The National Trust Swindon reviews

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Birmingham Back to Backs, National trust.

Visited the Birmingham Back to Backs on Friday the weather was lovely which always helps, it's very interesting looking back at how people used to live and how tough life was, we had a guided called Ross he was very informative and new his stuff, he made it light hearted even though life was a struggle for the people who lived in those times, it takes about 1.5 hours for the guided tour which goes surprisingly fast. Excellent day out. Plenty of bars and restaurants nearby ,New street station is about 10 to 15 minutes walk.

David · 21 July 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Return visit to Washington Old Hall

Having visited the Hall with my husband and a friend we found the 15 minute staggered entrance very useful as we didn't feel rushed or overcrowded. The Hall guides Paul & Chloe gave an interesting & engaging introductory talk. They answered all questions comprehensively. Talking to Paul outside later he was able to give us further interesting facts and to point out things for us to go back and look for. To have him impart his extensive local knowledge took our visit to a much higher level of enjoyment. When I last visited the Hall pre covid there were no guides & although the interpretation boards were good their content was limited and as a person who has studied history I felt they lacked depth. However we all left this time feeling we had learnt so much more about the house, its illustrious and non-illustrious occupants and it's recent visitors and about Frederick Hill's work to restore the Hall. We all hope that these wonderful talks will continue, perhaps with an option for a more in depth guided tour of the rooms (maybe prebooked).

Jacqui · 19 July 2024

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Another Trust property which don't allow dogs.

I find it had to believe why a dog can not gain access to Great Chalfield manor, there's lovely grounds which he would have enjoyed.

Dave · 5 April 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Anti National Trust????

Can the the National Trust explain why every Ethnic celebration they can come up with, is on the 2024 calendar but Christmas and Easter is excluded? Will Christians now be banned from National trust, because of their wicked religious beliefs.......

Pete · 13 February 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Freshfields …… don’t bother!!!

As National Trust members having today visited Freshfields. I have to say that we were shocked at conditions of the toilet facilities and the beach. The toilets are disgusting. Clearly not inspected or cleaned regularly by NT staff. We mentioned this to the NT rep who actually replied ‘that they’re not the best’. Well, the admittance was enough without addressing minimum cleanlinessNow, on the beach, it is clear to see that the area has been a former landfill site for building material. Which has then been covered with sand. But with erosion, this is exposed and the waste is a hazard. In some areas, there is evidence of asbestos boarding. NT have placed ‘keep off’ signs. But really, this isn’t good enoughFor the high membership charges (did I mention the £8.50 parking at Freshfields?) NT are not what they used to be. Standards are poor and embarrassing at the least. We’ve noticed the toilet facilities in other NT areas fall below standard

Emma · 12 July 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Impossible to leave - DO NOT give them your bank details

I tried to find a way to cancel my membership before it was due for renewal in January. This is not an easy thing to find on their website.

Christopher · 27 February 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Private organistaion charging a fortune…

Private organistaion charging a fortune to visit a coastline. Needs stopping.

Paulio · 10 July 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

I visited Bodiam Castle as a non member…

I visited Bodiam Castle as a non member with my husband and our dog. After paying for parking (£5.60) I was advised that entry to just the grounds would be £11 each (entry to the grounds and the castle. We cannot enter the castle with a dog unless we enter the property individually. I have messaged National Trust separately to this review without a response to date. National Trust is very expensive, staff were rude and as non members were treated very differently. Not great customer service and does not entice me to become a member. Very disappointed!

Joanne · 29 June 2024

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Website is so hard to navigate

Lots of places to visit. But the website is REALLY hard to navigate. Far to much stuff on each page. I wish I could just put my postcode in and if gives me all the places to visit from closest to furthest away. But you cant do that. You have to pick a kind of place you want to visit. Then pick a area you want to visit and then it just comes up with far to much information and you just have no idea what to click on and what's to visit. It needs changed or I will have to cancel as it's far to stressful just to find a single place to visit once you have visited all the places closet to where you live. English heritage website is so easy to navigate and find places to visit. They let you put your postcode in and then it gives you all the places you can visit from closest to furthest. Come on national trust make it easy MUCH EASIER! The response just shows you did not read the review. Yes I can put postcode it but it only shows places near by up to a certain distance and having to click on other tabs to get other locations and places is just ridiculous. Also no response on how each page has far to much information, most of which has nothing to do with what I searched. The website is terrible and full of unnecessary tabs, information and articles. Come on response was just terrible. Ton it down and make it way easier to navigate. Ever since I've joined I've not been to many places at it's just far to stressful to try and find one single place to visit because it's just all a joke of a website.

Keith · 28 June 2024

★★★★★ 3/5

Trustpilot

Awful customer service - took months to cancel membership of a deceased member

Wife just informed me of some truly awful customer service she has experienced. Her Mum died a couple of months ago. Her parents had a joint membership as we do. Her Dad tried to go from a joint to single membership by ringing the National Trust, but he couldn't get through. Turned up at a National Trust site and they said their systems were being updated. My father-in-law sent an email, which was acknowledged offering sympathies and he was informed they would come back to him - never did. Eventually my wife got through to a call centre a few weeks ago [edited: I was subsequently informed NT have UK only call centres] and they finally cancelled it, but refused to refund the money based on the fact that they are a charity. Well I'm sorry if I turn up and pay the ticket price, and the building and grounds are closed shortly afterwards, then I will want my money back. National Trust members donate money for access, not purely in an altruistic fashion. There is a transaction taking place. I'm really disappointed by this. Contemplating cancelling both our memberships, but I'd love these buildings etc to remain for future generations. Worth saying the volunteers at their sites are truly wonderful. The administration are clearly clueless!UPDATE:I am really pleased to report that the NT turned this around. I was contacted and the details of my father-in-law were passed on. They contacted him and put this right. I have to say I'm so glad to see they took on board the feedback here, and didn't choose to ignore it. It really makes a difference to your perception of the organisation and your enjoyment of the membership. I will change from 1 star to 3 star rating, which on reflection I think is fair.

David · 8 July 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

I can't get used to the officiousness…

I can't get used to the officiousness of the staff who work at NTI visited Claremont and had not remembered my membership card ...got a lecture on how it cost NT an extra £4 to look up my infoThen a second lecture on the inconvenience it caused because I wanted a non dairy milk in my cappuccino Im just about getting used to having to show the card multiple times at one site....I got another lecture on the need for this top security to protect revenue

Martin · 20 June 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Life membership unadvertised withdrawal of benefits

My wife and I were looking forward to buying our daughter life membership for her 21st birthday, as my wife's parents did for her. It was only by chance that my wife noticed that, since January this year, this no longer includes taking a guest into properties. There has been no warning of this and it is far from obvious when first looking at the website. The cost has also been increased so we are expected to pay more for less.The excuse seems to be something to do with Gift Aid and that the new membership system "has been designed" not to allow it. Why? My wife's V&A membership allows a guest and surely the design of the system is what was specified?It is possible to take out a family life membership covering member, spouse, children and grandchildren at a comparatively low fee. I believe this to be an unfair and potentially discriminatory policy (we only want people in stable relationships) which the Trust has implemented in a secretive and underhand way.My wife has always enjoyed her membership and we were greatly looking forward to passing this forward to the next generation. Reading the reviews here it seems the Trust has no regard for it's members or customers. We would still like to buy our daughter life membership, which she had asked for and was very much looking forward to, but it now seems like a waste of money.

Dave · 24 June 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Just one more terrible experience…

We had cause to telephone the NT as we wanted to visit Scotney Castle and parking had to be booked by 9am on the day of visit. First off, we’re on holiday so are not on a schedule. We often decide what we want to do that morning. Secondly why does parking at a property consisting of house/garden/castle and 780 acres of parkland have to be booked in advance? Is it THAT small? When we telephoned at 10 we were told there was no availability at all!! Really?? Booked all day on a Monday? I do not believe it. How do they know how long each visitor is going to stay?? It just doesn’t wash! Also they are not able to book parking over the phone anyway. We are members (unfortunately) but we could’ve been about to pay the usual extortionate entrance fee to visit but we didn’t get that far in the conversation so the NT have potentially thrown away money. I had to hold my nose to join the NT after all the negative press in the last few years but as a history nut I still thought it would be worth it. I was wrong. They are a shower of s…

Mrs · 17 June 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

A shambles

Trying to renew membership. It is just all too difficult! Tried twice on the website but the payment did not work (I will not be trying this method again, as I have zero confidence in what is going on behind the scenes here). Tried phoning the help desk but no one answers. Sent an email asking if there was a simple, painless, way to renew. My question was not answered, instead I was sent advice re. how to update my bank account details. Advice was to call helpdesk .....I have tried to renew at a NT site but was told that they haven't been able to do this since the new computer system was introduced in January. What a shambles.I have just noticed that an earlier comment suggests contacting Watchdog. Perhaps if more people did this, there might be some action!Alternatively, I see that some people appear to have had their problems sorted out via 'Resolver'.

T · 22 June 2023

★★★★★ 3/5

Trustpilot

All very good - but with a big but!

We have just returned from a few days away in our motorhome and very much enjoyed visiting Lacock - The Courts Garden and Great Chalfield Manor. They were all in good shape and well-managed. The period guide at Great Chalfield was particularly good. Having said that I called on 14 Jun about membership and there was no reply. That is always a poor reflection on any organisation and looking at the comments on Tp the board of directors must be asleep.

Alun · 14 June 2023

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Arlington Court Devon lacks information about exhibits

Overall the trust is doing a great job at preserving houses and the employees and volunteers at Arlington House in Devon are great. However, from our visit today our main gripe is that the house has many numbered exhibits but no numbered guide to tell you what these pieces are! We were told a new guide had been requested many times. This really limits what you can learn about the artefacts in the house, which is half the enjoyment. The main "white bedroom" and other areas in the coach house collection were closed due to a lack of volunteers, so we felt a bit cheated here as well. Come on National Trust how hard is it to print out the old guide, which used to be available we're told. Wouldn't recommend without at least a guide for the house exhibits as its a bit boring without this.

Harryro · 9 June 2024

★★★★★ 4/5

Trustpilot

Is National Trust membership really worth it?

Before renewing with the National Trust (and we have been members continuously for at least 20 years), I asked myself the question "Where can I get a list of all the NT places we have visited over the years?"NT obviously have the information, because they scan our cards every time we visit. And they liked the idea of it, because you used to be able to buy a child's "Passport" in which you could record visits.So where on the website is the button you press to get a download from their database of all the places you've been to? Or perhaps there is a reason why they have taken the decision not to make that information available?The reason is, surely, that when they looked into it, they realised that most people are paying through the nose for a membership they use rather less than they think. You wouldn't want to draw that to anyone's attention, would you? Like a gym membership you never actually use.So it may be time to take your membership off Direct Debit, and pay for it each year, if you need it. Or don't pay.The mishandling of the NT by its bosses because they have gone WOKE is upsetting, and it is becoming harder and harder to retain confidence in the organisation. The actual properties are delightful, and the staff and volunteers do a wonderful job. But, while WOKEness continues, I shall feel sorry for the staff and volunteers who perhaps are sacrificing their time to support a sinking vessel.

Dr · 7 June 2024

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Disappointing price point and access

I haven’t been a member of the National Trust for many years and stopped visiting sites for a while as when I arrived at a property I’d be pounced on by people marketing membership at me. Not a great start to a relaxing day out when you just want to be welcomed and buy an entry ticket. I’ve just returned from a long weekend in Dorset and visited Corfe Castle £15 plus £5 for an extra tour. The visit was great and the tour guide was lovely and very knowledgeable on the way round, I reconsidered joining again due to other properties I intended to visit in the area, and I’m relieved I didn’t join. I was informed by staff that I wouldn’t be reimbursed my entry ticket for todays visit, which is a given with other organisations I’m a member of such as Kew and English Heritage. NT your down £85 already, the staff didn’t seem interested. Hardy’s cottage was closed anyway on Mondays and Kingston Lacy house £22 entry shut at 3pm but I could still visit the gardens for £14.50 which just felt grasping. This is August, not October why does the house shut so early? I couldn’t access the cafe or gift shop anyway without buying an entry ticket. It feels like you don’t want my money. I wonder how much I’d have spent had I been able to access membership, your properties, your gift shops, your cafes? I’d just like a bit of value for money by joining, or visiting your properties. That feels unlikely.

Iain · 18 August 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Beware, there are charges.

During a weekend visit to Derbyshire we came across Calke Abbey. Looking for somewhere to spend a couple of hours we turned into the entrance, the only information being a tourist information sign saying Calke Abbey.There was no indication that it was a Nat Trust.We proceeded into parkland (still no signage).After approximately half a mile we came across the pay booths where we saw the first signs stating it was National Trust with the charges listed. By this time there was no option to turn around & leave as the entrance is one side of the park & the exit at the other, we also we now in a queue of traffic.The charges for parking so as to walk around the parkland only are £7 per person!This is unbelievably sneaky!No option to turn around & leave, so the hope is no one dare say it is daylight robbery & just pay, not us.There needs to be signs at the first initial point of entry (on the roadside) not half a mile into the park!Sneaky, underhand money making tactics. Disgraceful.

Di · 3 June 2023

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

I would give zero stars if I could!

I would give zero stars if I could!Avoid at all costs!!I have purchased a blanket from their online shop and returned it back in few days, they received it the next dayIt has been 2 weeks, they are not refunding my money and keep emailing me the same response saying they have forwarded my enquiry to the relevant department. I will complain about them anywhere and everywhere, worst customer service ever!

Sin · 1 November 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Arrived in Portstewart for a weeks…

Arrived in Portstewart for a weeks holiday. Went to Strand beach and was informed I had to pay £8 to park. I was not informed that as a blue badge holder they was no charge. This is a serious ommission, as blue badge holders, not aware of this fact, would pay out in ignorance. Outrageous behaviour to visitors to Portstewart. I would not be a member of the Nat.Trust when this dishonesty pervades it's organisation.

Michael · 24 August 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Appalling organisation & one that's…

Appalling organisation,one that has lost all credibility to me! You constantly dismiss my ancestors & the suffering they've experienced throughout time, mainly through the ignorance of the privileged & wealth class! Just remember that we need to build new homes for all these ppl coming into the country, that poverty ridden towns like mine are struggling through massively & it's down to pplm virtual signalling like you! So instead of constantly poking white ppl with your negative rhetoric, why not build to help ppl with homes on that land instead, you want to take away all my history I love so why not the countryside.

Emma · 25 May 2024

★★★★★ 3/5

Trustpilot

Non vegan/ vegetarians NOT welcome!

Although the National Trust properties and gardens are beautiful and well looked after I feel compelled to comment on the range of food available in the restaurant/cafe. My question is why do they insist on catering more for vegans and vegetarians when the majority of their customers are neither? My example would be for baked potato fillings. The only options for non vegan/vegetarian is cheese or tuna mayonnaise. No hot options. But if you’re a vegetarian you could have mixed bean chilli! Why not a meat chilli option? And don’t get me started on the vegan scones! No other options available. My husband and I have made a pact never to eat in a National Trust property again and I hope others do the same. This is pure wokery and ridiculous not to consider who the majority of your customers are I.e non vegan/vegetarian.

Lizzieg · 24 May 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Visited Brownies Island in Dorset

Visited Brownies Island in Dorset. Very warm and friendly greeting from Debbie who welcomed us and explained all that we need to know about our visit. She was very passionate about her work and was extremely informative and answered all of our questions even where the best place that we could see the red squirrels. Also after our visit we asked about Corfe Castle expecting only to be confirmed that it is National Trust. She explained about the castle and location and even two ways to get there by car. Then told us about the castle, tearooms, and even that there are Peragrin falcons nesting there and where to see the nest. Brownsea island us beautiful with wonderful walks and wildlife. Fantastic friendly staff a shout up for Tina too.

Dave · 18 May 2024