National Trust - Ham House and Garden — Attraction in London

I'm forced by the website to put a star down , but actually I can award no stars to Ham House. In fact, my visit was so poor that I'm going to write a formal complaint.

We wanted to visit Ham House on the Sunday as a special Birthday treat . When it comes to National Trust staff , its the absolute exception that you a greeted by a friendly face, usually one is greeted with some rudeness and disdain at being there in the first place. This was again the case at Ham House , we were greeted by a terribly miserable woman , but we are not really surprised at this . We fancied some lunch so headed to the café, which was totally overrun and understaffed. We thought we’d let the queue die down a bit and took a turn around the gardens. The crocuses were lovely, but I hardly think the staff had much to do who that, and the treatment we received was appalling.

Heading back to the café the queue was still snaking out the door and around the corner. I thought I’d best join the queue as we were now starving , it was well after two. The few staff who were on duty had no sense of urgency, just pottered about as the queue grew and grew and people complained and complained. When I spoke to another couple, they informed me that they has been queuing for 45 minutes! I could not believe it . 45 minutes and they were nowhere near the front. I managed to collar one of the staff and speak to her about the length of time it was taking to serve people. Her reply was , oh we need more rooms . I’m in charge of the rooms?! Well, that was news to me. By now I had been in the queue for an HOUR . Several people were complaining and still there was no sense of urgency to serve. I requested to speak to the manager as did other people, but she was in hiding. I thought I’d get some sandwiches as by now the hot food was running out . All the silly girl had to do was put them under the grill. Even this was too much. My partner’s came out OK, mine was FROZEN inside. I paid almost £20.00 for this privilege. It was quite disgusting and I had to spit it out. I went to ask for a manager again, but was fobbed off with the excuse ‘she is dealing with the milk order.’ When I complained , yes again, and insisted on seeing the manager as I was now facing food poisoning due to undercooked food, she still did not materialise. Instead, I was told I would receive a refund. Really ? From where ? Will this float down from heaven, or is it tied up with the milk order. The sandwich I was finally given – some vegetarian stuff that no one else wanted was really not very good, but I forced it down to keep myself from fainting.

It was now 3PM , so we had 5 minutes to walk around the house. The following week I experience cramps and an upset stomach , in all likelihood due to the undercooked food was served.

As a former air stewardess there is very little you can tell me about catering and customer service. Managers hiding in the kitchen and frozen food is completely and utterly unacceptable. The manager either never came out , or the person we kept complaining to was actually the manger and just pretending not to be. Either way, your standards are appalling.

I will address the suspected food poisoning with the correct authorities.

My husband and I are not wealthy people, we drove over 17 miles to get to the house. I stood in queue by myself while my husband sat outside by himself for our day pout together for more than one hour, was given a frozen sandwich, suffered side effects from it an hardly saws the house. That was my Birthday treat at Ham House, compliments of the National Trust . Thanks so very, very...

Interesting house, beautiful gardens, good cafe BUT... Significant health and safety issues. Beware that on some staff/ volunteer shifts there are no capable, sensible or trained first aiders should you need one. Beware if you have an accident near to their closing time they will try and hurry you out and make excuses not to call an ambulance. They need to be aware that being eager to get you up and on your way without attention to the severity of your pain, inability to move could cause more serious injuries. I was even suggested I could still have a quick visit round the house when I could barely walk or use my arm after tripping on a metal door mat at the entrance which couldn't be seen as people walked in front of us . They totally underestimated my pain and injuries , I was an inconvenience they didn't want to be seen. Getting to our car was awful, a long way in an indoor wheelchair over cobbles, the staff guy hadn't got a clue even how to push a wheelchair, let alone do first aid or understand the principle of not moving someone with a back injury. I spent hours in A and E being told I should have had an ambulance. Waiting for one would have meant the staff leaving for home late. I shouldn't have moved, I'd hurt my back, hip, pelvis and ribs and arm. I'm not impressed. This is a health and safety issue.

I've read other reviews online which criticise staff/volunteers. I went there a year ago. I thought the place was great, until I met the volunteer outside of the library. I was temporarily wearing an eye patch. She did not want me to go near the precious library but let my companion in.... I said I'd like to go in, so she kicked up a fuss saying I mustn't touch anything, and to hurry, watching my every move, but letting my companion enjoy looking. She then shadowed my every move on that floor in an unfriendly manner. Did she think I was a geriatric pirate about to pull out a sword and steal things!!? Great house and gardens, Shame about some staff/ volunteers and their lack of health and safety training. And they couldn't find the incident book to report my accident instead writing my name and address on something like a folded envelope that could quite easily be lost. I've heard nothing since. They have not asked how I am or my injuries . This is worrying for a venue which can have hundreds of visitors around...

17th century house near Richmond. The house has a rich history and is filled with many artworks and fine furniture including a lovely collection of cabinets which are opened for around 10 days a year so that their insides, some very ornate , can be seen. The house has Royal connections with the first owner John Murray favouring Charles I ( both friends ) during the time of the English civil war. Murray's wife managed to keep hold of the house by paying a fine. Their daughter Elizabeth managed to get through the protectorate period retaining ownership of the house. The house has been extended over the years and there is much to see. The house is now owned by The National Trust for everyone to enjoy. NT volunteer guides are in some of the rooms and are always happy to give information and paint a picture in words of what life was like all those years ago. Entry is free to NT members and there is also local free parking for all around 400 metres away. You can join the NT from £7.50 a month for an adult but offers are available for couples,families and 17-25 year olds. There are toilets on-site, a tea room,shop and second hand book shop. I visited at a time when the cabinets were open and have posted numerous photos of them but it's nothing like seeing them with...