National Trust Limiting Access

Years ago we took our six month old granddaughter to Petworth Place in Sussex and she was in her buggy. It’s quite dark inside so she was a bit alarmed and started making baby noises. I quietly told her she’d got years ahead of us taking her to NT places so better get used to it 😂. The volunteers at the house made a huge fuss of her which she loved. Some 29 years later we still visit NT places together and she’s been a member of NT since she was an adult. If it was good enough then why isn’t it good enough now to encourage families with tots? As a disabled adult I have met with prejudice at some NT properties and at others nothing but help and support. So is it down to the attitude of the volunteers rather than the National Trust itself I wonder.

National Trust volunteers all appear to have a chip on their shoulders. They give the impression that you should be pleased that they allow you onto “their” property.

Primrose53

I was a member not a volunteer, but this is when I cancelled my membership.
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How does a baby in a pram differ from an adult in a wheelchair?

Momac55

Why on earth should he have to?

So much bowing to please just 3.7% of the over 16-year olds of the U.K. population.

If only there was such consideration and kindness to the other 96.3% of us!
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M0nica

The National Trust is getting so precious it will soon be expecting us to fill in application forms and be interviewed before being alowed into their properties.

Surely they are OUR properties?

"The National Trust is an independent charity primarily funded by its members, visitors, and donors, rather than direct government funding. Major income sources include membership fees, visitor entrance fees, donations, legacies, and retail/café sales. It also receives project-specific grants from organizations like the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Sport England. "

Why should he?

National Trust volunteers all appear to have a chip on their shoulders

There are paid staff on duty at every National Trust property They are not all volunteers. It's quite important to know the difference as I've seen volunteers lambasted in public for things they have no control over at all and are standing there unpaid trying to keep the place open for visitors.

You can usually tell with the badges or lanyards - or in some properties the volunteers don't even get the T-shirts or fleeces supplied which is quite ridiculous.

I think the National Trust have lost the.plot

Slightly different gripe! Been to a NT property in West London today, checked opening times (all year round, open on Wednesdays), the cafe, disabled car parking etc before we ventured forth to find we ‘could’nt visit the house because they were getting it ready to open tomorrow(!) but we could visit the garden and we were welcome to take a photo of the map of the garden to help us find our way’. Needless to say we are a bit miffed and feel inclined to contacting NT to have a little moan!

We have slings to borrow at the property where I volunteer

One day , these babies will grow up, their parents will become older, they COULD be the next generation of volunteers that the NT needs but will have been scarred by their shoddy treatment. I can understand maybe places where it's tight and prams could be a problem but that must be few and far between since most of the furniture is roped off anyway.
I think it's a shame, they will need families to pay entrance fees, spend an inordinate amount in their gift shops.It's not joined up thinking.

My daughter booked parking at a national trust property to walk our dogs. My daughter has family membership of National Trust. We were not visiting any buildings or using the facilities.
This outdoor space is used freely by all and you do not have to be a member to enter the outdoor space or pay.
Going through the gates our car was stopped and the volunteer asked if everyone in the car was on the membership card. My daughter said no mum is visiting me and I’ve brought her along.
We could not believe it when the volunteer said that I had to pay £6.50 as I arrived in the car. My daughter replied but she can walk in the gate next to us for free. No it was insisted that we pay this money my daughter refused and said mum get out of the car please and walk through the gate.
I did using my walking stick and joined her at the other side.
Traffic was held up for a minute or 2 but she made her point.
I still chuckle now at how absurd this rule was.

I do agree that dogs should not be allowed inside the properties . My dog , along with most I suspect, has no interest in history

We were walking our dogs in the grounds which are a public space . Not visiting properties. It was me that was being asked to pay as I came in my daughter’s car, but anyone arriving on foot that is none members walk in with their dogs freely.Daughter had booked the parking in advance .