The National Trust Swindon reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Out of touch NT

I agree with most of the reviews, the NT's handling of this pandemic is appalling. We've been members for well over 10 years and the fact you have to go online to get tickets without any priority is ridiculous. They haven't offered any refunds, membership extensions or even vouchers. The best part is that you cannot cancel your membership online, so I've cancelled my direct debit and e mailed them. The recent tweets about slavery were the final nail in the NT's coffin.

John · 25 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

The NT is using the coronavirus…

The NT is using the coronavirus pandemic it seems as a reason to keep most of its car parks and sites closed, even now in late August 2020. No wonder they are planning to make 1200 people redundant, sad for them. I suggest get the sites opened up to start bringing money in, or the NT will go bankrupt. I joined to access a specific car park, Respryn, at Lanhydrock, after work or weekends, to take my dogs for woodland walks. Most of the car parks remain closed, and even the ones open are only 10am to 5pm subject to pre-booking, pointless for working people. My annual membership is a waste, the NT is receiving membership fees and providing no viable service, will not be rejoining to spend money for nothing, I feel let down, this is incompetence, not the fault of coronavirus.

Garin · 25 August 2020

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Visited Barrington Court in Somerset…

Visited Barrington Court in Somerset yesterday and could not believe the, loads of fruit wasting in the kitchen garden, i spoke to a member of staff who said they now have only 2 volunteers to help, i said we would have given some of time to pick some fruit for then to sell in the shop! Also no cafe just a kiosk , loads of cafes have found safe ways to open. Hope you,re not charging non members full entrance price!!

Ina · 24 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

How many chars

How many chars - prob not enough. During Covid, my gym, my golf club, my pilates studio (yes I am fit) suspended membership without me doing anything. NT - oh no. £112 DD despite not having access for 4 months. And when we do have access; a ridiculous booking system. I guarantee NT will keep the system post Covid as it gives more control to an organisation that has lost it's way and is obsessed with signage, and controlling it's customers. Queued at Mottisfont today to use the car park ahead of going for a walk outside the estate. Refused entry as no booking made. Car park was maybe 1/3 full. And don't get me started on the super politically correct woke agenda. Membership cancelled after paying year in year out for as long as I can remember. Way to go NT! Now - let's talk about the BBC.......

Steve · 23 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Beware the excessive parking charge.

We were having a nice day on the edge of Exmoor and decided to stop at a small cafe for tea and cakes. It was on National Trust property at Horner Wood and we pulled into the car park which backed on to the cafe. We expected to pay for parking but as we were only staying long enough for a cup of tea we did not think the cost would be too great. How wrong we were. Unless you had a valid membership card the cost was £5 and you could only pay with coins. Firstly we thought the cost was a rip-off and secondly we did not have enough coins between us to pay the fee. We only wanted to park for an hour not buy the parking bay. Needless to say the cafe lost out on our business and we won't be going back there again. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. I won't be giving any more of my money to the greedy National Trust.

Ed · 20 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Regular visitors to beautiful…

Regular visitors to beautiful Wallington, Northumberland......this spacious venue is a joy to visit. BUT come on National Trust what are you playing at making your visitors queue 40 mins for a coffee, one poor lad taking orders, making drinks, taking payment and bagging up food by himself. You lost 3 lots of people in the queue that I saw - we’re all visiting you, supporting you and trying to spend money with you and it’s ridiculous! The bosses at the top should be listening to the folks on the ground, and improving the experience, plenty of other businesses are doing a fantastic job in difficult circumstances.

Judy · 19 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

National Trust Top Management

I have seen other reviewers here are calling for, and have also already, contacted the Director General of the National Trust Hilary McGrady to complain about stopping millions of members and non members visit properties. I have heard McGrady is ignoring all these complaints as much as her colleagues are ignoring all the complaints brought to them. The CEO, someone called Tim Parker, is being shockingly silent about all of this. As others have said, this is a national disgrace and a scam. Where have all the membership fees and the fundraising monies gone?

Laura · 19 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Sugar loaf car park

Sugar loaf car park - the best access for walkers wishing to enjoy this beautiful walking area ,has been closed now for many months , some spurious excuse about parking issues -( if there are problems - deal with them! ) Their only answer is that you have to walk for 4 miles each way from Abergavenny , on narrow steep lane - no footpath which effectively blocks access to all but the fittest and most able - tough luck on the rest of us ! but nice for the local residents who now no longer have those annoying cars driving past ? Email requests for info get a bland answer - follow up email was totally ignored - not sure what they are paid for but its not allowing access that's for sure! -I wonder how they get away with discrimination like this

J · 16 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Disgraceful

After buying memberships for my daughter and her partner earlier in the year. Realise we have a pandemic, but as most companies are up and running the National trust is a laugh. They are making none members a priority, and members are being treat badly. Do NOT join, it is a scam. Everything closed, and no money back, no extra time , a disgrace, would not give there overpaid managers any more money, offered 20% off the membership renewal, a complete laugh

Ken · 8 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Cancelled membership after 10+ yrs

We have been members of the NT for more than 10 years. Last week I cancelled my membership. I feel sad about it, but the current way of doing things does not work. We have been trting to book a visit since they finally reopened, and have been unsuccessful. So quite frankly I am paying and am supposed to continue to pay for nothing. We enjoyed our visits and even made a point on each occasion (all 5 of us!) to buy something to eat. More often than not incredibly over priced but hey ho - it is for a good cause so we didn't mind. I do.nkt understand why gardens etc cannot open properly. The grounds of many places are massive. Some common sense would sort things out, instead it is the typical over reaction of over zealous management. I wish it were different but the NT is really not fit for purpose. I have let them know via email. They were sorry I was not renewing my membership. Well - so am I !

Steven · 6 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Recent visit to Polesden Lacey

Recent visit to Polesden Lacey - good grief am I glad I did not pay other than as a member ... OK we have to implement C-19 remediations but really what a terrible experience - the house is shut when clearly it's big enough to figure out a one way system and limit numbers, the route through the garden was half hearted and half baked, you could not even experience the rose garden, and even the scones have shrunk! Makes me reconsider supporting the NT when they clearly do not care about putting on a good visit at all.

Stephen · 6 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Very poorly run with no respect for members

As a national trust member, our first years membership is about to expire. We wanted to renew and a couple of months ago I read that they were not offering refunds or membership extensions for the period of closure, around 3 months but would offer a 25% discount on renewal. We received our renewal email today and no such discount is now included. It is appalling to treat members in this way, along with your terrible online booking system that gives no priority to current members. They are a money grabbing poorly run organisation and as a result we will NOT be renewing our membership!

Gemma · 5 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Sent them an email and they have…

Sent them an email and they have ignored it.It was about my membership and the fact that they’ve taken my money but actually I haven’t been able to use it for most of this year. It would have been sensible of them to partly refund or extend my membership. My membership has now ended and I won’t be renewing EVER. I would highly recommend people don’t bother as the NT don’t prioritise their members now they are ripping off the general public, charging extortionate fees to visit even when some locations the buildings are still closed.££££££££££ There are many glorious sites in Norfolk that cost nothing to visit. I feel NT has a one track mind and this is shocking.

I · 5 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Do not join or stay with them - terrible booking system and response to members

My family have been members for decades but we can't use our membership and get to see anywhere because of the stupid booking process. Which means you have to know over a week in advance where you are going. We both have jobs which have shifts, we can't plan like that. Our adult children can't go because they can't get the tickets. The National Trust just won't answer anybody's complaints about this, not even their bosses. Their attitude towards members and the general public is terrible, and at the same time they are making so many poor National Trust workers redundant. The way they're running things and treating everyone is a scandal. We are paying for nothing and I wouldn't recommend anyone join The National Trust until they scrap the booking system and the bosses who have got them into this mess.The Charities Commission and the government need to launch an investigation and step in immediately.

Laura · 5 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

False advertising - car park prices

Recently been on holiday in Cornwall. Was conned out of money in one of the car parks. The tariff said one amount but the machine had a minimum charge. Complained to National Trust and it’s taken nearly 10 days for a response which wasn’t worth reading. No offer to refund me (I know it’s only a few quid but it’s the principle as false advertising is illegal). Their car parks in Cornwall are mainly overpriced considering most aren’t even a proper car park, just a square of mud and gravel. It’s all about making money, stuff the customer!Oh, I forget. If you need the toilet, tough. We found no No toilets open despite all others open...

Claire · 3 August 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Be certain before using the online booking system, you CANNOT change or cancel!

I am not a member although I was considering joining. I totally understand the need for a booking system at the moment and welcome the fact they are restricting visitors. However I booked a visit to a venue and then our plans changed and I wanted to change the date. The intransigence from National Trust is absolutely appalling. They will not entertain a change of date nor a refund. When I queried whether they would want me visiting if I had Covid symptoms (which I don't) they said that would be different and so although they have the facility to change the date, they will not do it. They also claimed it was obvious during the process that you could not change the date or cancel. It was not! I just can't believe that a supposedly respected organisation would behave like this with no consideration whatsoever for its customers or their future custom. I will unsurprisingly not be joining the National Trust, especially in view of the many poor reviews here. Shame on you National Trust.

Lin · 30 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Disillusioned and disenfranchised

We heard recently that the NT was about to appoint someone to teach us about 'slavery' (you know, the things most of us learned at school) and that it was going to cost - I don't recall exactly but in excess of £100,000. Perhaps this money could now be put to some GOOD use - looking after the fabric of buildings, for example, if that's not too way out an idea for the NT.Visits (when one can get in, in competition with non members) are not an unalloyed pleasure with VERY few people, but ridiculously insulting 'one way' systems. I'm only surprised they don't tell us to wear muzzles.I am disillusioned and seriously considering not renewing my membership.

L · 30 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Membership Cancelled

I have cancelled my membership. Can never get a booking to visit, booking is diabolical, no priority for the paying, loyal members and I don’t know what I am paying for anymore. Then yesterday I received a “woe be me” email from them saying they will need to reduce the number of staff they employ, so will now be getting rid of staff. If they would open their houses and gardens and give members priority this would not be happening. Members would not be cancelling their memberships and staff would still be in jobs! It is nothing but poor management of an already difficult situation. Goodbye National Trust, our relationship is done for the foreseeable future. Not going to keep paying for something that isn’t working for me anymore.

BurtyBee · 30 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Senior Mgt must go

Just received the letter from Hilary McGrady the Director-General of the National Trust informing the country of the expected losses and need for up to 1200 redundancies, it is clear she and her senior Mgt team must be included in the clear out, as they clearly haven’t a clue.Why have they not asked the country to donate £5, millions I am sure would.Why don’t they stop the abuse of the membership cards where they are passed around to non members, this must cost millions in lost fees, all cards must have a digital photograph of the member embossed on the card.Why don’t they stop the widespread abuse of locals and others entering venues without paying, many know ways into venues and grounds to avoid payment.Why don’t they make membership more rewarding for those planning to leave large legacies to the NT.Why dont they stop professional dog walkers with many dogs in hand from using venues, clearly a person who has 5-6 dogs in hand must be suspicious, this spoils it for other walkers who are not keen on dogs.Why don’t they employ walkers / guides to walk the grounds to challenge people, check membership cards, and promote local points of interest, if this is done right the guide could act as local experts in the venue.Why don’t they stop sending out the very thick membership book to every member, this is available on line.The NT should be expanding not shrinking its workforce and its offerings to encourage a larger more diverse membership.It’s time for fresh leadership, one with vision.

David · 30 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

National mis-trust !!!

I was considering not re-newing our membership and after reading our fellow members experience's we wont bother.....still only 7 houses open to date and cannot understand why all houses cannot be open as you don't touch anything inside anyway !!!!! They have asked for full payment off us which is a right cheek , if we can only visit the parks and ground why don't they greatly reduced membership fees until all properties are fully open ???? Looking at last years accounts they must be well embarrassed to why they still want full payments !!!! Not even any explanations or daily up dates !!!

Geoff · 29 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Just tried to book Claremont Gardens

Just tried to book Claremont Gardens. It is a garden. All outdoors so no need for masks. Plenty of room to avoid people because it is a park. Why do I still need to book? No spaces until 3.30 on Sunday. My husband and I are members, have been for several years. Why don't we get priority? Why are we still being asked to book to walk in a park??? Not bothering now and we have pretty much decided not to renew subscription as it does not have long to go.

Lyn · 28 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Total Lack of Transparency

We have been NT members for several years and had already decided not to renew. At the start of the pandemic I looked at their website to see if they would be extending memberships etc due to the lockdown. After several weeks I came across a link which allowed you to apply for a three month payment break. Texted everyone I knew who was a member. I had only two months left on my membership so I cancelled the direct debit with my bank. I did this because the NT have a total lack of transparency with their members hiding away the payment holiday plus the fact that membership is reduced at age 60 if you meet certain criteria. Also, there is no facility to cancel your membership online which is poor management. Managed to cancel my membership by emailing them.

SukiBug55 · 28 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

We have had a family membership with…

We have had a family membership with the National Trust for about 4 years now, On average we would visit a national trust property around two or three times a month most of these local to where we live. I fully understand why during the lockdown they closed their doors like everyone else but has many people have pointed out on this site the National trust continued to take our membership money despite knowing that we could not make use of our memberships, I am still a paying member at the moment and would like to visit bodnant gardens in north wales but again there is no availability to book why? I will now be looking into demanding a full refund for services not provided since march 23rd because it is my belief that the moment the country went into lockdown the national trust should have stopped collecting people memberships, there is no longer any point in being a member has membership no longer has any benefits and everything on the booking site is first come first served and this includes those who are not members and can pay i feel that this is completely unfair because you are getting money from those who pay and get there tickets first but you are also guaranteed my membership fee even if i am unable to book anywhere.

Glenn · 28 July 2020

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Waste of money. Lost another member today

Thankyou National Trust for taking this years membership fees from me and giving me the privilege of not being able to visit one single place The booking system is an absolute joke. After multiple attempts at various times of the day and night you get stuck in a queue and then chucked out, then to find out all places are fully booked. Perhaps there’s a ticket thief built in just to annoy loyal members. Also why cannot toilets and cafes be opened? Other businesses are managing to reopen and I will be spending my money with them from now on. The way NT is run is ridiculous. Today I cancelled my membership and will not be rejoining.

A · 27 July 2020