Anger at per-person parking at NT sites
two cars away from the toll booth with no way of turning round! We were the told price for two adults and the car ‘£16 please’(£8 each) – gardens, grounds and house included.
“Only thing is we only wanted to park the car and walk around the grounds, apparently, this wasn’t an option! I paid the price but it left a sour taste despite the park being beautiful. You can ordinarily walk around the grounds for free, the house wasn’t worth a look if I’m honest though the gardens were lovely. Therefore the price tag was not warranted in my opinion!
“I suggest Dunham Massey is more transparent about its prices earlier on in the drive down towards the car park with an option for people to change their minds and turn round if they deem it too expensive.”
Reviewer Barbara F had a similar experience at Lyme Park: “National Trust seem to have brought new pricing policies at some of their car parks. Both at Lyme Park and Dunham Massey the cost to park for non-trust members is £8 per adult and £4 per child. As NT members not a problem unless you have non NT passengers, in our case two grandchildren. We did not want to visit the house and as the playground is closed, I think the charge is extortionate!
“Lyme Park has public footpaths running through meaning pedestrians and cyclists do not have to pay. It makes sense to leave only the driver in the car, with any non members walking in. Both here and at Dunham the pricing policy isn’t displayed until you are stuck in the traffic jam of a queue.”
Reviewer Gail S was also disappointed with the new pricing at Lyme: “Live short car ride away and have been many times with family and just paid to park. Now they are charging per person. We do not want to go in house or gardens as been many times and family used to be gamekeepers there for many generations so know about Lyme already. We usually go weekends and school holidays to have a walk with kids/grandkids/dogs then go to playground and cafe.
“We will not be going anymore as the cost of entry just to the park is too much, especially now the playground is closed for the foreseeable. When asked why pricing had changed was told it’s to make up for lost revenue from pandemic. My daughter pointed out that as she is a hairdresser she could not work but she cannot put up her prices to cover her losses. The cafe have now lost out on quite a lot of money from just this one family. Probably go to Tittesworth Reservoir instead.”
A statement for the National Trust said: “As a charity, admission fees help us fund vital conservation work at our places. These fees go directly to properties, allowing us to care for these special places for many years to come.
“By moving to a per person single admission price at Dunham Massey and Lyme, we have brought these two important places in line with other local attractions. We think this pricing model represents good value for money for a full day out, giving visitors an opportunity to explore these vast estates, including historic houses, gardens, and parklands.
“For frequent visitors who enjoy walks in the parkland at these places, an annual membership would be a cost-effective way to enjoy unlimited visits while also supporting our work to care for Dunham Massey and Lyme.”