National Trust - Ormesby Hall — Attraction in England

The most awful experience I have ever had at a National Trust property. I have been an NT member for all 25 years of my life, the last 10 of which I have been a wheelchair user. I have generally had very positive access experiences with the National Trust. Not here! I arrived today with my family, knowing that I wouldn't be able to access the upper floor, which is common for older listed buildings. The downstairs, however, has wheelchair access, with a ramp at the front entrance. Upon entering the property I was confronted by a member of staff who informed me that I was forbidden from going around the house, due to my use of a powered wheelchair. Whilst I understand the need to limit the size of mobility devices in a listed building, what utterly baffles and enrages me was the alternative I was offered. I was told I was welcome to use a manual wheelchair provided, but that I must transfer. The multitudes of problems with this demand on disabled visitors is astonishing. In my case, the first and most confusing thing is that the wheelchair I was using is a lightweight, foldable, ultra compact model that has a smaller footprint than the manual chairs they offered! If their concern was the chair being too big for the space, they need only have used their common sense to realise that there should be no issue with a wheelchair that has a footprint similar to the authorised ones. If maneuverability is the problem, for instance a concern that a powered chair cannot make the same turns as a manual, they only need the user to briefly demonstrate how their chair operates and make a decision based upon that. In that case I would have been fine. Looking at the issue from their perspective, I can understand wanting to deter larger wheelchairs and scooters, but a blanket ban that defies all common sense or logic is infuriating. Having just checked the website, they state that users of mobility scooters will be asked to transfer. There is a world of difference between a powered wheelchair and a mobility scooter. Would they turn away someone who relies on their wheelchair for breathing support, even if the footprint was no larger...

Plenty of parking especially for disabled but bit of walk to house. Wheelchairs can be hired at entrance. Entrance for adult £6.50 (no pensioners reduction) but as 2 were carers our party of 5 adults got in for £19. Buggys/pushchairs not allowed In the house and there is an outside covered area to leave them - at your own risk. The house is beautiful, some stunning carved furniture and decorated ceilings. Numerous volunteers which can give you info on the room they are in. Plenty of seats to have a rest inside house and lots of benches outside. No access upstairs for wheelchairs, etc. where the bedrooms and train setups are located. There is NO LIFT in this house. There is a small cafe but it's VERY expensive and I suggest you bring sandwiches or eat before/after visiting. The formal rear garden is quite small but set in over 200 acres of farmland, a pond, a church and woodland. There are several shortish walks around parts of the estate but they are mostly grass, gravel or bark paths. The cafe and toilets are accessed from the back garden by the same door but there are 3 steps up. If you follow the footpath to the right of this building it takes you around the back to another courtyard and a ramp access to the cafe. Toilets are also located here and a laundry room. A very short walk from the house is the beautiful stable building and near that there is a pond. 2 of our party have mobility issues so we were limited where we could go - but we still enjoyed our day and intend going back...

Absolutely wonderful. We love going to national trust places and haven't been here in years (I remember going as a child with school). This is such a beautiful place. With so many rooms that are filled with history, stories and information it's great and it's lovely to see what things looked like years ago. Each room is lovely and has a great story to tell. The staff are wonderful, explaining, showing and telling stories of everything was great. We found out so much. There is also little miniature railways here with trains, and the men running them were lovely, so interactive with children, taking their time to talk things through. My daughter loved the trains, especially the room with the thomas the tank engine and friends.

We were here during the school holidays and there was a lovely fairy tale book trail to do. In rooms there was characters from beloved fairy tales (3 little pigs, little red riding hood, Alice in wonderland etc) the little set ups where lovely and there was little pictures to collect for children to colour in and turn them into finger puppets. At the end you could plant your own bean (Jack and the beanstork) and take home.

The grounds outside are lovely, with a croquet field and there is a children's playground, and the gardens are lovely. Will look even better in the summer.

Overall, it's beautiful for all ages. I found the staff were so friendly and I think the staff where have been the best national trust...