National Trust & National Trust Scotland

[Pudsey Bear]

We've been members of NTS since 2008, but we've decided that as the cafes are now serving crap at high prices, they have removed a lot of seats in the houses and castles, are more interested in young families than the older people who have kept them going and have ZERO interest in the disabled other than a place to park which is sometimes further away than the normal carparks and often is gravelled so wheelchairs and scooters are virtually useless unless they have large wheels.

We have decided that we'll stop our membership in April this year, in fact Liz has just done it, we have spoken to management at the houses, who in fairness can see the issues when pointed out to them, the issues are UK wide, we have reviewed and commented on Google & Trip advisor, we have emailed them and got no result at all, so they can do without our few quid, at least well stop getting the begging letters from them, it's a shame as despite the above we really did enjoy visiting them.

We both feel they just don't care, it is all about getting money in and saving the properties which is fair enough, but without the old folk who introduce their kids and grand kids they would go under, we think that there should be a staff member who is disabled and needs wheels should visit the premises and do a sensible review of the facilities and update them to include disabled people, able bodies people have no clue to the difficulties and hazards wheel bound people face, I didn't until I became one.



Rant over.

 

[Iandsm]

We've been members of NTS since 2008, but we've decided that as the cafes are now serving crap at high prices, they have removed a lot of seats in the houses and castles, are more interested in young families than the older people who have kept them going and have ZERO interest in the disabled other than a place to park which is sometimes further away than the normal carparks and often is gravelled so wheelchairs and scooters are virtually useless unless they have large wheels.

We have decided that we'll stop our membership in April this year, in fact Liz has just done it, we have spoken to management at the houses, who in fairness can see the issues when pointed out to them, the issues are UK wide, we have reviewed and commented on Google & Trip advisor, we have emailed them and got no result at all, so they can do without our few quid, at least well stop getting the begging letters from them, it's a shame as despite the above we really did enjoy visiting them.

We both feel they just don't care, it is all about getting money in and saving the properties which is fair enough, but without the old folk who introduce their kids and grand kids they would go under, we think that there should be a staff member who is disabled and needs wheels should visit the premises and do a sensible review of the facilities and update them to include disabled people, able bodies people have no clue to the difficulties and hazards wheel bound people face, I didn't until I became one.



Rant over.

I think that's a vr good idea, have you suggested that in any communication with them?

 

[1807truckman]

Since my wife has become a wheelchair user I've found out how poor facilities for the disabled is at lots of different places not just NT, including places that carry out services for the NHS.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I think that's a vr good idea, have you suggested that in any communication with them?

Yes but they never respond, so no idea if there is any intention to implement members' input, I doubt I'm the only one.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Since my wife has become a wheelchair user I've found out how poor facilities for the disabled is at lots of different places not just NT, including places that carry out services for the NHS.

Yes I went somewhere the other day, they had a ramp to get into the building then nothing.

Supermarkets are the same. Sainsbury's in Keighley doesn't have a way to get from the disabled places TBF they have loads, but no official crossing from them to the store, there is one but you walk away from the doors and then have to walk back so no one uses it unless they park over there.

 

[TJBi]

We've been members of NTS since 2008, but we've decided that as the cafes are now serving crap at high prices, they have removed a lot of seats in the houses and castles, are more interested in young families than the older people who have kept them going and have ZERO interest in the disabled other than a place to park which is sometimes further away than the normal carparks and often is gravelled so wheelchairs and scooters are virtually useless unless they have large wheels.

We have decided that we'll stop our membership in April this year, in fact Liz has just done it, we have spoken to management at the houses, who in fairness can see the issues when pointed out to them, the issues are UK wide, we have reviewed and commented on Google & Trip advisor, we have emailed them and got no result at all, so they can do without our few quid, at least well stop getting the begging letters from them, it's a shame as despite the above we really did enjoy visiting them.

We both feel they just don't care, it is all about getting money in and saving the properties which is fair enough, but without the old folk who introduce their kids and grand kids they would go under, we think that there should be a staff member who is disabled and needs wheels should visit the premises and do a sensible review of the facilities and update them to include disabled people, able bodies people have no clue to the difficulties and hazards wheel bound people face, I didn't until I became one.



Rant over.

Did you refer them to the Equality Act 2000 and the fact that they may be guilty of disability discrimination?

 

[marchie]

Did you refer them to the Equality Act 2000 and the fact that they may be guilty of disability discrimination?

There have been a couple of updating Acts, but this link explores the Equality Act 2010 and the definitions of what constitutes a disability. There may be exemptions for Listed Buildings where the structure and Listing criteria prevent the adaptations that would make wheelchair access and similar impossible.
Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010

Steve

 

[trevskoda]

Most here are on the ball, even shops have disabled parking next to the doors, big problem is many thickoes here in BMW cars seem to think it ok to nip in for ten, nat trust here do a fair job in most places I have been.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I hope I'm a fair-minded person, and not daft enough to expect lifts etc in listed building, but I did refer to them removing chairs that had been there previously, this is not a covid thing as they were closed, they were removed as they didn't fit in with the style of the rooms I was told.when I mentioned it the room guides.

Another thing that irks me that Trev alluded to, is people who park in disabled places with out displaying a badge, why is there no national email address where you can post a picture of a dash and number plate of these insensitive cretins.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Most here are on the ball, even shops have disabled parking next to the doors, big problem is many thickoes here in BMW cars seem to think it ok to nip in for ten, nat trust here do a fair job in most places I have been.

With respect Trev until you view it from a wheelchair you really do not notice the difficulties you can have.

 

[TJBi]

There have been a couple of updating Acts, but this link explores the Equality Act 2010 and the definitions of what constitutes a disability. There may be exemptions for Listed Buildings where the structure and Listing criteria prevent the adaptations that would make wheelchair access and similar impossible.
Definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010

Steve

Point taken re 2010 and re listed buildings, but what struck me most was the car parks with gravel surface. I would have thought that in most instances a surface more suited to wheelchairs etc. would not be a major issue.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

They all seem to have gravel carparks and paths, in their favour I must mention that some do have very high-quality electric mobility scooters with large wheels that are almost off-road capable and we have used them often, they also seem to have a few push type wheel chairs.

I am quite capable of walking so getting up the stairs is okay, I don't get out of breath since the stents were done but I am in a lot of pain this is why I am very aware of the lack of seats without holly leaves on them, and how many they used to have, it's a simple thing to do, and even if the decor of the old houses/castles was a problem to have chairs, just get old looking ones made.

But there is no will to do it I'm afraid.

 

[CriftinsCampers]

We make sure we get our money’s worth from our NT membership and the reciprocal free access to NTS sites when up North.

We rarely buy food or drink though, it seems pointless paying 10-15 times more for that when we have everything in the van in the car park.

Although the NT masquerades as a charity it’s always been a massive for profit orientated business in my books and its to an outsider, relatively disproportionate expenditure on gift shops pushing junk from China sort of shows where a lot of the money probably goes.

As a charity I do often wonder who actually owns all the paintings and other baubles it buys, maybe selling some off to clear some of the national debt might be worth considering one day.

We did consider cancelling but I do think we get our moneys worth, I was aghast a few weeks ago when I saw the adult entry to Quarry Bank was £20 and a family ticket £50.

At those prices plus fuel getting there and expensive food in the cafe it’s not really for families either anymore and perhaps never was.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Join NTS it's cheaper.

Not sure where you get 10-15 times more expensive, it's a little more but still affordable, entry prices are to encourage you to subscribe then they have you for years instead of a day, for younger or more able bodies folk it's a very good deal if you actually use then but the attitude for disabled killed it for us, I even bought a mobility scooter to get more from out membership and that's when I found the ground was very unsuitable for anything with small wheels or solid tyres.