...they were in my email) so that he could "look into my enquiry". I despair.

Keith · 9 November 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Claim Back Dated Payment Holiday!

Claimed back-dated Payment Holiday after NT online broadcast yesterday. NT had informed Members by email but only had my postal address. They have no difficulty in contacting me by post with membership card and marketing but failed to do so about payment holiday!?! Trust neither current Trustees nor "Bored" of Directors with my and Nation's heritage! Lack of responsible stewardship, judgement and leadership in such a crucially important British organisation. Would have given no stars but requires a minimum of one to be posted!

Geoff · 8 November 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

The National Woke Trust

The National Trust, a once great organisation now subject to the woke views of Tim Parker etc. Used to volunteer for them in Devon, never again as they do not deserve my time. Forget the politics, history is what it s, no one is hiding from it so stop trying to ratchet up the guilt of your members. Any organisation is only as good as those setting the example at the top. Get some people in who actually reflect the views of your members.

Peter · 7 November 2020