National Trust visitors must remain free to explore as they please
sir – It was with rising blood pressure that I read your report (August 22) on the National Trust’s plans to discourage visitors from making long car journeys to country properties.
I pay £300 a year for membership for myself and my husband, and for our two sons and their families. We only have one small Arts and Crafts property near us – very nice, but not full of excitement for young children, or indeed adults. The highlight of my 50-year membership has been visiting the historic houses on holiday trips. Benefactors gave their homes so that visitors could discover the history, beauty and tranquillity of these places.
I was on the verge of becoming a volunteer, but this will not happen if the rules are changed over when and how the properties are visited. Nor will I be renewing my membership.
Margaret Whelband
Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire
sir – I worked at a National Trust property that was six miles from the nearest town, with no public transport available. From inside the property itself, it was two miles to the visitor centre, lavatories and café.
Most stately homes are on large estates, away from towns and cities, which makes it hard to get to them on foot. If the trust doesn’t want to lose more money, it needs to rethink.
Andrea Hall
North Anston, South Yorkshire
sir – Charles Moore’s article on the National Trust’s plans for the future (Comment, August 22) gives great cause for alarm, but I fear that the organisation has already damaged itself through its approach to Covid-19.
Compared with privately owned castles, stately homes and parks, the trust has made a poor effort to open properties safely. Many interiors remain closed – and even just parking a car requires a booking. If the trust looks at how, say, Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland has adapted, it will see why its members are frustrated.
Mark Blandford-baker
Magdalen College, Oxford
sir – We use National Trust properties as stopping-off points on longer journeys. Better than the average roadside halt or service station. Judging by my recent attempt to book a ticket for Stourhead at lunchtime on a journey back from the West Country, many other travellers do this, too.
People visit National Trust properties for all sorts of reasons. Deterring them would be a bad move.
Nick Eckford
Harpenden, Hertfordshire
sir – As a National Trust volunteer, I am surprised by the suggestion that the “mansion experience” is “outdated”.
The vast majority of visitors we talk to want to know about the history of the house and family. Exhibitions relating to other matters are not the main draw. To change this model would challenge the loyalty of many enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers – as well as that of visitors.
Nik Perfitt
Bristol