The National Trust Wiltshire reviews

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Powis Castle disabled parking

I visited Powis Castle on Wednesday 1st April 2026. I parked in a large car park looking for a disabled parking bay for my wife, unfortunately I didn't find it until after my wife had struggled up the hill to the picnic area, but she couldn't make it any further. I then noticed a small area opposite the picnic area with a small disabled parking sign. This was past the booking in cabin for Powis Castle. My wife was in such poor condition by this time she wasn't able to make it to the toilets or into the castle, she had to sit downon the picnic area benches. As she couldn't make it any further I had to go and collect my car and pick her up and leave the castle. Such a shame.

Brian · 4 April 2026

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Visited the amazing Wallington hall on…

Visited the amazing Wallington hall on 2/11/24 just to walk the grounds. I cannot praise highly enough your staff who arrange a membership for our family. Fiona is a credit to you as are all the staff who helped that day. They even arranged a mobility scooter so I was able to enjoy more of the grounds with my Family usually I have to go sit and wait. Providing accessibility for disabled people is essential and Wallington hall has facilitated this so it is very much appreciated. So glad we are members I will be returning regularly.

Alice · 3 November 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Day ruined

Myself and my wife planned to visit Stourhead on Sunday 27th October. We drove 74 miles, the final mile was stationary traffic due to both directions converging at the entrance. We were 2 cars from entering when 2 members of staff came out with closed signs. There was no explanation of why just frantic arm waving to move us along. I realise the site had reached capacity, that is not why I feel annoyed, it's the fact nothing was done earlier. It would have made far more sense to anticipate the problem and stopped traffic a long time before a huge queue had formed. I understand most are volunteers, maybe management should improve training to anticipate these problems. It ruined our trip and wasted 160 miles of petrol.

Nick · 28 October 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Cheaper if you buy from the Scottish…

Cheaper if you buy from the Scottish website, still access all properties in uk.Why is the English version more expensive?Thanks, for the reply, but that seems like a really odd policy, and one that I hope you will revisit.I'm keen to support your cause, but I think you are taking some liberties by charging the people you are supposed to represent more that others.The cost of visiting a house is now really quite prohibitive - especially for families, it's really such a shame.

Matt · 30 September 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

A volunteer ruined my day

An elderly man was extremely rude to me today at Buckland Abbey. I was sitting quietly in the Great Hall at 16.10 when he demanded I leave at once. When I reminded him the Abbey was open to 16.30 he acted like a Plymouth pub bouncer, saying "Haven't you a home to go to", and that the volunteers had no obligation to keep the site open and that Iwas a disreputable character he didn't trust. This is by far the worse treatment I've ever had at a NT property and was completely unacceptable. I was fobbed of when I asked to see the duty manager.

John · 10 September 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Time and time again National Trust get's it wrong and refuses to acknowledge it

Time and time again, National Trust (NT) employees show their true ignorant and uneducated colours when they challenge YouTubers about filming on sites or flying drones over sites - but from public vantage points. NT policy (on their website) states that filming outdoors on their properties is OK yet they contradict themselves when responding to negative reviews on Trustpilot, claiming that filming isn't allowed and nor is drone flying, even if undertaken from land not under NT ownership. Calke Abbey is one such property recently featured on YouTube (by DJE Media). Here we witnessed tyrannical NT staff on a steroid induced power trip, ordering him not to film, not to fly his drone - even from public land, then revoking his visit when he stood up for his rights, some of those enshrined in NT's own policing on filming. A disgusting abuse of power against somebody who had paid for his entry ticket yet wouldn't back down in the face of a group of uneducated and ignorant NT staff. It seems this charity is rife with arrogance and can't accept the fact their staff can and do get it wrong.PS - PJ Audits, another YouTuber also get's it in the neck from NT staff at Clumber Park.

Gary · 8 September 2024

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Hard to merge separate memberships

Enjoy the membership but my husband and I have been paying for separate accounts for many years now and every time I phone up there is a different reason why our accounts can't be merged to a joint membership. Why is it not easy.. I can't do it on my online login. I can't do it over email. Every time I phone up there is a different reason why they can't do it. Just means that we are paying more for two separate memberships

Holly · 8 September 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

I'm a bit amazed at the bad reviews

I'm a bit amazed at the bad reviews. We've been members for over a decade and have always loved our experiences. Every site we've been to has been well looked after, staffed by friendly people, and had a lot going on. I'm always especially impressed at the accessibility. My dad is disabled and has dementia, but has been able to thoroughly enjoy the sites we've taken him to. Staff have always been kind and patient with him, and the scooter/wheelchair hire at many sites are a lifesaver. Seaton Delaval is a prime example of everything I love about NT. Thanks for all the memories, National Trust!

Jocelyn · 24 August 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Do not buy this if you live in Canada…

Do not buy this if you live in Canada or the USA. It is only useful for a few sites. It’s very expensive! I asked for a refund the day after I purchased the pass online from canada as I realized I bought the wrong pass. I live in Canada. They said they can not give me a refund. Which is unethical in my opinion. You need to buy the nationaltrustcanada.ca pass it is a fraction of the price. In response - I bought the joint membership which was almost $300 canadian dollars. I could have and should have bought the Canadian one which was about $40 dollars Canadian, or $80 for both. I asked for a refund within 24 hours. The UK laws state that buyers can request a refund within 14 days. I have not used this pass. I am still in Canada. Do not buy this pass. There are many other options. after I purchased this I did a search on where it can be used. I put in Scotland - zero results? I put in Canada - zero results. it can only be used at a few places. I am kindly requesting a refund please.

A · 23 August 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

15 year life member - ignored by customer service

I've been a life member for 15 years and recently had need to complain about an experience at Hardwick Hall - the first time I've ever had to complain to the NT. First directed to Hardwick and eventually received an inadequate response. Went back to the central customer service team only to be ignored completely. I couldn't begin to estimate the nunber of visits and amount of money we've spent at NT over the years, including children's memberships on top, and we've influenced several family members into membership too. Feel very disappointed - it was an issue that could so easily have been resolved.

Jo · 23 February 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

OFFENSIVE RACISM

OFFENSIVE RACISM. Who in today's world singles out people by the colour of their skin? Extreme racism exudes from the National Trust in all their publications. To single out a group of people based on the colour of their skin is absolutely disgusting and needs to be stamped out yet the racists at the National Trust persist. Black people's history month? Who do the National Trust racists mean by black? Do they mean very dark skinned from Nigeria, or fairer dark skinned from Kenya, how about Indians from India and so on as not all black people are the same and how about mixed race, or Asian, Chinese or Jewish. All the racists at the National Trust should hang their heads in shame. Surely, no racism should be allowed in today's global world and the racists at the National Trust who appear ignorant of the real differences among and between all people of colour. Simply assuming all non-white people must be black is racist to the extreme and to celebrate Black history monthly simply reflects the National Trust's offensive racism at the very top.

PHILIP · 8 October 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

A charity that displayed little empathy to acute leukaemia diagnosis

I booked 2 cottages over 2 separate weekends over August. I only booked these at the end of July 2024 so I had them booked for around 2 weeks or less. Unfortunately I suffered a relapse of my Acute Myeloblastic Leukaemia on 09/08/2024 and would need to go into hospital so had to cancel the bookings. Out of the £1402 they refunded me £350 asking me to check back after the holiday dates to see if they had resold. If they had, they would refund, if not, they wouldn’t. I explained that I’d be undergoing intense chemotherapy and that time wasn’t on my side. However, they stated they treat everyone the same no matter what the circumstances.I think people should be treated according to their individual needs.The diagnosis was crushing for me and my family and you would think that companies would support you in dire times like these. Unfortunately I’ve learned that this is not the case and the National Trust are no different. My sick note was provided to show I was genuine but it made no difference. I escalated the complaint and was told I will hear something within 10 days. I escalated this to their head office where they said the same. Time is a luxury I really don’t have. If I’d had the cottages booked for 6 months or more, I could understand me costing them money, but to lose over £1000 for having something booked for less than 2 weeks seems incredibly harsh. With AML my odds are small so you would think one of thd largest charities on the UK would be sympathetic to your plight. But it appears at present that money comes before compassion. To say I’m disappointed at their response is an understatement. It’s been over 3 days now and still no response from their head office. They may highlight travel insurance, a pertinent response. However, I don’t think this is right under these circumstances. I really like the National Trust and thought they stood for something more. I and other family members will be cancelling our memberships. A charity treating someone like this after a soul destroying diagnosis….it makes me really lose faith. Cancer really affects a families finances but the National Trust - who I understand holds around £1.5bn in assets - requires my money so much more than me. It feels really shameful and to say I’m saddened.Why waste precious time writing this review? I really hope that companies reflect on the way they treat people who are suffering from Acute Leukaemia and I really hope they put compassion before money. ***********reply from the National Trust**************they even took the admin fee********Dear Graham Thank you for contacting our Director General, Hilary McGrady, about your holiday cottage bookings. You’d also previously requested they escalate to our Head of Holidays, Rachel Johnston. I’m responding to your concerns in line with Step 2 of our complaints procedure. I’m sorry to hear of your health concerns, it’s such a shame you had to cancel your bookings. I hope your treatment goes as well as possible. I can see we’ve explained why we can’t provide full refunds. I appreciate why you’re disappointed given your circumstances but I’m afraid I can only agree with the information we’ve provided already. However, since your previous correspondence with us, I’m pleased to confirm we resold the nights you cancelled at The Victorian Laundry. We’re currently arranging a refund of £500.83 which will arrive back to the card you paid from in the next 3-5 working days. This refund is less the £25 admin charge. We’re still advertising the nights for Ravenscar Chapel Cottage. I’ll personally check daily to see if they resell and will ensure any additional refund is processed as quickly as possible if they do. I’ll be in touch to confirm if that’s the case. I’m sorry this won’t entirely be the outcome you hoped for. However, I hope seeing the refund being processed for The Victorian Laundry gives some reassurance about our ‘Book with Confidence’ policy. As Natacha previously mentioned, we’re happy to support with any travel insurance claim you may be able to make. Thanks again for contacting us and again wish you all the best for your ongoing treatment. Kind regards

Graham · 19 August 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Demanding full payment because I cant afford to pay them

Absolutly diagusted that when I asked to cancel my membership because I can no longer afford they stated Inhad no choice but to pay the full year! What an absolute disgrace from a charity. When choosing to feed my family and pay a charitable membership I think I will feed my kids!

AlysMc · 12 September 2026

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Saltram National Trust very disappointing

I’m increasingly finding that some of the National Trust sites are tired and grimy and in great need of deep cleaning or renovation. I went to Saltram today, there were dog turds in the courtyard entrance, the main cafe looked like it needed a good clean and the toilets by the chapel cafe were run down and dirty. It surely wouldn’t cost a lot of money to clean the toilets floors, deal with the mould around the sinks and wipe down the counter fronts in the cafe. I told the assistant on the door about the dogs mess but he seemed completely disinterested. The National Trust is nothing like it used to be!

Les · 19 February 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

It’s 17 Feb and the Christmas gift still hasn’t arrived - don’t waste your time or money!

I bought a joint membership as a gift for Christmas. It did not arrive on time. I have spoken to customer services three times now. Initially I was told I couldn’t complain on the phone so had to email but a second pack was being issued as clearly the first one had been lost in the post. I called to chase up the pack and told to wait until last Thursday, again I wanted to raise a complaint. The guy said someone would be in touch within 3 days. That came and went and still no gift pack or call…. I called again today and was told my complaint hadn’t been sent off correctly and that I would have to wait for an email or call before to discuss my complaint. Customer services cannot give me a refund despite the fact it has been 2 months since I purchased the Christmas gift. I do not have any faith in National Trust. I often visit their site and stop in the cafe but after this absolute nightmare I won’t bother! Absolute waste of time and shocking that they do not send gifts via recorded delivery! Surely that would sort this mess out.

Customer · 17 February 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Barbed wire

I recently visited a national trust property in Norfolk with my dog, I paid for parking and was given a map with the dog walks on it. I was totally disgusted to find several barbed wire fences in an area where dogs were allowed off lead. There were no warning signs which I always understood was a legal requirement. I realise having these fences is not illegal however it is unpleasant and property owners have a duty of care to visitors which I don't think National Trust is taking seriously……I will avoid their properties in future

Judy · 21 September 2025

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Croft Castle countryside walks spoiled…

Croft Castle countryside walks spoiled by so many cows, having been a regular visitor to this property for many years, it appears this year the tenant farmer has gone cow crazy! The NT appear to not care how this can impact a walk if you have a dog, young children or are elderly, not everyone is as keen on cows as farmers!

DLP · 30 June 2026

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Sexist Organisation

Today I experienced utter ridiculous from this organisation. Almost to the extent that we no longer wished to be members. We have been members as a married couple for a few years and our daughter pays for our membership as a gift each year. I received an email saying to call and we would receive 25% reduction due to our age. Our daughter calls to pay. She was not allowed to pay for us as she is not the lead person on account. I call. I could not pay either as my husband’s name is the first name on the account. We have been married for 48 years and view ourselves as an equal partnership. So which sexist person presumes he’s the lead and will not allow me to pay? The lady on the phone was polite but she was restrained by organisational policy which is clearly sexist. Other members please be aware.

Karen · 5 February 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

Rang to pay my direct debit of £9.41…

Rang to pay my direct debit of £9.41 for last payment of a year membership. They took at payment of £160.80. Rang to complain they confirmed it was their mistake. Over a week later still waiting for my refund. You can’t get through to the finance department, only customer services. Totally unacceptable customer service.

Kathryn · 17 August 2026

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

just tried to join on their website for…

just tried to join on their website for my wife and I. Trying to enter Dates of Birth is a bloody nightmare... you cannot enter manually, so I had to touch the "go back" arrow hundreds of times from today's date to October 1966.... I had no finger print left afterwards... then I had to do it again for my wife... at this point I reached for the car keys and hosepipe to end it all and just gave up. Why do they need our date of birth anyway...? Statistics... that's all so they can sell your data to other parasitic companies that want to sell you their s***. Looking at how bad the reviews are for the once great national trust, I'm not going to join under any circumstances. They're obviously ticking every diversity box under the sun and in my leisure time I don't want to be bombarded with rainbow flags and all the other nonsense that this weird world rams down our throats every way we turn.

Brian · 30 June 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

Excellent organisation

Excellent staff, great cafe food. Membership is a bargain with access to so many properties and preservation of landscapes. A national treasure.

David · 14 April 2026

★★★★★ 2/5

Trustpilot

Poor experience at Sissinghurst

I went with my daughter and 7 month old baby to Sissinghurst yesterday . The baby was in a small buggy and we were made to feel very unwelcome ! The gardens were magnificent and the ladies serving in the old dairy were lovely however all the other elderly ladies looked down their noses at us . There was 3 babies in for the whole time we were there but many tens of elderly people with roller zimmer frames and wheelchairs - we asked why they could go in but not a buggy - she said in her condescending voice that you couldn’t stop the disabled from entering - yet it’s ok to stop mothers with babies ! That is discrimination to young mothers. If they had been kind and friendly we would have understood but they had a very snooty, high and mighty attitude - I was very disappointed and told the lady this and she replied “well I’m sorry you feel disappointed” but her tone was very condescending- we did carry the baby round but in the main restaurant my daughter wasn’t even able to sit down with the baby as we were accused of jumping the queue - no she was just tired !! Again it was ATTITUDE Poor poor experience ! I have been a member of the Natioal Trust for at least 10 years and this was a horrible experience - staff training is needed here . There is never an excuse for rudeness !

Catherine · 13 June 2024

★★★★★ 5/5

Trustpilot

I absolutely love the National Trust…

I absolutely love the National Trust and have done since I was a child.My family has been members for years (on & off).I rejoined just over a year ago and have loved visiting various Gardens and Houses in Cornwall where I live.My favourite place is Godrevy - beautiful headland, lighthouse, beach and walking trails with lots of parking.My favourite House is Godolphin with Trelissick a close second - love the orangery.Trengwainton and Trerice are perfect for gentle strolls and picnics.I can't wait to uncover more places with my membership.Love getting my NT passport stamped at each spot - does Godrevy have one (maybe in the manned car park) ?Would love if you made a 3 adult joint membership.

Catherine · 11 June 2024

★★★★★ 1/5

Trustpilot

National Trust Fleece Inn - what a let down

We had the misfortune of visiting The Fleece Inn, which I had seen was a part of the National Trust and so was very excited.The whole visit was a shambles. There was nowhere at all to park when we got there and after stopping the car to ask someone they started a torrent of abuse about the pub and how they couldn’t care less about the village and how all the locals were fed up with all the cars around and the noise. Ok, maybe a disgruntled local so we carried on and eventually parked some distance away from the pub itself.We really wanted a nice cream tea, just like we’ve had at most other NT establishments but were told we couldn’t have it that day but they did have a very nice pie and pint! I mean, really?! Bit of a difference.We just had drinks.As we were leaving we witnessed an oldish guy (around 70?) with a big beard who I can only assume was in charge by the things he was saying, being really quite nasty to a server who was left visibly upset. This was enough for us and really not what we expected from The National Trust. The property itself was very quaint and old but our experience was not a good advert for your brand.

Nelly · 10 June 2024