The National Trust Wiltshire reviews

★★★★★ 2/5

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Sutton Hoo site

Sutton Hoo site. 2/10/2026. Oh dear! After a night's sleep I'm not so upset. I was going to write that it was my most depressingly disappointing experience at any National Trust site. Maybe it still is. I, like many, went to visit here to see the site of the royal ship burial, from which all those wonderful artifacts were excavated that we've seen in the British Museum and on the TV. If I have seen that, I do not know. The other mounds were unexpected, but welcome. The signage was the worst I have seen in any National Trust site. I am 75, and I've been to lots. For someone new to the site, the map given out is not much good. The map and routes are very small, and the route colours unclear. We were meant to follow the orange route. Which one was that? So, we rely on signs. However, these are worse. Nothing tells the way to the boat burial. There are some signs to the royal burial site. Going through some swing gates, we came to a fence, beyond which was a big mound. Mound C? No clues here for the ship burial except for the map sign. Couldn't tell whether to go left or right. On inspection, right was a dead end, and left seemed to go on for miles. We retreated through the swing gate. Pointers here had left and right to the royal burial ground. And one to the lookout tower. We tried the tower. The tower is very high. My partner is disabled and I didn’t fancy the climb. We passed it by. Going through another gate, we were now towards the back of the site. There was a map that suggested that we had walked past the ship burial. So we returned. In front of the tower, on the ground there is no signage at all. Not even a map. If we were standing close to the ship burial, you might expect a large sign telling the story of the excavations. Nothing! All there is are two metal objects, looking as if they might mark the front and back of a/the ship. If that's what they were, I do not know. If not, what on earth are they for? Perhaps, up in the sky at the top of the tower, such a notice exists. But, for those of us stuck on terra firma, nada! There were signs on the fencing warning people not to go through, unless they were on a tour. What tour? Perhaps we could have seen more there. There was a large group of people inside, perhaps seeing what we ordinary folk were not allowed to see. I intended to go into the house on our return, but I was too annoyed by then. Sad day Some positive points. The offer and use of an electric wheelchair was very welcome and fun. My partner could never have got around without it. The café is good. Largest baked potato in a while. A suggestion. Someone, who doesn't know the site, needs to walk the routes trying to find the ship burial. That’s what we pay our £18 for. If we aren't going to see that site, we should be told. Many more signs with information are needed. Also, signs to say which route you are on.

Myrvin · 4 October 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

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A Magical Wedding Experience at Stourhead

From start to finish I couldn't give enough praise for the experience I had for the events team planning and hosting our wedding. Anna was a constant professional and no matter what concerns I had, she made me feel confident they had everything in hand. The views are stunning and gave the feel of a whimsical forest celebration. My family stayed in the cottage and that was also a wonderful experience. I would advise anyone to have an event, especially a wedding at Stourhead and definitely if your vibe is fantasy. Stourhead was always a special place for me and my now husband. Now we have the best memories and can't wait to continue the tradition of going back for our anniversary. Thank you Stourhead Events Team.

Nique · 26 September 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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Membership over payment for Senior citizen's

Membership is a con when it comes to senior citizen. I've been a member for years on a month renewal. I'm now 69 years old. I've only just found out I've been paying full membership for years and it's up to me to reapply for senior citizen membership. It's clearly a CON. They refused to compensate me in any way. Even by for going paying for the rest of this year. I'll be asking sending for a freedom of information request asking how many members are over paying

Rich · 9 September 2026

★★★★★ 3/5

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Visited Polesden Lacey yesterday, food absolutely dire.

Visited Polesden Lacey yesterday. As is usually the case, the staff were wonderful and could not have been more helpful. The sites are invariably interesting. However, the food was absolutely dreadful. Most items unavailable. Had to resort to a choice between a veggie sandwich or a ham one. Chose the ham one. There is now a new competitor to the infamous BR fare of yore. The bread was the worst sort of white. The spread was not butter but something that must have been sprayable to get so little of it onto the bread. As for the ham, one slice cut so thin that it could hardly be tasted. This is shameful food that graced the Britain of old but where most establishments have moved on and would not wish to be remotely associated with something so dire. The NT has to get off its high horse and do much, much better. Lesson learned: bring your own picnic.

John · 7 September 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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PROPOSED CLOSURE OF BOAT YARD AT FELLFOOT PARK CUMBRIA hy is the National Trust proposing to…

Why is the National Trust proposing to close the boat yard at Fellfoot park on Windermere Cumbria after 50 years of memorable facilities. It is just a tiny portion of the site. This appears to target the older generation of boaters no longer able to use paddle boards and canoes. It would appear that newer management priorities the young and not the preservation of it's facilities. The character of this site is changing into a fun park congested with paddle boards and canoes and losing its relaxing character.

Geoffs · 4 August 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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Greenway house. The Apartment.

The Aoartment, Greenway, Devon A disappointment. We visited in the 2026 summer heatwave. The flat was unbearably hot. The windows only open a fraction. I think the NT needs to address climate change when renting out its properties, and at least supply a fan for each room. When booking, I didn’t realise there would be no WiFi. I also didn’t know that we couldn’t drive up to the flat. We had to unload some distance away and look for a trolley to load our luggage onto and then drag it along the cobbled paths to our flat. Then unload and carry everything up 2 flights of narrow winding stairs to the flat. We’re OAPs and this was in 30C heat. I think it should be made plain that this flat is most suitable for people under retirement age. It was all disappointing, and not a cheap flat to rent. We gave up and left a day early. However, Greenway gardens and the river Dart were beautiful.

Claire · 8 July 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

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We visited Kingston Lacy on 11th July.

We visited Kingston Lacy on 11th July. Being a very hot day we decided to visit the house. We would like to congratulate all the volunteers who delivered the history of Kingston Lacy with such enthusiasm. Everyone was so informative and friendly ,especially Chris on the stairs. We were especially excited to meet Max the JRT, who was the newest volunteer in the book shop. We had a wonderful visit. Thank you again.

Tina · 12 July 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

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Great customer care.

My husband left his phone and sunglasses on the north beach on Brownsea Island. We had to catch the ferry so could not return to look for them ourselves. All we could tell the staff was it was somewhere near where the Oyster Catcher was nesting. We would like to thank them for finding both items and returning them to us. We are very grateful for their wonderful customer care.

Carol · 18 July 2026

★★★★★ 3/5

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Sad Cafes

Visiting Bateman's, home of Rudyard Kipling, has finally convinced me that I must give up using National Trust cafes. Here, as at so many other Trust sites I've visited in the past year, the volunteers were lovely, the home and gardens well-tended - but the cafe was hugely disappointing. By 1.25 pm - lunchtime - there were only five or six sandwiches left on display, (all gluten-free). We don't normally bother with gluten-free food, and could have waited for staff to make fresh "ordinary" sandwiches, but other customers were being warned of 15 minute delays, and the queue was backing-up. So we bought a couple from the display, and then discovered from the packaging that the bread and filling contained a vast number of E-numbered additives, a list so long it actually shocked us. Hardly a healthy option. But we were hungry so we ate them anyway - or most of them - and the taste was dry, bitter and unpleasant. A cake we bought was small, expensive, and with little flavour. Coffee was, as ever in Trust cafes, no better than just about acceptable. And that was our "lunch". Staff were polite but nobody hurried, and all in all we were reminded of many similar poor experiences in NT cafes over the past year or so in particular. Expensive, slow, low-quality food and an overall attitude that contained all the hallmarks of a monopoly, these cafes have degenerated so much we've resolved never to use them again, but to bring our own picnics instead. Isn't it a shame that the Trust can pour so much attention into other sides of its operation but leave something so fundamental as food and drink sadly below an acceptable standard?

Nicholas · 13 April 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

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Joanne at the ticket office a wonderful member of staff.

Went with my family to Cragside during our stay in Felton. I wasn’t a member until I spoke to Joanne at the ticket office. I have loved my time at all of the places we have visited but Joanne made such a huge impression on me joining and spent quite a lot of time putting me at ease as someone who is disabled quite alot of my first impression can be negative as I speak fast and rush with my mobility etc.

D · 2 April 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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Erddig Hall - a deeply disappointing visit…

This was a deeply disappointing visit on a miserable grey day which we had hoped would be enhanced by visiting a beautiful house in large grounds. The main entrance to the House was difficult to find due to hopeless signage. This should be much clearer. When we arrived we were told the house closed at 4pm and we had arrived at approximately 2.45pm so the 10 minutes or so searching for the main house entrance was wasted time. We resorted to asking some other visitors, one of whom knew, two others didn't despite having already been around the house - they too were confused due to the maze of coachhouses and the actual House entrance sign not being larger than the rest of the signage.

Sarah · 26 March 2026

★★★★★ 2/5

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I've been a member of The National…

I've been a member of The National Trust for several years now and unfortunately seen it's decline with increased pricing levels and poor presentation. If an organisation is going to offer annual membership then it should make sure it's sites are open all year round, alternatively offer a book of visit tickets so people can go when these places ARE open. I feel even more sorry for families forking out nearly £50 for a family ticket, only to find out the house is closed, the gardens are closed or upstairs is closed due to 'lack of staff'. The other thing I want to comment on is the disparity in the way these houses are presented. Personally I don't want to see rows and rows of old oil paintings and rooms with glass across and a corridor through and a sad looking volunteer making sure I don't vandalise something! What I want to see is some life in these places, who lived there, some personal items. I think it's a case of having to change with the times if The NT is going to survive. Knowl House is an example of a boring cold house with no soul. Batemans a good one where you can still feel the presence of Kipling, so overall some good, some bad, with plenty of room for improvement IMHO. I don't think I will be renewing my membership next year. If they combine with English Heritage that might change my mind depending on the membership charge, but NT membership is not viable for us as we've exhausted the sites where we live and unfortunately had one dissapointed after another when venturing further afield to explore others

Steve · 25 March 2026

★★★★★ 3/5

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Killerton House gardens were beautiful - but ...

Parts of Killerton House gardens were looking beautiful yesterday but - what has happened to the swathes of daffodils on the approach to the house - seems to be just a drink/food truck, which was closed, plus a hideous huge awning! All that presumably to replace the Dairy Cafe which was rarely open and must have cost a small fortune and is now an ignored information board room - though the seating looking out over the beautiful view towards Exeter is still in place - but totally empty! Do I also need to mention you now charging 15p "f&b cup charge" for my daring to have a takeaway coffee (I already pay the Council for recycling)! I always thought having the pleasure of food/drinks at venues was helping NT but that charge for a small piece of recyclable cardboard means I will take my own in future so no benefit to NT. You seem to have money to burn on new, badly thought out, projects which alienate those of us who take the time to support you.

Heather · 22 March 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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Blakeney Lodge is a wonderful holiday…

Blakeney Lodge is a wonderful holiday cottage situated next to a disused windmill, just as described on the National Trust website. What they fail to tell you is that the cottage is bang slap in the middle of a caravan park . The park was disused at the time of my visit in February and so quite isolated but I imagine this is better than in the summer when it will be packed. I certainly wouldn’t want to sit in the garden behind a brick wall surrounded by caravans. £500 plus for 2 nights seemed excessive for the property and what it had to offer.

Lucy · 3 March 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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This review is regarding "The Argory"

I visited with my sister, who has MS, and as a result has mobility issues. We simply went for a coffee, as I had been there the previous week with a friend and quite enjoyed an outside table in the nice weather. I decided to use the car park this time, as it was only 30 or 40m from it to the coffee shop, which my sister could manage using her stick. I knew I would have to pay to park - the last time it was £5, which was fine. When we arrived at the entrance to the car park we were told by a member of Argory staff that as we were not members of the National Trust we would have to pay a membership fee of £10.50 each, on the spot, to be able to use the quite large car park, which had only 4 or 5 cars in it. I said that last time I had visited it was £5 to park and was told that this had now changed. No kidding! So, to buy two coffees in the coffee shop would have cost us £30! Even Royal Hillsborough is cheaper, about £8 for two!! My sister was quietly annoyed and upset, as she had had a National Trust family membership for many years, but because of her mobility issues can no longer justify the cost, especially as much of the grounds and walks at The Argory are gravel, bark/chippings or soil/mud, and not at all wheelchair/mobility-friendly, just like the staff. There’s a theme building here. I was quite annoyed myself, especially as my sister's (disabled) Blue Badge was clearly visible in the car window when we were speaking to the staff member at the car park entrance; I told her, politely, that from now on when I'm on my own, I will park outside the property and walk in, like many other people. Her reply was basically that “it's people like me” who ruin it for members, who cover the costs. This was to me, who had volunteered many times at The Argory in the 40 or so years I had been visiting, although to be fair she wasn’t to know that, but her attitude stank and was simply unacceptable and unprofessional. I won’t be volunteering again. I complained to the National Trust directly, who passed it on to The Argory, who they said “are best placed to look into this”. After a month I had heard nothing from The Argory, which to be honest came as no surprise. The National Trust email had ended with “If you do need to get back in touch with us about this, please make sure to respond back to my email…”, so I did as The Argory’s non-response was absolutely pathetic. This time it did illicit a response, of sorts, from The Argory, a wishy-washy, standard and insipid response from someone who it seemed really couldn’t give a damn about my complaint, or apparently about disabled people visiting. It was almost like she hadn’t even read the email, so pathetic was her response. All I can say is that the entire experience was not only underwhelming and unimpressive, but incredibly sad from such a large organisation. In particular, I found the attitude and total indifference of The Argory’s “Visitor Operations and Experience Manager” distasteful, disgusting and a total disgrace. She’s clearly in the wrong job. If you or someone with you is in any way disabled, forget a visit to The Argory, as all you’ll get is contempt, and ripped-off.

Boeing757 · 7 October 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

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The guide was really knowledgeable

The guide was really knowledgeable. He hit just the right note with humorous anecdotes but depth of history. His enthusiasm for The House of the Binns was infectious and we agreed the most impressive item in the house was the enormous mirror in the large top room and how it got there. The walk in the garden with a peacock among the daffodils was charming and the view from the tower impressive.

Christina · 31 March 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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Dyrham Park

We were waiting for the shuttle bus to take us back to the car park. An old lady tripped on the step of the bus and badly cut her leg. The bus driver (a woman) was no help she was more interested in getting back to the car park to pick up more people so left. A Trust helper sorted some body with a first aid kit phoned the car park for the other shuttle bus (there were two) to come and pick her up. He wouldnt come as he was having his lunch. There was also a minibus in the car park could have collected her but didnt. The old ladies daughter by this time had phone the local hospital to ask if they could take her straight in.

RWS · 9 December 2025

★★★★★ 2/5

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Terrible Cafe

I joined NT this year and have visited many of the properties in the Midlands/Warwickshire/Worcestershire area. They all (with the exception of Charterhouse in Coventry) have the same issues. The Cafes are all exactly the same and the food offered is overpriced and not very nice. The pasties were hard, scones dry. Everything is pre made and just heated up. Sandwiches tasted stale and had sell by date weeks ahead. The list of ingredients for a plain sandwich shows just how much preservative has been pumped into them. They seem to be trying to attract more vegan people but forgetting those who aren’t. It would be much better if they could have freshly made food which caters for everyone. No point in having signs saying tell us about allergies when everything is pre made and cat be changed anyway

Margaret · 9 October 2025

★★★★★ 3/5

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I stayed at Arlington Row in the…

I stayed at Arlington Row in the Cotswolds. The only heating was storage heaters that I had to turn on when I arrived for them to start working the next day, so it was pretty cold to start with. Also, the heater in the small second bedroom didn’t work at all even though I tried to turn it on at the switch. I had to contact the National Trust phone number because the TV didn’t work either and the instructions for that was a small booklet with lots and lots of pages that were quite difficult to understand. And didn’t work either. The shower was also quite poor, no power at all. There was private parking down the road in a small field for the cottage occupants but if you’ve got anything larger than a small SUV, it will be really difficult to park in there because directly opposite the field there is a small brick hut, so it’s difficult to swing into and out of the place. The directions to get to the cottage also difficult to navigate as the road we are advised to go down had a “dead end” sign and also someone had put up a “road closed” sign so again very difficult to find with that unhelpful information! The cottage was lovely though and the next day when the heaters had worked it was very nice and warm and the log fire was a help. The trout farm in the village had great reviews but you can’t eat inside, it’s all outside and last weekend was quite cold and very wet so there was nothing cozy about it at all and it was just run by a few teenagers in front of house and the food wasn’t that brilliant either. The gift shop was smaller again than it looks on their website and I couldn’t believe you had to pay to go to the loo there also. Loads of tourists all through the day up and down the road, obviously day trippers because they had disappeared by about 7 pm but they ruined the atmosphere. There was a shop in the village that I think used to be the local post office and a pint of milk was £3.50 ridiculous price and a small bottle of shower gel was £35, I couldn’t believe my eyes, needless to say, I drove to the next village and paid £1 for a pint of milk at a co-op. I know I was a tourist too but at least I had paid for a cottage.

Shanni · 15 September 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

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My first impression of NT is very…

My first impression of NT is very disappointing, the level of customer care is appalling. I've spoken to 2 different people regarding the same issue (still isn't rectified) they were both so disinterested. First impressions count and I definitely won't be renewing, I'll go to English Heritage. Looking at the reviews on here you really need to do better. This has been resolved by NT, the person that I spoke to resolved my issues and apologized. I am happy to carry on with them. Thank you.

Carolyn · 18 September 2026

★★★★★ 2/5

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Insulting welcome at Belton House

Three adult family members visited Belton House today. Welcome staff on pay kiosk need to have more manners. I passed her our 3 membership cards through the fully open car window. She proceeded to ask me whether I had anyone else 'hiding' in the back.... and she wasn't joking! What an insulting accusation! I then asked her where the nearest accessible parking was as one of our party was disabled. The Blue Badge was clearly on display. Rather than simply directing me, she questioned our need for accessible parking and we had to convince her it was for disability! Yet more blatant unacceptable discrimination. Other NT properties offer a genuinely amazing welcome, with no 3rd degree intrusive and accusatory questioning. She spoilt our entire visit. Won't be going back there again. Shockingly unpleasant!

Ruth · 24 May 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

well where to start

well where to start national trust have recently taken over blisthill victorian town in iron bridge telford and they have taken away all the atomphere it use to have where there used to be people in period clothing walking around interacting with customers there is none of that now instead you have to ring or go on line to book a time to get there ???? and if you feel like it you get to walk around the place in a group while some on waffles on about it the only things that are open are the money makers they have removed the play area at the bottom of the hill that had a few fairground look alike rides for the younger people the boat shed is closed doors shut the little cottage at the bottom of the hill closed used to be able to go in and chat with the people who used the place like it used to be used in the victorian times even the little pig farm has gone also no more shire horses roaming around nothing of interest there anymore even the old time police man he has gone as well not a good place to vist anymore so my self and partner and rest of my family will not be going back it has lost all its charater now just nothing in the atmospher to keep us there and i will say don't bother going to anyone who will listen not a happy nat trust member

Chris · 10 September 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

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Liars

They responded to my previous review after I publicly outed them saying "We're sorry you had a disappointing visit. The team at Greys Court has sent a reply to you via email today." They did, sort of. An email that didn't answer any of my questions really. They then said someone would contact me within ten working days, which they didn't. Lying liars and the lies they tell. Do not support the National Trust. Hours of driving wasted. £38 of ticket value to get a drink in their coffee shop for 20 minutes. No accountability.

Tony · 6 September 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Embarrassing staff compensation

I can only agree with the previous negative reviews for the National Trust - they appear to be greedy, uncaring and solely profit driven, taking advantage of both customers and employees. In their latest job posting, they advertise a fully qualified marketing officer position for just £22k per year. To justify this, they have said the position is 30 hours a week, yet it required regular unpaid weekend and evening work. Their whole ethos is around caring for people of all backgrounds and yet several of their benefits are salary dependent, and flexible working is only a given ‘when possible’.

Lucy · 17 August 2026