The National Trust

A NT property close to me went through a complete reorganisation last year and several volunteers left as a result. I think the NT should look at the volunteers it looses and find out why they left. In fact if a property is to have a reorganisation it might be a good idea to consult the volunteers first. It is shocking that a great deal of talent and experience is sacrificed so easily.

I just wish there was one close by so that we could pop along frequently and enjoy the gardens on a sunny day. Although there are several within an hour or so's drive, none are really close.

We've been NT members for many years and get a fair amount of use from our memberships.
However, although I would never want to live 'darn sarf', I am very jealous of the number of NT properties that are dotted around. Up here in the north west we have very few properties in comparison, so we have to visit each one several times a year to get our money's worth.
Oh, and there need to be a lot more benches, especially at Dunham Massey!

The Story might not be obvious unless you are looking out for it Letitia. All properties have a history but they are probably all presented as they were at a particular phase. This includes the rooms they have on public display as in larger properties most may be closed. It will probably also include the choice of art works on display.
Classic example is the one nearest to me (not the one I volunteer in) in which the rooms that are open show the property pretty much how it was in the early 20th C. The last owner's study, frozen in time, with his half a dozen desks each with piles of papers relating to one of his hobbies. The focus is on the family and the reception rooms not the whole life of the house - the kitchen areas have been converted into shops, restaurant etc and the servants bedrooms are not part of the offering. There was a previous aristocratic owner who was much more interesting and colourful. We'd have probably called him a drag queen today - obsessed with dressing up and performing. He'd have been happy in the age of glam rock. A lavish spender who squandered the family's fortunes and died in his 30s. How much more entertaining would it be to see his costumes and the chapel that he converted into a theatre (rather than a messy study). Alas no. Rumour has it that the family, ashamed by their cousin's disgraceful behaviour, don't have much of his stuff, just a few photos. (But it may also be that they are still around and having some influence on how the family is presented. ) Anyway the alternative "story" is consigned to few photos in a back corridor.
Another one I know, Upton House, is presented as for a 1920s house party, when it was owned by the chap who owned Shell Oil. So their stunning 1920s jade green and silver bathroom is shown off in context

I have never come across THE STORY either.

My mother is a member without being able to visit anywhere - she thinks it a good cause that she wants to support.

We have been members for many many years, now pay seniors rates but it is 4 years since we visited anywhere. Just happy to pay subs to keep things going. Loved our visits but never encountered "The Story " quite intrigued.

There is at least on where you pay as the car park does not belong to the NT, Tatton Park is one, the car park is run by the council.

Wakefield is a bit different. It appears to be funded and managed by Kew Gardens with free admission for NT members.

Wakehurst in West Sussex charges members to park. I signed a petition to protest about it. They are still charging so I don't go there.

suzied there is sometimes a ticket machine but it is irrelevant for members, the sticker in your car window is sufficient.

Parking is always free for members.

I didn't think you had to pay anywhere if you were an NT member and had a sticker; other visitors have to pay for the car park and entry fee.

Parking at NT properties is nearly always free for members, they send you a window sticker with your membership. A very few proprieties use private third party car parks which do have to be paid for.

I think car parking should be free for members- ok charge for non members, but when you become a member it is because you don't want to pay every time you visit a property. We are members and don't use our membership that often, but pay up as we think it is actually a good cause. Don't think it is well run though.

We joined a couple of years ago when we had a few days in Sussex, lots of NT properties down there. We have 3 near us and visit 2 or 3 times a year. We always enjoy our visits.
We usually have a coffee but never a proper meal, as a previous poster said, it's generally a bit like a busy refectory.
I generally do talk to the guides, it's so good of them to give up their time and they usually add extra value to the visit. Had a very interesting chat with one of the gardeners at Blickling the other week.
We now plan our long journey 's to include a break at a NT property.

I think that it is quite fair to charge for parking if the attraction is then free - thinking of places like Aira Force which is completely free if you walk there or go by bus- they need money for upkeep.

The NT is a bit like the NHS - rather too big & management is not always good.

I dislike the fact that you have to pay for children if you have membership, I think they should be free with members as is the case in English Heritage. I also dislike charging for car parking for members in certain properties. I don't go to a particular property near me that started charging anymore - I know there was a huge protest about it, so they may have changed that policy. I might consider joining the Scottish one if that's cheaper as I think it's getting mega expensive. It also doesn't seem to give reciprocal free entry to member of some other organisations - we went to a lovely house in Milan where we got in free as we were members of the NT, but they said members of the Italian equivalent don't get free entry in England - mean or what?

The other side of the coin.

My OH had a 'family member' subscription for years, firstly to include his children, then grandchildren. However they are now living separate lives and a few years ago my aged Mum visited us. We took her to a nearby NT house using her wheelchair and asked if we could use the 'family' ticket to include her. No, apparently not, she is not family. As we had not used our membership cards for the previous two years it seemed a bit harsh. Subsequently I persuaded him to reduce it to joint membership.

However, the powers to be have consistently refused over the last few years to acknowledge that I am a partner and not married to him. Despite endless phone calls and e-mails the cards still came through to him and his ex-wife, not appreciated by me. This year is the first time they have deigned to give me my own card, although we are interested to see what happens next year as I appear to have a different membership number and time of expiry!

As far as I am concerned this organisation has got far to big and away from its original roots and if it is was my decision I would cease membership.

As one other poster said, they are always begging for more and I really dislike the way it is run these days.

Sorry for rant, I feel much better now.

We are sensitive if people are not responsive and don't want to talk, but they are better visiting in a busy day. I feel very awkward if I am alone in a room with a visitor who doesn't want to engage in any way.
I think that the NT are to be commended in attracting younger people and children - after all they are the future.
I volunteer in a very interactive property and the lovely thing is the buzz and the laughter in the house.

I don't feel the need to have everything explained to me, as to be honest it goes in one ear and out the other.

I am just interested in the visual. If I really want to know something, I will look it up later.

By the way if you have a smart phone get the app. As we travel around a lot with the caravan just put in where you are and get a list of properties local to the area. Gives short explanation of the property along with directions and facilities there.

I know what M0nica means - at some properties the Story has been about one particular generation and the life of one person rather than a general history of the property which could be centuries old.
We asked a room guide some questions at a Welsh property and she apologised because she knew nothing about other periods other than The Story of one owner.
One exception to this slight 'grump' could be the story of the owner of Snowshill Manor, whose huge collection fills the house.

We visited Montacute House last year and I must say the outside architectural tour of the house was excellent and informative, one of the best guides we have come across.

I love the fact that people are now allowed to touch some things. We went to one recently (I can't remember which one, we are always in them!) where there was a piano with a note on it which read 'please feel free to play' Also a couple of years ago a Japanese artist did some paintings of NT properties, in Japanese style. We bought a painting by him of the Birmingham Back to Backs where my DH used to be a guide. It is wonderful and the artist signed it for us.

P.S. I realise that they are not all new ideas!
PPS listened to an amazing story told by a guide at Snowshill, he did warn us that it was a long story and we didn't have to listen, we stayed, we listened, it was a performance and we enjoyed it.

Lucky enough to live near Stourhead so visit frequently.
Love lots of the NT's new ideas including timed, themed guided tours; well-informed guides (Petworth/Stourhead particularly....); a more relaxed approach (listened to an impromptu performance on a grand piano when a room guide invited a young man to 'try it'.); restoration of gardens; gentle restoration (where this is more appropriate)of rooms; plant sales; NT shops on-site (including 'tea shoppes'). I suppose this indicates that I am a big fan!