"I visited Stowe Landscape Gardens…"

I drove to Stowe Landscape Gardens after trying to find the place with hidden signs in Buckingham!?

I had my 2 small dogs with me and was wanting to visit the café and the shop nearby. Unfortunately, the café was closed with no prior notice and was told by a steward that there's a café at the house which is a 20 minute walk and if I'm quick I'll get to spend 10 minutes there! What's the point in that?

I decided just to walk my dogs and then came across a horrible woman with her boxer dog wearing a muzzle and she started to have a go at me for not putting my bag down and stop my lovely chihuahua from barking at her dog! I told her to shut up and move on as she wouldn't move. How strange to then tell other walkers about me as if I'm the problem person. Then I got looks off other snooty people and told them to mind their own business, what a cheek.
I tried to complain about her to the Trust rep at the gate and she was only interested in allowing other members to talk to her and members going in.

Now I've learnt that the NT allow illegal fox hunting on their land, no doubt probably for a substantial sum, I definitely won't be visiting any of their sites anymore.
I did manage to collect some of the windfall apples in good condition though.

Good riddance from my diary.

"Wink worth Abouretum"

Any one visiting, Wink worth Arboretum, be warned, Yesterday, the 18 Nov 21, I visited Wink worth Arboretum, I was driving my 21 ft motor home as I normally do when visiting any National Trust site, as I entered the gate, the was a very sharp left turn to the left, to get into the car park, at this point, the side step on my motor have was badly damaged, on a tree stump on the bend, I was unable to manoeuvre and drive wider as the road had been dug up and piles on the road with a ditch on the other side of the piled up dirt,
I did speak to a NT employee, about my accident and was given a ‘we are not responsible for any damage to you vehicle’, but if the road had not been dug up I would not have damaged my vehicle, as I would have had more room to manoeuvre
also, that the paths are not in a good state they are not level are muddy, and most of the steep steps do not have handrails to assist you to get down the uneven steps, the car park was a sea of mud slurry at the entrance

"Disappointed"

Visited Montacute house today for a walk & to visit cafe. Can’t understand why cafe is using cardboard cups - tea tastes lousy from them & they are not environmentally friendly compared to real mugs. Should be using real mugs & putting them in a dishwasher - no covid hazard there. Also tray baked cakes cut into very small pieces- not good value for the price they charge. Disappointed with you National Trust (& I am a member).

"Gone downhill, expensive, poor food, poor quality"

NT has gone downhill the last few years. The prices have gone up way too much in my opinion especially since the pandemic. For example, charging £18 to get into Wimpole Estate even if you aren’t going in the house and just want a dog walk round the estate routes.
Too many times I’ve been to NT places and there is no vegan food (either sold out by 1:30pm or nothing on the menu). Offering cheese and pickle or ham sandwich is hardly a decent menu and the cakes are usually dry from yesterday… At some places the picnic spaces are not open after October half term or you’re only allowed to eat food purchased at the cafe. Fine in summer when you can bring a blanket and sit on the grass with your own food, but not great otherwise.
Not enough to do for children considering how much it is to get in (a few bits of wood to play on doesn’t cut it) - can’t really figure out who they’re aiming membership at aside from the over 60s!
Over the pandemic they continued to charge membership fee but didn’t give you priority booking over non-members, so unless you stayed up until midnight to book you had no chance. Then they’ve started charging entry for Christmas at some places (some up to £18!), charging even for members on top of their membership fee. They’ve started to get greedy and I’ve lost interest.

"I cycled up to Sizergh Castle yesterday…"

I cycled up to Sizergh Castle yesterday and waited in the long queue for a cup of tea and a scone.
The counter staff looked completely disinterested, like a bunch of Zombies, exhumed for the occasion.
It took an interminably long time to get to the check out.
Wake up and treat your customers properly.
I won't be stopping there again.

"Visited Back to Backs in Birmingham…"

Visited Back to Backs in Birmingham town centre. Very informative about how people lived in the past. Unfortunately upstairs were closed so will have to visit again next year. The sweet shop was closed as all sweet are now expired due to Covid. We were told that NT has decided to get rid of the sweet shop & replaced it with a second hand shop. Very bad decision ???
I shall buy sweets from the shop just like in the good old days type of sweets.. As for Second hand books, it will not make money for the National trust. Whoever made that decision should reconsider it. The sweet shop reflects the past just like the buildings.

"Great Institution"

I agree about the importance of conserving our heritage for future generations and if it wasn't for the minority who make it bad for the rest, we would have so many restrictions. I, as a dog owner, rant at some of them.

We visited Ickworth last week, first time for a few years. It was busy and the Poachers Cottage extremely so. However, the young lady in charge of all food and drink, was completely on her own with a huge queue which she got through with a quiet efficiency. Not flustered in any way and nobody flustered her.

I told her then that she had my complete admiration as I would have been in a heap but I would like the NT to know what a gem they have in her. Thanks

"Great tour of Castle Coole"

My wife and I, as NT members, took a guided tour of our local National Trust property of Castle Coole House.
Our very knowledgeable guide was Thomas, who is a volunteer having been born not far from the property.
We were not rushed on our tour and Thomas was able to answer all of our questions about the original construction, the history of the family as well as the contents of each of the splendid rooms. All COVID restrictions were in place and all other personnel we met were equally as cheerful. I cannot imagine having a better equipped tour guide and do wonder how much less enjoyable our visits to NT properties would be without the amazing band of volunteers.

"Car park policy changes in Cheshire…"

Car park policy changes in Cheshire mean I will be cancelling my membership.

"I ❤️ national trust"

I love the national trust and everything g they do to protect our much loved historical buildings. I do agree that it has become politicised, but I my after reading these deliberately harsh reviews. As far as I can see they are the only ones who are making anything political. I will continue to give them my firm support In their excellent work and just hope these crazy people find some other organisation to hound.