Review Time
We were very underwhelmed with our visit, encountering one very officious lady in the ticket office, although all other staff were much more pleasant. It seems that from looking at previous reviews the National Trust is being blamed for the shortcomings and greed encountered with greatly inflated costs for everything when it is really down to the Rothschild management. Neither the shop nor the restaurant is National Trust. We went on a day during the February half term and were shocked to realise that although only the shop and restaurant were open, it still cost £14 plus £2.50 for shuttle bus, just to be able to go to the cafe or restaurant. We are actually members of the National Trust so this was not such an issue for us apart from the cost of the shuttle bus. But surely for families wanting a day out in half term this would end up being a very expensive visit.
Most stand alone National Trust properties are far better value and provide a much better experience especially during holiday times and their special events. It is very sad that this place is giving the National Trust such a bad name when it is the greed of the Rothschild management that is the real problem here.
My recent visit to the venue was extremely disheartening and did not offer good value for money. Upon arrival, my group and I were told we had to pay the full entry fee, even though we were members of a certain organization. This was unexpected and not clearly communicated. We continued in, only to find that the Christmas market we specifically came for was no longer happening. Consequently, we ended up paying £31 just to walk our dog, which felt like a significant misrepresentation of value. Additionally, I noticed that the music played as Christmas carols had all references to Christmas and Jesus Christ removed. This was quite upsetting, as Christmas is a Christian celebration that honors the birth of Jesus Christ, as reflected in the term itself. Removing all Christian references from the carols seems inappropriate and undermines the essence of the celebration. I was also taken aback by the refreshment prices, with sausage rolls priced at £6 each, which felt exorbitant and contributed to the overall sense that the venue is no longer providing fair value to its visitors. Overall, this experience felt like a scam, and it has severely shaken my trust in the venue and the organization as a whole. As a result, I will not be returning during the holiday season and am contemplating canceling my membership altogether. I would appreciate a response to these concerns, including an explanation of the pricing, membership policies, and the choice to omit Christian elements from Christmas events. I also feel that some form of acknowledgment or compensation would be appropriate given the circumstances.
My recent visit to the manor was incredibly disappointing and not worth the money. Upon arrival, my group was told we had to pay full entry prices despite being members of a certain organization. This was unexpected and not made clear beforehand. We continued on, only to find that the Christmas market we had come to see was no longer happening. Essentially, we paid £31 just to walk our dog, which felt like a huge rip-off and left us feeling misled. Additionally, I noticed that Christmas carols played had all references to Christmas and Jesus Christ removed. This was upsetting, as Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, and omitting these references feels inappropriate and disrespectful. I was also shocked at the high prices for refreshments, with sausage rolls costing £6 each. Overall, this visit felt like a complete letdown, damaging my trust in the manor and the organization as a whole. I will not return during the Christmas season and may even cancel my membership. I would appreciate a response to these concerns, particularly regarding pricing, membership policies, and the removal of Christian content from Christmas events.
We usually visit the manor at Christmas, but this year was quite disappointing. The market stalls were significantly reduced, with about 75% being overpriced food vendors. For instance, we went to a food stall and paid £14 for two small pieces of fried chicken, three tiny halloumi sticks, and some chips—outrageous. The light display was lovely as always, but it didn't seem as impressive as in previous years, and the house was decorated beautifully as usual. However, considering the high entry price (even as members), it was a huge letdown, and I doubt we'll return unless we hear of improvements. It's frustrating to feel ripped off by a well-known organization.
We were very disappointed with our Christmas visit to the manor. After paying for an already pricey ticket, we were surprised to find we had to pay an extra £2.50 per person for the shuttle bus, which we had to take unless we wanted a long uphill walk. We waited about 25 minutes just to board the bus, which set a negative tone for the evening. The house looked beautiful and the lights were impressive, but the light trail was average compared to other places. The main problem was the overcrowding; it felt packed with constant bottlenecks and queues, ruining the atmosphere. The facilities struggled to accommodate the number of visitors, with long waits for drinks and food. Overall, it felt more like managing a crowd than enjoying a festive evening. While the setting is lovely, the organization was lacking, and it wasn't worth the money.
Having visited the manor for Christmas for over 15 years, this year was incredibly disappointing. The market was moved to the back of the house, making it very crowded. We struggled to navigate through the throngs of people and couldn't browse the shops. Although the light shows were beautiful, they were overshadowed by the sheer number of visitors. The shuttle bus queue was excessively long, which was frustrating. It felt like there were more people and less space this year. I hope they return to a more manageable setup next year, but I am considering exploring other light trails instead.
We visit every year with our kids, and while some years have been great, this one was inconsistent. The woodland playground was unexpectedly closed, which disappointed many children. The market was smaller this year, with some odd stalls, but the shops were beautiful and busy. There was hardly any outdoor seating, making it difficult for families and the elderly. We ended up sharing a bench with several others, which was not a pleasant experience. The light show was nice but didn't compare to previous years. Overall, it was a letdown compared to past visits, and it would help to have more sheltered seating options for visitors.
My experience at the manor was absolutely terrible. The staff showed no compassion or common sense. After driving over an hour to take my elderly mother out for the day, we were denied entry due to not having tickets, despite them being available online. I explained my situation and showed my membership card, but the staff were indifferent. We were left in the rain with no umbrella, and my mother's fragile mental health was further impacted by this experience. This day was supposed to be special for her, and it was ruined by the staff's cruelty. I am deeply disappointed and feel completely let down.
We have been visiting the manor for years, usually on Thursday evenings. This time, it felt oversold. We arrived and had to wait about 10 minutes to enter the parking lot, and there were no disabled spaces available. The check-in process took another 10 minutes, followed by a 25-minute wait for the bus, which was challenging for a disabled guest. Although the house was beautiful and the staff delightful, there was hardly any time to enjoy the light trail before needing to head back. The experience was not well thought out for those with disabilities, and I doubt we will return after this visit.
We have visited several times, attending the Christmas lights and having afternoon tea. While not cheap, it was good value. If you're only going for the market, you might be disappointed, but the grounds, light trail, and food made it worthwhile.
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